Switzerland
We left Mulhouse with the intention of coming back for the famous Christmas market and in hopes the Hayme family will come to see us in Biarritz. Jacques shared some insights about driving in Switzerland before we hit the road. It's vital not to go over the speed limit due to the fact that there are cameras on the road and a costly ticket. Interestingly, those seen speeding are often unconcerned about paying fines. In this country, having a special sticker, known as a vignette, on your car is a must if you intend to use certain roads. It costs CHF 40. Jacques kindly gave us his sticker, as he wouldn't need it before year-end. Before reaching Switzerland, we were in Germany. We drove on a German autobahn with no speed limit signs. At one point, Gabe hit 160 km/h (100 mph), and even then, cars were passing us.
We crossed into Switzerland as Jacques had informed us. With our sticker in place, we were good to go. Naturally, we found ourselves in a tunnel – a common sight in Switzerland. Gabe took the opportunity to educate the boys about Switzerland's defenses. This nation had ingeniously rigged major border entry points, including tunnels and bridges, to be capable of exploding at a moment's notice, a testament to their preparedness. Along with their neutrality and independence. Our first stop was Lucerne. Interestingly, we had initially considered staying here when mapping out our route. However, we were all relieved that we didn't, given its shishi atmosphere with luxury shops and an overwhelming number of tourists. We indulged in a classic Swiss lunch, took in the beautiful lake with the steep Alps in the distance and the renowned covered bridge, treated ourselves to some Swiss chocolate, and then hit the road again, heading towards Locarno.
The drive from Lucerne to Locarno on the A2 was awesome. Truly. I can't even count how many tunnels we passed through, but every time we emerged, we were greeted by breathtaking sights – sheer peaks, waterfalls, hilltop houses, and lush green fields (The photos we took don’t do it justice). We even experienced a downpour along the way. And then, there was the Gotthard tunnel – Switzerland's longest road tunnel spanning 17km or 10 miles. While I felt a touch of claustrophobia, I kept that to myself. Meanwhile, Charlie was attempting to hold his breath in each tunnel, but this one proved far too long. It took us around 15 minutes to traverse the tunnel at 80 km/h.
We reached Soldano, the small town where our hillside apartment is located. We had directions from the host, we navigated the incredibly narrow streets, but locating the parking spot she'd pictured wasn’t happening. A call to her led to her coming out to help us. Gabe managed some Italian, or at least got by with it. But no, driving up to the apartment wasn't an option. The parking spot was on the main street. She led me and the boys to the apartment, guiding us along a route that involved going up a block, making a right turn, then following a narrow walking path up the hill, and finally taking a left onto another path that led us to our gate. Inside she explained the details of the apartment in French while Gabe tackled parking the car. And here's the impressive part: Luke comprehended everything she said. He not only understood each word, but he responded to her questions in French as well! It's a testament to his willingness to communicate. His French is strong. So, we're here for a week! Excited to settle in and uncover all the exciting things to do in Locarno, Ascona, Lido, and of course, Lago Maggiore! Andiamo!
