Welcome to the finale of my Europe adventures. After a wonderful day hiking near Lucerne, Switzerland, the penultimate day of my trip began with a ferry ride.
My friend Melli and I took the ferry from Vitznau to Lucerne—about an hour—so we could explore the city. It was more relaxing and scenic than driving.
Hey, Lucerne! I even wore Swiss colors for the occasion. My skirt is an old favorite from Stitch Fix.
This is Lucerne’s most famous landmark: the 14th-century covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). I loved the flowers lining the sides.
We grabbed a quick lunch and wandered through the streets, soaking up the views and the atmosphere.
Remains of the old city wall and a watchtower punctuate the historic center.
After a couple of hours exploring, we hopped back on the ferry to return.
That evening we drove a few miles to Gersau, a charming town on the other side of our hostel, and dined at a waterside restaurant.
Rosé was on the menu, of course—summer in Europe calls for rosé. We also enjoyed a classic tomato, basil, and mozzarella starter.
I had a delicious herbed lake fish baked in foil—rich, buttery, and perfectly seasoned—served with potatoes. Melli and I commented on how potatoes here often have a bright yellow color compared with the paler varieties common in the U.S.
The next day we checked out of the hostel and drove up to Melchsee-Frutt, a high valley at roughly 2,000 meters elevation. We chose the winding mountain road for the drive, though there’s also a gondola option.
It was a foggy, gray day, but the mountain scenery was hauntingly beautiful all the same.
We hiked a trail that passed two of the four lakes on the mountain. With few people around and the clouds rolling through, it felt otherworldly—quiet, mysterious, and serene.
In winter this area becomes a bustling ski resort. I’d love to return on a clear day to see the panoramic views.
The landscape felt different from our Rigi Mountain hike—more like the Scottish highlands, with open moorland and scattered rocks.
We shared the trail with curious cows who didn’t seem bothered by our passing.
We had a late lunch at a small place on the mountain before hurrying back to the car. The flat path was longer than expected, and we discovered the mountain road operates on a single-track schedule, so we had to make the cutoff. It began pouring, and we dashed through the rain until a kind Swiss couple gave us a ride down—definitely a memorable finish.
I’m adding this hike to my must-return list—I want to see those lakes and peaks on a clear day.
Melli drove me to Zurich afterward, and we sadly said goodbye. She had to be home for work the next morning.
I wandered through Zurich that evening, grabbed falafel for dinner, and called it a night. I stayed at a reasonably priced hotel with shared bathrooms that felt safe and centrally located.
I really enjoyed Zurich—lively, compact, and charming.
The next morning I went for a short run along the water, then headed to the airport to fly home.
What an amazing couple of weeks—thank you for re-living my Europe adventures with me. I enjoyed sharing these moments and hope you enjoyed reading them.