Bit of a tricky one in the saddle in order to get from Lake Königssee to Luzern. Leave 8am; two bus trips and two train trips later we arrive via Innsbruck and Zurich at 6:30pm (as scheduled by the masters of chronology) for our Luzern Sojourn. Apropos of comfort, a lot to be said for first class, long distance train travel!
Our quarters are, well, a quarter of what you’d expect but nonetheless comfortable and ideally located near the centre of the simply wonderful city of Luzern (Lucerne if you want). The place hasn’t changed in twelve months (refer to Europe 1.0) but I didn’t ask the locals, or the Swedish climate change activist, so that’s my assumption!
What the old man and I do get is some pretty good weather. Availing ourselves of this we train ride (including the steepest cog railway in the world) to the top of the impressive Mt Pilatus; stunning views, alpine walking and the now mandatory refreshment! After several hours at over 2,000m there is a couple of gondola rides and a bus trip required to return to Luzern. Loved this day as it was something I wanted to do in Europe 1.0 but unfortunately (now for the boys and Julie) the weather did not permit.
When in Luzern….no, take a boat ride; which is what we did to Vitznau, about 50 minutes away, to have a bit of a stroll along the lakeside. Mt Rigi is popular here but after the imperious Pilatus we opted for the lower elevations and associated views. Since we had, some might say ill-advisedly, already paid the ferryman we take our chances on a trip back with the intention of paying our respects to Lowendenkmal. This done we take in the old city and it’s ancient fortifications for a look back at the history of Helvetia.
Simply because of their quality, and Julie’s insistence, I have procured some excellent Basler Lackerli for smuggling back into Australia (if my cunning plan fails I’m sure you all will visit me as I see out my incarceration).
Luzern is a city that gives plenty and one that I would be happy to both recommend and also return again to!
The sojourn has thus ended, non!