On the morning of New Years Eve we caught the train to Lucerne (Luzern) which is not to be confused with Lausanne, This was on the Golden Panoramic Express via Zweisimmen and Bern. Sounds a long way but in fact only about 90 minutes. A very scenic trip relatively clear sky, Views of lake Geneva and of course snow covered mountains
While this trip was a late start it was in the light, sunrise is about 0815hrs whereas sunset is about 1630hrs
.
Our hotel (Hotel Waldstatter) was a 5 minutes walk from the station , we needed to unpack and change since we had been booked to a concert with (Sir) James Galway and his wife at the nearby KKL Concert hall. We were asked to dress up for the occasion (jacket & tie for the men) which was right since the Swiss were in the main dressed up.
The concert naturally had some flute pieces but he then conducted the orchestra in things like the William Tell Overture and the Trish/Trash(?) Polka. Good to put us in the mood for a Dinner cruise on the Lake which was only a 5 minute walk from the hall. At the beginning of the final piece champagne was brought out for the conductor, the Galways and a few other important musicians. Must be a Swiss tradition.
KKL is the main concert venue for Lucerne has a concert hall, theatre, conference facilities and a couple of restaurants, I think it was built about 15 years ago.
The dinner cruise was on the paddle steamer Uri which was built in 1901
. It has been beautifully restored and one can see the connecting rods from the steam cylinders which drive the paddle wheels. We had our own little section at the rear which was good, we had a 3 course meal and a 4 man band.
the boat sailed around Lake Lucerne for about 4.5 hrs getting us back just on midnight. Fireworks were sporadic (the main display being the next night) but a number of churches rang their bells to welcome the New Year. Very beautiful with the lights of the buildings, a large Christmas tree with white lights and sound of the bells. We got to bed about 1am
Next day we met at 9:50am (7? hrs sleep) for the trip to Rigi Kulm, this was by boat to Vitznau, and then by cog railway. There were many skiers and the train had a little open cart at the front for the skis. We passed three stations on the way up, about 3kms apart, with ski runs going from each. A lovely sunny day. At the top we had a choice of hiring a toboggan for a few hours, walk down to the next station or just hang about for an hour to catch the next train down
.
Some went on the toboggan (sled) this held one person, one sat facing forward hanging onto a strap. You braked by digging your heels into the snow, you went down a run to the lower station and then caught the train back up. We did not do this.
We choose to walk down on the walking path which was lovely a little steep in places but we managed to reach the lower station in time to pickup the downward train, this took us home via Fluellen. This town is on the Lake so the final leg was by boat.
Being New Years Day there was the main fireworks display at 8pm which lasted 15mins. We stood on a little jetty outside the Concert hall and the fireworks were let off on the other side of the lake probably only about 2kms, very spectacular.
Our last day in Lucerne was wettish (our first real rain) we were supposed to spend the morning with a guide walking through the old part of the town, we skived off after the first 30 mins and did our own thing – a coffee in a local pub
.
The afternoon was a trip by local bus and 2-stage cable to Mt Pilatus (2132m). Unfortunately the last stage was not running because of wind. Unfortunately the peak was covered by cloud however it had stopped raining. We had lunch at the cable car interchange, and could see the cars bring people down and finally no cars at all. This meant we had time to get a local bus to the Lion Monument This is carved into a rock face which is in a local park
We had a lovely sit down dinner at the hotel since the previous night was 'bar food'.
Next day we still had a half day before leaving for Interlaken Ost. This we spent by at a fabulous Transport Museum, we could have spent the whole day since it 3 great pavilions, trains, cars, boats and planes plus a planetarium and a 3D cinema. We spent more time in the train section where they carriages, engines of all types all with German and English explanations.
Caught the afternoon train to Interlaken
New Year's Eve on Lake Lucerne
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Lucerne, Switzerland
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2025-02-16
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Shelagh & Tony
2014-01-06
Nobody knows how cold your nose and your toes are growing!
Glad you're having fun. HYN to all
Pam Mason
2014-01-07
Thoroughly enjoying your adventures and definitely wish I were with you. Continue enjoying every minute. love Pam
Louise A Wilson
2014-01-08
It looks like a very special holiday. It will be hard to come home.
Louise A Wilson
2014-01-08
Love the photo of you both on New Year's Eve - and the story of your celebrations that day.