Switzerland and Liechtenstein

In September 2013, we explored Switzerland and Liechtenstein with our friends, Michelle, Jeff, Gabi, and Pete.

Switzerland


The six of us covered a lot of ground in three days!

John and I flew into Zurich and drove to Bakery B. Steiner in Meilen where we met the other four for breakfast.

Switzerland

Gabi pre-ordered Chäschüechli for us:

Switzerland

Or as I like to call them, Little Cheese Tarts of Heaven.

After breakfast, we all drove to Maienfeld to Johanna Spyri’s “Heidihaus” (Heidi’s House).

Switzerland

The theme of Heidi’s Village is “Heidi: yesterday – today – tomorrow”.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Heidi’s Village offers tours of the original Heidihaus:

Switzerland

And a petting zoo.

Switzerland

Switzerland

There is also a trail you can hike, but we didn’t go too far.

Switzerland

Just high enough to enjoy the view.

Switzerland

And take a few pictures, of course!

Switzerland

Our next stop was Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein.

Switzerland

Vaduz Castle is the most prominent landmark of Vaduz and is the residence of the Reigning Prince.

Switzerland

We stayed at Landhaus am Giessen, a short walk from the center of town.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

The stunning view and balconies at Landhaus am Giessen made for a picturesque picnic lunch.

Switzerland

Switzerland

We had a few Chäschüechli leftover from breakfast, meat, cheese, and Bündner Birebrot:

Switzerland

Bündner Birebrot is a specialty from the canton of Graubünden made essentially from dried pears, nuts and spices.

Think fruitcake, but WAY better.

Later that night we ate at Michelin star restaurant, Marée.

Switzerland

It is located in the Parkhotel Sonnenhof Hotel.

Dinner started with a delicious amuse-bouche from the chef:

Switzerland

Switzerland

And after that, it seemed every bite was better than the last!

Two kinds of goose liver with plums, apples, and cinnamon crumbles:

Switzerland

Warm smoked trout with pickled beetroot, wasabi, and celery foam:

Switzerland

Roasted deer filet with red cabbage, apple, cranberries, and butter spätzli:

Switzerland

Tender ray wing with capers, brown garlic-butter, and crispy breadcrumbs:

Switzerland

And last, but certainly not least:

Switzerland

Basil soup with berries and lemon sorbet.

It was so good we asked if the chef would be available to tell us more about it.

Never in a million years did we think he’d actually come to our table and talk to us!

Chef Hubertus Real

Thank you, Chef Hubertus Real!

Your family’s gracious hospitality and your delectable creations made for the perfect ending to an already wonderful day.

Before leaving Vaduz the next morning, we went into town to get our passports stamped.

Switzerland

It’s one of the things you have to do when visiting Liechtenstein.

Switzerland

About an hour from Vaduz is Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli, a 170-year-old guest house and restaurant tucked into the side of a mountain in the Appenzell Alps.

Switzerland

You can read all about how we got up there and our scrumptious chäsrösti lunch HERE.

Berggasthaus

After lunch we explored Appenzell’s car-free village.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

And then we were off to Baden!

Switzerland

We stayed at Atrium-Hotel Blume, a historic hotel with a unique atrium where guests dine.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Gabi’s grandfather, Karl Friz, was a citizen of the City of Baden. He bought this house on Aug. 25, 1921.

Switzerland

It was built in 1565.

The sign reads: Zufrieden sind in diesem Haus all die da gehen ein und aus.

Switzerland

Loosely translated it means: Content are in this house all those who go in and out.

Switzerland

The next day, we drove to Fribourg and ate Fondue Vacherin at Café du Midi.

Fribourg Friends Fondue

You can read all about our afternoon in Fribourg HERE.

The last stop on our adventure was Gruyères.

Switzerland

Gruyères is a medieval town in the canton of Fribourg.

Switzerland

Switzerland

I talk a lot about Gruyère cheese on here and it is named after the town of — you guessed it — Gruyères!

Switzerland

The first time John and I were in Gruyères was September 2009. It was one of the stops we made on our BMW European Delivery trip.

Gruyere

We were so excited when we found out we could squeeze it in on this trip — everything is better with friends!

The Castle of Gruyères was built between 1270 and 1282.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Admission is 10 CHF, about 11 USD.

Switzerland

Switzerland

And it is worth every cent.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Our last bite together was at Restaurant Chalet de Gruyères for crème de Gruyère and raspberries.

Switzerland

Crème de Gruyère is only available in Gruyère and is as loved as their cheese.

Switzerland

It is a deliciously thick cream famous for its high butterfat content.

Switzerland

There is nothing in the world like it.

Switzerland

What a luscious treat to end our time together ~ Wow!

Switzerland

As much as we hated to part ways, we knew the memories we made would fuse us together . . .

Switzerland

Until next time!

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Be sure to read about our lunch at Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli:

Berggasthaus

And Fondue Vacherin in Fribourg, too!

Fondue

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