Surrounded at dinner by three others on my second-to-the-last evening in Switzerland, their friendship, the wine and the anciently elegant place chosen radiated warmth. An older-than-old restaurant above the Bodega Bar, the Cordula Stube provided ambiance galore with its dark wood walls and beams and leaded glass windows. On our way in, I noticed a banner hoisted in town advertising an animation film festival, proving that even ancient towns can serve a modern p...

When I was a girl I read about a tiny strip of land in Europe called Liechtenstein. Sunday I fulfilled a wish to one day visit the micro-country squeezed between Switzerland and Austria. The castle on the hill is still occupied by the ruling family and now not open to the public. We did visit the LandesMuseum, which does a good job of educating visitors to the history and culture of Liechtenstein. At the Information Bureau, for three Swiss Francs, my passport wa...

Over four hours and three train changes past Zurich, we disembarked at Grindelwald. Here to spend one night at the 1,034 meter (3,392 foot) elevation in the Bernese Alps. The following day to travel high above to 3,454 meters, or 11,332 feet, to disembark at Europe's highest railway station--the "Top of Europe". After arriving in Grindelwald, we trekked, and I mean trekked, up a steep road to the Alpenhof Hotel. We passed beside a green slope where black and whi...

The Einsiedeln Monastery is the largest Benedictine monastery in Switzerland, and is the home of over 80 monks. I am so grateful that my friends suggested we travel to view the Kloster, or monastery. Visitors are not allowed to take photos inside the church. Cameras are allowed at the outside of the monastery, on the grounds, and inside the library--a singular delight for the eyes. The library is perfectly lined floor to ceiling with ancient texts. The walls are ...

Zürcher Theater Spektakel is an annual summer event on Lake Zurich, an anticipated event that sprawls along the shore for two weeks in August. We went on a cool Monday evening, three Swiss ladies and me. That's right, it was Ladies Night for this group. Before walking out to view the outdoor performances, we started with wine and hors d'oeuvres alfresco. It was fine; and I mean that in the best sense of the word. The Theater Spektakel is truly entertaining. For...