|
 |
|
| Lucerne, Switzerland |
Located roughly an hours drive from Basel and Zurich, Lucerne is in the centre of Switzerland and is known as the gateway to central Switzerland. It lies in an idyllic position on the western edge of Lake Lucerne and straddles the River Reusse, and is surrounded by stunning lakeside and mountain scenery!! Known primarily as a tourist centre, this charming town was once a small fishing village with the old town of Lucerne being located just north of the Reuss River as it leaves the lake. Old Lucerne still has several fine half timbered buildings with beautiful painted fronts, and there are still remnants of the old town walls which exist on the hill above the city, complete with eight tall watch towers. An additional gated tower sits at the base of the hill on the banks of the Reuss River.
The most famous landmark however is the 204 metre long, Chapel Bridge or Kapellbrucke, built 1333. The Chapel Bridge is a covered wooden bridge which crosses the Reuss River and is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Although the bridge was seriously damaged during a fire in 1993, it has been completely rebuilt complete with the 17th century series of paintings depicting scenes from Swiss history. Adjoining the bridge is the highly visible 13th century octagonal watchtower, known as the Wasserturm, which was part of the original city fortifications and has served the town over the centuries as a prison, torture chamber, treasury, and of course as a watchtower!! As the location of Lucerne is on the river there are several bridges connecting both sides of the town, another historic bridge worth seeing is the Mill Bridge or Spreuerbrucke built in 1408. This bridge zig zags its way across the river and is also a covered wooden bridge, with a series of historic paintings known as the ‘Plague Paintings’. These 17th century medieval style paintings by Kaspar Meglinger depict men and women as priests, warriors, princes, men of learning, a devout nun, a lawmaker, a hunter, a miller and a young bride, all at the mercy of ‘death’, with his mocking smile and ever changing garb!! Midway along the bridge there is also has a small chapel which was added in 1568.
The beginnings of Lucerne can be traced from the establishment of the Benedictine monastery during the 8th century which is now the site of the current Cathedral. The town was recognised as being an independent town in the 12th century, when it gained its freedom from the church. At the later part of the 13th century the town had grown to a point where it attracted interest from the expansive Hapsburg Empire. This external influence sparked the unification and formation of alliances between Lucerne and the three adjoining ‘forest cantons’ of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (now know as Obwalden and Nidwalden) who had already created an informal alliance (the Federal Charter 1291) for combined strength and trade purposes. This group of cantons stopped the Austrian intrusion, with their ambitions curbed when they lost to Lucerne in the Battle of Sempach of 1386, which itself marks a period of expansion for the city.
Lucerne’s charms can be well appreciated by simply walking around this small clustered town with its narrow cobbled streets and alleyways, medieval squares and battlements, ancient guildhalls, churches and chapels. The river-side café and restaurants serve to add to the overall appeal and atmosphere, with the building facades complete with their ornate paintings, the old city hall and its clock tower, the Hofchurch or the Cathedral of St Leodegar with its twin needle spires and the Jesuit Church, making it a popular travel destination. Don’t forget to take some time out to visit the beautiful carved dying lion in the park off the Lowenplatz, in remembrance of the many Swiss guards who died in the French Revolution. Or the well known Bourbaki Panorama painting, one of the world’s few panoramic paintings on display in a circular building. The painting is actually 10 metres high and 112 metres long, and depicts a memorable episode in the Franco Prussian war of 1870-1871!! Also worth a visit is the Glacier Garden which is built around a glacial pothole that has survived since the last ice age. This museum also showcases artifacts from throughout the town’s history!!
There is quite a lot to do and see in Lucerne so don’t forget a trip to the impressive Swiss Transport Museum or the Verkehrshaus, which is so much more than just a museum and is the most visited in the country, or the Picasso Gallery, a boat trip on the lake, or a train trip up to the top of Mount Pilatus on the cogwheel train which is the steepest railway in the world!!
|
|
| |
| Accommodation | Activities | Tours |  |
|
Landhaus Hotel Giswil
Lucerne
 |  This hotel is an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. It is located halfway between the towns of Lucerne and Interlaken, amidst magnificent countryside overlooking the Lungern and Sarnen lakes. |
Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Lucerne
|  The Astoria Hotel is located in the city centre and just minutes from the Lake, It has a rooftop bar with views of Lucerne, as well as great restaurants.
|
Grand Hotel Europe
Lucerne
 |  The Grand Hotel Europe was built in 1872 and combines a grand past with an elegant and contempory outlook. The hotel is just back from the Lake and close to the Casino. It is ten minutes away from the city centre. |
Hotel Pilatusblick
Lucerne
|  The Hotel is at the foot of Mt. Pilatus in in a rural area. The centre of Lucerne is only a few minutes by car away. The Hotel is cosy and comfortable and offers a friendly service. |
Monopol Swiss Quality Lucerne Hotel
Lucerne
|  The hotel is situated 100 metres from the train station and is housed in a Baroque, late 19th century building. It has an olde world charm and lake views. |
|
|
Mount Titlis Eternal Snow Half-day Trip form Lucer
Tour
Lucerne | Immerse yourself in the glacial landscapes and eternal snow of Mt.Titlis in the Swiss Alps on this guided half-day coach tour from Lucerne, including return coach transfers. From the mountain resort town of Engelberg, your breathtaking journey skywards begins when you board the revolving cable car. ... |
Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne
Tour
Lucerne | First off, a scenic coach tour takes you to the magnificent mountain world of the Bernese Oberland. In Lauterbrunnen, you'll board the cogwheel train for a unique mountain train trip via Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the famous Eiger North Face to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station.
... |
Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Lucerne
Tour
Lucerne | Venture on a half day round trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus on this partially guided alpine summer tour. Escorted by your professional guide, take the aerial cable-car from Kriens 7000 feet (2132 meters) to the top of Mt.Pilatus. Enjoy unforgettable views over surrounding mountains and lakes with... |
|
|
Cosmopolitan Europe
15 days |  This tour will suit those travellers who want to see mainstream Europe and with Prague thrown in as a bonus. With five two night stays the tour gives you time to relax and have some free time as well.
Begin in London before crossing to Brussels and through Germany. Highlights include a Rhine Rive... |
European Spotlight - Start Amsterdam
11 days |  This tour appeals to the first-time visitors to Europe and gives a good introduction to Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and a little bit of France. There are two night stays in Amsterdam, Venice, Lucerne and Paris. Relax on a scenic cruise along the Rhine River, spend time in Heidelberg bef... |
European Interlude
15 days |  This brilliant tour is a fusion of some of the best-loved cities in European, including Amsterdam, Vienna, Rome, Florence, Innsbruck, Lucerne and Paris. See Big Ben and shop in London’s Knightsbridge, view Cologne’s gothic cathedral, visit Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg and cruise Venice’s canals. ... |
Europe's Highlights
13 days |  This tour will suit those travellers who have a limited time and want to see as much as possible. The tour moves at a fast pace through the first half of the trip and then there are two nights in Rome and ending the trip with three wonderful nights in Paris.
Leave London in the early morning and... |
Best of Switzerland
8 days |  An alpine paradise filled with snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and gorgeous castles. Get acquainted with charming Zurich, Italian-speaking Lugano, cosmopolitan Geneva, and lovely Lucerne. |
Highlights of Europe
14 days |  The Highlights of Europe tour is a very good one for the travellers who want to see what Europe has to offer. It has four - two night stays - which makes the tour more relaxing. You will also see the major tourist attractions in each country and it will give you a good idea of which places you wou... |
European Vista
21 days |  If you're looking for a leisurely yet adventurous holiday around Europe then the European Vista fits the bill. 10 countries in three weeks means time to really get acquainted with each city while fantastic destinations like Lucerne, Vienna and Prague, as well as the essential Paris, Rome and Amsterd... |
European Breakaway
8 days | This tour is for those who want a quick insight into what Europe has to offer and have limited time. With two night stays in Amsterdam, Lucerne and Paris you will have time for some in-depth sightseeing in these cities. Enjoy a delightful cruise along the canals before dinner aboard a floating res... |
Traditional Europe
18 days |  Explore Europe's most traditional areas, visiting 10 countries in total! This is a great opportunity for first-time Europe travellers as the tour will give you the best insight to what Europe was, is and where it's headed! See London, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Nice, Cannes, Paris and more.
|
A Taste of Europe
8 days |  This tour gives you an insight into what Europe has to offer and will introduce you to different cultures and countries. From London it is down to Dover and the ferry across to Calais where your coach will collect you and drive through Belgium to Holland and your first two night stay in the Amsterd... |
|
|
|
|
|
| |