Matterhorn

When planning our trip, Onions insisted we go see the Matterhorn.  I was skeptical of spending the time to go all the way down to Southern Switzerland to see this one mountain.  But, as we were entering Zermatt, the sun was hitting the mountain, and I realized, it was worth it.

We got to Zermatt and took the train to Gornegrat.  Here's a view looking north into the valley that leads to Zermatt.

Since we got up to Gornegrat (the angle at which you see the Matterhorn is a bit different than the famous one in the pictures) early, we had the mountain all to ourselves.

Looking south into Italy.

There was an opportunity to go sledding.  Off we went.....

And off he goes.  This is the last I saw of Onions (he looks like a natural) until the bottom of the run.  I couldn't get used to the speed and so I stopped a lot, got stuck on the flat areas.  The last curve of the run was sharp and steep and I wiped out as Onions was filming.  I'll let you ask him to see the video.

We left Zermatt and Onions found this spa in the town of Bad Leukerbad.  Outdoor hot springs and pools.....

....with an AMAZING setting with the mountains all around you. 

Leaving Bad Leukerbad, we caught the sunset in the Rhone River valley.

Looking west.....the direction we were headed, into French Switzerland.

Schilthorn

Our patience paid off.  After our second night in Stechelberg.....we awoke to clear skies.  Time to go up into the mountains.

Getting up to the Piz Gloria (the top of Schilthorn) requires four gondola rides.  Here's the first, a five minute ride from the base of the Lauterbrunnen Valley up to Gimmelwald.

The village of Stechelberg

The "end" of the valley.  We stayed at a guesthouse in that cluster of buildings.

The second gondola is another short (6 minute) ride from Gimmelwald to Murren.  Then the dramatic gondola from Murren up to Berg.

Approaching Berg Station. You'll notice that on the rockface below is the glass floor walk.  We did that on the way down.

Piz Gloria, named for the hideout of villain in the James Bond movie, "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.  This is what we came to Switzerland for.

Looking south.

Looking west.

The view to the north.

Piz Gloria celebrates its James Bond connections with an entire exhibit devoted to the movie.  This is a replica of the helicopter from the movie.....

.....and the bobsled.  I guess its time for me to see the movie.

We splurged for the James Bond package, which included a discount on the brunch buffet.

The restaurant has a rotating restaurant, and for an hour and a half, we just sat there and went around and around!

As we were leaving, the clouds began to roll in.  Here are the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau again.

Looking down towards the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Back down at Berg, the challenge walk.

On our way down, we stopped and took a stroll through the town of Gimmelwald.

Rick Steves LOVES this place, and it's pretty charming.

The houses on the upper road of Gimmelwald

After leaving the amazing Lauterbrunnen Valley, it was off to Zermatt.  Turns out the most efficient way around the Alps...is to go through the mountains on the car train.