Lovely Lucerne

 (A multi-part recap of my recent September trip to Switzerland.)

The day after my friend Kim and I's arrival in Zurich (see post here) we checked out of our hotel late in the morning.  Our tour was to begin the following day in the town of Lucerne.  Since Switzerland was known for its efficient train system, we decided to make the trip there by train.  Kim had booked us 1:30 tickets to Lucerne, so so we headed over the Zurich's downtown train station.  With a bit of time to kill before our train departed, I decided to explore the huge underground shopping mall attached to the station.

One of Lucerne's famous wooden pedestrian bridges

Every kind of retail imaginable was housed here.  While Kim sat with our luggage, I walked around checking out the shops.  Anything a person wanted could be found amidst the many grocery, clothing, souvenir, electronics, sundries, and of course chocolate stores.  In addition to retail, the plethora of restaurants and fast food choices available would've satisfied even the pickiest person.  (However, the pretzel shop got my vote and money!)

Zurich train station had a huge underground shopping mall

Soon, the time came to find the platform where we'd catch our train to Lucerne.  Kim and I referenced a large electronic sign that listed all the departures within the next 30 minutes.  There were quite a few - I'd estimate at least 15 trains were scheduled, leaving for all parts of Switzerland.  One thing I learned about this country - trains went everywhere, even to small villages.  Train travel was accessible, affordable, and efficient.  What else would you expect from the Swiss?

On the platform, waiting for our train

When our train arrived, Kim and I joined the mass of people boarding.  I was surprised to see so many passengers for an early Saturday afternoon.  Luckily, there was a rack for our suitcases at the back of the car, so after depositing our luggage, we found a seat.  A young Swiss lady sat across from us, and we had a pleasant conversation with her.  She was visiting her boyfriend in Lucerne and remarked that it was much quicker to take the train than drive.  At one point I got up to use the restroom and was surprised by how filthy it was.  So un-Swiss!  (I'm still traumatized by the memory.)

All aboard!

But aside from the restroom incident, our trip to Lucerne went smoothly.  Kim and I enjoyed watching the green, spectacularly beautiful countryside fly by our window.  An hour later we pulled into our destination's bustling station.  Wow was it a busy place!  There must've been five other trains all arriving at the same time.  Kim and I were pulled along by the throng exiting our train and in no time found ourselves outside the building.  Now to consult Google maps and find our hotel.

The view out our hotel window!

Lucky for us, our hotel was a 10-minute walk from the train station.  We followed the shore of the River Reuss, across a bridge, and down a cobblestone promenade on the opposite side.  Our hotel was right on the waterfront.  After checking in were both jazzed to discover our room looked out over the river and had a bird's eye view of Lucerne's famous Chapel Bridge!

Many photos may have been taken...

The city of Lucerne is known for many things, but the most famous features are its wooden pedestrian bridges.  The most well known is the Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden bridge spanning the river Reuss diagonally.  Constructed in 1365 as part of Lucerne's fortifications, it was named after nearby St. Peter's Chapel.  It was beautifully decorated with colorful flowers hanging off the sides.  Kim and I couldn't wait to go walk across it and explore the rest of this charming town.

Clock tower, Lucerne

After settling into our room, Kim and I did just that, emerging out our hotel's back entrance onto a narrow cobblestone street.  As in Zurich, we meandered about, heading towards whatever caught our attention.

Beautifully planted window boxes

Lucerne was absolutely adorable!  We took in the unique buildings, with colorful shutters and window boxes full of flowers.  One larger town square had a tall clock tower.

Loved the colorful flowers on the pedestrian bridge

As with Zurich, our walk ended up along the riverfront, where I took copious images of the picturesque buildings and of course the flower-covered Chapel Bridge.

Buildings along the waterfront

The other wooden pedestrian bridge

A short distance downriver Kim and I came upon Lucerne's second wooden pedestrian bridge.  This one called the Spreuer Bridge (in German Spreuerbrücke) began construction in the 13th century, and was completed in 1408.  Although not as attractive as the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge looked more historic.

Walking through the pedestrian bridge

This bridge also wasn't quite as busy as its neighbor, so Kim and I had a walk through.  Nestled in the triangular roof trusses were historic paintings.  I later learned these paintings were created from 1616 to 1637.  The paintings contained portraits from donors and also images of death, which was ever-present in those times.  

Both bridges had old artwork on their ceilings

Lucerne street scene

Crossing the Spreuer Bridge, Kim and I returned to our hotel via a footpath along the river's opposite shore. 

 

Such a cute town!

Waterfront view from the ped bridge

We came upon the entrance to the Chapel Bridge.  Although it was swarming with people on this busy Saturday, we very much wanted to walk across, so Kim and I sucked it up and braved the masses.

Another view of those gorgeous flowers

As we traversed the bridge, I tried to pull over whenever I could to snap a few photos.  There were so many people, it proved to be a difficult task.

The bridge was so photogenic!

But I managed a few good images.  Looking across to the river's other side, we could see our hotel.  It's the building in the above photo that's flying the Swiss flag.

Mountain views from Lake Lucerne

We then took a short walk to the near shore of Lake Lucerne.  It was fun to look at all the boats docked along its waterfront.  Although we'd arrived to cloudy skies, as day turned into evening, the weather cleared and we were treated to views of the magnificent mountains that framed Lake Lucerne.

Where the boats dock

Our tummies were beginning to grumble, so Kim and I found a traditional Swiss restaurant near out hotel.  It was supposed to be a brewery, but only had two types of beer on tap - both very pale (Kim and I both prefer dark beer).  However the place redeemed itself with my dinner, serving a tasty sausage plate. 

Swiss dinner!

And Kim's meal came with a tiny Swiss flag stuck on top of her chicken.

Kim got a Swiss flag with her meal

Bellies full, Kim and I dragged ourselves back to the hotel.  Still adjusting to the time change, we were ready to turn in at 7:30.  But wait....what was going on outside our window?

Amazing sunset out our hotel window

An amazing sunset was happening.  Lucerne welcomed us with a spectacular sky show to end our first day in town!  The mountains glowed a brilliant white, the sky erupted in dazzling pink hues, and the moon glowed brightly.  Our hotel window gave us front-row views to the show.

Bright moon in the night sky

This place was amazing!  Kim and I couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.  Stay tuned, I'll have more from Lucerne in my next post.