Top of the Alps!

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The Eurail has brought us to our final Alp destination, Interlaken. We have spectacular views of the famous mountain trio Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau as well as the two lakes on either side of the city, the Thun and Brienz. Interlaken is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland and to our final adventure, climbing to the top of the tallest mountain in Europe...Jungfrau!

Tomorrow we head for Zurich and fly home the following day. Stay tuned for next year as the Alpine Gals have already begun planning their next adventure!!

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Photos

Alps - St Bernard
The top of Jungfrau is 38 degrees. Thank goodness we have a friend with brandy!

Interlaken - Hotel Carlton Europe
Our hotel, just minutes from the train station and situated along the famous Hoheweg promenade (shopping!!)

Interlaken - Hoheweg
The famous Hoheweg promenade, souvenir shops along side high-end stores as well as a killer view of the mountain trio (Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau).

Interlaken - Hoheweg
Can't decide on whether I should buy myself the $36,000 Rolex or the one for $41,000.

Interlaken - Harder Kulm
Harder Klum is coined the TOP of Interlaken.

Interlaken - Harder Kulm
We rode the funicular to the top

Interlaken - Harder Kulm
Besides hiking the trails, there is a wonderful restaurant and lookout.

Interlaken - Harder Kulm
Observatory deck overlooking Interlaken and lake Brienz in the background.

Interlaken - Harder Kulm
Mom and Nancy with the mountain trio in the background (Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau)

Jungfrau
At 11,371 feet above sea level, Jungfrau is the highest mountain in Europe. It takes about 2.5 hours from Interlaken and 3 different trains to ride to the top.

Jungfrau
From Interlaken (between the two lakes), it take 2 trains to reach the mid-point (where Mom is pointing - Kleine Scheidegg). The final 3rd train travels inside the mountain to the observatory (between Monch and Jungfrau)

Jungfrau - final train
Mom boarding the train to Jungfrau

Jungfrau Observatory (Sphinx)
The observatory is situated between Jungfrau and Monch. A place between heaven and earth!

Sphinx Terrace
Walking outside on the terrace with view of the Monch

Sphinx Terrace
Nancy on the Sphinx terrace with the Monch peak in the background

Sphinx Terrace
Nancy on the Sphinx Terrace with the Jungfrau peak in the background.

Sphinx Terrace
Jungfrau is for lovers! Just like the locks in Paris.

Jungfrau Tour
Besides the Sphinx Observation deck, your admission also includes a tour (fun for kids)

Jungfrau Plateau
YES...that's Nancy holding the camera and walking on the highest mountain in Europe. Don't be fooled by the crowds, it was REALLY slippery. Nancy almost slide off the side of the mountain.

Alpine Sensation
Lots of glittering lights and a huge snowglobe

Ice Palace
Walking through an ice cavern (floors, ceiling, walls)

Ice Palace
Penguin ice carvings

Grindelwald
On our way back to Interlaken, we stopped in Grindelwal, a small mountain village. It appears it is the base camp for hikers, mountain climbers, and paragliders.