Family Trip - Austria/Switzerland/Iceland 2023 [Part 2]

From Laurentius we took a taxi van to the train station in Landeck to catch our train to Zurich. We traveled with Julia (Ian's sister) and family. We camped out in the dining car for a good chunk of the 3 hour journey. Scenery was gorgeous as we glided from Austria through Lichtenstein into Switzerland.

leaving Fiss

Lichtenstein

Ian provided transportation from the Zurich train station to the hotel. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Zurich again since it was the closest place to their condo. This time we had a family room that had a queen and twin beds.

Sunday morning R and I had a traditional Swiss breakfast at Ian and Leyla's place. I could probably eat a whole loaf of Butterzopf on my own. Ian, S, R and I then headed to Ebainum Baggermuseum - essentially an excavator museum. R was in hog (construction vehicle) heaven. 

The museum is located in a town along the Rhine River, so after admiring vehicles and playing in the sand, we popped over to Germany for lunch at a Greek restaurant. The waiter gave us four small glasses after we ordered drinks and an appetizer.  He gave R a specific one and I discovered shortly thereafter that mine was not water. It was ouzo! I then panicked what was in the toddler's glass, but the guy purposefully gave him sprite or something similar.

The Rhine

We then returned to the Zurich and toured some of the old town we did not visit last year. We had dinner in the old armory at a place called Zeughauskeller. 

The following morning we caught a tram to the main station for another adventure. We were on our way via train to Zermatt. Ian joined us until Bern where he returned to Zurich. I was so impressed with the train. They had a play area where we spent most of the time along the beautiful journey.

Sadly the weather was overcast and snowy for our time in Zermatt so we never saw the splendor of the Matterhorn (think Toblerone chocolate). Our hotel, Hotel Cima (cash only), was very close to the train station which was perfect for the next morning when we caught the Glacier Express. 

Would be a great Matterhorn view from room if it wasn't snowing

Matterhorn attempting to show itself

Hotel Cima

The Glacier Express calls itself the slowest fast train or something like that. The cars have huge windows so you can take in the scenery. Tickets were limited so we got the ones that came with food. The journey was about 8 hours long and the sights were beautiful. Cogs are used to help go up very steep mountains. Was impressed how R did on the super long train. We did have YouTube and trucks/play dough at the ready.

Arrived in St. Moritz then had to catch two trains and a tram to make it back to our hotel. After about 12 hours of travel, we made it back.

Wednesday was S's birthday and we flew to Iceland. But first, R and I walked through huge snowflakes to a bakery for breakfast and chai then packed.  Ian took us to the airport. Stay tuned for the Iceland leg!