Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne, in Central Switzerland, straddles the Reuss River, which flows into Lake Lucerne, Arriving in a deluge of rain, we grabbed a taxi which wasn't our general mode of transportation. However, it wasn't long before the rain dried up, the sun came out and I looked around at this city, surrounded by the Swiss Alps, and felt I had come home.

Dropping luggage off, we set out to explore, walking through narrow cobbled streets. Eventually we ended up at the Chapel Bridge, a covered bridge, 669 feet long and built in 1333. Inside the bridge are a series of paintings depicting Lucerne's history. Part way across there is a Water Tower that, at one time had been used for protection, and at other times as a prison. Being a lover of covered bridges, we next discovered the Mill Bridge which zigzags across the river. Built in 1408, a chapel was later built in the middle of it in 1568.

What impressed us as we explored the city was the cleanliness and the beauty. Flowers were evident wherever we went, in planters and baskets and the entire length of the Chapel Bridge had baskets of flowers hanging over the rail. There were buildings covered in paintings, churches to see, Swiss architecture to admire and their culture to absorb.

Another discovery we made in our explorations was the Lion Monument, carved into a rock face. It had been carved to honor those Swiss Gards massacred in 1792 at Tuileries Palace. Having planned to spend only one night in this lovely area, we next checked out some shops and were puzzled when we realized every one offered cow bells for sale.

The following day we took the ferry to Weggis, a nice relaxing trip where we could see many, what looked to be castles on the hills, as we floated past. Once in Weggis, another town of beauty, we walked to where we could catch the cogwheel train to make our way up Mt. Rigi Kulm. The trip up was, as I had imagined the Swiss Alps might be, if not more lovely. As the last stop we got out. It was biting cold at the top and the wind was blowing but the view was unbelievable. We followed paths to go even higher on the mountain top where we could enjoy and absorb the fantastic views. As we climbed, the mystery of the cow bells was explained when we heard the sounds of many bells floating throughout the mountains, seeming to surround us with their magical music. We had timed it well, a day in June, with no low-hanging clouds to obstruct our view of all the grandeur nature had to offer. After walking for a while at the top of the mountain, we returned to take another cogwheel train down three stops and caught a cable car to the bottom. The view on this was stunning as well but the trip was far too short.

Mr. Rigi Kulm is known as the Queen of the Mountains and is 1,797.5 meters high. It offers more than a cogwheel train ride and a cable car trip. Many do hike it as well as ski it in the winter. We saw many hikers setting off with their walking sticks and backpacks, far more adventurous than either of us felt inclined to be. After reaching the bottom of the mountain, we returned to the ferry for our trip back to Lucerne. Mount Pilatus, overlooking Lucerne, is another mountain where one can take a cogwheel trip to the top. Having limited time, however, we contented ourselves with going to Mt. Rigi Kulm.

Picking up something for dinner, we returned to the deck on the roof where we were staying. Looking down we could see the Reuss River rushing by below us on its way to Lucerne Lake, where swans paddle along the shores.

In Lucerne, people were friendly and helpful, communication was not difficult, our accommodation was central to everything we wanted to see, and between trains, ferries and shoe leather, getting around was easy. I loved the city and wished we could have stayed longer. But it was time to move on.