Out of sequence faux pas....We went to Lucerne after Lake Como but before Venice
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
March 23, 24
Before we boarded the train
at Varenna enroute to Lucerne, we heard that the Italian train workers were striking for the day in certain areas. Seems that Italian trains are separate from the EuroStar system and either one of them could be striking at any time, in roving areas. There may be a strike in Milan one day and in Rome the next. There was a possibility that it would affect our journey…but we carried on.
This was going to be a long train ride (6-7 hours) but now ,as seasoned train travelers, these journeys seem to pass quickly. We read, may do a sudoku (yes, Ann has even taken them up as her book supply has dried up and book swaps are hard to find) talk with others, take in the scenery, etc. We expected this journey to be pretty because we would be traveling through the Swiss Alps on the William Tell Express, designated as one of the most beautiful train rides by the Eurail system.
We passed through the town of Como on the lake and began elevating. We started seeing snow in the distance, then snow on the ground and trees, streams, rivers, lakes….thicker snow…bridges…tunnels……spruce and pine trees laden with snow…then a long tunnel…maybe 10 minutes. When the train came out of the tunnel, the people in our car actually voiced a collective, “Ahhhhh”
….it was a winter wonderland. Truly breathtaking beauty especially for a couple from So-Cal…..you’d look to the right and see a picture postcard of winter and then desert it for a more spectacular view on your left.
After an hour or so, we began descending and before long we were in Lucerne. We took a 5 minute cab ride from the train station to our hotel and it cost us $20. The cynic in me concluded that the cabbie jobbed us, but I was soon to learn otherwise.
Our hotel, The Hotel Krone, was located in the
Old Town on what is considered one of Lucerne’s most picturesque squares and was very nice. Our rate included a cold breakfast which meant that I would be eating salami before ten A.M. Cold cuts are part of the breakfast here as well as in Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Lucerne is a beautiful city. It reminds me a lot of Edinburgh but doesn’t have the castles. It’s on a lake of its name and has a beautiful river (Reuss) running through it with a multitude of swans floating to and fro.
We were seeing swans on the lakes and rivers on just about every city we visited. Classic looking buildings surround the downtown area and off in the distance are the ubiquitous snow capped mountains. Along the river, 
every 50 yards or so, is a bridge which spans the Reuss and separates the old from the not so old.
The city is sparkling clean with a charming market spanning the edge of the river….everyone getting ready for Easter.
The people here are very proud of their city and country, maybe even a bit aloof about it. Nevertheless, they appear happy and healthy. I noticed, on more than a couple occasions, middle aged couples acting, in public, like young lovers.
The train station is packed with people carrying snow skis, snow shoes, snow boards…everyone off for the day to higher ground to enjoy the slopes.
The first night we were here, we went out to dinner. The first menu we looked at outside a restaurant had ordinary food at high prices. I figured it was the restaurant but after a few more stops at other cafes, I realized that this city was expensive,
perhaps 60% more than any 
place we’d been to in Italy. The coup ‘d grace was a sign on a fast food restaurant that said: Hot Dog and Coke – 8 Swiss Francs. (about $7.80) Where’s AM/PM when I need them. I asked a young man in a store why the prices for things were so high here…He said, “We’re neutral.” I wondered if they were neutral to Hitler and Mussolini. 
Definitely glad we came here but also glad we’re headed for Venice.
March 23, 24
Before we boarded the train
at Varenna enroute to Lucerne, we heard that the Italian train workers were striking for the day in certain areas. Seems that Italian trains are separate from the EuroStar system and either one of them could be striking at any time, in roving areas. There may be a strike in Milan one day and in Rome the next. There was a possibility that it would affect our journey…but we carried on.This was going to be a long train ride (6-7 hours) but now ,as seasoned train travelers, these journeys seem to pass quickly. We read, may do a sudoku (yes, Ann has even taken them up as her book supply has dried up and book swaps are hard to find) talk with others, take in the scenery, etc. We expected this journey to be pretty because we would be traveling through the Swiss Alps on the William Tell Express, designated as one of the most beautiful train rides by the Eurail system.
We passed through the town of Como on the lake and began elevating. We started seeing snow in the distance, then snow on the ground and trees, streams, rivers, lakes….thicker snow…bridges…tunnels……spruce and pine trees laden with snow…then a long tunnel…maybe 10 minutes. When the train came out of the tunnel, the people in our car actually voiced a collective, “Ahhhhh”
….it was a winter wonderland. Truly breathtaking beauty especially for a couple from So-Cal…..you’d look to the right and see a picture postcard of winter and then desert it for a more spectacular view on your left.After an hour or so, we began descending and before long we were in Lucerne. We took a 5 minute cab ride from the train station to our hotel and it cost us $20. The cynic in me concluded that the cabbie jobbed us, but I was soon to learn otherwise.
Our hotel, The Hotel Krone, was located in the
Old Town on what is considered one of Lucerne’s most picturesque squares and was very nice. Our rate included a cold breakfast which meant that I would be eating salami before ten A.M. Cold cuts are part of the breakfast here as well as in Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Lucerne is a beautiful city. It reminds me a lot of Edinburgh but doesn’t have the castles. It’s on a lake of its name and has a beautiful river (Reuss) running through it with a multitude of swans floating to and fro.
We were seeing swans on the lakes and rivers on just about every city we visited. Classic looking buildings surround the downtown area and off in the distance are the ubiquitous snow capped mountains. Along the river, 
every 50 yards or so, is a bridge which spans the Reuss and separates the old from the not so old.
The city is sparkling clean with a charming market spanning the edge of the river….everyone getting ready for Easter.The people here are very proud of their city and country, maybe even a bit aloof about it. Nevertheless, they appear happy and healthy. I noticed, on more than a couple occasions, middle aged couples acting, in public, like young lovers.
The train station is packed with people carrying snow skis, snow shoes, snow boards…everyone off for the day to higher ground to enjoy the slopes.The first night we were here, we went out to dinner. The first menu we looked at outside a restaurant had ordinary food at high prices. I figured it was the restaurant but after a few more stops at other cafes, I realized that this city was expensive,
perhaps 60% more than any 
place we’d been to in Italy. The coup ‘d grace was a sign on a fast food restaurant that said: Hot Dog and Coke – 8 Swiss Francs. (about $7.80) Where’s AM/PM when I need them. I asked a young man in a store why the prices for things were so high here…He said, “We’re neutral.” I wondered if they were neutral to Hitler and Mussolini. 
Definitely glad we came here but also glad we’re headed for Venice.
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