Day 11, Tues., 8/24 –
Buffet Breakfast was the best yet...omelettes made to order. Rain came as forcasted which made the walking tour difficult so we used the bus. Bus and minimal walking tour of Berne by a local guide. Stopped briefly at the Rose Garden with views of the old city penninsula, church spires etc. Walking tour of old town. Saw the clock tower with its huge clock which had intricate movements as it chimed the hour and played music and had moving figures. Visited Duomoplatz, Cathedral was open for pictures. Visited "Bear Pits" in the rain. Drove on to Interlochen. Lunch in M&M Cafeteria with Peter & Carole. Store browsing. Continued rain. Drove past Jungfrau Mountain in fog so couldn't see it and on to Lake Lucerne. Stop along Lake Lucerne to tour a glass factory and outlet shop. HerlagactVil. Great tour with history of glass blowing in Switzerland. Into furnace room to watch glass blowers in action. Saw bowls, glasses and dishes being blown and polished. Also some moten casting of vases. Very hot in room. Little safely used in the process. Very interesting. We bought a pretty glass bird Christmas tree ornament. Had lunch at Interlaken and then continued on to Lucerne.
Bus to Lucerne to Grand Hotel Europe, a beautiful older hotel along the lakeshore; renovated rooms. Went out to take pictures...Hugh went along the lake photographing lakeshore, boats and mountains while Sue photographed flowers around the hotel.
Got a bus tour by Carl (and Luciano, our bus driver) of Lucerne and a walking tour to the wooden covered bridge on Lake Lucerne and the Lion Monument. Then on to dinner at the hotel. After dinner Peter and Carole and Hugh and I took a wonderful moonlight walk along the shore of Lake Lucerne. It was very beautiful and romantic. Beautiful weather, moonlight on the lake, lights on Mt. Pilatus and on steeples and bridges in the city. A beautiful and quiet evening. A special walk and time for all four of us, ending with late evening fireworks seen from our hotel room.
Today's "options" -
*Mount Pilatus; Lucerne’s Alps & the lakes by cogwheel & cable car ($51)
