I have recently visted Europe and spent a month in Switzerland and was immeresed in the world of JRR Tolkien and what were some of his inspirations to write Lord of the Rings. In 1911 Tolkien as a 19 year old toured around Switzerland where the landscape and curlture helped inspire many of the aspects of The Lord of the Rings. While in Switzerland Tolkien toured the Lauterbrunnen Valley and was inspired by the beauty and majesty of the valley. Years later when he created Rivendell where the house of Lord Elrond is located and modeled it after this valley. There are over 100 waterfall and high thousand foot clifs on its sides. This valley is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. I have put some pictures in the gallery to view.