Photo Itinerary: Days
Day 7: Berne, and the Golden Pass Scenic Route to Lucerne
Beautiful Berne is only a one hour rail trip from Interlaken. This is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Visit the Bear Pits, home of Berne's heraldic animals, excellent shopping under the famous arcades, open air flower and vegetable market, are but a few attractions this morning. Berne is known for its outstanding architecture, churches, museums and official buildings will captivate your attention to details. The European food markets, meat shops and pastry shops are fascinating!! While in Berne, pick up some sandwiches, salads or hot food at one of the many shops available in the town or train station. Migros and Co-op are the 2 major grocery chains, and their food sections will amaze you!! Wish we had these here in the USA. Departing Berne, we all have a picnic, sharing and showing what all we found to eat!! As we leave the Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland, we begin our journey along the famous Golden Pass scenic route to Lucerne. On this portion of our rail journey, we stop for a few minutes in the small town of Meiringen, where the creation of meringue and the death of Sherlock Holmes and his nemisiss, Professor Moriarty, at the Reichenbach Falls, are the two claims to fame of this quaint old town. Keep your camera handy at all times on this rail journey. As we go through the valley of Lundgren, you can snap some great pictures of one of the loveliest churches sitting there so reverently in the heart of this valley, and seems as if it were painted in this setting. If there happens to be low clouds, the church spire will take your breath sticking up out of the clouds! Mid afternoon, we arrive in the lakeside city of Lucerne, said by many to be the prettiest city in Switzerland. A short walk brings us to our historical hotel, located on the banks of the River Reuss on one side and the Old Town on the other. Noted as one of the favorite places to eat by the locals, perhaps enjoy your dinner sitting out by the river, or under the arcade in the outdoor terrace restaurant. Your time in Lucerne, is all free time after check-in, until we depart on Sunday morning, when we head to Zurich for our flights home. There is so much to see and do in Lucerne. Don't forget that your Swiss Rail Pass covers transportation on the city buses, as well as the boats on the lake. I will make reservations for any tour members that would like to join me for dinner tonight at a very special establishment! The Old Swiss House, located near the Lion Monument, was built in 1859 ,and is one of the most photographed attractions of the area. The 4th generation of the Buzholzer family, makes sure your meal is an experience to always treasure. The Old Swiss House ranks as one of Switzerland's most outstanding and attractive restaurants. The service staff are dressed in original Lucerne costumes and are eager to make your visit an unforgettable experience. The Buholzer family has one of Switzerland's most remarkable wine-cellars, stocked with approximately 50'000 bottles of some of the rarest vintage wines, including a unique collection of Château Mouton-Rothschild, which is displayed near the entrance. The high standard of cuisine, service and cellar combined, make the Old Swiss House a tradition for the local clientele and a "must" for visitors from around the world. I never miss a chance to have Weinerschnitzel when i'm in Lucerne! It is cooked table side, and involves a production fit for royalty. It has to be the world's finest, without doubt!! The tables are elegant, and yet there is a sense of casual elegance to the establishment. You do not need to take dress clothes to have dinner here. Day 8: Free Day in Lucerne
Take advantage of this free day to explore the old town, walk around the lake, visit the Casino, the Lion Monument which is a must, venture up to Mt. Rigi, or Mt. Pilatus, or take the train to Mt. Titlis, ride the lake steamers getting off anywhere along the lake, shopping is a true delight in Lucerne or maybe visit the transportation museum. There are art museums located in walking distance, walk up to the walls of the old city for spectacular views, or stroll along the lake feeding the birds, take a turn riding on the swings or carousel as you enjoy the carnival! Don't forget to spend some time under the train station looking in the shops, and a must is to buy hot berliners, (donuts) made right in front of you and filled with a couple choices of fillings. Day 9: Lucerne to Zurich
After check out this morning, we will walk across to the train station for our last journey by rail on our tour. Zurich's Kloten airport is one of my favorites in the world. They have just completed a 4 year, 1 1/2 billion dollar renovation to the international portion of the airport. After we check in, and clear immigrations we will hopefully have a short time to shop in the big duty free store in the departure gate area. After we board our plane, it's time to relax and enjoy our thoughts of all of our adventures on this incredible journey.