Guide to fairytale Lucerne

Like most cities in Switzerland, Lucerne is situated upon water. But despite being among good company, it is one of the more delightful destinations for travellers to Switzerland.

The city straddles a lake and its low-rise buildings and medieval architecture and lanes impart a hamlet atmosphere rather than that of a city.

One of the icons of Lucerne is Chapel Bridge, a wooden covered bridge complete with turret that is lined with flower boxes of pinks and purples. It is said to be the oldest woodbridge in Europe and it evokes the medieval era with its paintings of 12th century life on the roof frames. On the water, white swans stay near the banks to catch tourists who feel generous.

Certain parts of Lucerne are a time capsule. The Museggmauer is a wall which has been preserved from the medieval era. The houses in the centre of town are painted with frescoes and the main square eschews cars for the eco-conscious trams.

The history has remained intact from other eras beyond medieval times. There are fine examples of Baroque architecture as well as the image of Switzerland dating back to the 18th century. It is the image of a dying lion, curled upon itself, engraved into a rock as a monument of Swiss guards killed in an attack on the Tuileries.

Once you've encountered the history lessons, there is also a contemporary side to Lucerne. The Culture and Convention Centre is positively futuristic.

DAY TRIPS:

Lucerne is also a great launchpad to explore the mountains of the region. The closest mountains to the city include Pilatus and Rigi. Further afield, the Stanserhorn is approximately 35 minutes from town and comes highly recommended. The modern cable cars that take you to the height of Stanserhorn are double decker, with the top floor open air, so you literally rise and fall through the clouds. It's the closest feeling you can have to flying with your feet firmly on ground.

THE SUMMER FESTIVAL:

If you are visiting in summer, try to stage your visit with the annual festival. The town is pulsing with music, people, fireworks, pop-up bars and food stalls. The streets and bridges are filled with revellers drinking and eating, and the atmosphere is electric. Yet in the early morning, all evidence of any party has disappeared, which serves to reinforce the Swiss reputation for efficiency.

The festival takes place every year at the end of June.

WHAT'S NEW:

In the city centre of Lucerne, the exclusive watchmaker Chronoswiss – a specialist in the manufacture of mechanical watches – has opened its new headquarters. One particularly special aspect about the House of Chronoswiss at L√∂wenstrasse 16 b, which was built with an architecture designed to be as transparent as possible, is that it is not just simply open to visitors – they are expressly invited.

http://www.chronoswiss.com/en/news/

Stay 3 nights in Lucerne with arrival and departure rail transfers, a walking tour, folklore dinner and mountain excursion to Pilatus, Stanserhorn or Titlis from $616. Contact Tempo Holidays for all your Switzerland holiday needs on 1300 558 987 or visit www.tempoholidays.com

For more information visit www.luzern.com

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