By Debi Lander
mail@floridanewsline.com
As a child, I fondly remember the book “Heidi,” about a young orphan girl sent to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. She develops a deep love of the mountains and nature. Looking back, I believe I was drawn more to the illustrations than the storyline, as I clearly recall wishing to see the Alps, chalets, and grazing cows. My chance finally came when I signed up for a river cruise from Basel, Switzerland, to Cologne, Germany.
My travel buddy Judy and I flew to Zurich and boarded a train directly from the airport to Lucerne. Swiss Rail makes it easy. I’m glad I listened to a friend’s recommendation to spend two days in Lucerne because the beauty and ambiance of the city can’t be overstated. The stunning Old Town rests on Lake Lucerne’s banks, surrounded by stunning mountains featuring Mt. Pilatus, rising approximately 7,000 feet.
After a five-minute walk from the train station, Judy and I dropped our bags at the hotel. We set off to explore the enchanting city by crossing the famous Chapel Bridge. This covered wooden bridge rests on stilts with a picturesque tower first built in 1333. Lush flowering window boxes line the railings, and religious paintings grace the architectural archways.
A stroll through the pedestrian-only historic center included fascinating houses painted with historical scenes or artistic details of former artisan guilds. You’ll see fountains, flowers, unusual rooflines, and inviting shops.
We then headed across town to the Lion Memorial, another famous landmark carved into a rock face. Next to the monument lies the Glacier Garden Museum, a place that truly surprised us. The interactive displays start with geology, the Ice Age, and the formation of the Alps. Stairs within the rock gardens lead to fantastic views above the lake and city. The unexpected fun came when we entered the Mirror Maze and lost our way among our mirrored reflections and the path. This hall of 51 mirrors was built in 1896 for the Swiss National Exhibition in Geneva and moved to Lucerne in 1899. We left exhausted from laughing at ourselves. I absolutely recommend a visit.
In the evening, we dined on (you guessed it) cheese fondue. When in Switzerland, you must try it as well as decadent Swiss chocolates.
The following day, we signed up for a day tour beginning with a lake cruise that transported visitors to the entrance to the most vertical cog railroad in the world. The thrilling and speedy ride up Mt. Pilatus presents an ever-changing landscape. We left the fog-enshrouded lake behind and ascended to clear, sunny skies at the summit. Here, I basked in the soaring panorama of the Alps: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, a dream come true. We also met hearty hikers who climbed the peak, something I do not dream about.
A gondola ride zipped us partway down the mountain, stopping where visitors can enjoy toboggan runs or challenging rope courses. We lingered at the dramatic background and rode a second gondola down to the outskirts of Lucerne. The day ended with a sunset cruise on the lake, albeit without a memorable sunset, but the narration answered many questions about the area.
Before leaving on a train to Basel, we wanted to visit the impressive Jesuit Church but found it closed. But, we discovered a fascinating cuckoo clock store (very pricey) and numerous chocolatiers. We missed Lucerne’s many museums but delighted in every minute of our stay. The city becomes a photographer’s jackpot and the perfect way to start a trip through Switzerland and Germany.
For information: www.luzern.com
Visit www.bylandersea.com to read more of local travel writer Debi Lander’s stories and travel tips.
Photo courtesy Debi Lander
Going up on the cog railroad.
