Bern was our next stop, famous for being in the middle of Switzerland with easy access to everywhere, and for being one of the most under-rated capitals in Europe. It also houses bears in the middle of the city - bears are the symbol of the city - however we didn't have time to see them on this occasion (but we couldn't think of a better title for this post...)
This is a medival walled village near Bern with ramparts perfectly intact and circling the whole town. It is a boy's dream as all that's needed to complete the picture is a bow & arrow, and some unarmed sitting ducks on the other side of the wall.
The reason for our trip to Bern was to see long time family friend of the W-Ps, Hans and Mariannne, owners of the
Hotel Innere Enge that has one of the best jazz bars in the world in its basement. Hans is a jazz musician himself and organises the best jazz artists in the world to play at his club, as well as in the Bern Jazz festival which runs over 3 months each year at their hotel. It was truly an incredibly special experience - it is worth a trip to Switzerland just to go to the jazz bar, nevermind stay in their amazing hotel.. We spent three glorious days with Marianne who showed us all the nook and crannies of Swtizerland and took us to many a great restaurant - including a great cheese fondue restaurant in the centre of Bern.
This is the only picture we have of the three of us! We were so busy talking the whole time we didn't think to take too many pictures. There is an expression that says when you talk so much, you set the world to right - and we did just that during our three days together. It will be a long held memory of ours.
We visited the wineries above Lake Geneva and sampled unique wine from family owned vineyards. This area of Switzerland has been growing wine since the Roman times - who in fact built the walls that separate many of the vineyards on the extremely steep slopes. It doesn't quite show it in the picture, but this hillside is almost like a cliff-face...no room for error when harvesting the wine.
During one of our day trips we went to the town of Gruyere (which also happens to be one of Lindsay's favourite cheeses!). It is a lovely, medieval city that sits atop a hill and overlooks the incredible valleys of Switzerland. It is Christmas card perfect - and the cheese isn't half bad either!
This is a medival walled village near Bern with ramparts perfectly intact and circling the whole town. It is a boy's dream as all that's needed to complete the picture is a bow & arrow, and some unarmed sitting ducks on the other side of the wall. 
The reason for our trip to Bern was to see long time family friend of the W-Ps, Hans and Mariannne, owners of the Hotel Innere Enge that has one of the best jazz bars in the world in its basement. Hans is a jazz musician himself and organises the best jazz artists in the world to play at his club, as well as in the Bern Jazz festival which runs over 3 months each year at their hotel. It was truly an incredibly special experience - it is worth a trip to Switzerland just to go to the jazz bar, nevermind stay in their amazing hotel.. We spent three glorious days with Marianne who showed us all the nook and crannies of Swtizerland and took us to many a great restaurant - including a great cheese fondue restaurant in the centre of Bern. 
This is the only picture we have of the three of us! We were so busy talking the whole time we didn't think to take too many pictures. There is an expression that says when you talk so much, you set the world to right - and we did just that during our three days together. It will be a long held memory of ours.
We visited the wineries above Lake Geneva and sampled unique wine from family owned vineyards. This area of Switzerland has been growing wine since the Roman times - who in fact built the walls that separate many of the vineyards on the extremely steep slopes. It doesn't quite show it in the picture, but this hillside is almost like a cliff-face...no room for error when harvesting the wine.
During one of our day trips we went to the town of Gruyere (which also happens to be one of Lindsay's favourite cheeses!). It is a lovely, medieval city that sits atop a hill and overlooks the incredible valleys of Switzerland. It is Christmas card perfect - and the cheese isn't half bad either!
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