We had a 3:50 AM wake up call as we needed to be on the road by 4:15 in order to be in Basel, Switzerland by 10:00 AM. We had an excellent unlimited kilometer deal but the car had to be turned in by that time or our cost would have doubled. Traffic was heavy as a drove through Germany but it became light when we went through a short distance in Austria, Switzerland and France.
Once we turned in the car, we were off to the train station to catch the train that went directly from Basel to Interlaken. Even though there were stops in Olten and Bern, we did not have to switch trains.
We are staying at the Beau Rivage in Interlaken. This five star hotel is by the Interlaken Ost (East) train station. We have a cute corner room on the third floor. Fruit and chocolates were a nice surprise, upon our arrival.
We relaxed and took a nap before we went to dinner at Città Vecchia in Unterseen.
You know you are home when you are greeted with a handshake and a "Welcome home. It is nice to see you." We love this restaurant. Great people, fantastic food!!!!!
Rinaldo sent over a starter. Tasty olives and salami! Yummy!!!!
I had the mixed salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, carrots, red cabbage and butter beans. So fresh! Italian dressing, of course.
Michael decided to try something new. He had the nut salad with egg and bacon. Excellent choice.
We both had the Rusticana pizza.This pizza never disappoints.
We both ended the meal with a colonel. Lemon sorbet with vodka.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped and watched people skating at ICE MAGIC Interlaken.
Skate rental.
This is quite a unique skating experience that transforms the center of Interlaken into a winter wonderland. The are different ice rinks for skating or hockey, winding runways and a Bavarian curling place.
A little help keeping you upright.
There are market stalls and the rustic Swiss chalet restaurant. Culinary highlights are just as much a part of ICE MAGIC as is snow in winter. Delicious hot chocolate and heart-warming mulled wine are a given, as is a tasty fondue. Fine cuisine awaiting you includes everything from hörnli and ghackets to chäsbrätel as well as tarte flambee and specialties from the highland smoke house.
There even was a DJ. The place was hopping!
In Interlaken, they do Bavarian curling which is different from curling.
Curling
Curling the granite stone over polished ice into the house is an art in itself, and is enjoying increasing popularity. Curling explained in brief: The teams attempt to play the stones as close as possible to the "house" in 6, 8 or 10 rounds. One point is awarded for every stone that lies closer to the "house" than the opponent's stones.
Bavarian curling
Bavarian curling is one of the oldest winter sports in the world. In the 16th century it was primarily farmers and craftsmen who ventured onto the ice and passed the winter days in this way. The sport requires that the ice stock (or Bavarian curling stone) glide across the ice. In terms of equipment it is recommended that leather-soled shoes are not worn. Bavarian curling explained in brief: The aim of Bavarian curling is to position the team's ice stocks as close to the tee as possible over the course of 6 rounds. This requires a great deal of patience on the ice! After all, who doesn't enjoy knocking the opponent out of play shortly before they win the game
Bavarian curling is one of the oldest kinds of winter sport and has developed to a national sport in Bavaria. The sport is trendy especially for amateur sportsmen or women and beginners. Let the ice stick slide over the ice – who does not want to try that?
Bavarian curling is similar to bowling and popular with sportsmen and women of all ages. For this sport you need primarily visual judgment and concentration. Bavarian curling for amateurs is mainly a social matter, too.
They certainly take Bavarian curling seriously here in Interlaken.
