May 7 - From Neuchatel to Luzern to Lugano

The evening of May 6, Rick and I went to bed very early. We were exhausted from a day of sightseeing. So of course we were up by 5:30! We took advantage of a full day to make a few stops on our way home from Neuchatel to Lugano, so we began with a 7:24am train. When you buy a longer distance ticket in Switzerland, you can get on and off the train, along the route, as much as you want on the date stamped on the ticket.

From Neuchatel we got off in Olten. We had briefly seen this town from the train 8 years ago. The old city center is a short walk from the train station (which is the case in most Swiss towns). Since we were there so early in the morning, everything was closed – not even a café to get a cappuccino (at least in the old center). We hopped on the next train 30 minutes later after our quick look. 10 minutes down the track is the town of Aarburg, and well, that old city center was a little further from the train, but we got off because we knew there was a castle. As it was too far to walk to, we got a quick picture and continued on the next train.

We had seen this castle on TV. Early in the morning, there is a TV show which shows “Switzerland from up High”. They do different regions and show everything from either a small plane or helicopter. Watching this show makes you want to get out and see every corner of the country!

From Aarburg we went to Luzern. We have been there several times before, but nothing beats Luzern. The old town center is charming, then there is the river, lake and surrounding mountains – very romantic! We enjoyed a few hours of shopping, lunch, and gelato in Luzern before taking our train to Lugano. Even though we have traveled this route so many times, for some reason, the scenery seemed so different. I think it was the fact that everything turned green and the trees were full. Even just a few weeks prior when we were on the same train, the countryside looked different because it was all still brown. I think it was just the “spring glow” that made it look especially nice!

Castle in Aarburg

Luzern!

Luzern. the water is quite high this spring.

Found a little corner in Luzern with this funny building with slanted windows

Beautiful Luzern

Train ride home. This is between Luzern and Arth Goldau.

On the train, south of Arth Goldau



The church in the town of Wassen, just north of the San Gottardo Tunnel. The train has to loop around in the mountains to go up in altitude before going through the tunnel. We are rewarded with about 7 different views of this church as we come in and out of looping tunnels.