LAUTERBRUNNEN AND LUCERNE

As you know from a previous post, this last weekend was the Los Angeles Times Travel Show; I had a great time with so many stations dedicated to travel and getaways around the world. I learned a lot about saving money strategies and the lecture by Rick Steves was so fun I wish he had been one of my college professors. But I will talk about all I learned a little later this week. For now I will continue with Switzerland and two of its’ beautiful cities: Lauterbrunnen and Lucerne.

Located in the Interlaken and Jungfrau region, Lauterbrunnen has one of the most spectacular landscapes in Switzerland and it is no wonder since the Valley of Lauterbrunnen is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland. The Valley counts with over 70 waterfalls, many peaks, and dozens of amazing trails which make Lauterbrunnen an ideal escape throughout the year.

I visited this town during the summer, an ideal time for outdoor activities like mountain biking, sightseeing, hiking, and paragliding. It is also here where you can find another UNESCO World Heritage Site, a trail; the Junggfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorh trail is perfect for sightseeing thanks to its many waterfalls and alpine farming.  Since Lauterbrunnen is a town especially popular for winter sports, you might find some great deals for hotels, hostels, and campsites during the summer season.

A town such as Lauterbrunnen is gold for people who love nature or for those who want a respite from technology and civilization; many high-end hotels and spas are located throughout Switzerland, but because of its extraordinary location, Interlaken and Jungfrau  have  some of the best spas in the nation; if you have the bucks to spare, a spa is a great remedy for the “side-effects” of traveling.

Not far from Lauterbrunnen you can find the very Swiss town of Lucerne; containing all those stereotypical ingredients that make Switzerland a coveted destination—crystal-clear waters from Lake Lucerne, snow-capped mountains, emerald green grass, plus a beautiful historic center—Lucerne is the perfect gateway for those who want to visit Switzerland for the first time.

The Reuss River, filled with swans and ducks, runs through the historic center of Lucerne; many restaurants and coffee shops are located throughout the river bank making this a favorite spot for locals and tourists. The most famous symbol of Lucerne is located in this part of the city as well; Kapellbrücke, a bridge build in 1333, signals Lucerne’s original boundary, and although the bridge was severely damaged in a fire in 1993, Kapellbrücke was renovated and its paintings restored. The ancient city wall with its watchtowers can also be seen from the old town and this attraction has the particular advantage of having few tourists walking around its grounds.

One of my favorite monuments in Europe is “The Dying Lion of Lucerne;” built from a natural rock to commemorate the heroic deaths of Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792, the famous writer Mark Twain wrote that the Lion is “the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.” Lucerne also counts with many museums; the Picasso Museum, the Rosengart Collection, and the Richard Wagner Museum have some of the most impressive art collections in Europe.

The great thing about Lucerne is that if you tire of the city, the mountains around the city are easily accessible; the Pilatus and Rigi mountains have cable cars and rail lines constructed in them so the summit can be easily reached for those who are too tired of hiking and walking. From the mountain tops you get breathtaking views of the area and Lake Lucerne.

Is hard to decide which city to visit in Switzerland; there are so many beautiful towns and natural reserves in the country that picking just one can be a hard decision. In my opinion, Bern is one of the most beautiful towns in the world; I instantly fell in love with this city so I recommend it to those who just have a couple of days to visit Switzerland. Lucerne would be my second option because, like I mentioned before, this city has it all, mountains, a lake, a river, and a beautiful historical town. On the other hand, Lauterbrunnen is all about nature and outdoor activities so if this is your thing, then mark this town on your itinerary.

The next blog will help you in your selection of Swiss cheeses and I will give you a few recipes of Swiss food. I hope you come back next week for more about this beautiful country, its gastronomy, and where to stay.