German Holiday: Days 5&6

Today I am sharing days 5&6 of our trip! I was going to share 5-8, but the post was just simply too long.

If you missed days 1-4 you can catch up here.

Lugano & Lucerne

Day 5

We made the drive from Lake Como to Lugano. We explored for the day and swam in Lake Lugano. It was hot, but it was beautiful. 

**Rather than drive straight from Como to Lucerne we decided to stop in Lugano to split up the drive. Even though it isn't a very long drive, 5 people and their 3 weeks worth of luggage crammed into a Golf makes for a tight ride. We thoroughly enjoyed the stop.**

Lugano, Switzerland

It reminded me a lot of Como, but was charming in its own way!

The BIGGEST watermelons I've ever seen!

We were looking at a swan. Perhaps even talking to it... ;)

Swimming!

After enjoying a street food lunch we made the rest of the drive to Lucerne, Switzerland. We checked into the hotel, and hit the downtown for dinner.

The famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). It is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.

Walking across the bridge.

We moseyed around town for a bit before settling on a traditional Swiss restaurant for dinner.  

The food was fabulous, and by far the most expensive meal I have ever had. When people tell you Switzerland is expensive, believe them. Because it. is. expensive. in a way that you can't even imagine!

** At this point of the trip I got Skeeter Syndrome (Google it if you dare). The Swiss mosquitos didn't like me. At all. My bites were huge (like the size of bagel bites) and they all blistered. It was disgusting. So wear bug spray - if only I had.**

Day 6

Day 6 we were going to the top of Mount Pilatus. Prior to this vacation Blake and I decided we were going to hike to the top. Well, Blake's brother (Aaron) is an experienced hiker and he looked up some technical bits about this hike and it was decided that it was probably a bit too much for me. SO - Blake's parents and I bought the Golden Tickets and Blake and Aaron hiked to the top. 

The Golden Ticket

You purchase your tickets near the train station at a little booth. The Golden Ticket consists of a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, a ride on the world's steepest cog railway, an aerial cableway, a panoramic gondola ride, and then a bus back to Lucerne. 

Here is a map of the Golden Round Trip. Cost: 106 CHF.
A bit pricy, but if the hike isn't your thing and the weather is good the Golden Ticket is well worth the money. Plus you get to dance and sing I have the golden ticket. :)

The pictures are going to be a mix of the hike up and the ride up. Blake's pictures and mine. :) Blake and Aaron set out a bit earlier than us since it would take them longer.

The start of the hike.

The view of the train I rode up. 

Lake Lucerne

Cows and the train. 

What I was doing while Blake was hiking to the top - enjoying a latte. ;)

The cows! Blake said they were so close at some points that he could touch them.

If you are interested in hiking to the top, the trails are well marked.

Hiking!

Views for days.

My boat ride.

Blake could see the top!

Here we come on the train.

The inside of the train.

We all made it to the top! 

To celebrate, we got beer. I mean, Blake worked really hard. ;)

Amazing views.

It was a beautiful day.

Take a time out. We did. We got off where you change from the aerial cableway to the gondolas. At this stop they have a toboggan run and you best believe we rode it. :) It was amazing. I must've been so excited that I didn't take one single photo. 

Here's a photo from their website. Since you needed to see it. 

It was a long, amazing day. We celebrated with pizza and an early sleep. 

Join me tomorrow for Days 7&8.

xoxo