Day 4 in Lucerne

Today was our final full day in Lucerne and we decided to visit Mount Pilatus, one of the mountains on the southwest side of Lake Lucerne.  We jumped on a bus to take us to the base of the mountain, and jumped on a small cable car where it was a 30 minute journey to the top - the views were stunning and at times it was so quiet that all you could hear was the cow bells of the cows on the side of the mountain!

Cable car up Mount Pilatus

View from the cable car

Once we had nearly reached the top we had to change to a bigger which took us through the clouds right to the top.  The views were amazing but at times the clouds would roll in and you couldn't see anything!

The large cable car up to the peak

Views from the top

Man blowing his horn

On the way down - we took a cogwheel train (which is suppose to be the steepest in the world) back down to the base of the mountain.

Cogwheel train

As the weather was so nice, we stopped and had a late lunch by the river and then relaxed for the rest of day.

We have really enjoyed our stay and have especially enjoyed going up the mountains (you don't get to do that everyday). We have had lovely weather which has meant we have been able to get out and about to do all things we had wanted to do.  The only downside is that everything is so expensive - especially food and drink - today I paid £7.50 for two small bottles of coke!

Day 3 in Lucerne

Today we spent time in Lucerne - and went on a 2 hour walking tour of the city.  The guide told us the history of Lucerne, taking us along the newer side of town, along the River Ruess and then on to the old town across the river.  We went inside the Jesuit Church which had a richly decorated baroque interior.  We also walked across the Chapel Bridge and along the cobbled streets of the old town with its medieval buildings.


The Chapel Bridge and Wasserturm (octagonal tower)

Inside the Jesuit Church

One of the buildings in the old town with frescoes on the facade

View from the old town over the river

After some lunch we walked along the Museggmauer, which is part of the old city wall which had 9 towers and was built in the 14th Century - as we were so high up we had stunning views of the town.

View from the old city wall

After looking around the shops, we went to look at the Lion Monument which shows a figure of dying lion carved in to a sandstone cliff - it was probably the most busy place we have been to and I had to fight my way to the front to take the photo!

The Lion Monument

Day 2 in Lucerne

As the weather was forecast to be sunny and warm today we decided to take a trip up Mount Rigi. After catching a train to the base of the mountain, we travelled up to the peak, Rigi Kulm which is 1797 metres high, by Cogwheel train.

Cogwheel train

When we got to the top we could not believe there was another event going on - this time it was a run up the mountain (the crazy fools - we have never seen people look so knackered and sweaty!).

After taking in the views from the top we took one of the mountain paths down to the next village, which was about an hour walking downhill taking in the amazing views - it was a little hazy but we could see the snowcapped mountains above us and the lakes down below.

Towards the end of the walk we walked through a small alpine village called Rigi Katbald where we saw several little chalets.  We stopped for lunch on the mountain and had a local specialitiy called Rosti which is grated potatoes and bacon covered in cheese - not very healthy but very tasty!

Walking through Rigi Katbald

Not healthy but tasty (That's the food, not Peter!)

We then jumped on the cable car to take us back down to the bottom of the mountain (we had done enough of walking - our legs were already aching from walking DOWN - I would hate to think what state we would have been walking up!) and we then took a boat back to Lucerne.

Boat back to Lucerne

On our way to Lucerne!

There is not a lot I would get up at 5:15am for but holidays is one of them! Our flight from London City Airport was at 8:25am so we had to be out of the door by 6am to get the 6:10am train. Our flight to Zurich was uneventful apart from Peter having to be searched at the airport as he set the airport security body scanner off (as usual), and then they swabbed his laptop which set off another alarm and they had to call the Manager before they let us through!!
Before making our way to Lucerne, which is about an hour away from Zurich Airport by train, we decided to have a look around Zurich - as soon as we got off the train we knew that something wasn't quite right as there was an awful lot of people in fancy dress (is this a normal Saturday in Zurich I thought....).  We dropped off our luggage at the station and started to walk in to town....with people half our age dressed up in all kinds of outfits (a lot of which didn't leave much to the imagination). We felt very old!!

Caveman / workman Chic in Zurich (a few of the may people in fancy dress)

Loads of people!

It turns out that once a year the young people of Switzerland congregate in Zurich for the yearly techno street party - and Peter and I were right in the middle of it!

We did find a few quite spots away from the madding crowds so that we could appreciate the buildings and scenery.

Fraumunster Church

View of Limmat River in Zurich

It would have been better if we didn't have to make our way through the rather rowdy crowds - we were glad to get on train to the much more serene Lucerne!

Our hotel in Lucerne is very well situated, both close to the station and the Old Town with lots of restaurants and bars.  After unpacking we rested up for a couple of hours and then went to the old town for dinner - Peter had roast chicken with chips, and I had a local dish of veal in a cream sauce - it was a lovely warm evening so we were able to eat outside.

Our hotel room in Lucerne

Me in front of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

Cheers!