Fall Foliage Tour: Days 7-9

Day 7: Lucerne, Old Swiss House, Mt Pilatus or Mt Titlis

Bidding the Bernese Oberland region goodbye, we travel over The Golden Pass route, another famous Swiss rail panoramic route, to the story book town of Lucerne (Luzern), our home the next 2 nights.

The Des Alpes is located right on the River Reuss, right on the edge of Old Town. Lucerne's cobble stone streets are a welcome sight to anyone who has a love for the old fashioned. This Old World city was settled around the monastery of Saint Leodegar in the 8th century.

The Reuss is a swift flowing river running through Lucerne, crossed by two medieval bridges: the fourteenth century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) and the fifteenth century Mill Bridge (Spreuerbrücke). The Water Tower, which was built circa 1300 as part of the heavily fortified and largely intact city wall, has been everything from a treasury to a torture chamber. Some claim the Water Tower is the most photographed monument in Switzerland.

After check in, we will go as a group to see the famous Lion Monument. Then I hope you will join me for an (optional) lunch at the world-famous Old Swiss House for a memory of a lifetime! What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, and is a fantastic meal while on your vacation of a lifetime!

My favorite is the Weinerschnitzel, which you can find under "cuisine" on their web site. Some of the pictures shows the gourmet dishes available, but most of the menu selections are substantial size meals. Please read about the history of this magnificent home. After dinner we will be treated to a tour of the home and upstairs by Phillip or Hanny herself!

Your stay in Lucerne is all free time. There are so many things to do and see while you explore Lucerne at your leisure. I will help you with many wonderful choices of things to do in this fascinating city.

A new attraction worth seeing is the new IMAX^® presentation of The Alps located at the Swiss Transport Museum, and entrance is covered on your swiss pass.

Lucerne is a very easy city to cover by foot at your own pace. The train station and the bus stops are only a couple of minutes from our hotel. Your rail pass covers your passage on any of the lake steamers and the bus system.

Walking tours are the best way to see the sights found in this remarkable city with its remnants of the ancient crenelated wall and towers that used to protect the city. Other notable structures include the Hofkirche (8th century cathedral), the Town Hall (built 1601-06), Am Rhyn House (1617), the Mariahilf Church (1676-81), the Richard Wagner Museum, and the Picasso museum.

Shopping in Lucerne is outstanding. From small treasure-filled stores to 3 big department stores and everything in between. You can find watches, candy, clothing, and myriad of gifts to take home. It is easy to spend the whole day just shopping in the Old Town area. Shopping tip: the stores close from noon until two, then open back up until seven or so daily, but close at 4PM on Saturday.

Any of the following are great possibilities:

• Shop 'til you drop
• Visit museums, churches, old architectural wonders
• Have lunch or dinner at the Stadtkellar and see the folklore show
• Explore the old walls that protected the city centuries ago
• Take a cruise on the lake, stopping in some of the lakeside villages
• Take a trip to one of the surrounding mountain summits, Mt. Rigi, Mt. Pilatus, or Mt. Titlis
• Relax on a park bench along the lake shore walk
• Or you could even take out one of the swan paddle boats

If you want to explore the surrounding mountains, take the train and visit either Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi or Mt. Titlis. You can play in the snow on Mt. Titlis, located in Engleberg, about 45 minutes away, and is a wonderful excursion with breathtaking vistas, while in the Lucerne area.

The trip up Mt. Pilatus is awesome! You can go up by cable cars and a tram for a thrill of a lifetime. Explore the top of Pilatus then head down via the world's steepest cogwheel train, then back to Lucerne on a regular train. I highly recommend this outing while in Lucerne. Don't forget your camera!

Day 8: Free day in Lucerne, or Basel, or Zurich, or ...?

Wake up to the thrill of seeing the banks of the river right outside our hotel, lined with street merchants selling flowers, cheese, veggies and gifts. After breakfast the day is free to explore on your own. On Saturday the stores close at four! Don't forget that your Swiss Rail Pass covers the public transportation buses and trolleys in Lucerne, Zurich, Basel, and any city in Switzerland.

Zurich is only an hour's train ride from Lucerne. Zurich's museums, theatres, centuries old churches and marvelous architecture are truly remarkable feats of ages long ago. Explore the nooks and crannies of this quaint Old Town. The place to shop is Zurich's world famous Bahnhofstrassee, where you will find famous exclusive designer shops lining both sides of the promenade.

Lake Lucerne, also known as the Vierwaldstättersee or "Lake of the Four Forest Cantons," with mountains on all sides and forests coming down to the shore in many places, may be the most beautiful lake in Switzerland.

It is very easy to take the train to Basel, only an hour from Lucerne. See the centuries-old Munster Church where knights of old are entombed, or spend part of the day going to the Rhine Falls near Schaufhausen, where massive amounts of water crash over the falls. From Basel, you can take a bus/tram to the border and walk into France and/or Germany. Just ask at the Basel train station which bus numbers you need to take to the borders, then walk across the border, get your passport stamped, spend a little time, then walk back across the border to Switzerland, and back to Basel!

After a day of exploring, enjoy dinner at a romantic lakeside cafe on the patio, as you watch the swans as the sun sets. Sample one of Switzerland's terrific local wines, try your luck at the new Casino, or sit and people watch. Lucerne is a fascinating city as night falls, with music, lights, and flower shops that make you want to buy one and live there!

Your Swiss Rail Pass covers the public transportation buses, trams and trolleys in Lucerne, Basel, and Zurich.

Day 9: Zurich Kloten Airport

We check out after breakfast for our last train ride to Kloten Airport for our return flights to the USA. Once we are air borne, relax and reflect upon your adventures on this journey of a lifetime to Switzerland. A part of your heart will always remain with this magnificent country.

Call 1-866-702-3478 or send us an email and get started on your incredible journey!

View Days 1-3, Days 4-6, for prices and info visit Switzerland Tours - Fall Foliage.