We are leaving for Switzerland in 72 hours, and will be spending 3 days in Luzern followed by 4 days in BO, before heading off to Austria. For our 3 days in Luzern, we have planned on a trip to Mt Pilatus, various lake cruises, Transport Museum, besides of course savoring the quaint town itself.
While at Luzern, we will be met one afternoon by our friends who live in Germany. They will be holidaying in St Gallen at that time, and will drive down to meet us at Luzern. They will be having a car, and have offered to take us out of Luzern for an afternoon (say 4-5 hours). We need quick suggestions on some places near to Luzern, where we could drive out with them. Places with nice scenic views will be appreciated (not much into monasteries or museum trips). Please help us, as always, with your valuable insights.

I suggest that you leave Lucerne only by boat.

We were in Lucerne a few years ago and took a boat trip from the main dock (near the train station) that cruised on Lake Lucerne for the day. It stopped at various different cities, and made a return trip late in the afternoon.

I don't recall where we stopped off, but we got off for lunch at a beautiful small town. We walked the town, had lunch, and then rode back on the boat later in the afternoon.

The trip was much fun and the views from Lake Lucerne are stunning.

Don't drive - take the boat!

We were planning on doing several boat trips in any case, to Weggis, Vitznau and maybe all the way to Fluelen. We have plenty of time to do that in the 3 days that we will be there. Are there any nice spots we could drive out to, outside of Luzern ?

The lake trips are great - fantastic

or try Engelberg - a short train or car ride from Lucerne - one of the primo Swiss Alpine resorts - glacier-girdled Mt Titlis - awesome views - thrilling cable car rides, etc.

I second Engleberg. I took the shore train trip from Lucerne. Took the Titlis cable car up to the first stop and walked around and listened to the cow bells.
You can bungee jump off one of the cable cars...

Definitely Engelberg, although it *does* have a monastery, LOL.

A cable car trip from Engelberg is a must. Either Titlis or Brunni (from where you have the best views of Titlis and which is considerably less expensive). Or, for a more remote place drive the valley even farther up to Herrenrüti and take the cable car up to Fürenalp. Very scenic.

I.

And you can take a Lake Lucerne steamer to a port where you can transfer to the Engelberg train, for variety of experience.

indian,

Here's a terrific way to spend an afternoon (and your friends will appreciate the limited petrol costs): visit Mt. Rigi.

Located across the lake from Luzern, Rigi isn't as high as nearby Pilatus, but some folks claim it features superior views and, on a clear day, glimpses into Germany and France. Your "hike" up Rigi comes with a couple options, via cable car or cog railway. Plus, once atop Rigi there are attractions beyond a variety of hiking trails.

For more information, see www.rigi.ch

Best of luck.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions; keep them coming. We really don't know where our friends may be interested in going to, so we are keeping all options open. Is Bern a doable short trip from Luzern, or is it too far away ?

indian,

Bern is within reach for a daytrip, but you might want to first consult www.viamichelin.com to get a firm sense as to the driving time.

Alternatively, and if you're open to a fair amount of driving, consider a drive southwest from Luzern and spend a day around the beautiful Lake Brienz. Here you have at least several "tough-to-beat" touristic options:

-Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Brienz; to my mind one of Switzerland's loveliest lakes.

-Spend a few hours at Ballenberg Museum, an extensive and most enjoyable open air folk museum. Indeed, it's one of the best of its kind in Europe.

-Lastly, take a delightful and highly scenic ride on the Brienz Rothorn Bahn. It's about a one hour train ride, featuring smashing views of nearby Lake Brienz. Before you reach the end of your ascent, you'll be well above treeline with only the sound of the breeze and countless friendly cows wearing bells. You might even happen upon a local family selling delicious Alpkasse from a basket. For a flavor of this sweet scene, go to:

www.flickr.com/photos/brendanbear/

Best of luck.

topping and agreeing with exploraB 100%. J.