weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

In this second set of the 2008 photos, we spend our time back in Europe, particularly exploring different corners of my native Switzerland. Then we visit two of Europe and the world's smallest countries: the Principality of Liechtenstein which is a neighbor of Switzerland and in fact uses the Swiss currency and border protection. It has a small land area of nearly 62 square miles and a population of some 39,000. On a subsequent drive into the south of France we also visit the Principality of Andorra perched high up in the Pyrenees mountains bordering both Spain to the south and France to the north. Andorra has a land area of 180 square miles and a population of 77,000, making it more than double the size of Liechtenstein. While Liechtenstein is a minor financial center, Andorra shines as having a tax-haven status that encourages duty-free shopping. Both countries have a small, busy capital center and relaxing up-country areas providing skiing facilities in the winter. My pictures show the countryside rather than the cities. Andorra has an unusual status as a principality where two ruling princes nominally share the power, and the 2 princes are: The bishop of Urgell in Spain and the president of the French Republic - talking about a complicated and high-powered government structure! I also include a couple of further images from southern France and finish with a picture in Westchester NY, our former residence area, where we spent the Christmas holidays in 2008.

Notes
TRIP INTRODUCTON: Set # 1 provides an introduction. Please use the link below if you would like to review it:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-682502-1.html

EARLIER POSTS of this series: To view, access my profile via the link below, then click on the figure behind "# of topics created" for the list of posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=45105

Thanks for visiting, for best results please view the downloads, I look forward to your comments and questions.

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1 - Switzerland/FR/Murten - Walking on the covered city ramparts with view of the towers of the ramparts and the steeple of the Deutsche Kirche (German church)

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2 - Switzerland/TI/Sonogno - Stone-walled and slate-topped ancient houses in this picturesque rustic village at the end of the Verzasca valley

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3 - Switzerland/GR/Silvaplana - View from the Julier pass road down to lakes Lej da Champfer at left and Lake Silvaplana at right with the village Silvaplana at the foot of the mountain, enveloped by the yellow needles of the deciduous larch trees

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4 - Switzerland/AG/Horben - Beech tree leaves in autumn colors

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5 - Switzerland/VD/Fechy - Red grapes still hanging on the ancient vines with the leaves turning to bright golden and red fall colors

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6 - Liechtenstein/FL/Malbun - Gamsgrat mountain with the Friedenskapelle (Chapel of peace) at right

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7 - Andorra/Llorts - In the small town center: The church of Llorts and the restaurant L'Era d'en Jaum, built of solid rocks

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8 - France/Dordogne/La Roque-Gageac - Perched above the Dordogne river and built into the sheer cliffs, this castle-endowed village is a member of the "The most beautiful villages of France"

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9 - France/Bordeaux - Grand Theater, the performing arts theater of Bordeaux on the Place de la Comédie, inaugurated in 1780

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10 - USA/NY/Granite Springs - Large equestrian estate

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Ourspolair

Another gorgeous series! Thanks for sharing - Please stay well.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Especially numbers two and three.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Beautiful. #2 is exceptional.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you very much Ours!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Bill, I see you are a fan of the southern parts of Switzerland - I love it down there as well!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Ken, I love that one as well - Sonogno is a small rural village high up at the upper end of a valley and practically the entire town in constructed in this fashion, I have first visited that village when I was about 14 and whenever we make it into the Ticino (that's the name of the southern canton/province where it is located), we try to make it up to Sonogno. At the entrance to the village there is the communal parking lot, no cars allowed in the village as far as I remember. We normally walk through the small village and continue a bit further up and there is a "grotto" (literally meaning "cave" but used for rustic eateries) called Efra where you can have some rustic meals and possibly even play a game of Bocce.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Spectacular beauty in every composition!!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Beautiful, Joe. I had forgotten about Liechtenstein.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you very much Jim - there is so much beauty "out there"!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Barbara - yes, not many people even know about that small land (they call it "Ländle" in their own dialect) - it used to be associated with neighboring Austria, but then at the end of world war I, they switched their association to Switzerland and are now using the Swiss Franc as currency as well as Swiss border security.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Another fine set!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Beautiful images Joe!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Beautiful images Joe.