Problem. We couldn't really stay in Grindelwald. The place was sold out! We needed a place we could hunker down for a bit if Patti wasn't good to go. Also, we needed a place that we could use as a base for some travelling if Patti felt good to go. Bern looked like a good target. We found a place that we could stay five nights, close to everything. So, off we go.

Bonus day #2. Simple trip. Friday. Train to Interlaken. Train to Bern.

Goodbye, Eiger.

Hello, Bern!

Then try to find hotel - which is only a few blocks from the train station. We kinda went the long way. Kinda didn't know where we were because covered sidewalks kinda blocked GPS reception. But, eventually, we checked in. Hotel Bären (Bears!) Super helpful front desk manager got us an airconditioned room with a mini fridge. Even installed the fridge herself!

A Bear!

Lots of bears!

Off to grab some lunch. Near the train station, a Mexican place. Really. No Rösti this time! And a California IPA. Maybe just a bit homesick?

Patti takes a nap while I wander about a bit.

Parliament Building

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, right? Not so fast. This is tricky. Switzerland doesn't really have a capital. The parliament can meet anywhere, they just happen to do it in Bern and have a building for meeting and have all the Federal government institutions and departments there as well.

Somewhat like the US, Switzerland is a federation of individual states (cantons).

National Bank

Bern is "fun with flags" crossed with "fun with fountains"

There are many colorful fountains in Bern. All have potable water. Some seem serious, some whimsical.

Fountain with Samson

Fountain of Justice

The legend of the founding of Bern. Berchtold von Zahringer decided the site for Bern and said he'd name it after the first animal he killed there. A Bear. Bern in German. So, bears!

Anna Seiler fountain. Founder of first hospital in Bern.

Bagpiper fountain

Former city gate guardian. Was St Christopher - until the reformation - when he got restyled into Samson. - and then the gate was razed to make way for an new Tram station. The head was saved and is now in the "basement" of the train station.

Einstein lived here! So, a gift shop!

The famous clock, Zytglogge, with famous clock crowd.

Cathedral of Bern - Münster

Moses Fountain - outside Münster

Münster Monastery

Aare River on south side of old city

Market in arcade across the street from our hotel

We take a walking tour on Saturday. Local resident who organized the tours in Bern gave it. Did an excellent job.

Started at the lower bridge where the city was founded.

The old, lower bridge. Bern is build on a peninsula defined by a big horseshoe bend in the Aare River.

A view of the old city from the Rose Garden overlooking the river.

Münster dominates the landscape of the old city.

Messenger Fountain is located near the old bridge

Zähringer statue near Nydeggkirche, the 1346 church near the old bridge.

Our tour group heading up the peninsula.

Ubiquitous Flower Boxes

Catholic Church

City Hall

The tour stopped at the ancient animated clock, Zytglogge. We got a good look at it several times.

If you want to be a real Bern Man, you have to pee on the side of the clock tower. Really. There are urinals there for the purpose.

This rooster allegedly crows the first few notes of "God Save the King".

The Lion keeps time to the hourly chime with his staff.

...as does the King after he flips the hourglass over.

This fellow hits the bell with his hammer.

Weirdest fountain of all. Baby Eater. This guy eats annoying children. Used by parents to keep their kids in line!

Large tram station where gate in third iteration of eastern wall used to be.

street performers

After the tour, we headed back through the city to Münster

Behind the Münster is the Münsterplatform. A park with a river view, games and a snack bar. Time for a cocktail and a sandwich for dinner! A nice "go to" spot for some outdoor happy hour!

Local beer. Always drink local.

Aperol Sprits. Very continental of us!

The view.

Sunday, we take a ride up the Gurtenbahn to Gurten Park. It was a rainy day and walked around a bit dodging the rain before heading back. There were great views of the old city from the park.

Park train at the top. It ran for a bit before they had to stow it from the rain.

The old city runs along the peninsula surrounded by the Aare. It runs from the parliament building at right to the small church steeple at right.

Parliment view from Gurten

Nydeggekirche near old bridge.

Cows are everywhere in Switzerland. Here's a Highland Cow on the slopes of Gurten

Münster view from Gurten

The park at the top. Lots of trails. Rain. No hiking today.

Heading back down.

What next? We headed over to the Rosengarten (rose garden) for a closer look at things

There are great views of the city from Rosengaten

Münster and the view towards Gurten

Also a good place to sit with a friend.

Mass and length vary with speed? I don't think so!

Einstein tries explaining relativity to me.

We walk down the hill and take a closer look at Bear Park. The bear origin story is says the founder of Bern killed a bear nearby and/or the Swiss mercenaries captured one while in Italy and took it home. But, the city is named Bear and has kept captive bears for centuries - except when Napoleon stole them for a while. The city bears used to be kept in pits but now have a much nicer, natural area to roam in.

The city has many newer bridges over the Aare these days and a terrific bus and tram system to take you everywhere, easily. All included with a Swiss travel pass.