the lazy travelers take europe: the romantic’s highlights
It’s still hard to believe that less than one month ago, the wino and I were frolicking through the snowy streets of Switzerland, trying to pinpoint our next meal drink. Unsurprisingly, we’ve spent the better part of the past month regaling our friends with stories from the good ol’ days. We’re those girls, telling anyone who complains about New York, “it’s nothing compared to Switzerland.”
Yeah, we’ve been really popular ever since we returned.
As with any good getaway, when I think back to our weeklong adventure, it’s all a big blur of snow, cheese, wine, and French accents. But there are a few key things that stick out as the major highlights.
The views from the Swiss Rail.
There’s just something about train travel, no? It lacks the same appeal in the states… I blame Penn Station, for one. But in Europe, I feel completely at ease riding through the countryside from city to city. We’ve mentioned our Swiss Passes before, so I’m sure you get the gist of how much we loved them, but it wasn’t just their ease that made them such a necessity. It was also the scenery. There were tiny towns that we never would have stopped to visit, but seeing them hustling and bustling from the train gave us a little taste of life in the Swiss countryside.
FROMAGE.
It is a grave injustice that there is a country on this planet where it is not only possible, but ENCOURAGED, to sit around a table with friends and dip things in melty cheese late into the night and I was not born in that country. There was actually a day on the trip where I said the words, “I am cheese-ed out.”
I have met my match, Switzerland.
Challenge accepted and we will re-cheese again someday.
Verbier
When we originally settled on Geneva, we had one thing in mind: a snowy, wintery, bundled-up escape from New York to get us ready for the holidays. Though we agreed that Verbier would have logistically worked better as the finale to our time in Switzerland, kicking off our trip in this ski town definitely set the tone for the rest of the week.
Château de Chillon
I’m not entirely sure if Chillon would have had the same impact if we hadn’t arrived on the snowiest, grayest day of our trip. But our self-guided tour was perfection thanks to the dreary overtones. There was literally no better way we could have spent that afternoon! And how many times can you say you’ve felt grateful for less than stellar weather on vacation?
Standing in the snow, looking past the stone castle across Lake Geneva, I felt completely transported back in time (you know, aside from the Canon DSLR and iPhone I was juggling). I’m now making it my life’s work to attend a wedding here. Honestly, I don’t even know if they DO weddings, but it needs to happen. I’m actually afraid to research this because if it’s not possible, I might be crushed. SIGH, it’s clearly just the romantic in me.
The view of Skerries from Ardgillan Castle
We were more than a little excited to escape from Dublin and get out to the countryside. I think we both had visions of a mini-escapade akin to our cross-country drive to Dingle circa 2009. But it just wasn’t the same. It wasn’t as green, we only saw, like, two sheep, we were hungover from the night before. WE couldn’t fathom a pint at our lunchtime pub stop! But then, we got to Ardgillan and saw the view out ahead and I fell in love with the Emerald Isle all over again.
Stay tuned for the wino’s highlights. I’m going to go sit and stare at my photo album while I drink a bottle of wine and maybe cry a little. CURSE YOU, WANDERLUST.
xo!
the romantic
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
21 Comments
Anita Mac
Your photos certainly inspire!
Anita Mac recently posted..Monday Morning Series: The Tropical Frangipani
Lazy Travelers
why thank you, antia! xo
Lazy Travelers recently posted..the lazy travelers take europe: the romantic’s highlights
Britany
The train travel sounds great! Almost as great as the cheese.
Britany recently posted..Why I Bailed on Bogota
Lazy Travelers
almost. very close second.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..the lazy travelers take europe: the romantic’s highlights
Leah Travels
Ahhhh…cheese and Verbier…we shall meet in two weeks.
Leah Travels recently posted..Umbria, Italy: Cook, Eat, Drink, and Repeat
Lazy Travelers
sigh. can’t wait to re-live it all through you, because we ache for those potatoes & cheese.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..the lazy travelers take europe: the romantic’s highlights
@mrsoaroundworld
So looking forward to my little Swiss trip! I wasn’t planning on doing anything except Verbier, but thanks to your trip, I couldn’t resist. So yes, all your fault!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..Mrs. O goes around Europe to start 2013
Lazy Travelers
you won’t regret it, mrs. o!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..no travel required
D.J. - The World of Deej
You gotta admit….it’s pretty funny when the quality of the drive is based on seeing more than “like two sheep.”
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Gone Shrimpin’ Aboard The Lady Jane
Lazy Travelers
that is a very important requirement when driving across ireland, deej,
Lazy Travelers recently posted..no travel required
Fiona
Ah I really need to go back to Switzerland! Sorry about the sheep (or lack there of)
Fiona recently posted..Prague: A Real Winter Wonderland
Lazy Travelers
thank you for your apologies. we assume this is on behalf of your country, and we forgive you.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..the lazy travelers take europe: the wino’s highlights
Traveling Ted
I love looking out at the European countryside from a train. It would even be better in snowy Switzerland.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Adventure activities in Australia through online discount coupons
Lazy Travelers
it was perfection.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..the lazy travelers take europe: the wino’s highlights
Kieu ~ GQ trippin
I remember the fromage!!! Curses, indeed. It’s really hard to read these post when you’re sitting at home. Wahhhh..
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..15 Things We Love About Japan
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter)
What a contrast from the shores of Lake Geneva to Dublin! I am so glad you had this opportunity and that you shared these images with us! I have been to Switzerland a few times but never in winter.
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..The Highlights of Food and Wine in 2012. Mostly Food.
The World Wanderer
Wow…so beautiful. I must admit, you two have inspired me to visit Switzerland. Yes, even in the cold. I know, I’m crazy, but it’s so beautiful!
The World Wanderer recently posted..The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: Photo Essay.
Pola (@jettingaround)
As if as I wasn’t missing Europe enough… Great photos! And that fromage? Are you trying to kill me?! 😉
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: On the trail in Boulder, Colorado
Katja (@anythingtuscan)
If there is one thing I miss about life in Italy, it’s the Swiss rail system! In regard to efficient public transport there just exists nothing like Switzerland (okay maybe Japan..).
Katja (@anythingtuscan) recently posted..VEGETARIAN IN TUSCANY? HERE’S YOUR TREAT (IT WAS ABOUT TIME!)
Lazy Travelers
yes, we’ve heard the same about japan! unfortunately, the us definitely does not compare. at all.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..new york times travel show: tips for first-timers
Dana (@WantedAdventure)
First of all, lovely photos!! Some really great shots — The one of the Verbier and the next of the Château de Chillon fight for first place in my head 🙂 Both great but give off a very different vibe. Secondly, LOVE CHEESE 😀 haha since living in Germany for 5 years now I’ve come to learn that cheese is not a splurge food but a normal part of most days! And what’s not to love about that?!!