Traveling
Saturday-Sunday Sept 7-8
Saturday-Sunday Sept 7-8
After packing, unpacking and repacking, for over a week, we took an Uber to BTV each with one "personal item" and a large suitcase to check. I still haven't gotten to a point where I can do a larger carry-on and one personal item. After all, where would we pack all the souvenirs?
Our flight with United Airlines took us to Chicago with a four hour layover. Yes, we tried to change it but when buying through Viking with a special deal (I'm really not sure how "special" it was after all the add-ons), it was the only reasonable choice. I had two free passes for the United Club so we used those to get some free food but due to some confusion, had to hurry because we had to take a bus across the runways where we had to pick up our previously checked luggage and go through security - again. Then it was hurry up and wait - again. I snapped the shot of our plane while we were waiting. We chatted with some people who were headed to Switzerland to do a rail tour. That is definitely something I want to consider after we have done a few more bucket list items, especially after this trip I'm writing about. Right now the cruise is still too "fresh" to think about doing another one. Especially with Viking.
Swiss Air does it right in economy class. While making our way to our economy seating we saw how amazing it would be to travel first class with Swiss Air. One word: amazing! I want to get rich and travel in first class like Swiss Air. Just once. Before I die! We had paid for an upgrade to seats with better leg room and ended up behind a divider with lots of leg room. We were on opposite ends of a four-seat row, but, it appeared we would have it to ourselves. However, our excitement was diminished when two other passengers were unhappy with their seating and were moved to our row. It was fine though because there was enough room to move around them without disturbing them to get up, stretch and use the restrooms. And, we got to sit next to each other so had a shared experience - unlike some parts of the rest of our trip.
Dinner on the plane was a surprise, especially after discussing with our seat mates whether or not it would be served. Why didn't I take a picture? I had pasta, Bob had chicken, and the meals included salad with dressing, cheese, a dinner roll, and cake. It actually tasted good. It felt like the old 1980s days of flying: lots of attention from the flight attendants who were stylishly dressed in uniforms reminiscent of the old days. After the long flight, we got warm towels and a continental style breakfast: yogurt, a croissant, cheese, a small bar of Swiss chocolate and juice. Oh, and did I say it meals were served with real utensils? Not plastic, real flatware!
We arrived in Zurich, Sunday, around 10:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT). We had left our house at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday. It had been a long "day." After a fairly quick line at customs and no issues getting through, we picked up our bags, used our debit card for some Swiss francs and found our way out of the airport to meet the Viking rep. Six of us pre-extension passengers boarded a small bus to go to Lucerne.
Arrival at the Hotel Astoria was too early to get into our room, but we were greeted by another Viking Representative, Radka, who gave us a lot of information, maps and advice about getting around in Lucerne. It was pouring rain most of the afternoon, and since it was Sunday, most stores were closed. We had a quick lunch in the hotel coffee house, not to be confused with coffee houses in Amsterdam; more on that later. The server was kind enough to educate me on how coffee would be served and suggested a latte instead of regular coffee which is much stronger than our normal coffee in the U.S. and served in small cups. It was ok, but not what I was craving! I never did get my Starbucks coffee even though we passed one several times during our walks around Lucerne. Then it was time for naps, even though experienced travelers warned us against it after a red-eye flight.
Later, we walked to the train station to get our bearings and try to find some snacks. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in one store in my entire life. The two groceries were so crowded we gave up on getting anything to eat to carry with us. We also learned that there is no plain bottled spring water sold in stores. It's all "mineral water." I'd had a taste of that already from the bottle given to us by the Viking bus driver and realized that I did not like it. Yes, I admit it, I'm a water snob!
After we got back to the hotel, we were too tired and jet-lagged to figure out where to eat dinner other than grabbing a pizza in the one of the restaurants attached to the hotel, La Cucina. The wait without a reservation was almost two hours. So we wandered around the hotel, rested in our room and went back for a quick, late, dinner. A pizza verdure (smaller than most size mediums in the U.S.), a €6 bottle of water - yes, we learned quickly to ask for tap water after that dining experience - and a small glass of wine totaled thirty-five euros plus a small tip. Apparently, food prices make up for the 15-20% tipping we add to restaurant checks in the U.S. More on Switzerland food and cost of living later.
Dinner on the plane was a surprise, especially after discussing with our seat mates whether or not it would be served. Why didn't I take a picture? I had pasta, Bob had chicken, and the meals included salad with dressing, cheese, a dinner roll, and cake. It actually tasted good. It felt like the old 1980s days of flying: lots of attention from the flight attendants who were stylishly dressed in uniforms reminiscent of the old days. After the long flight, we got warm towels and a continental style breakfast: yogurt, a croissant, cheese, a small bar of Swiss chocolate and juice. Oh, and did I say it meals were served with real utensils? Not plastic, real flatware!
We arrived in Zurich, Sunday, around 10:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT). We had left our house at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday. It had been a long "day." After a fairly quick line at customs and no issues getting through, we picked up our bags, used our debit card for some Swiss francs and found our way out of the airport to meet the Viking rep. Six of us pre-extension passengers boarded a small bus to go to Lucerne.
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| View from above of the bar/lounge at Hotel Astoria, Lucerne |
Later, we walked to the train station to get our bearings and try to find some snacks. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in one store in my entire life. The two groceries were so crowded we gave up on getting anything to eat to carry with us. We also learned that there is no plain bottled spring water sold in stores. It's all "mineral water." I'd had a taste of that already from the bottle given to us by the Viking bus driver and realized that I did not like it. Yes, I admit it, I'm a water snob!
After we got back to the hotel, we were too tired and jet-lagged to figure out where to eat dinner other than grabbing a pizza in the one of the restaurants attached to the hotel, La Cucina. The wait without a reservation was almost two hours. So we wandered around the hotel, rested in our room and went back for a quick, late, dinner. A pizza verdure (smaller than most size mediums in the U.S.), a €6 bottle of water - yes, we learned quickly to ask for tap water after that dining experience - and a small glass of wine totaled thirty-five euros plus a small tip. Apparently, food prices make up for the 15-20% tipping we add to restaurant checks in the U.S. More on Switzerland food and cost of living later.
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