So we’ve been to Luzerne and it has been more than great!
We stayed at the Hotel Baslertor, a hotel rated with 3 stars, but ways better than that: the rooms were big, had a terrace, and eventhough it was in the heart of luzerne and about 30 meters away from the quirky river, it was absolutly quiet at night. The bed was great too: not just two mattresses pulled together, but one big king-size mattress. And the hotel has the only outside pool in the whole city.
A trip to Mount Pilatus is a must, everybody who misses that should be stoned to death. I recommend that you go to the ferry docks and book the “golden trip”. You start in Luzerne and ship via steamboat across the vierwaldstätter lake (also just called lake luzerne/lucerne) to alpnachstadt, where the rack-railway starts. The steepest rack-railway worldwide: 48% gradient up to the summit of Mt. Pilatus.
You have a beautiful view down to luzern and over the surrounding alps — it’s just stunning. Nothing comes close. We had coffee and icecream at Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, which is situated right there on the summit (you can also stay there, simple double rooms at the top of the world) and took the dragonwalk “thru” the mountain. You can as well walk down back to Luzerne, but you should start your trip early if you want to.
We took the ropeway cabin down (part of the “golden trip”). At the first stop you can get out and have some fun riding the summer-sleds or tarzan yourself thru the rope-park (reservations recommended). Back at sealevel we took the bus and 3 minutes later we were back in the old town district and went to the hotel and had a bath.
We didn’t want to eat at a restaurant, because the esplanade is just too beautiful to sit somewhere “hidden” inside. So we walked a while and noticed some couples sitting on the benches eating thai food. 5 minutes after scouting around we found the best thai takeaway in the world! 3 minutes after we’ve ordered the stuff was ready and it smelled ridiciously yummy! It is fucking expensive in switzerland, those two dishes banged in at 35 francs, but what the heck - i am used to that from home. At least it’s not crowded there.
Back to the esplanade with our brown thai-bag (don’t miss the local drink called “Rivella” that comes in 3 flavors, a lemonade made from milk) where always a free porch is available. Delicious food, the lake to our feet and everything surrounded by the snowcovered peaks of the alps.
We didn’t care for nightlife or cinema, our senses had their feast already, so we headed “home”. Next day we took the ferry again and enjoyed the “castles and mansions” cruise and strolled thru the old town district and visited the flea-market.
Shopping is ok, but not worth the travel if you are just after that. And everything is fairly expensive in Luzerne, but you don’t travel to switzerland if you want it for cheap. This is just the way switzerland is. I will pay that price anytime again, it was so worth it.
A 2 day trip is perfect for a romantic weekend because everything is so close and easily reached (and i had a hard time finding a teenage punktard or some dirtbags begging for money), but there is so much to explore around the lake and the nearby alps, i could easily stay a few weeks.
1A+
Good to read you had an awesome 2 days off!