A city that owes its name & existence to the wandering Irish Monk Gallus- it is nestled in a beautiful landscape between rolling hills and Lake Constance. In the distance is the Santis mountain - whiere we went to a few days ago. Today we visited the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Abbey- with the famous Abbey Library. It must surely be one of the most exquisite rooms I have been in. There is an amazing collection of early medieval handwritten and pictorial manuscripts, prints & books housed in a magnificent rocco hall. Another highlight in this marvellous library was the huge world globe on display. It is an exact copy of the original 16th century globe which is housed in Zurich. The original was stolen from St Gallen by Zurich troops in 1712 and has been housed in the Swiss National Museum since. It took 7000 hours to replicate- and shows both the heavens and earth on one sphere-which makes it unique. The globe is so vibrant with bright colours- much brighter than the original which is now faded. The calligraphy was done with quill pens. It shows the world as it was known in 1571- fairly close picture of Europe, coastal outlines of Africa, Asia quite well shown, but Australia doesn’t exist yet. I was totally awe struck by this I WANT ONE!!! Next was the impressive Abbey cathedral- with an interior so magnificent to behold. Off to the Chocolate Cafe for hot chocolate and croissants. Then off to the Bleicheli district - fir the "City Lounge" art project- where the square has been covered with a red carpet. Above hang stone-like lights.  
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Decided to visit Winterthur - not too far and day a bit dreary. Lucky us - rain cleared away mostly and we could walk around fairly comfortably. Strolled through the old town and saw the Marktgasse-old town pedestrian area, Rathaus- a beautiful Town Hall Passage with its covered courtyard, Stadtkirche- the town church with two towers and most impressive panels of paintings of prophets from the Old Testament done by Paul Zehnder and the Steinberggasse -one of the oldest places in Winterthur with 3 Judd wells and the Fischer girl well.   Off to the Rhein Falls - only falls on the entire Rhine River system. So magnificent in their full fury of rushing over the rapids - These imposing waterfalls are awe inspiring to view Leaving the Rhein Falls we drove to nearby Rheinau. Here we visited the Rheinau Abbey – a Benedictine monastery founded about 778. It stands on the bend of the Rhine and is an impressive Abbey in the gothic-baroque style.     A trip to the medieval town of Meersburg is a must. On the way we stepped inside Birnau Church on the shores of Lake Constance. It is an amazing example of baroque architecture in Germany, The interior just takes your breath away with its unashamed splendour. On to Meersburg with its quaint alleyways, steep vineyards and of course the medieval castle casting its silhouette over the town. We walked through the castle viewing more than 30 rooms consisiting of Gothic & Renaissance Chambers, castle kitchens,Halls of Arms and mnay more. A walk around this beautiful town completed the day - then time to leave as it was wet and chilly.  Saturday greeted us with rain and cold conditions. Decided to drive to Hechingen to see a castle (what else is there to do?)- Burg Hohenzollern. We parked the car and waited for the bus to take us to the top of the hill- where castles are always situated. and- it was snowing!!!! A very light snow fall of delicate snowflakes landed on our hair, faces and jackets. We all couldn't stop grinning. After borrowing an English guide book we joined a tour in German- the only way one was allowed to view some of the state rooms. By the time we left the castle a very dense mist had settled over all the hills and visibility was Lunch in the town and then on to Sigmaringen- to see another beautiful castle from 1077 - perched high above the Danube River. We arrived just too late to view inside but walked around the outside and then through this delightful town and their small Christmas market. An ice rink was set up in the town square- filled with young skaters.     Wow- woke up Thursday to a beautiful sunny day. Decided to take Jen to the snow - but did not tell her where we were going. After a drive to the village of Appenzelle where we ate lunch, it was onto Santis. The drive provided amazingly beautiful scenery - snow covered mountains with greener than green fields. From Schwagalp - the cable way base station - we caught the Santis cable car to the summit- a 10 minute journey. Panoramic views were available over the snow covered alps with plenty of time for frolicking in the snow. A wonderful day with amazing weather        Wet and cold day - winter has set in. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr. We all rugged up - jackets, scarves, boots and umbrellas.
Caught a morning train to Zurich. What a great day- walked around for hours. From the station walked down the famous Bahnhofstrasse - Zurich's shopping mile - elegant stores lining both sides of the street. Viewed the St Peter Kirche with Europe's largest clock face. Visited Fraumünster with the famous Chagall glass windows and the Grossmünster Church. Jen walked up 187 steps to the Karlsturm to see breathtaking views of Zurich. Lunch was the order next and we found a cute cafe Tschingg-where we ate a light lunch. Soon we found ourselves on Bürkliplatz - with Lake Zürich and distant alpine views. From here we decided to visit the Swiss National Museum (housed in a 100 yr old castle) - but in the courtyard of the fairtale castle an icerink was set up. 45 mins later and Jen left the rink - what a good iceskater. Time now to catch the train home. Wet day- off to Herblingen to do some shopping. We all scored with new boots coats and knick knacks. Late lunch and a brisk walk along the Rhine before dark.  
Slow & wet morning before we took off Took Jen to the Monastery Island of Reichenau. Weather fined up and we travelled around - viewing the the Monastery Church of St Mary & Marcus, the Cloisters, the baths on the lake and numerous green houses and fields of vegetables. Saw brussel sprouts growing and bought a big bag of fresh walnuts. Then on to Konstance - the largest town on the Lake. We walked by the old warehouse at the harbour and came across an amazing Christmas Market - over a hundred lit up Christmas stalls selling crafts, food, wine and Christmas paraphanalia. These continued into the Old Stadt- cheerful and fun. We said hello to "Imperia' the provocative statue keeeping watch over the entrance to Constance harbour since 1993. The sculptor Peter Lenk has seated in her hands a naked Emperor and Pope - to indicate that both the Clergy and the Gentry enjoyed her services when the papal council took place in 1414-1418.    Today was wet on and off- we went for a little walk in the morning along the Rhine. Then off for lunch to a lovely restaurante - Rebstock at the Landgathof Hotel in Stühlingen with Jan & Gitta. A short drive in the country and then off to see Schaffhausen and its Christmas markets. Wet but not cold- and lights came on before we came home.  | Author
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