City: Lucerne

Lucerne, the 8th biggest city with 60,000 inhabitants, located in the very heart of Switzerland, is one of the most popular tourist locations in the country, offering everything from paddle-steamer tours of the local waterways, to quiet cafés and famous monuments. Rich in panoramic views and breathtaking vistas, the unusual landscapes present one of the most romantic settings in the country. The mediaeval castles, folklore and kind residents create a postcard picture of Switzerland.

The most striking landmark in the Lucerne area with a height of 2132 m/ 6995 feet a. s. l. offers fabulous views of Lucerne, Lake Lucerne, the Alps and the central Swiss lowlands. Ascents by aerial cableway or by the world’s steepest rack railway at 48%.

The “queen of mountains” has been a preferred viewpoint in Central Switzerland for over 100 years and was the site of Europe’s first-ever rack-and-pinion railway (1871). The trip up to Rigi Kulm can be made by rack railway, aerial cableway and Lake Lucerne steamer.

Wagner composed the “Siegfried Idyll” here during his “Lucerne Years”. On display are the original score and an unusual and extremely valuable collection of musical instruments.

Picasso in Lucerne, in one of the city’s most beautiful old buildings, the historic Am-Rhyn-House. Extraordinary collection of important works by Picasso from the last 20 years of his life, accompanied by the exciting exhibition, “Picasso, photographed by David Douglas Duncan” with nearly 200 photos.

This is the most diversified transport and communications museum in Europe demonstrating the development and importance of transportation on land, water, in the air, through communication and aviation. Over one hundred original aircraft, locomotives, automobiles, cable-cars and boats are shown.