the lazy travelers take europe: the wino’s irish & swiss highlights
I’ve been looking forward to writing this post for a while. but now that I sit down to do it, I’m getting majorly overwhelmed by all of the wonderful things we got to see and do (and eat and drink) on our European adventure. Short of posting my journal verbatim, it’s hard to capture everything I loved about our time in Switzerland and Ireland. And no offense guys, but I don’t really want you reading my journal. So alas, you’ll have to settle for my Irish and Swiss highlights.
After careful consideration, this is what I’ve come up with:
Bern
Oh Bern, you stole my heart. You weren’t even on our original itinerary, and I apologize for that. Why the world neglects to shout your praises from the rooftops, we’ll never know. From your cobblestoned streets to your perfectly Bavarian architecture to your strangely endearing hibernating bear situation, you are perfect. I’m coming back for you, Bern, I promise.
The Wine
Shocker, I know. But truthfully, the Swiss wine really took me by surprise. We had read before we left that winemaking was a huge industry in the Lake Geneva region, but neither of us had ever seen a Swiss wine on a menu in New York. Turns out, Swiss wine is so delicious that they hoard it for themselves and export very little. We made it a priority to order Swiss wine during every dinner (aaand ok, maybe during lunch) and it didn’t disappoint. Luckily, we stole a tip from the Hub’s book and took pictures of every label so we can go on a Swiss wine manhunt now that we’re back in Manhattan.
Château de Chillon
I know the romantic included our snowy walk through Chateau de Chillon in her highlights, but I couldn’t write an entire post about my favorites without including it. I mean, do I have to give you an explanation?
Afternoon Tea at The Westbury
Let me set the scene: Glasses of champagne, fancy tea sandwiches, scones straight from the oven, chocolate concoctions of every shape and size, more champagne, more scones, and like, a little tea. I never knew a seemingly stuffy English tradition could be so entertaining. We had to restrain ourselves from speaking in British accents the entire time, as to not embarrass ourselves in front of the other Westbury clientele, but I think we held our own.
Visiting My Old Haunts
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to visit my old graduate school stomping grounds during my return to Dublin. In only two days, we managed to hit up many of our favorite spots – Kehoes, Topshop, The Brazen Head, Queen of Tarts, and Rick’s. Reuniting never felt so good.
Annnd now I want to climb into bed and cry. Don’t worry Europe, I’ll be back soon.
xo,
the wino
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.”
11 Comments
Anita Mac
Sounds brilliant. Love that the Swiss have a sleeper wine industry. We try to always check out the local wine when travelling. The wine control in Ontario is so strict, it would be highly unlikely that we would ever find a bottle …. guess I will just have to travel to Switzerland to try for myself!
Anita Mac recently posted..Ottawa Restaurant Bucket List
Lazy Travelers
we just found a spot in new york that carries a few different bottles, but we had to search high and low. keep trying!
@mrsoaroundworld
Ohhhhhhh this is so sweet! And Europe wants you back! I do too! Very curious about Swiss wine – actually had a glass when I was last at Geneva airport and was very nice. Must investigate, ie drink more!
And as for afternoon tea.. oh yes!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..Photos of the Week – Best Views of 2012
Lazy Travelers
hopefully we’ll be back soon, mrs. o! and when we are, wine drinking with you will be a must!
Tawny of Captain and Clark
Looks like you had an amazing time! Bern has definitely been added to the list alongside whatever it is that you’re eating in the last picture. Sign me up!
Tawny of Captain and Clark recently posted..How to survive a Korean drinking experience.
Lazy Travelers
ricks burger in dublin. hands down the best drunk burger ever!
Traveling Ted
After reading this post I definitely want to get my chill on Chateau Chillon. That sounds better than getting my thrill on Blueberry Hill.
Looks like you had a great time and interesting about the Swiss wine. Did not know their wine would be so good.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Just a man, a benab, and his hammock in Guyana
Lazy Travelers
neither did we! so delicious!
Pola (@jettingaround)
I think I just put Bern on my bucket list… Great photo!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: On the trail in Boulder, Colorado
Katja Meier
Love the fact that you discovered Swiss wine and our capital (most people seem to think it’s Zurich)! But I doubt you’ll be allowed back into Bern next time. Bavarian architecture?! It will take a lot of Swiss wine to forgive you that one (-;
Lazy Travelers
oh no! tell us the correct term- we desperately want to get back to bern and wont forgive ourselves if we dont give it its proper credit!