Switzerland 2025 - Day 16 / Zürich, Lucerne and Old Swiss House Anniversary Meal

Steps today: 21 720 / 14.32 km

Our last full day, and the first (only!) day we had shitty weather.

Our train pass expired yesterday, so excursions far afield were out of the question. We were debating between staying in Lucerne all day, or just going to Zürich (under an hour away).  We were hesitating because the forecast was not just bad, but full of warnings! Winds up to 150kph, Wind Waring level 3, stay away from trees due to falling branches... if we go somewhere, what if a tree falls on the train tracks and we can't get back?

After much hemming and hawing, we decided to chance it.

We arrived a little after 10, and so far the weather was just drizzly, but the peak badness was predicted from about 11AM to 1PM.  

Step 1 upon arrival was to get a picture of the Blue Angel so we could tease Heidi with it.  She HAAAAAAAAAAATES it!  (and...  I forgot to send it to her!)

We had a drizzly walk around town, only sometimes needing the umbrellas.

....eventually making it to lake.  By now, it was inside out umbrella wind...  increasingly unpleasant.

Knowing the next 2 hours would not be nice, we thought we'd kill the time with a little lake cruise.

It was a flop. The windows were all fogged up and we were at the mercy of those with window seats to wipe down the windows so we could see something! I myself got up a few times to wipe over their heads.

To add insult to injury, despite the promise of food on the information board, there was none. Zilch. Probably because it was so late in the season, they used a smaller boat. Ah well.  At least we stayed dry and missed the peak of the bad weather.

The rain was done after the "cruise" so the umbrellas were stowed for the rest of the day, but the wind was still strong so the hoods stayed up for a while.

We wandered around for a while looking for a place for lunch, but we didn't want much because we had a feast planned for supper and I was saving the stomach space!  We had simple sandwiches, but I didn't pass up the chance to have an Aperol Spritz.

By about 3PM we headed back to Lucerne were the blue skies were coming back.  It was nice enough to sit outside for a while and enjoy the view of the Old Bridge one last time (the wind however did eventually force us inside for round 2)

Supper that night was our highly anticipated meal at "The Old Swiss House". We discovered this place in 2011 and now no trip to Lucerne is complete without a meal here - this would be our 3rd time.  

What made this visit extra special, was that it was the last one of the trip, and I always like to end my vacations with something special, and we also declared it our anniversary meal (22 years).

Their specially is Wienerschnitzel made table-side served with pasta topped with breadcrumbs. It's phenomenal...  and so is the amount of butter they use! YOWZA!

We can't wait for our next visit!!!!

And so, another perfect vacation comes to an end. Back to real life now, but with a train-load of happy memories.

Switzerland 2025 - Day 15 / Lugano and Lucerne

Steps today: 20 323 / 13.4 km

We just followed the sun today.  After 2 weeks of perfect weather, the tide was turning.  We checked to see where the sun was shining in Switzerland and it was in the Italian canton of Ticino so we set off to it's largest city: Lugano.

We stayed in Lugano twice for a few days, and I have since sworn it off as a vacation destination.  Why? well, it's 100% like being in Italy... so why spend a small fortune to holiday in the Swiss-Italy when I can spend half the price and just go to the Real-Italy!  

It's just fine for a day-trip however, and thanks to the Gotthard tunnel it's just a little over 90 minutes from Lucerne with a direct train.

Of course, first thing on the agenda was an Aperol Spritz stop!  Did you expect anything less?

We had no plans other than to enjoy the only sunny place in Switzerland.  

We started with a walk along the lake.

Then a lunch stop where I had Trofie al Pesto, a dish I have only ever found in Northern Italy. Looks awful, but I love it.

A bit more wandering around the city

And then, the funicular up to Monte Brè for the sweeping view down to the city.  Just like when I go up to the Harder Kulm in Interlaken, the views from Monte Brè are always hazy... still, it's beautiful.

We weren't sure if the restaurant would be open since it's getting close to the end of the season, but luckily it was, so we lingered on the terrasse for a while to enjoy the view.... 

...and another Spritz. (in a questionable "glass")

By about 6PM or so, we headed back to Lucerne.

We had fixed plans for supper tomorrow night, and I wanted to make sure we squeezed in one more fondue meal on the trip.  For many days, we had walked passed a nice place near the water where the terrasse was always full of people eating fondue outside.  It was a little too cool for dining al fresco at this time, so we headed inside.

Turned out, the outdoor tables were always full with fondue dinners because they only serve it outside! We were told it was "because of the smell of the cheese". COME ON! A little stink is necessary when having fondue!  It's even in the add campaigns!! So screw them!  

Thankfully, Frank remembered another place we passed by a few days before and it was great! 

Perfect atmosphere. Cute, quaint, wood paneled, Swiss according and yodel music softy playing in the background and somehow didn't feel touristy.

Yummy of course, but their particular recipe was just a bit too salty for me.  Frank thought it was perfect.  No complaints, it was exactly what I wanted for my penultimate supper in Switzerland.

Switzerland 2025 - Day 14 / Ebenalp and St Gallen

Steps today: 15 436 / 10.19 km

Today was a "Switzerland Bucket List Item" Day - seeing the Äscher Cliff Restaurant with my own eyes.  Most people would recognize this image.

It was also extra special because our good friend Heidi accompanied us for the day. We had plans to meet her on the train on the way over (she lives much closer to the destination than our 3½ hour journey), but it was a little trickier than planned since our original train leaving Lucerne just after 7AM was cancelled...  how is that possible in Switzerland?  Anyway, we were only 30 minutes late.

Right off the train in Wasserauen, before even getting on the cable car up to Ebenalp,  the views were incredible.

And from the top, the views down over the undulating hills of the Appenzeller region were breathtaking.

It was a little early when we arrived (11:15AM) so we wondered if the restaurant was even open for lunch, but it was and it was Raclette all around!

After lunch, we started off on the trek to the Äscher.

It was not easy!!!!  I regret not taking more pictures of the trail, but all my concentration was focused on not tumbling down the mountain.  Heidi, who is a seasoned hiker, was well equipped with her walking poles and I wished I had a pair too for increased stability.  I really admire her tenacity - she's a testament to the fact that you just need to KEEP MOVING!  Please God let me have her stamina when I am 80!

This part of the trail was easier because there was something to hold on to, so I finally stopped to take some pictures.

We made it to the Äscher in a little over 30 minutes and settled in on the terrasse for some boozy refreshments.  I saw some Appenzeller Cream Liquor on the menu and my curiosity took over. It was quite tasty, but no more alcohol for me after this - I needed full control over my feet for the trek back to the cable car!

In order to breakup the long 3½ train ride back, I suggested a little visit through St Gallen on the way back. We visited St Gallen with Heidi back in 2011 and we remembered it fondly. We got there around 5PM and it was very nice to stroll through it again.

We weren't hungry enough for a large dinner, but on my list of Swiss Things to Eat, was a St Gallen Bratwurst (also know as an Olma Bratwurst) so since we were in St Gallen it seemed stupid to miss my chance.

We found a place that served JUST the sausage with no sides.  Perfect! it was just enough. Believe it or not I didn't even have a glass of wine.

We were back in Lucerne by about 8PM but no stopping for drinks on the way back to the hotel. We were pooped!