Eurotrip - Switzerland/Italy + Tips for Veggies!

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 19:34

Dear BHPians,

Was off for a 12 day vacation to Switzerland, Rome, Venice, Florence (11 - 23 rd June)

Some select pics + comments to follow...post the Brazil vs Portugal match!

deky · 25th June 2010, 20:26

Lol, its half time. You can atleast post some teaser pics in these 15 minutes!!!

Regards

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 20:32

The W126 4.2 SE (231 PS,335 NM) at Hergisvil, Switzerland. Lots of decently maintained old Mercs and Beemers in Switzerland. Nice bunch of enthusiasts!

Deky - mirrored your thoughts!

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 20:39

Exotics lurk in the unlikely places...in a small Swiss village along the tracks..quick question: name the silver car

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 21:27

Reasonable no.of Lauras/Octys/Fabias in Switzerland. This one was a Fabia ad in the train - "Skoda - Made for Switzerland" is the tagline

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 21:30

The loud WRC paint scheme surprisingly blends in...

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 21:38

A truck racing alongside the train...pretty sedate driving in Switzerland. Wonder how they can resist those curvy roads.

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 21:46

The Volvo S40 R-Design. Superb looking - took my breath away.

d_himan · 25th June 2010, 22:06

Some quick tips/observations about Switzerland:

1. I'm not much of a cold weather fan - June/July/Aug is the best time to visit. However, even in June, it was slightly chilly - like Delhi in late November.

2. 3 Kinds of tourists here in summer:

a. Very young, mostly white adventure junkies from Europe mostly. They're in for bungee/para gliding/rafting et al. Loud, foul mouthed, tattooed kids.

b. Very old white couples (65+)

c. Indians. All shapes, hues, sizes

There are just no young, middle aged non-Indian tourists!

3. The public transport is outstanding. Beautifully maintained trains/buses. Best bang for the buck.

4. If you must use a tour operator, just utilize him/her for tickets/hotel booking/a couple of regular sightseeing options. Do leave 3-4 days of exploration on your own.

5. 4 Star hotel in Switzerland = 3 Star Hotel in Indian metros (Size of room, amenities). Prices remain higher. I personally hate 3 star accomodations in Europe/sleeping overnight in trains to save money.

6. For veggies, options are a bit limited. Most stations have 'Veggie Burger' kiosks. Also, there are a few Indian restaurants - a decent meal for 2 would easily cross Rs.2500. Chocolates are VFM. Try visiting Zurich just to taste chocolate at Sprungli outlets. Carry some Ready-To-Eat stuff from India. It'll spare you some worry.

7. Be early for any appointment. At least by 5/10 minutes.

8. Interesting auto industry. Old, Classic cars are well taken care of. Saw a Testarossa (couldn't take a snap though) in Interlaken.
Lots of Minis, a few Swifts around too. The Gypsy can be found in higher altitudes. VW/Renault/Peugeot/Opel very common. Fiat/Hyundai/Suzuki are also sighted. A few Honda Civics but otherwise, shockingly, there is very little Honda/Toyota presence.

Italy to follow soon...

d_himan · 19th July 2010, 22:42

Italy - Florence!

Land of the Ducati. Florence was buzzing with Ducatis racing along the street.

d_himan · 19th July 2010, 22:46

the italian police's mahindra!

d_himan · 19th July 2010, 22:50

Kerb kissers, these Italians...

d_himan · 19th July 2010, 22:52

Almost as ubiquitous as Puntos, our humble Wagon-R!

StarVegabond · 19th July 2010, 22:54

Hi

I think you are not aware of the rules and way of posting pictures
one is not suppose to post back to back with in 20 minutes

second, in one post, you can upload upto 30 pictures.

please read and follow "how to post pictures" before MODS decide to instruct or discipline you.

BTW, your pictures are great..

d_himan · 19th July 2010, 22:55

Yep - you saw that right! Notice another blue Wagon R behind it in the background.

25th June 2010, 19:34	#1
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Eurotrip - Switzerland/Italy + Tips for Veggies! Dear BHPians, Was off for a 12 day vacation to Switzerland, Rome, Venice, Florence (11 - 23 rd June) Some select pics + comments to follow...post the Brazil vs Portugal match! Last edited by d_himan : 25th June 2010 at 19:37.
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 20:26	#2
deky Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Jaipur Posts: 1,194 Thanked: 1,247 Times	Lol, its half time. You can atleast post some teaser pics in these 15 minutes!!! Regards
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 20:32	#3
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	The W126 4.2 SE (231 PS,335 NM) at Hergisvil, Switzerland. Lots of decently maintained old Mercs and Beemers in Switzerland. Nice bunch of enthusiasts! Deky - mirrored your thoughts! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 20:39	#4
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Exotics lurk in the unlikely places...in a small Swiss village along the tracks..quick question: name the silver car Attached Thumbnails Last edited by d_himan : 25th June 2010 at 20:40.
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 21:27	#5
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Reasonable no.of Lauras/Octys/Fabias in Switzerland. This one was a Fabia ad in the train - "Skoda - Made for Switzerland" is the tagline Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 21:30	#6
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	The loud WRC paint scheme surprisingly blends in... Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 21:38	#7
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	A truck racing alongside the train...pretty sedate driving in Switzerland. Wonder how they can resist those curvy roads. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by d_himan : 25th June 2010 at 21:40.
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 21:46	#8
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	The Volvo S40 R-Design. Superb looking - took my breath away. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th June 2010, 22:06	#9
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Some quick tips/observations about Switzerland: 1. I'm not much of a cold weather fan - June/July/Aug is the best time to visit. However, even in June, it was slightly chilly - like Delhi in late November. 2. 3 Kinds of tourists here in summer: a. Very young, mostly white adventure junkies from Europe mostly. They're in for bungee/para gliding/rafting et al. Loud, foul mouthed, tattooed kids. b. Very old white couples (65+) c. Indians. All shapes, hues, sizes There are just no young, middle aged non-Indian tourists! 3. The public transport is outstanding. Beautifully maintained trains/buses. Best bang for the buck. 4. If you must use a tour operator, just utilize him/her for tickets/hotel booking/a couple of regular sightseeing options. Do leave 3-4 days of exploration on your own. 5. 4 Star hotel in Switzerland = 3 Star Hotel in Indian metros (Size of room, amenities). Prices remain higher. I personally hate 3 star accomodations in Europe/sleeping overnight in trains to save money. 6. For veggies, options are a bit limited. Most stations have 'Veggie Burger' kiosks. Also, there are a few Indian restaurants - a decent meal for 2 would easily cross Rs.2500. Chocolates are VFM. Try visiting Zurich just to taste chocolate at Sprungli outlets. Carry some Ready-To-Eat stuff from India. It'll spare you some worry. 7. Be early for any appointment. At least by 5/10 minutes. 8. Interesting auto industry. Old, Classic cars are well taken care of. Saw a Testarossa (couldn't take a snap though) in Interlaken. Lots of Minis, a few Swifts around too. The Gypsy can be found in higher altitudes. VW/Renault/Peugeot/Opel very common. Fiat/Hyundai/Suzuki are also sighted. A few Honda Civics but otherwise, shockingly, there is very little Honda/Toyota presence. Italy to follow soon...
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:42	#10
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Italy - Florence! Land of the Ducati. Florence was buzzing with Ducatis racing along the street. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:46	#11
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	the italian police's mahindra! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:50	#12
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Kerb kissers, these Italians... Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:52	#13
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Almost as ubiquitous as Puntos, our humble Wagon-R! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:54	#14
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 42 Times	Hi I think you are not aware of the rules and way of posting pictures one is not suppose to post back to back with in 20 minutes second, in one post, you can upload upto 30 pictures. please read and follow "how to post pictures" before MODS decide to instruct or discipline you. BTW, your pictures are great..
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 22:55	#15
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	Yep - you saw that right! Notice another blue Wagon R behind it in the background. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks