THURSDAY (Still in Italy):
What a fast week! After a quick lecture on Italian Music
given by the dashingly handsome Luca, Cathy and I went to grab a quick lunch
and then catch the train towards Tirano, Italy. Since there is a small Eataly
restaurant near the metro stop, we decided to eat there. Either I was starving
and EVERYTHING would taste good, or the classic club sandwich and caprese salad
I got for lunch was amazing. I’m going with the latter since it was Eataly.
After lunch we had to haul ass to the metro to catch the
yellow line to Centrale. When there we had to again haul ass up the stairs to
catch the Regional train headed to Tirano. We made it with 2 minutes to spare.
My thighs were burning and I’m pretty sure I suffered a mild heart attack. But
after we settled in our stuffy train car, we set off for the 2+ hour journey to
Tirano.
Making it Tirano was a beautiful thing. What an adorable
little village nestled in the valley of the Italian Alps. It would be a perfect
place for me to set up shop and write the rest of my dissertation. What a
fabulous idea! Shame I couldn't afford the trip back. The little hotel we
stayed at was freaking adorable and right out of a Goldilocks story. We had a
small but cozy bathroom and two twin beds. Our windows opened to the main road
and the rushing aqueduct that flows through the center of town. The alpine
water was this crystal aquamarine color that I’d liken to the “robin’s egg”
color of some classic cars from the 1950s. After setting down our goods, we set
off to wander the little town and scout out some dinner spots. Some of the
photos I got of the little alleyways and side streets are beyond charming. It
almost seemed fake. I met a cute little
gray kitty that obviously belonged to a local Innkeeper as she was super
friendly and anxious to be loved on.
A turn back through town took us to a cute little ristorante
and pizzeria where we decided dinner was necessary. Our grumbling stomachs
agreed. Oh. My. God. The food was fantastic! I got this pear and cheese salad
with walnuts and a light vinegaratte that was to DIE for. I’d eat that every
day if I could. For dinner we got a 4 cheese pizza and some local white wine (a
staple of the area).
We called it a fairly early night since we had to be up at a
decent time to catch the Bernina Express into Switzerland.
FRIDAY:
Ate breakfast at the hotel
Bernina Express – 2.5 hour trip; What an amazing journey
through the Alps! The weather was beautiful and the trip was exactly as I
expected Switzerland to be. Took well over 400 photos … Cathy got a little
snap-happy
Hiking nuns! Luckily
at one point during the trip, we passed a beautiful aqua lake where Cathy
spotted two nuns hiking around. She snapped a cute photo of them.
When we arrived in St Moritz we wanted to wander around and
dig up somewhere to eat lunch. Being the tourists we are, we walked up the side
of a steep hill towards the center of town. That was painful! Not only was the
elevation working against my lungs, but so was the steep incline. Come to find
out that there was an escalator that would take you up the mountain… Whoops.
Expensive ass lunch – meatloaf with fried egg and potato
salad; Very good, but very pricey!
After lunch we wandered back down to the lake for some more
picturesque views before taking the train to Celerina where our hotel was. I
decided my goal for the trip was to stick my feet in an alpine lake or stream
before I left Switzerland. So I stuck my poor aching feet in the lake! And
maybe it was the fact that my feet were numb, but maybe (and I’m going with
this) the lake has some healing properties because afterwards my feet felt 10x
better.
Took train over to Celerina – stayed at All in One Hotel which
was an adorable ski lodge place. We had a room with two bunk beds, a desk area
and shower/bathroom. The only issue I had with the place was that they charged
5 franks for towels…. We had to pay for towels.
We promptly took a well deserved nap after the day of
travel. The beds were surprisingly comfortable and I was hard-pressed to move
after I woke back up. But we had big plans!
Took a “Mountain crab” to Romantik Hotel for dinner. By
mountain crab I mean it’s a trolley that climbs the side of a mountain.
Spent 100 franks per person on dinner of: tomato soup, peach
sorbet, steak med rare with herb butter, veggies and chocolate mousse with
strawberries for desert
It was one of the best meals of my whole life. After dinner
it was around 11pm and FREEZING! Of course even though I packed pants and a
light sweater, it wasn’t enough. Cathy on the other hand was in pure heaven.
However we did decide to split the ungodly cost of a cab to take us to the hotel
instead of waiting outside at 11pm for a bus that would come around midnight.
SATURDAY
Woke up early to get breakfast at the hotel. Had the best
croissants of my LIFE with some creamed honey; cute waiter made us cappuccinos
Took an adventurous trip on the train to find the mountain
lift we were scouting for
Took the lift to 3033 meters (about 10k feet) to the top of
a mountain in the Alps. Walked on a glacier.
Ate lunch at the panorama bar/bistro on the mountain; Got a
mixed plate of dried meats and local cheeses as well as some French fries.
Ordered 2 cappuccinos which I aptly dubbed “ALPaccinos” J
Spent the day taking photos and wandering around
Took bus back to Celerina where we promptly took a nap.
Wandered into town for dinner and came across a place that
served fondue; Got the cheese fondue with potatoes, onions, pickles, baby corn,
pepper and olives. Ninja’d some cheese for tomorrow
SUNDAY
We woke up for breakfast at the hotel. I had more great
croissants and a cappuccino! Seriously, the croissants were so light and flaky
I could have eaten 10 of them! Get it together Italy!!!
Grabbed a local train to St Moritz; Got back on the Bernina
Express towards Tirano. Today the weather was rainy and cloudy which was
beautiful against the mountain backdrop; nice to get both types of weather for
the trip. The 2.5 hour journey seemed a little longer this time due to a
plethora of young children in our car making a LOT of noise, and the fact that
we were leaving Switzerland for good. A bit depressing, but the view made me
smile. I would love to go back.
We ate lunch in Tirano at Vittora where I got
spaghetti bolonese and salad with a super thick hot chocolate… it was like
chocolate pudding!! Cathy got a Hawaiian pizza and some red vino.
We hopped on the 3pm Trennord Regional train towards Milano
Centrale (where I am currently writing this blog). Thus ending our weekend
getaway in Switzerland. Bought a few knives and trinkets.
Dad leaves for Denmark today (he will arrive Monday morning)
and then tomorrow night he will be in Milano!!!!!!!!!!
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