LUCERNE and MOUNT RIGI in SWITZERLAND (2018)

LUCERNE, the gateway to central Switzerland is situated on Lake Lucerne with a majestic backdrop provided by MOUNT RIGI, PILATUS, and STANSERHORN, all of which attract millions of visitors from all around the world, as we discovered for ourselves on our very first day.

Lucerne lies on the river Reuss, and is divided by the river Reuss into an Old Town and a New Town. The two districts are connected by what is among other things the world’s oldest covered wooden bridge, the CHAPEL BRIDGE, which dates back to the year 1332. The Chapel Bridge with the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape.

The medieval Chapel Bridge is the centerpiece of this magnificent city that will take your breath away, and is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. The excitement and the enthusiasm it triggers in tourists from all over the world is a sight to behold. An opportunity to savor some cappuccino and some Swiss Cheese and Tapas in the cafes the line the river Reuss, manifests ‘La Dolce Vita’ (the Good Life) even for the residents of this beautiful city.

Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. The Jesuit church dating from the 17th century is regarded as Switzerland’s first sacral Baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape. The figure of a dying lion which was hewn from the face of rock in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack on the Tuileries in 1792 is one of the best-known monuments in Switzerland.

We took a ferry from Lake Lucerne followed by a cogwheel train that took us to the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest, followed by a steep descent via cable car with amazing vistas of the valley, and then a ferry boat ride back to Lucerne.

Lucerne exudes unbridled energy, excitement, joy, happiness, and ‘Joie-de-vivre” with a vibe that is contagious!. An amazing and memorable commencement to our Swiss Expedition that truly brought to life the truism that Switzerland is indeed for many, (including my late Mother) “Paradise on Earth”!


Panoramic picture-scape of Lake Lucerne on a beautiful summer day with the twin towers of the Hofkirche looming large in the background, and a variety of sail boats and cruise boats ferrying tourists and visitors across Lake Lucerne, enabling a happy and infectious vibe to this unspeakably beautiful city in Switzerland!


This majestic Swan sharing the waters of Lake Lucerne with the row boat and the Cruise Boats, presented an awesome photo-op that I could not miss!


The Matt Hotel in Schwartzenburg on the outskirts of Lucerne in the mountains provided us the the solitude we needed, away from the crowds in the city – the hospitality of the staff was incredible and made our experience at this hotel a truly memorable one!


This young pied piper welcomed us an most visitors to this impressive hotel.


Impressive Swiss Chalets down the road from our hotel lent to our “Swiss Experience”!


The ‘Swiss Lady Road Warrior’ who greets all visitors to the Hotel Matt – rendered in bronze, and lends character to this delightful family run Hotel!


Sanchita De in a spirit of bonhomie with this much traveled lady in bronze at the entrance of our hotel!


Switzerland abounds in flowers in Summer which lend to its beauty and its magnificence – Lucerne was no exception!


The twin towers of the Hofkirche loom large and are an enduring icon of this magnificent city in central Switzerland! The Church of St. Leodegar is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Lucerne, and is often referred to as the Hofkirche. It was built in parts from 1633 to 1639 on the foundation of the Roman basilica which had burnt down in 1633


The medieval CHAPEL BRIDGE is the centerpiece of this magnificent city that will take your breath away, and is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. The excitement and the enthusiasm it triggers in tourists from all over the world is a sight to behold!


An opportunity to savor some cappuccino and some Swiss Cheese and Tapas in the cafes the line the river Reuss, next to the Chapel Bridge, manifests ‘La Dolce Vita’ (the Good Life) even for the residents of this beautiful city.


The medieval CHAPEL BRIDGE is the centerpiece of this magnificent city that will take your breath away, and is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. The excitement and the enthusiasm it triggers in tourists from all over the world is a sight to behold!


Water sports come alive on Lake Lucerne come Summer!


The medieval CHAPEL BRIDGE is the centerpiece of this magnificent city that will take your breath away, and is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. The excitement and the enthusiasm it triggers in tourists from all over the world is a sight to behold!


The Church of St. Leodegar is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Lucerne, and is often referred to as the Hofkirche. It was built in parts from 1633 to 1639 on the foundation of the Roman basilica which had burnt down in 1633.


The Chapel Bridge is flanked by the Water Tower which is another enduring and historical landmark of Lucerne.


The historic building that houses the Lucerne railway station today is impressive and provides a compelling backdrop for many a photo-op!


The medieval CHAPEL BRIDGE is the centerpiece of this magnificent city that will take your breath away, and is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. The excitement and the enthusiasm it triggers in tourists from all over the world is a sight to behold!


Ma and her lassie taking in the sights and sounds of magical Lucerne!


A slew of extremely modern and sleek cruise cruise boats offer not-to-be missed cruises on Lake Lucerne, and also ferry visitors to the Cogwheel Trains that take you up to Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus!


Impressive historical landmarks such as this one with the onion spires will be etched onto your mind once you leave Lucerne, and will likely bring you back for more.


The Church of St. Leodegar is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Lucerne, and is often referred to as the Hofkirche. It was built in parts from 1633 to 1639 on the foundation of the Roman basilica which had burnt down in 1633.


The impressive picture-scape of Lucerne with the Lake Reuss in the foreground, and the majesty of the mountains as backdrop, makes for a breath taking experience!


A sleek and cool Cruise Boat that offers Panoramic Cruises on Lake Lucerne – a highly recommended experience!


What makes Lucerne magical are historical palaces and castles like these perched on the mountains as well as some of the world’s most coveted real-estate on the banks of Lake Lucerne!


The Cogwheel Trains which take you up to the apex of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, and are arguably, the most compelling experience in this beautiful country, given the spectacular vistas of the Alpine landscapes that you can only witness in Switzerland!


Elegant and amazing houses such as these built on the slopes of the hills and mountains, or on the banks of Lake Lucerne bring the magic of Switzerland to life – straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales!


Amazing Vistas from the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest.


The Cogwheel Trains which take you up to the apex of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, and are arguably, the most compelling experience in this beautiful country, given the spectacular vistas of the Alpine landscapes that you can only witness in Switzerland!


A quaint little Chalet on the banks of Lake Lucerne which beckoned as we passed by on our Cruise Boat to Mount Rigi!


We took a ferry from Lake Lucerne followed by a cogwheel train that took us to the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest, followed by a steep descent via cable car with amazing vistas of the valley, and then a ferry boat ride back to LUCERNE.


Elegant and amazing houses such as these built on the slopes of the hills and mountains, or on the banks of Lake Lucerne bring the magic of Switzerland to life – straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales!


Vistas from the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest.


Vistas from the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest.


Mom and Lassie celebrating our arrival at the apex of Mount Rigi – almost 6,000 feet above sea level!


Vistas from the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest.


Vistas from the apex of MOUNT RIGI, which presented a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Plateau as far as the Black Forest.


Incredible vistas of the Swiss Chalets from the cruise boats on Lake Lucerne contribute to the magic and enchantment of this magnificent City!


Elegant and amazing houses such as these built on the slopes of the hills and mountains, or on the banks of Lake Lucerne bring the magic of Switzerland to life – straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales!


The Cable Car ride on the way back from MOUNT RIGI offered amazing goose bump inducing vistas such as these which alleviated the consternation we felt, when we first saw the steep drop from the apex of the mountain down to the Ferry Boat Jetty.


A breath taking aerial panoramic perspective of the unspeakable beauty of LUCERNE – often considered by the Swiss folks as ‘The most beautiful city in Switzerland’!