cougal

My boyfriend and I are taking a whirlwind trip around Europe before heading home to New Zealand.

We would absolutely love to hear of any recommendations of your favourite things to see/do in the following cities:

- Lucerne
- Vienna
- Dubrovnik
- Bruges

We only have a few days in each place, so would love some advice on what the 'must see' things are in these places.

Thanks so much!

kleeblatt

Rigi and the ferry ride:
- take a ferry to Vitznau
- take the Vitznauer Rigibahn to Rigi Kulm
- Walk to Rigi Kaltbad via Felsenweg and Rigi First.
- Take the Weggis cable car down
- Take the ferry back to Lucerne
(organise using sbb.ch and putting in destinations, one at at time.)

- Titlis
- Pilatus
- raining? Then visit the Verkehrs Museum (Transportation Museum)

littlejane

Dubrovnik : do the walk around the city on the old walls. A must-see, probably on your list already...

nbujic

Vienna
Kunsthistorische museum
Belvedere
many great coffee shops

tcreath

Dubrovnik
Definitely a walk around the city walls. Have a drink at Buza, outside the city walls, at sunset for magnificent views.

Vienna
We liked visiting the Imperial apartments and treasury. Take the tram around the ring road. As mentioned above, the cafes are fantastic. Just thinking about the chocolate croissants and applestruedels makes me hungrry!

Tracy

BTilke

It really depends on your interests. In Vienna, much as I love the Kunsthistorische museum (and I do), it's the Liechtenstein Museum that I can't wait to go back to. Esp. on Sundays with the free afternoon concerts. Ditto on the cafes, of course. Maybe you'd like to ride the Prater (ferris wheel). Take a tram around the Ring...the old ones have classic charm and wooden (or faux wooden seats), the new ones are sleek and designed by Porsche. Your choice! There were Segway tours of Vienna, but I don't know if they're still running.

When are you traveling? In Bruges, in nice weather, renting a bike for a spin around the canals and countryside is a wonderful way to spend a pleasant afternoon. My favorite museums in Bruges is the Gruuthuse.
http://www.trabel.com/brugge-m-gruuthuse.htm Some people prefer the Groeninge, others the churches.
The canal boat tours are fun. I like poking through the street markets on and around the tZand.
FYI, the best times to photograph Bruges are early in the morning and in the evening when most of the daytrippers are gone.

Rachele

Sample chocolate in Bruges, particularly Dumon which is just off the main square.

sundown

In the Lucerne, the Transporation Museum is truly great. If you have any interest in trains, planes, etc. you will be glad you went.

cougal

Wow, I'm looking forward to all the sweet treats in Vienna and Bruges! Thanks so much for these great ideas!

Vttraveler

this is a good recent thread on Vienna ideas
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35013171

As I noted in that thread the heurigen restaurants on the outskirts of vienna are fun.

JN

In Luzern:
--Walk across covered bridges and ramparts of the Altstadt
--Lowendenkmal, or Lion Monument
--Bourbaki panorama--sort of an IMAX paintin wihout the movie elements
--Mt Pilatus trip, with cable car up from Kriens, cogwheel down to Alpnachstad (spelling?) then boat back to Luzern
--Transport museum

trsny

In Bruges, see Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, which is located in the Church of Our Lady. Also, climb the steps of the Belfry Tower, all 366 of them, for excellent views of the city.

treplow

Bruges: Take a ride on the canals.

See the church on the main square.

Watch how lace is made (actually, you can't avoid this)

Have some good Belgian Frites and also Belgian Waffles.

ShelliDawn

There were some great suggestions for Bruges including a canal boat tour and climbing the Belfry. The Belfry is located in the markt which should not be missed, it's beautiful.

I also recommend the diamond cutting/polishing demonstration at the diamond museum (only once/day). I really enjoyed that. Also, a visit to the Beguinage (Begijnhof) is worth the time.