Heather Lucier Stanley

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I enjoyed the cheese that the owners of Hotel Beau-Site gave to us. It had bite!

I bought Alan an assortment of chocolate. People teased me. Nobody on the trip thought that all the chocolate would make it home. It did. And Alan ate most of it. He loves exceptional chocolate as much as I do.

The best Swiss chocolate, according to Alan and Heather: Camille Bloch Ragusa Noir 60%. One of our Swiss guides Romy also commented that it was her favorite, and at only 2.50 Euros a bar, it was a bargain.

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I did not know how to ride a Swiss train before this trip. I learned a lot from other people on the trip and kind Swiss people. I must say, I have lived in Texas for 18 years. I do not need to be savvy about trains and my Texan came out. I asked a lot of questions. I did not want to get lost. I needed to get the airport.

I know how the Swiss trains work now. If you go to Switzerland and need help, ask me. I never thought trains would be intimidating, but I felt very small city in the big European City Zurich.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

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The Christmas Market in Zurich is a big deal. Two women in our group, who I respected, raved about the Christmas market. One of the two women said, “It’s a lot of junk.” But it is a fun experience and something to do at least once!

The “It’s a lot junk” comment reminded me of a saying that one of Alan’s aunts and I have for artsy stores in Oregon or anywhere in the US, “Les Feces.”

Well, we know “Les Feces” is not French. But the fun is in making a word like feces sound French. Just like the fancy French pronunciation for Target. I think, No shop owner can get insulted because no shop owner knows what we are talking about.

The Zurich Christmas Market had a lot of Les Feces. Things you just don’t want!

The Christmas Tree was beautiful, decorated with $100,000+ of Swarovski. Can you believe it?

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

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A couple women on the tour and I had a similar interest in art. All three of us wanted to go to a museum while we were in Zurich. We had fun at the museum. I recognized many of the artists before looking at the nameplates with the name of the work and the artist’s name. That is my own personal test: Can I look at a piece of art and name an artist before I look at the nameplate? Yes!

This museum had a Max Beckmann. I did an art history paper on a work by Max Beckmann which was on display at the University of Michigan Art Museum and recognized his distinct style. I also recoginzied Dali, of course. He is easy to pick out.

I was most surprised by the number of Kandinsky’s this museum had.

I am at peace looking at art.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

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We met up with a representative of the Zurich Tourism Office and had lunch at the Maison Sprüngli where I had a fitting hot chocolate. This place, and Switzerland, is known for chocolate! The omelets are also good at the Maison Sprüngli. Here is a link to the chocolate shop: Confiserie Sprüngli

Zurich is a nice city. Our guide could not give us a full city tour because a 10K was being held on the day that we arrived. The 10K closed off a lot of streets and we could not easily walk around the city.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

I felt at home in the Swissôtel Zurich. I enjoyed this hotel. We stayed here our last night in Switzerland. Two considerate women in the group shared: “They have a gluten-free menu.” This hotel acknowledges medical dietary restrictions. Thank goodness!

Having suspected gluten intolerance within a week of trip departure, I asked for a gluten-free diet on this trip. With the help of our kind tour operator, the Swiss understood gluten-free. I did not get violently ill the entire trip and for that I am thankful.

The Swissôtel Zurich is my favorite. The hotel has a nice clean feel. The rooms are small, but well appointed. The food options are exceptional. If I stay here again, I will bring a swimsuit to use the dramatic edge-less pool.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

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The Swiss Folklore Show at the Restaurant Spycher was a hit. The three performers played traditional instruments and made instruments out of ordinary household items, such as a washboard, large ceramic bowls and big spoons. Several of the dinner guests, including me, got to participate in playing the various homemade instruments. I played the spoons; it was not as effortless as the performers made it look, however, it was entertaining. Audience participation is always fun!

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

For early December in Switzerland, the weather was remarkable. People were out paragliding. We saw a few paragliders when we were descending the cable cars from the Schilthorn. We spotted these paragliders on our walk back to the hotel after our morning and early afternoon in Schilthorn.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.

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The ascent to Schilthorn was dramatic; the descent was as dramatic. The natural beauty in Switzerland is remarkable. I could spend a lot of time in this country. The people are polite and well mannered. I noticed a love of the land and a philosophical introspection from several of the Swiss people that I met.

I enjoyed our English guide on this day because she was bubbly. During lunch, she talked about her 300 year old farm house and interior decorating with some pep and genuine enthusiasm.

The purpose of my trip to Switzerland was to visit many hotels and ski areas in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Interlaken to propose to Austin Skiers a ski trip for the 2012-2013 ski season. Holidaze sponsored the familiarity (FAM) trip.