7/ 8 Oct - Lucerne Switzerland

Day 10 to Day 11 of the Highlights of Europe tour - Lucerne 

On the way to Lucerne
Due to a traffic accident and a resultant road closure, our coach took an alternative route over the mountains rather than through the tunnel.  As a result, we had some beautiful scenery that was quite breathtaking.  The driver also fed the camera view of the road onto the coach's (TVs) monitors so we could fully experienced the view.

It was a beautiful, long and winding road up and off the alps and I thought it magnificent.

The ground is brown / burnt from recent snow.

Lucerne's Lion Monument

This was the saddest lion we saw. It is carved into the rock face and is a dying lion as a memorial to the Swiss soldiers who lost their lives trying to defend the French King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. 

Wooden covered bridge 

From sad to picturesque, we fell in love with the covered bridge in Lucerne.  It was magical - but so cold at night over the water with a cool breeze! It is a bridge that goes at an angle to the water tower and then at another angle from the water tower to the other bank giving it that 'additional' uniqueness.

View from wooden bridge

Tuesday 8 October

The weather was woeful (and I was feeling a bit sick and sorry for myself - I must have needed more schnapps - as my cough and cold were getting worse) but there was no way I was going to miss out on going to the Swiss Alps. 

As luck would have it, the rain and fog cleared just minutes before our arrival at the Pilatus destination.  We went up by cog-wheel train and down by cable car and again the trip and the views were magnificent. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. How lucky can you get?

I still find it incredible that we have actually been to and seen all of these beautiful places.