Just looking for any hotel suggestions for 2-3 nights in Lucerne. $65E is the target price range, B&B, inns, or whatever is affordable (we are canadian and are money is not worth very much, anywhere, it seems). Also interested in things to see and do in this area, day trips are a definite option. Whatever it takes to get the Full Swiss experience!!<BR>thanks to any and all..

A list of hotels is available here:<BR><BR>www.luzern.org/index_e.html<BR><BR>One of the best things I did was to take the boat to Burgenstock, then the train up to the top of the mountain, and then hike (maybe 30-45 minutes) up to the Hammetschwanderlift, an elevator built into the side of a cliff that goes up probably 2000 feet above the lake. Spectacular views from the top, even a little cafe up there.<BR><BR>I also enjoyed renting a bike at the train station and going part way around the lake, they have bike maps at the tourist office. It felt very "Swiss."

Maybe also think about staying outside Luzern in one of the little villages along the lake (like Vitznau) and taking the boat into Luzern for a visit. It might be a little cheaper for you. Also - look into the inclusive transportation passes that Swiss Rail sells. They have different combinations, but many are good for trains, busses, boats, and the lifts and gondolas up the mountains, or will get you discounts on transportation. They are a very good deal.

Hi Julie. You might want to look at the website bnb.ch where the prices seem very reasonable. J.

Hello Julie,<BR><BR>I'm not sure how much information you already have about Luzern or how much you intend to do. So forgive me if my suggestions are rather basic.<BR><BR>In Luzern:<BR>The old town has many buildings, squares, & bridges to capture your imagination: Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt, Hirschenplatz, Rathaus, Jesuitenkirche, Kapellbruecke, & Spreuerbruecke. These are are very close together, within a few blocks of one another. A bit farther away are the Lion Monument and the Musegg Ramparts, the old town walls dating from the 1300s. Of course, there are many more sights and museums, but these are the ones that grabbed me.<BR><BR>Out of town:<BR>Of course, a ferry ride on the lake is a pure spectacular delight, and they can range from a two-hour tour of the upper lake or an all-day trip to Fluelen. There are many small towns and villages around the lake where you can interrupt your jouney for a leisurely walk through town or a long walk along the lake. Some towns that are calling me back are Weggis, Vitznau, & Brunnen. There is also the Rutli Meadow, where the Swiss federation was first formed in 1291.<BR><BR>You can also combine a ferry trip with a mountain excursion. Take the boat to Weggis or Vitznau, then the rack-railway to Rigi. Other mountain excursions are to Mt. Pilatus, south of Luzern, and to Mt. Titlis. Many folks here also like to go to Engelberg to see its fabulous Benedictine monastery.<BR><BR>Far Away:<BR>Golden Pass train to Montreux (about four hours, take the quicker route via Lausanne for the return), Interlaken (about three hours), Wengen (about 3.5 hours), & Bern (forget how long but I would bet two hours).<BR><BR>You can check out train schedules & fares at www.rail.ch.<BR><BR>When are you going?? Have a wonderful trip!<BR><BR>s

We just returned from a trip that included Luzern and our base for three days was the very lovely and well-located Pension Villa Maria. In American dollars, it was about $100 a night for a double with bath and a tasty breakfast included. The pension is on a bus route, is 5 minutes away from the lake (you can see it from the back garden-view rooms, and Maria is very warm and friendly. She has run this family-owned place for over thirty years. For things to do, definitely take some good walks around town and over the covered bridges. See the beautiful church. Eat on the lake or the river and watch the wonderful people walk their wonderful dogs! We rented bikes from the train station and rode halfway around the lake and took a boat back. We also took the William Tell Express paddle wheel to Fluelen (a beautifully scenic ride complete with lunch) and trained to Lugano (it also goes to Locarno). Have fun!

I forgot to include the contact information for Pension Villa Maria: The email address is [email protected].

Thanks for the fabulous info and tips, one more question for anyone who might know. We are tentatively planning a day trip to the Matterhorn, will this idea be worth our time?

We were in Lucerne last summer and stayed at the HOTEL CONTINENTAL-PARK LUZERN. It was convenient for us - about a block from the train station, since we had to catch an early flight out of Zurich. I can't remember the price but it was reasonable and the place was decent.<BR><BR>I think the Matterhorn is way too far to go to for a day trip. Zermatt is a crowded, touristy town. You might want to do a search on this board and come up with some other options (I would recommend Wengen/Murren but it would not make sense to go there for the day).<BR><BR>Just my two cents.