Tuesday, October 11:
Unfortunately, due to snow, the Stelvio pass was “gesperrt” or closed! It was okay because I had planned on it being closed and have already done it in a rented 4 series convertible. So, I head on the alternate route and go into Italy for a Cappuccino pit stop before heading on to Switzerland via the Fuorn Pass through the Swiss National Park/Forest.
It is an absolutely stunning drive. It is faster, and in a sense, more enjoyable than the Stelvio.
I get to the turn off for Flüela and up we go into the snow. I was a tad concerned with the PSS tires, but the road was open and clear. You can see from the pics that, at the top, it’s not just a dusting!
The Flüela drops into Davos and the sun was shining so I got to see another dimension of the brown! It was also time for an activity. Paragliding over Davos, to be precise. This was a great way to stretch the legs (short hike was involved) and break up the first long driving day.
The car can be seen in this picture...2 rows to the right of the cable, last car toward the mountain, puddle behind it!
After paragliding, I head down towards Klosters and on to Balzers, Liechtenstein. I called ahead to make sure the car could go to Liechtenstein, as it used to be a listed country but is no longer listed in the written materials. The BMW ED roadside assistance guy on the phone said it would be fine. This was great, because the drive into Liechtenstein from the southeastern end was stunning. Small roads, tiny villages, near-ancient Swiss military outpost (still manned, of course), etc. I had a quick coffee and croissant in Balzers and then fueled up for the first time!
Then it was off to Lucerne for night 2. Night 2 was at the Hotel Ameron Flora in Lucerne and it was a nice hotel.
Lucerne was incredibly beautiful and I wish I had more time there.