This time in Zurich, I took a day trip to Lucerne which is 45 mins away from zurich by rail. Switzerland is well know for its established transport network system, and railway train departs precisely on its scheduled departure time.
The railway ticket can be purchased either online on www.sbb.ch/en or personally at the ticket booth in Zurich main train
station. A return ticket cost 48CHF, and that's slightly cheaper than the
rate of the bus tour which cost 59CHF organised by the local tour companies.
Besides, you get to go around the beautiful city at your own pace, taking your
time to explore unbeaten paths much less visited by tourists.
On the scenic train ride, this is typically the view through the window. On a day with good weather,
you would probably be in luck to enjoy the scenic view of the alps.
Lucerne train station.
Its a pretty small city and easily accessible via foot. just out of the train station, this would be the view of the city just by Reuss River. Boat tours operate slightly later in the morning and it's probably a one hour cruise along the river from the pier.
Towards the left of the lake lies the iconic structure of Lucerne - Chapel Bridge or The Kapellbrücke. It is a covered wooden footbridge spanning diagonally across the Reuss River. Named after the nearby St. Peter's Chapel, the bridge is unique as it contains numerous interior paintings dating back to the 17th century, although many of them were destroyed along with most of the centuries old bridge in a 1993 fire. Subsequently restored, the Kapellbrücke is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe as well as the world's oldest surviving truss bridge.
Connected to it is the water tower, which was previously used built around 1300 as part of the city wall and used as an archive, treasury, prison and torture chamber.
Swans flock towards the shore of the river towards tourists feeding them with bread. Otherwise, they spend most of the time picking fleas on their bodies, which would be hard for you to snap a picture with them. They aren't scared of humans, so it's pretty easy to get up close.They just look picture perfect against the scenic mountain view and chapel bridge.
Walking further down along Russe River, discover the beautifully old town of Lucerne with buildings of unique architectural designs and painted facade. Painting the front of the building was fashionable in the olden days.
Reuss River running under Spreuerbridge. This is the region of spiked water level built between 1859-1860 to regulate the water level of Lake Lucerne. Many are amazed by the water flow difference before and after the spike.
During lunchtime, restaurants along the Russe River and chapel bridge are especially packed. It's a lively atmosphere with alfresco dining and street peddlers.
One of the swiss dishes that one should try is rosti. It originated from farmers who grated potatoes and fry the entire patty for breakfast. In swiss popular culture, rosti is only eaten in the German-speaking part of the country, and is portrayed as a stereotypical identifier of the Germanic culture.
The Lion Monument is found in a small park off the Lowenplatz. The carving of the dying lion commemorates the hundreds of swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution, when an armed mob stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
Walking towards the right side of the river, expect to pass by yachts parked by the river, rows of symmetrically lined trees as it leads to the Swiss Museum of Transport.
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