ENCHANTING SWITZERLAND
Travel
2019 MAY 13–15
Enchanting Switzerland
Amazing turquoise Lake Oeschinen in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
24
ADVANCED
The castle of Chillon
A wax figure of Charlie Chaplin greets visitors to Chaplin’s World museum
◆ by Joanne DiBona / © 2017, The San Diego Union-Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PAGE DESIGN BY OLIVE CHU
Despite my jet lag, I couldn’t resist staring out of the train window to savor endless views of verdant, cow-studded countryside and medieval villages and castles situated high above pristine lakes. However, the view that will always remain in my mind is when the train made its final pass through a long tunnel— and Lake Geneva emerged in all its glory.
The journey begins
Getting there was a breeze, thanks to the efficient Swiss rail connections and a Swiss Travel Pass (available online for pre-purchase), which allows the bearer unlimited use of the country’s trains, buses and excursion boats, as well as entry to select museums. Within 30 minutes after my plane landed in Zurich, I was comfortably seated on an express train headed to my first destination, the town of Vevey, a trip of just under two hours. Astonishing natural beauty surrounds the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland
© Joanne and Tony DiBona Photography
W
alking along with my guide, Gundela, through what was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular wine trails I have ever experienced, I had to wonder how, nearly a thousand years ago, 05 the Lavaux terraced vineyards were planted on these dizzyingly steep slopes along Switzerland’s Lake Geneva. “We are pretty certain the Romans planted the first grapes in this area, but our documentation 10 only goes back to the 12th century, when monks settled here and began to cultivate the vineyards,” Gundela explained as we trekked along the 3-mile 15 walking path through this UNESCO world heritage site. And it was no easy task for those enterprising monks. Because of the steep slopes, 20 fortifying walls had to be l a b o r i o u s l y constructed of stone, and they are still in existence—and doing their job— to this day. 25 This was the first The Lavaux terraced vineyards of many a magical moment experienced during a week’s visit to the Lake Geneva 30 region of Switzerland.
© Joanne and Tony DiBona Photography (x2)
Come away to the breathtaking paradise of Lake Geneva
© Joanne and Tony DiBona Photography
© Shutterstock.com (x5)
Topic Talks
A sunny summer day in port at Vevey
View of a Jungfrau Railways train
In what was definitely a “jaw-dropping” moment, I marveled at the vista that spread out in front of me as the train began to circumnavigate the lake. The azure blue water, surrounded by cragged Alpine peaks, sparkled in the afternoon sun. The train rolled past colorful villages, medieval towers, grand chalets and wooden farmhouses. I arrived in the charming city of Vevey, located directly on Lake Geneva’s shores, just in time for dinner in one of the many open-air restaurants lining the town’s promenade. I dined on delicate fresh perch, one of 30-plus fish varieties that thrive in the lake’s pristine waters, paired with an outstanding local white wine.
his family and personal friends such as Sophia Loren and Albert Einstein to life. Interactive displays document his many contributions to the arts. 05
10
15
20
That afternoon, I stepped on board a passenger ferry for a delightfully scenic cruise past famous towns, such as the fashionable city of Montreux, home of the renowned international jazz festival. My destination was the castle of Chillon, a formidable edifice built in the 12th century on a rocky island in the lake, which is the most visited historic monument in Switzerland. A detailed brochure (as well as an audio guide) is available to lead visitors through the castle’s many chambers, bringing to life the history contained within its walls. Costumed knaves and wenches stroll through the castle, adding to the historical ambiance, and they are always happy to pose with visitors for a souvenir photo.
Specialized Terms
Alpine (adj) [:,l;paIn] 阿爾卑斯山的 chalet (n) [{,:le]（尤指瑞士山中）尖頂的木造房舍 promenade (n) [;prAm/:ned] 散步步道；水邊步道 Charlie Chaplin (n) 卓別林，英國喜劇演員，也是劇作家，
Timeless figures
The next morning, a visit to Chaplin’s World, one of the town’s most famous attractions, was on the itinerary. Located high in the hills above Vevey, the museum is housed in the mansion Charlie Chaplin inhabited with his large family for 25 years. Scattered throughout the museum, visitors can marvel at the human-like wax figures created by the Grevin wax museum in Paris, which bring Chaplin,
Cruising back in time
後成為導演，被公認為現代喜劇電影泰斗
25
knave (n) [nev] 男僕；小廝 wench (n) [wEnt{] 女僕 gauge (n) [ged}] 軌距 L’Etivaz (n) [:lEtIvA] 萊提瓦起司，是用生乳製成的硬起司， 而且一定要在瑞士山上的起司工房手工製造
edelweiss (n) [:ed/l;vaIs] 高山火絨草；小白花 30
More Information
artisanal (adj) [Ar:tIz/n/l] 手藝精練的匠人用傳統方法製 作的 describing a food that is made by a skilled craftsman who uses traditional methods ADVANCED 25