Who’s along for the ride: Emma, Jack, Jeffrey, Tom, and Lee Lynch (Rocket, is hanging with Ollie)
When: Afternoon of Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 9 (Easter Sunday)
But before we go…
Family meeting – Sunday, March 26
Get books for flight and trains – Monday, March 27
Each pack our bags – Wednesday & Thursday, March 29 and 30. What to pack:
- Wear: Coat, sweatshirt, pants, socks, closed-toe shoes
- In your carry-on backpack: 2 sets of clothes (underwear, pants, shirts), sleep clothes, hat, gloves, toiletries (facial wash, toothpaste, etc), charger, phone/computer if you’re bringing one, books, journal, blanket / travel pillow, camera if taking one, other activities, this guide
- Give to Mom and Dad to pack: 3 more sets of clothes (underwear, pants, shirts), other shoes
- Mom and Dad will pack: Passports, medicines, some food, our clothes, stretching stuff, sleep stuff, toiletries – toothbrushes, sleep appliances, devices, chargers, converters
Day 1: Friday, March 31
Head to airport in – 23 miles from home – Mom has booked us a Lyft to take us to the airport. Car leaves @1:30 pm.
Go through security
Fly out – to Geneva Airport – 5:25 pm. United Airlines flight 974
10 things to do on the flight…Read books, Sudoku, write, eat, watch movies, talk, play chess, listen to movies, meditate, sleep. Can you do all 10 things? What else could you do?
Day 2: Saturday, April 1 – Geneva, Switzerland to Lausanne, Switzerland
Land in Geneva, Switzerland – 1:40 am US EST / 7:40 am EST – yes, you read that right…(Switzerland and Germany are now 6 hours ahead of us)
Go through customs – Cus-what??? “The place at a port, airport, or frontier where officials check incoming goods, travelers, or luggage.”
Get bags
Board train to Lausanne, Switzerland – 50 minute train ride.
Eat at airport.
Taxi to hotel – Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind – Avenue du Rond-Point 9, Lausanne, VD, 1006
Sleep for two hours
Tour Lausanne – “Lausanne is a city on Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. It’s home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, as well as the Olympic Museum and lakeshore Olympic Park. Away from the lake, the hilly old city has medieval, shop-lined streets and a 12th-century Gothic cathedral with an ornate facade. The 19th-century Palais de Rumine houses fine art and science museums.” The setting of Lausanne is extremely picturesque: it is hardly surprising that the International Olympic Committee has been based here since 1914. The town is built on three hills, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet. Rising impressively from the opposing French lakeshore are the Savoy Alps. The attractive old town is largely car-free. Small alleyways with cafes and boutiques shape the streetscape in the medieval city centre.
What to do in Lausanne:
The Olympic Museum – “To experience the Olympics at close quarters and feel the Olympic spirit the way the athletes felt it, to study the history of the Games from antiquity to today – thanks to the latest computer technology and audiovisual media, all of this can be accomplished in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.”
Dinner – Would You fondue with me? “Swiss fondue is a national icon throughout Switzerland. Before you go diving in bread-first, it is important to review a bit of the history and etiquette behind this gooey, savory delicacy. Cheese is one of Switzerland’s primary exports and is central to both the national identity and its cuisine.” You can fondue just about anything – bread, meat, veggies. And there is also chocolate and white chocolate fondue…yum
11 pm – Bed. Ahhhh….
Day 3: Sunday, April 2 – Lausanne, Switzerland to Lucerne, Switzerland
Breakfast – wherever makes sense.
Detective-Trail – Discover the hidden treasures of Lausanne with Detective Blaireau and solve the riddles to find the code that will open the treasure chest. Get your map at the train station visitor center and go to the starting point of the Detective Trail at the Lausanne Cathedral where the first puzzle is already waiting for you.
Lunch on the Trail?
Train to Lucerne, Switzerland – Screen time – Ahhhh. 3 hours and 40 minutes.