Day 3

 

Before bidding farewell to Paris, we headed over to La Vallée Village, a factory outlet where off-season luxury labels are sold at a bargain.

 

Apparently, the Long Champ bags are a steal as the ladies simply raided the shop. The elderly auntie in our group had like 10 bags hung over her arm!

 

After the shopping spree, we rested @ Starbucks over complimentary coffee and muffins. We then set off for Switzerland, stopping over for the night at Nancy, Lorraine.

 

We got a shock later on when we were asked to pay €25/ pax for the visit to the shopping outlet. Apparently, the guide had told some people in the group who agreed to pay for it. But she had not sought the consensus of the entire group. But kudos to the 2nd guide, he refunded all of us the money upon learning about the miscommunication.

 

Day 4

 

We went on an excursion to Titisee, Germany where we experienced snow for the first time.

 

 

Teeming with excitement, we dug into the snow pile, tossing the fine crystals into the air and blew mist. The snow-covered ground was too slippery for decade-old SAF boots that I tumbled twice and strode gingerly throughout.

 

 

We went to the Drubba Cuckoo Clock Factory where we had lunch at a restaurant at the 2nd level.

 

 

The main course was a gigantic pork knuckle which was unfortunately bland and unappetizing.

 

 

The highlight of the meal was the black forest cake. Despite the many layers of cream, it didn’t have a greasy mouthfeel but tasted light with a hint of alcohol. It was so good that it didn't occur to us to take a snap of it.

 

We were also treated to a sample of ice wine which is produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. Tasting like sugar-saturated syrup, it was way too sweet for my liking.

 

After lunch, we went out to play with snow in the yard. The vast snow covered landscape against the swarm of snow-dusted black forest pines looked very much like the setting in the scenes of 'Twilight'.

 

 

We were given a demonstration of the making of cuckoo clocks and examined the gallery of clocks, fiddling with the minute hands to hear their unique chimes.

 

 

On the way back to the coach, we walked by the banks of Lake Titisee, admiring the serene waters and the contour of mountain ranges marked with pine trees.

 

 

After our short escapade, we continued our journey to Switzerland, reaching Lucerne in the late evening.

 

We stopped by the Lion Monument which commemorates the valour of the Swiss Guards who were massacred during the French Revolution. Carved in the face of a cliff, it depicts a wounded lion with a spear lodged in its torso.

 

 

We were then brought to Schwanenplatz (Swans’ Square) to visit Bucherer, a DFS store in which sold exquisite watches amongst other souvenirs. We rode the escalator to view the largest indoor ball rolling clock which spans four storeys and also to collect our free decorative spoon!

 

After grabbing some chips at Migros supermarket, we strolled along the sidewalk watching swans and ducks glide through the waters of Reuss River.

 

 

Our lodge for the night was Hotel Postillon, which boasts of magnificent views of Lake Lucerne. But the promised views were blanketed by darkness by the time we checked in.

 

That night we prepared dinner; two servings of cup noodles! After days of western fare, cup noodles never tasted so good.

 

Travel Tips

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[Bucherer] Each Bucherer outlet in Switzerland gives out free decorative spoons bearing the city name. Each person is entitled to one. Check with your guide or hotel lobby staff for the voucher.