Our last full day in Kyushu! After breakfast at the 長崎マリオット Nagasaki Marriott, we took the train over to 島原 Shimabara and visited 島原城 Shimabara Castle. After lunch, we visited the town’s historic 武家屋敷 samurai residences and its streets lined with natural spring water canals, which is a bit of an odd description! After a snack at the over 100 year old 銀水 Ginsui, we returned to Nagasaki for dinner.
Continue reading “Shimabara Castle and Town”Yufuin
After waking up at the ゆのひら上柳屋 Yunohira Kamiyanagiya, we went to the onsen before breakfast. We then spent the day in 湯布院 Yufuin where we had lunch and walked around the town, enjoying scenery, 金鱗湖 Kinrinko, and a few snacks. After returning to 湯平 Yunohira, we again enjoyed the onsen before dinner.
Continue reading “Yufuin”Hiking from Glungezer to Patscherkofel
After waking up at the AC Hotel Innsbruck and having breakfast, we took a bus over to Glungezer where we ascended via gondola. We then hiked along the Zirbenweg at 2,000m elevation to Patscherkofel, where we had lunch. After, we descended by gondola and returned to Innsbruck by bus where we visited two churches and had gelato before returning to the hotel.
Continue reading “Hiking from Glungezer to Patscherkofel”The Fortress of Bellinzona
After breakfast at the Hampton Locarno, we took the train over to Bellinzona where we visited the three castles that comprise the city’s UNESCO listed fortress and walked through the historic city. Afterwards, we returned to Locarno where we visited the lakefront area and had an excellent dinner.
Continue reading “The Fortress of Bellinzona”Christmas Season in Zurich
After breakfast at the Kameha Grand, we headed out for our last full day of the trip. We took the tram to Tiefenbrunnen, by Lake Zurich, and walked back to the Altstadt. We visited the Chinese Garden on the way as well as the large Wienachtsdorf, a Christmas market. We walked through the Altstadt, visited more markets, and saw the evening’s Singing Christmas Tree performance before walking around the city a bit more.
Continue reading “Christmas Season in Zurich”
