Updated on September 7th, 2024

I have been fortunate enough to visit Europe many times with plenty of charming cities catching my eye and heart. Still, my last visit to Switzerland, especially to Zurich & Lucerne, undoubtedly compelled me to feel that Switzerland is a place where beauty gets its meaning. 

It’s a small country in the center of Europe bordering countries like France, Germany, Austria & Italy. Still, because of its majestic beauty, it is a dream destination for everyone with wandering lust. I have an undoubted belief that Switzerland really has something for everyone.

I visited this beautiful country in June and July 2019 while on an educational trip to visit different universities and colleges in Europe. My flight was from India to Warsaw in Poland, from where I reached Zurich, and then I boarded a train to reach Lucerne.

Day One in Luzerne

Lucerne is one of my favorite cities I have ever visited. The city’s beauty is so outstanding that you don’t find enough words while trying any description. My host from IMI Switzerland, Ms. Greta Frey, came to pick me up in her car. It really amazed me to see the beauty and magical ambiance everywhere, in nature, in architecture, in monuments, parks, and all public places. Three enormous mountains touching the shores of Lake Lucerne surround City.

It makes you feel like standing in some beautiful painting. So many ancient churches add more value to their beauty. Chapel Bridge is a popular landmark connecting the center of Lucerne. Chapel Bridge is the biggest wooden covered bridge in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. On the walls of the bridge, so many paintings depicting Lucerne’s history and culture are fixed.

Chapel Bridge on Fire

In 1993, the bridge was burned, and it destroyed many paintings in the fire. On August 18th, 1993, shortly after midnight, about two-thirds of the wooden Chapel Bridge was destroyed by fire. The fire broke out on August 18th after midnight. At 0:50 hours a tourist alarmed the fire brigade that a boat under the bridge and the bridge itself were burning. Detailed analysis showed later that the fire broke out on the bridge itself (maybe because of a cigarette) and encroached upon the boat from there. After the fire, they banned parking boats under the bridge.

After checking in to my accommodation at IMI College, I wasted no time settling out of my evening and nighttime. The friend group I was a part of during this visit added more unforgettable memories to the trip. We all friend planned to visit an open traditional market, shop craft shops, snack on ice cream and enjoy eatables and drinks. It was really a lifelong experience sitting with friends, having chilled beer and other drinks. A few of us were not having beers. We spent almost a long evening enjoying ourselves together. There was an open cultural show that made our visit really mind-blowing and unique.

Mt Pilatus is Lucerne’s landmark

Lucerne’s best things are its proximity to nature, the beautiful lake, and the mountains surrounding the city. Mount Pilatus is Lucerne’s landmark with an incredible panoramic view where you can spend as much time as you wish. There are so many activities that you can enjoy in the snow. As we had limited time, we couldn’t enjoy every activity, and I feel there are so many such things that give reason to visit there again.

Luzerne attracts you

Lucerne Lake attracts you all the time, whether it’s early morning or late evening. So many nature-loving people and swimmers spend time on the beautiful banks of the Lake. I spent more than a week in this beautiful city, and the lake was my favorite place to spend my evenings. So many memories filled with nature’s beauty are still fresh in my mind, and I feel I can’t ever forget those scenic & peaceful moments.

The beauty of the Lake is outstanding, and while standing on the edge, you can’t stop saying, what a beautiful place to stay for a few more moments! Crystal-clear greenish-blue water with a backdrop of mountains makes a majestic panoramic view that relaxes your mind and soul.

Hospitality Options in Luzerne

Switzerland has many things on its list like chocolates, cheese, banking, majestic natural beauty, punctual trains, and hospitality management education. It is home to the world’s top-ranking institutes for hospitality & leisure management. Switzerland is called the ‘home of hospitality, a welcoming destination for tourists since the 18th century. Natural beauty and amazing landscapes made it a must-see destination worldwide. They started the very first hotel schools during the late 19th century.

..another city I visited: Zurich

Another beautiful city that I visited during my trip was Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, which is also the social and cultural hub of the country. Rich in history, natural beauty, and notable architecture, they knew Zurich as the country’s financial capital. Lake Zurich and the Limmat River add more beauty to this beautiful city. The charming streets of the old town make you feel outstanding with its stunning scenery. So many gorgeous places you can’t miss visiting including Beautiful Oldtown, where while walking you will get everything like monuments reminding your city’s history, restaurants, medieval houses, and Old Churches. Lake Zurich is the perfect place for boating, swimming, and other activities to make your trip worth it. A boat ride can help you get a full view of the city’s surroundings. The city has so many other things to pamper you.

Ask us to make this beautiful place your next DESTINATION

Updated on September 7th, 2021

Quoting Dalai Lama on the importance of travel, which says; Once a year goes someplace you’ve never been before, I am starting my blog. And I feel lucky to be in the international education industry, where I often get the chance to travel to so many destinations across the globe. I keep on sharing my experiences and expressions in my blogs from time to time. During the past few years, I got the chance to travel to different parts of Europe. This article I feel is just sharing few impressions I had while spending a few days in the beautiful city of Prague.

Prague is full of visitors from around the world throughout the year, but especially in summers. While roaming in streets, you can’t stop your eyes from admiring the art and beauty of city architecture. The city is full of art all around. Prague’s public places are full of stunning beauty that you can’t miss praising awesomely. You can easily say, that if European cities were necklaces, Prague would be a diamond among pearls.

Charlie Bridge Prague

The most iconic place that every visitor sees in Prague is Charlie Bridge built across the River Vltava. After long walks through Prague, this place is a relaxing point to take deep breaths and watch the beauty of the city around. 516 meters long and 9.5 meters wide and standing on 15 pillars. This bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. There is nothing wrong if I say this bridge represents the glamorous era of Prague. If we have a quick glimpse about the history of this bridge, they built it in 1357 after floods had destroyed the previous bridge.

The bridge is decorated with so many big-size statutes and lamps on both sides, which add more beauty to a scenic view. Every statute has its own history and background that we can write separate articles on each of them. Statute of St. John of Nepomuckis is one of the most interesting statutes mounted there. A legend says that St. John was tortured to death when he refused to give away the confessional secret of the queen. Many people believe that it brings luck if you touch the statue. Standing on a bridge, you can have a scenic view of so many historical buildings, castles, and churches. You’ll see a splendid view of lovely domed churches and soaring old towers everywhere. This all makes Prague a city with a stunning skyline. The city is well preserved, with historical buildings everywhere.

Prague Castle, another beautiful icon

Prague Castle is another beautiful icon in the city; once it was home to the Kings and these days, it is an official residence of the Czech Republic’s President. Castle has a wonderful architectural style preserved for centuries. There are so many other attractions within the walls of the castle, including the Old Palace, St George’s Basilica, St Vitus Cathedral, and the Golden Lane. Although it is the official residence of the President, few sections of the Castle are open to the public. You need almost a full day to see the castle and its surroundings. Having limited time I could not explore it properly and I wish whenever I visit Prague next time, I would certainly spend more time there.

Old Town Square

After Charlie Bridge and Prague Castle, Old Town square is another important spot that you can’t miss if you coming to Prague as a tourist. Townhall is a complex of several ancient buildings. A big medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall is one of the must-see attractions. This clock, also known as Prague Orloj, was installed in the 15^th century and it is the oldest and still working astronomical clock in the world.

..where beer is cheaper than water

Now coming to another interesting fact about the Czech Republic and especially about Prague is the amazing price of beer. I have been traveling to the Czech Republic for years and every time I learned many things. When I visited the first time, it amazed me at the price of beer in Prague. Someone commonly said that beer is cheaper than water in Prague. You get the best and finest beers in Prague’s pubs. Normally in some classic pubs, you don’t have to order it and they will serve you. Czechs adore Pilsner, which is actually a premium option and a thing of pride for many Czechs. Other popular names are Budweiser. You also get options like Staropramen, a Prague-based brewery.

Tank beer is one of the best tastes that you must try. Breweries distribute their own beer in stainless steel tanks like anything. Those tanks are installed directly in pubs and you are served more fresh beer. Craft beer is also very popular these days in Prague. There are so many good beer bars where they serve you some of the best beer brands from around the world. An interesting fact about beer in Prague is that they have beer festivals, which take place on weekends. Different breweries organize these festivals where you have time to taste fresh beers. Such events offer a glorious experience for all beer enthusiasts.

Enjoy beer spas in Prague

Prague can offer you a totally different experience with beer. There are beer spas where you can bathe in beer. It amazed me to hear that you can sit in a bathtub full of beer and enjoy your glass of it. What an amazing fact about beer in the Czech Republic and Prague. The logic behind beer bathe is to relax your fatigue, revitalize the skin and relax the whole body. They used a curative mixture of beer with vitamin B for this purpose. This therapy first became popular in Middle Ages when so many natural ingredients were used to create a mixture.

For Czechs, drinking beer is a social affair, so you have to have it; yes you have the option of taste and flavour. So when you are visiting Prague, try a few of the finest beers. Even if you don’t drink beer, I will suggest you at least experience it. Rest choice is yours, I can’t be suggestive on this point.