From the Road: Exploring the Swiss Alps
When you think of Switzerland, you think of the Alps – the enormous snow capped mountains with an alpine backdrop. You barely ever hear mention of the Swiss cities like Zurich or Basel. Swiss cities display an impeccable mix of modern cleanliness and rich historical architecture. When one of these picturesque cities collides with the rugged Swiss wilderness, something truly special is born: Lake Lucerne.
I found myself headed to Lake Lucerne after a brief trip to Munich, Germany, and even the trip there was an adventure. We boarded a little stuffy bus in the early morning, only to find out that we landed on a ferry in the mid afternoon. It was on this ferry that I captured my very first breathtaking picture of Switzerland.
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Lake Lucerne became one of the most beautiful cities I’ve laid eyes on in Europe. For someone who is both- a European city fanatic and an outdoors enthusiast- it really was my dream location.
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I knew that I wanted to experience one of the Gondola tours up to the top of the Alps. The most popular two mountains in Lake Lucerne are Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. Unfortunately, both gondola rides for these mountains were shut down for the winter (it was early November) so I settled for Mt. Stanserhorn.
The bus ride to the base of Mt. Stansorhorn took us amidst the surreal Swiss countryside filled with small farmhouses, cattle, and some of the healthiest looking grass I’ve ever seen.
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The adventure to the top of Stansorhorn begins with a vintage wooden train that strolls along the meadows and up the side of the mountain. The sightseeing begins here, as you get higher and higher you can view the scenery in its entirety. The train ride is peaceful and quiet, with only the sound of the train tracks and some cowbells in the distance.
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Next, we reached the station of the Cabrio, an open top aerial cable car that would escort us to the top of the mountain (6230ft / 1900m). The view from the second deck of the Cabrio is an unforgettable experience.
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The top of Mt. Stanserhorn offered an outstanding panoramic view over ten lakes, 100 kilometers of Alpine mountain range and three countries. From here, you can hike to the lookout point, or choose from various other paths along the summit. When you get hungry, you can grab a bite at the Ronorama- a revolving restaurant at the top of the mountain. If you time it right, you can get the opportunity to watch the sunset over the mountains, which is a sight you won’t want to miss.
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After returning to the city from our trip to the Alps, we worked up quite an appetite. We opted to take a stroll across the famous Chapel Bridge and grab some Swiss fondue along the water edge. The Chapel Bridge, a landmark of Lucerne, is said to be the oldest woodbridge of Europe (however it was rebuilt after an accident in 1993).
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The next day we decided to view Lucerne by boat, which is a great way to see the other small towns located around the lake.
Whether viewing the city by boat or gondola, Lake Lucerne is an exceptional town and an enchanting place. I came for the lake, was charmed by the city, and fell in love with the mountains.
Want to see more of Marteen’s experience in Lake Lucerne?
Watch Lake Lucerne: A Video Starring the Alps
Marteen is a travel obsessed twenty something trying to live the dream while maintaining a 9-5 to pay the bills (until she has the freedom to go rogue). In her blog, Lust For The World, she proves that it is possible to travel the world while your young, earning an entry level salary, and working 40 hours a week.