Switzerland Without the Alps: Lucerne & Zurich

There are many things in this life that I am grateful for and I acknowledge how fortunate I have been. In 1992, I had a former high school teacher who said, “I’m taking a group of students to Switzerland and France this summer. You just graduated a year ago. You know them all. You should come with us.”

I had two parents who said, “We think you should go to Europe this summer. This will be your last summer in college where you won’t be swamped with classes.” They were right.

My love of travel probably began right there, that summer. I stood at the edge of a Swiss lake. The water was so blue and the grass so green and the air so clean that it all seemed impossible. Completely pollution-free air feels different going into your lungs.

I distinctly remember thinking, “Oh, so this is what Heaven looks like.” I have carried that memory with me for 30 years.

In November 2022, I took the man I have loved my entire adult life to see Switzerland. At last.

We only had 48 hours, so we did not have time to head into the Alps to see those mountain lakes. We did, however, return to the first two European cities I ever saw. Zurich and Lucerne hadn’t changed much from what I could remember.

Switzerland is Very Expensive

As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it is expensive here. Our hotel, the Hotel Alpha, was beyond basic. Monks and nuns sometimes take a vow of poverty and pledge to live an austere life, with minimal societal trappings. That’s the Hotel Alpha. Our mattress was hard as a rock, but the blankets were very warm. There was no television, microwave or carpet. The floors were painted concrete. However, the staff was very friendly and a continental breakfast was included. We paid the equivalent of $153/night for this and were assured that it was a discount because we were booking (during shoulder season) at the last minute and they just wanted to fill the room. When I examined the website, this appeared to be true. That same room during the height of ski season goes for $200/night. One night, we went to a grocery store a block away and bought some items for a light dinner picnic in our room. It’s a fun memory that will make us both chuckle for many years.

Switzerland: Walking Lucerne

We acquired 2 city maps with walking tour routes and off we went. It took us just over half a day to walk all the historic sites. Obviously, we took our time and took lots of pictures.

The Chapel Bridge is the most famous landmark in Lucerne. It was partially destroyed by fire the year after I originally saw it. Those sections have been rebuilt. The bridge dates back to circa 1365.

The town and the Lion Monument

Lucerne is a great place for walking. There is something attractive to see everywhere, even in the winter when the fog covers the Alps in the distance.

The huge Lion Monument (1820-21) commemorates the 760 Swiss guards who were killed in 1792 while protecting the French royal family during an early uprising of the French Revolution. I think the monument speaks for itself.

The town is quaint and quirky too. I love a place that loves its street art.

Zurich

Zurich is the transportation hub for the country. It is known for this and for banks. It has historic areas, but overall, is much more modern thank Lucerne. They love their street art, too. (Note: you can see how modern the buildings are in the background of these sculpture pictures).

Cafe culture is important throughout Europe. I love that in Switzerland every cafe puts snuggly faux animal skins on the chairs, so your bottom stays warm. Then, they give you a blanket for your lap, so your top stays warm. The picture below was mid-morning as this cafe was setting up and laying out these items so they would be ready for their lunch time customers.

Hopefully, in the summer we will have the time and the budget to return so Mr. HomeFree can see the Alps in all their glory. In the meantime, thanks to all the people in my life who told me that it wasn’t crazy at all for a 19-year old to spend two weeks in Europe.