Evora, Portugal
“Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveler. What we see isn’t what we see but what we are.”
-Fernando Pessoa
Lisbon, Portugal (and Sintra)
On Thursday, October 26th, I drove straight from work to Washington-Dulles International Airport and boarded an overnight flight to Lisbon. I packed light and didn’t need to check any luggage, which cut down on the time it took to get to my gate. I lucked out by having an empty seat between me and the next passenger, something that’s never happened to me on a plane before.
Switzerland: Appenzell
At long last, we are coming to the end of my Switzerland story. After two weeks wandering all over Switzerland, I had crossed the border to Liechtenstein and explored that tiny country. Now I was returning to Switzerland for one last adventure before flying home. On July 5th, I left my hotel in Liechtenstein and took the bus back across the border to the Swiss town of Sargans. From there, I took a train west, changed trains in a town whose name I’ve forgotten, and arrived in one of the most quintessentially Swiss towns that exist: Appenzell.
Liechtenstein: Marvelous Micronation
“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” -Liechtensteiner proverb
Switzerland: Zermatt to Chur
“I remember the dazzling whiteness of the tumbled snow-desert between us and the black horn of the Matterhorn some miles away.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
Switzerland: Spiez and Thun to Montreux
“If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux.” -Freddie Mercury
Switzerland: Jungfrau Region
“I left the view of Jungfrau with deep regret: eternal snow, etched as it seemed against eternal sunshine, and the Silberhorn sharp against dark blue: the Silvertine (Celebdil) of my dreams.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
Switzerland: Lucerne to Bern
It had only been a few days since I was wiping down white boards and packing up books to wrap up another school year, but now I was on a train from Zurich airport to Lucerne. My Switzerland adventure had begun.
Switzerland: An Introduction
“Switzerland would be a mighty big place if it were ironed flat.”
– Mark Twain
Top 5 Tips for Independent Travel
And now, without further ado, here are my top 5 tips for independent travel: