Hot springs in Leukerbad

Other than the trip to Italy, we took a few days in the Swiss German side, in the town of Leukerbad. There, we did some hiking (seeing the source of the hot springs and walking on the edge of the warm water and seeing the waterfalls), played mini-golf, and bathed in the various hot spring pools. Even our hotel had some heated pools accessible until 10 pm and with the fewer tourists, we enjoyed those on our own in the twilight. The last day, we went up the cable car to Gemmipass and saw the Altesch Glacier and did a small hike up there (before it started raining and hailing on us!). Overall, it was a super relaxing time and a nice way to end the summer. Even though the Swiss German side was not adhering to social distancing and masks the way Italy was, with the low number of cases, it was ok. 

Trip to Stresa, Italy

Even though we are (still) in the middle of a pandemic, cases were low enough that we were able to travel this summer. I have wanted to go to Stresa for a while so it seemed like a good destination (and straight-forward train ride). Having been hit quite hard by the pandemic in the spring, Italians were very good about adhering to hygiene and social distancing rules. There were almost no tourists, which was not only refreshing but made the whole experience much more relaxing. We had a hotel right on Lago Maggiore and spent two full days (and two halves) exploring. The first full days, we took a boat to Lago Pescatori (not much to see), Isola Madre (very nice botanical gardens with lizards and peacocks), the other side of the lake where we ate lunch, and then Isola Bella (beautiful castle and amazing - and empty - gardens). The second full day, we went to the zoo (Park Villa Pallavicino) and swam in the lake. We also ate lots of well-priced and delicious Italian food and relaxed with drinks at the lakeshore. So glad we were able to take this trip as a family and explore a bit even in 2020. 

On the coast, having some drinks on the first night (no one in sight!).

Isola Bella and swimming in Lago Maggiore. 

Views from the gardens of the Park Villa Pallavicino Zoo.