The tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne
Like Mirror to the snow-capped eminence
Chilly was the wind and high was the spirit
As I witness the sublime magnificence
The tree lined lakeside and the chapel bridge
Grey clouds looming low
The cold winds and its fiendish dance
Compel my creative juices to flow
I wondered, if in that fairyland
Fairies descend in moonlit night?
I would keep awake through the warm silence
As the wild roses emanate their aura and hypnotize.
My first rendezvous with the enamored Alps
My first rendezvous with the enamored Alps
Engagement with the Swiss land of dreams
Lucerne was that fascinating prologue for us
That compels to experience the entire piece
Lucerne was that fascinating prologue for us
That compels to experience the entire piece
By Aritra
Lucerne Lake, lined with eateries
Our Swiss Holiday had started with Lucerne, serene, peaceful and dreamy. With majestic ranges overlooking the swathe of Lake Lucerne, a mischievous hide & seek of the sun, the old, intimidating chapel bridge and its colorful aura, it was the perfect prelude to the upcoming musical spectacle.
But as they say "its about the journey not the destination". Hence my narrative assign some space to our travel from Paris to Lucerne.
We had taken a TGV or Train a Grand Vitesse from Paris to Zurich, this is a high speed intercity train service in France. "Grandeur" is the word for Grand Vitesse. We had taken a first class ticket and it was truly a classy ride. The bar in the train, adds that exquisiteness and uniqueness to it.
But the most amusing and captivating part was the scenery of serenity it traverses through. The beautiful European Countryside leaves you absolutely spellbound. Lush greenery, blue meadows, cows with that signature Swiss bells around their necks and slow encroachment of the visibility of the Swiss Alps, each frame is capture worthy and uniquely separate from each other.
After Boarding TGV
The bar
We had taken a TGV or Train a Grand Vitesse from Paris to Zurich, this is a high speed intercity train service in France. "Grandeur" is the word for Grand Vitesse. We had taken a first class ticket and it was truly a classy ride. The bar in the train, adds that exquisiteness and uniqueness to it.
Glimpses of the picturesque landscape
But the most amusing and captivating part was the scenery of serenity it traverses through. The beautiful European Countryside leaves you absolutely spellbound. Lush greenery, blue meadows, cows with that signature Swiss bells around their necks and slow encroachment of the visibility of the Swiss Alps, each frame is capture worthy and uniquely separate from each other.
"I keep looking, without a moment to blink
I keep looking at you
Smile refuses to discard my lips
Nature has been such gracious, just to few"
From Zurich, we took a train to Lucerne and when we reached it was ideal time for brunch. We decided to fill our stomachs first and then start our expedition.
We chose a nice warm cafe by the lake called "Guinness and more", previously this place was called Shamrock Irish Pub. A sport bar that turns to a pub at night, it was an awesome place for some relaxation, yummy food, a cup of coffee or a can of beer. The coziness was a welcomed change from the chilling air outside.
Lucerne, is more about the silence of the place. The lake with the swans and ducks, the cold wind, the fir lined lane, the huge church and of course the chapel bridge named after St. Peter's Chapel. This one is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and the semi dilapidated state makes it very unique.
The little place with its immense beauty, leaves you craving for more of the Swiss Alps, which gives its alluring appearance in Lucerne, but can be seen more closely as you travel higher up. Among the places we visited, Wengen gave the best view.
Some tips to the travelers:
a. Lucerne is very beautiful and is a must visit. It can be easily explored on foot. But remember to book a hotel near the station as most of the places of interest are nearby and makes traveling easy.
b. If you are traveling to Switzerland from France, don't miss the TGV experience. It is worth every penny.
c. Food in Swiss destinations are more expensive than France, so be prepared to spend good amount on that.
Foodie delight
We chose a nice warm cafe by the lake called "Guinness and more", previously this place was called Shamrock Irish Pub. A sport bar that turns to a pub at night, it was an awesome place for some relaxation, yummy food, a cup of coffee or a can of beer. The coziness was a welcomed change from the chilling air outside.
Chapel Bridge
St. Peter's Church
View from the Church
Lucerne, is more about the silence of the place. The lake with the swans and ducks, the cold wind, the fir lined lane, the huge church and of course the chapel bridge named after St. Peter's Chapel. This one is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and the semi dilapidated state makes it very unique.
The little place with its immense beauty, leaves you craving for more of the Swiss Alps, which gives its alluring appearance in Lucerne, but can be seen more closely as you travel higher up. Among the places we visited, Wengen gave the best view.
Some tips to the travelers:
a. Lucerne is very beautiful and is a must visit. It can be easily explored on foot. But remember to book a hotel near the station as most of the places of interest are nearby and makes traveling easy.
b. If you are traveling to Switzerland from France, don't miss the TGV experience. It is worth every penny.
c. Food in Swiss destinations are more expensive than France, so be prepared to spend good amount on that.
Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta
