Lucerne (Switzerland)

Advantages: Wealth of things to do; picturesque setting
Disadvantages: Expensive, like most other places in Switzerland

...the shores (surprisingly) of Lake Lucerne - excellent photo-opportunities can be had. There is a wealth of things to do in the city: the great white statue of a lion set beneath trees that is on all the postcards; the Kapellbrücke which crosses the river flowing from the lake, a (partly) 12th century covered wooden bridge which has incredibly vivid paintings on the eaves; there is a 17th century cathedral. The shopping is good too, although my advice ... Read review

Advantages: Architecture, shopping, history, scenery
Disadvantages: The design of the Banhof and ajoining conference centre

Lucern is simply beautiful in every conceivable way. Set on a lakeshore, with plentiful steamer trips available on the lake. The only aesthetic exceptions are the (apparently award winning but for what?) modern Banhof and the strange conference centre next to it that suggests a cage for an oversize budgerigar. Lucern is a city of history. There are two traditional covered footbridges about 500 years old, though the larger was sadly, for the most ...
...to be reconstructed. There were wonderful triangular paintings in the gables under the roof. Sadly, most were lost and their places now kept by surviving prints. The second, smaller bridge is still oringinal, incorporating the remains of the remarkable water mills that powered, among other things, the city mint. Strange as the combined power of a structure designed to divert the river that is so immense it could not be entirely dismantled would not ... Read review

Advantages: Lovely scenery and a great base to explore more of this area
Disadvantages: Expensive to eat out - but isn't all of Switzerland

My partner & I visited Lucerne for 7 days in February 2006 - what a glorious time to visit this delightful town. The air was cold and fresh, but our winter woolies, hats and gloves were enough to keep us snug and warm. But having difficulty walking, I was concerned that my exploring would be limited - I needn't have worried. The Swiss cater very well for visitors and treated me with patience and respect and although I couldn't do any skiing or strenuos ...
...stayed with relatives in the Lucerne suburbs and travelled into the town via the very efficient bus service. The area was heavy with fresh snow when we visited and we found a cruise on the lake a must. Their famous mountain, Pilatus, looked majestic and eeire in the misty winter sun, whilst less well known peaks are a delight to explore. My favourite is Rigi, with its steep railway and cable car. We enjoyed a fabulous bowl of soup and crispy roll ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap watches and chocolates
Disadvantages: Cold in winter

I went to Lucerne for a two day stopover during May. I almost stayed there for the rest of my trip. Lucerne is situated between lakes and mountains to either site, which makes for breathtaking views. Take the cog-railway up the mountain for an experience never to forget and come down with the cable, or simply hike up the mountain. Stay in the Pilatus Hotel, the highest in Europe. In Lucern, eat loads of cheap chocolate, have a traditional cheese ... Read review

Advantages: ideal for non flyers wishing to travel to the warmer climate of the med.
Disadvantages: NOT A TRIP FOR CHILDREN WHO WILL GET RESTLESS ON A LONG COACH JOURNEY

......the coastal boat trip is not to be missed. If you travel to Capri under your own steam it is advsidable to take up the offer of a guide who will introduce himself to you on the JETFOIL on the way over, (ABOUT 20 Euros) otherwise it is almost impossible to view the island in a day! Hopefully it will be possible to do this excursion with Shearings ( DEPENDING ON NUMBERS WISHING TO PARTAKE) The Journey Home. This happened over a 4 Day Period stopping off in Rome. (SIGHTSEEING)..Lake Maggorie (early afternoon arrival) ..Lake Lucerne and Gothard Pass...(SWITZERLAND) ..BREATHTAKING...!! Southern Germany and then to Belgium before embarking on the ferry home fro Calais to Dover. All again in Best Western Hotels. The onward journey in UK will differ depending in which part of the country you live...but if it was as smooth and hassle free... Read review

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Advantages: Breath taking
Disadvantages: Money taking!

...Lucerne. Our campsite was near another, smaller lake, fed by a glassier way up in the mountains. Each morning, before we went out to play concerts for the day, we were able to escape the scorching hot sunshine, and dive into the ice cold water of the lake. The most stunning areas to visit though, had to be the mountains. You can take the cable car up a mountain which, if I remember correctly, is called Grindelwald. This is one of the highest mountains in Switzerland, and when you get there, you can build snowmen in your shorts and T-shirt. There is still snow up there, as it is so high up, but the tepmerature is still boiling in the summer. Another mountain we visited, near lake Lucerne, had a fennicular (but not spelt like that!) railway up the side of it. This was quite an experience, as it is an almost verticle climb and descent... Read review

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Advantages: A haven of scenic beauty
Disadvantages: nothing worth mentioning though language can be problem for english speaking tourists.

...destination.You can easily plan your journey with the help of these small leaflets. Geneva is no tourist paradise: Tourists expect a lot here in the international capital of Switzerland,but Geneva doesn't match to those expectations.Our last day was reserved for Geneva. We reached there around 4 p.m. Geneva is the costliest city in Switzerland. We got on a ride on city train, similar to the one at Lucerne but were fooled. The train only circled round and round in the botanical garden, never allowing us any glimpse of the city. There are private bus tours which will take you to the offices of a horde of international organizations.but Other than the Saturday flea market in Plain de Plainpalais where you can hunt for that rare music record there is nothing to do in this small city. The United Nations building that neighbors other international... Read review

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