𝑫𝒐𝒍𝒄𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴛ ᴏғ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ғᴀɪʀʏᴛᴀʟᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏʙᴏᴏᴋ? ᴡᴇʟʟ ʟᴜᴄᴇʀɴᴇ ɪs ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴅᴀʀɴ ᴄʟᴏsᴇ!

Lucerne (German: Luzern): is a compact city located in Central Switzerland. It is situated between snow-capped mountains of Mt. Pilatus, Rigi, the Swiss Alps and the dazzling Lake Lucerne. (German: Vierwaldstättersee)

Lucerne is best recognized for its preservation of medieval architecture. The Chapel Bridge and water tower are perfect examples of this architecture.

Languages: The official language of Lucerne is German but the most common language is Swiss German dialect, Lucerne German.

Tips and Things you should know!

**Although Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places in the world, it does come with a larger price tag! Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world! Be prepared to spend a little more money than usual.**

•The Swiss Franc (CHF) more expensive than the euro; Switzerland will still accept euros, it is just more expensive. *2022*

• 2-3 nights is a sufficient amount of time to stay in Lucerne, it is very small and you don’t need a lot of time too see the whole city. There are beautiful spa/hotels located in the mountains.

The Chapel bridge (Kapellbrücke) was originally built c.1365. It links the old town on the right bank of the Reuss to the new town on the left bank. When walking though the bridge, don’t forget to look up. It has many interior paintings dating back to the 17th century,

Tragedy struck in 1993, when the bridge caught on fire. Unfortunately a lot of the original structures and paintings were destroyed in the fire. In 1994 The Kapellbrücke was restored, it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe

When you get a glimpse of the perfectly preserved Old Town (Altstadt) you will feel as though you just entered into a fairytale world. There is something so captivating about the Reuss River. It flows through the town and has beautiful white swans swimming in it.

The lion monument is a tribute to all the Loyal and Brave Swiss Guards who were killed in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries invaded the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Bertel Thorvaldsen was the designer to this rock relief and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn.

The Gorgeous Mount Pilatus towers over Lucerne . You will get unforgettable panoramic views of the mountains and lakes around you. Mt Pilatus has several peaks, the highest being. (2,128.5 m (6,983 ft)

Getting to Mt.Pilatus

If you are up for the heights, here are some ways to get to the top:

• the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, from Alpnachstad, Months of operation: May to November (depending on snow conditions)
• the whole year with the aerial panorama gondolas and aerial cableways from Kriens.
• Look into the “Golden Round Trip” it’s available during the summer months. This involves taking a boat from Lucerne across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, going up on the cogwheel railway returning back on cableways and gondolas, and finally a bus back to Lucerne.

Rathaus Brauerei Brewery: serves homemade beer.The beer is brewed using Pilatus spring water stemming from the oldest complex of Lucerne springs.

• Try out some traditional fondue tastings!
• Don’t forget about the shopping!! Enjoy the shopping at all the luxurious stores.
• If you need a new watch you are in the right place! These are some famous watch brands from Switzerland: Breitling. Rolex. Omega. Breguet
• Check out Lindt Swiss Chocolate it’s a chocolate lovers paradise!
• Take a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne! https://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/your-cruise-experience/timetable-fares/faq/questions-about-tickets/

Travellers staying more than a night are recommended to try the Swiss Travel Pass /a Visitor Card . If you plan on traveling around Switzerland and doing site tours this might help you save some money. https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass

it costs about CHF 232 for 3 days. This is valid in zone 10 areas. These are some transportation methods that the pass includes and link to timetables.

• City Transport: Trams and Buses free to 90 towns
• Trains and Buses to villages
• Seat Reservations are not included
• Boats are Free unless it’s a special cruise such as dinner Cruise.
• Transportation into the Mountains. This includes a discounted rate for: Cable cars, funiculars, cogwheel Trains. Etc)
• The Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass and other panoramic trains are thus included.
• * Note* The Pass is only VALID in Switzerland. There are some exemptions where Trains are passing through other countries.

•Although very charming, Lucerne’s Old Town is a bit of a tourist trap with restaurants taking advantage of curious tourists trying to get an authentic experience. However, Switzerland in general is overall more expensive.

•Just a tip for most of Europe, when you get away from the main attractions or even go a couple blocks off the beaten path, good things usually happen in terms of restaurants. The food is usually more authentic and not as expensive.

Look out for Signs that day “ Nette toilette” these are free public bathrooms.

** Note, Lucerne is VERY expensive. Contiki tours explained to us that it was the cheapest stay/hotel that was in the city. Or you had to stay at a cheaper city near by but it’s about a 30 min drive.**

Barabas Hotel Luzern: Staying in Lucerne, I actually had a very “Unique Hotel Experience” it was an old jail house that has been converted into a hotel and bar.

Was I very hesitant and scared at first?

Yes, …. Of course lol BUT once I got over my mind playing tricks on me it was kind of cool! I was with my husband and we were on a contiki tour so I felt a little more secure. Overall, it was a really cool experience.

There was a trendy bar down by the lobby as well, so you didn’t have to go to far to have a good time. Book Your Stay with: https://www.booking.com/Share-cL4atw

This is a trip advisor page for the Barabas Hotel we stayed at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g188064-d11761448-Reviews-Jailhouse_Hotel-Lucerne.html

To help plan your stay try using Contiki Tours! That’s how I got to explore Lucerne and I had a really good time. https://www.contiki.com/en-ca

– Best of luck with your Lucerne Journey! I hope this helps make booking your trip a little more easy–

“Safe Travels and Auguri Alla Tua Dolce Vita!” -Kristina xox