June 17: Lyon 4: La Nuit

Milonga after Midnight

June 16: Lyon 3: Lions and Marionettes

June 15: Lyon 2: La Lumiere

Our guide extraordinaire

Cathedral St Bonaventura

Candles and stained glass

June 14: In Lyon: Dinner with Friends

Steve & Kelli, aka Daniel & Denise

June 13: Annecy

Staying outside of Annecy

Our hosts, Mado & Philippe 

The house was graced by lovely artworks and clay figures 

Our room (with a view, of course) above Lake Annecy

Another view: le Volvo Rouge in Annecy

June 12: Switzerland Parting Shots

Where Swiss cheese comes from 

"Lucky sheep"
(comment overheard as I was taking this photo)

Goodnight, moon

June 11: Tourin' Tourists

We weren't the only ones enjoying the beauty of the Swiss Alps. An extensive system of cable cars and trains provides access to many of Europe's highest mountains and glaciers.

Lining up for the cable car from Lauterbrunen to Mürren

Everywhere a Kodak moment (iPad version)

Dueling digital cameras

Waiting for the next train to Jungfraujoch

Once off the train, we had the trails mostly to ourselves.

It was worth it: At the foot of the Eiger 

June 10: Tourin' Mürren

All day hike above the town of Mürren in the Swiss Bernese Alps:

The trails were empty but well-marked

Alpine wildflowers were in abundance

Taking in the panorama: Eiger, Munch, Jungfrau

End of the trail

June 9: Eiger Dreams

We arrived in Switzerland's Bernese Alps tonight, and were greeted by typical late afternoon thunderstorms. I decided to try channeling Ansel Adams with my iPhone:

Late afternoon clouds over the Eiger

June 8: Arrivederci Italy

After two magical months in bella Italia, we must leave tomorrow but will carry with us countless wonderful memories--in addition to 1000s of photos, and a bottle or two of good vino!
Mille grazie per tutti! 

Empty glasses under the half moon

June 7: Dinner with Friends

Aperitif time along Lake Lugano

Happy hour continues on the balcony

Piero's cold chicken gelatin salad, perfect for a warm summer evening

Our gracious hosts Angela & Piero: fabulous cooks and new friends

June 6: John's Backroads Bicycle Tours, Lake Como Edition

Bicycle touring around Lake Como with my very own personal Norwegian/Italian guide:

Rounding the north end of the lake

Sometimes we make a wrong turn, but we never end up in a bad place!

Pointing out the route we'll be taking tomorrow (to Madonna del Ghisallo)

Sporting his newest Passoni cycling wear

June 5: Menaggio

Another "Room with a View," Menaggio version

June 4: Lake Como Panoramas

Taking the easy way home (after riding bikes half-way around Lake Como)

On the ferry from Bellagio

The approaching storm

June 3: Oye Como Va

Our rental place in Lake Como is above the town of Menaggio on a very narrow cobblestone drive. The Volvo barely fit through; the bikes, not so much.

Good thing John remembered to unload the bikes before parking the car.

The "Bridge House" apartment, our cozy home for a week in Menaggio

June 2: Have a Nice Day

Anchovy salad at Alta Badia

What would Forest Gump would say?

June 1: The Mighty Dolomiti

A look back at our all-too-brief visit to the Dolomites:

The view from our room @ Alta Badia

Santa Croce, above Alta Badia

Afternoon stroll in the Cordovole Valley (SE of Arabba)

Girl's day off! Happy hikers above Alta Badia