Trip to Luzern and Mt Pilatus

Our journey to beautiful cities and high peaks continue in Switzerland with trip to Luzern and Mt Pilatus on sunny Saturday of July 19, 2014. Lucerne (Luzern) is the most populous city in Central Switzerland surrounded by beautiful Alps.

This city paints the picture of a perfect Swiss town overseeing Mt Pilatus, Mt Rigi and Lake Luzern. The chapel bridge on Reuss River is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe (first erected in 14^th century), which houses beautiful paintings from 17^th century. We took a train from Zurich HB to Luzern and a Golden round trip from Lake Luzern to Mt Pilatus. 

The round trip starts with a boat ride from Lake Luzern to Alpnachstad (Pilatus Bahn). The boatway provides a scenic route and eye catchy views across the lakeside. After a boat trip comes a next thrill to get to Mt Pilatus in cogwheel train, which is supposed to run on steepest rail in the world. The more you move up the better views you get. 

Cogwheel Bahnof...

Interior Paintings at Chapel Bridge (From 17th century)

Chapel bridge at evening..

The route provides a view of mountains, lush green landscapes and a lake Luzern. It even gives a sporty feeling by looking at mountain bikers; paragliders moving up and up in the sky from height of Mt Pilatus. We hiked to few observation decks and took gondola to return back to Krien. It was a nice breezy evening that had set up everything to get a nice walk around Lake Luzern and Chapel bridge. The day ended well with delicious dinner at Kanchi, an Indian restaurant.

View captured from cogwheel train

View capture from cogwheel train of a cogwheel train

View from the top...

Hotel Pilatus Klum at Mt Pilatus

Mountain hikers, bikers en route to Mt Pilatus

This tourist town with its spectacular location left us mesmerized with beautiful views and memorable trip with our group. Another must visit for a true traveler….

Photo Coursey: Samsung Note 3

Trip to Rapperswil

On the afternoon of Jun 28^th 2014, Saturday, we started our journey to Rapperswil. Rapperswil is famous for roses and an hour trip from Zuirch by train and couple of hours trip by boat from Burkliplatz. 

The train journey saves you a time while a boat journey gives you a chance to get closer to Alps beauty and provides you a spectacular panorama view of Zurich lake. Myself being a nature lover and above it a traveler, who would always want to take the best route to the visiting place chose to take a boat ride. We occupied seats on the top floor of a boat, which itself was an amazing experience along with few rain showers. 

View from a boat

We enjoyed a food and a view along the ride and reached Rapperswil in around two hours. Rapperswil has a private castle, which is rented by richies to celebrate birthdays, weddings, etc. and a traveler gets to walk around the open area in castle, which encompasses one of the beautiful rose gardens and a deer park. The top of the castle also provides lovely views over the Zurich lake.

Rapperswil Castle

Roses.. something for which Rapperswil is known for

View captured from the castle

The other attraction, which we liked was a stroll on Europe’s till date longest wooden bridge and a park adjacent to it. We were in a group of 8 and enjoyed walking through together and took some breathtaking pictures as well. There’s also a boat station and a picnic table, which can be used for potluck parties in a group.

Europe's longest wooden bridge... A must visit 

Beach volleyball court...

If you are looking for a short trip of 6-8 hours (including travel time), Rapperswill could be one of your options. We also had a thai food in the restaurant adjacent to Rapperswil Bahnof and took a train back to Kloten.