Since we had planned this entire trip ourselves, we made a big decision upon leaving the castles of Germany; whether to go to Salzburg and skip Vienna altogether or to go rather to Luzern for a short visit and then travel the nine hours by train to Vienna, Austria. We chose the latter (Great Decision!) Please also see albums on: Germany - Castle and Romantic Roads; Neuschwanstein, Vienna and Salzburg.

We traveled by train from Fussen, Germany to Luzern, Switzerland where we got a hotel right at the water's edge with a beautiful view of the Alps and the lake and the city sights. We ate at an outdoor cafe where we enjoyed the swans and mallards. Afterwards we enjoyed the Swiss Army band as they marched and played. The following day was the Day of Ascension so most all the stores would be closed. We took the funicular (mountain railway) up to the Gutsch Hotel which has a gorgeous view and then walked all over town. The weather was still absolutely beautiful. Reservations were made for the Vienna train trip for the following afternoon.

Cable car to Gutsch Hotel in Luzern, Switzerland. (TIP:) This trip taught me to keep purchased tickets close at hand because they tend to ask to see them at the end of the trip!! Naturally, I put them where even I couldn't find them....took awhile.

Lowendenkmal (The Dying Lion) commemorating the Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution at Tuileries in Paris on 8/10/1792. Certainly a memorable sight.

Grounds of the Wagner estate, home and museum. It is a lovely location for the home with tall trees and a beautiful view of the mountains and Luzern. This is where Wagner wrote Siegfried-idyll. There is a very interesting collection of early instruments on display in the museum.