The KKL in Luzern is one of the countries newest concert halls.
It’s major feature, at least from outside, is the amazing cantilever roof.
Designed by Jean Nouvel, it fits in neatly with all of the historic buildings that Luzern has to offer, and is beautiful to look at, especially from one of the boats as they leave or arrive.
Photos Flickr safesurfer
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One of the great things about writing on the topic of Switzerland is that one gets to cover an entire range of Swiss traditional activities.
Whether it’s bringing cows down the mountains, pumpkin or chestnut festivals, or even the spectacle of two cows fighting each other, summer in Switzerland has the best entertainment there is.
Next weekend sees the annual wrestling, or Schwingen, championships on Mount Rigi, near Luzern. It’s basically a bunch of farmers with some extra trousers trying to throw each other on to their backs, but it’s taken very seriously by the competitors and the local public.
It warrants coverage on …read more
Zürich isn’t the only place where you can chill out in the open air.
Luzern, or Lucerne if you prefer (although you really shouldn’t!) also has a great outdoor location.
Called City Beach, it’s actually written citybeaCH, just so you know it’s in Switzerland. Where else did you think Luzern was?
It’s a pool area, with big comfy beds, and is sure to get booked out on sunny days.
Children aren’t allowed after midday, so a bit of peace and quiet is pretty well guaranteed.
There’s also an Urban Oasis or VIP lounge, sponsored by a well known cigarette manufacturer, but as I’m not telling …read more
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This Sunday, 18th, 130 Swiss museums are opening their doors to encourage children and adults alike to extend their knowledge.
Each museum has its own programme, so it’s probably best to check the kanton you are interested in here: http://www.museums.ch/index.php?id=48
I’d probably opt for the transport museum in Lucerne, planesd trains, even racing cars. What more could you want?
It’s supposed to rain over the weekend, so perhaps a bit of knowledge hunting might not go amiss?
Photo: Flickr Lazytom
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I know I mentioned Fasnacht a couple of weeks ago, but one of the big ones starts this Thursday, and if you are in Switzerland, you might want to go along and see it.
Fasnacht is an amazing carnival, where strangely dressed people play music to blow away the winter.
This year, Fasnacht in Luzern runs from Thurs 31st Jan to Tuesday 5th Feb.
Two parades are planned, One on Thursday, one on Sunday. Both begin at 14:00 The route of the parade runs from Luzernerhof – Schweizerhofquai – Schwanenplatz – Kapellplatz – Fritschibrunnen – Seebrücke – Bahnhofplatz – Pilatusstrasse – …read more
Engelberg is one of the most popular ski resorts near Zurich, featuring ice caves and a revolving cable car.
Next weekend it also becomes the centre of attention for all in the ski jumping world.
So if you have finished all of your Christmas shopping, the wrapping is done and the turkey plucked, then why not head down to central Switzerland to watch some crazy people flying through the air?
The FIS World Cup event runs from Friday 21st to Sun 23rd, with training on the Friday and the real thing on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are 25 CHF for adults, 12 CHF …read more
First up, Bremgarten, a small town in Kanton Aargau, 45 mins from Zürich. Late afternoon. Photo: Dave
A wintry day on Lake Luzern. Photo: Akcija
Work in progress, a stage being constructed near Lake Neuchatel. Photo: gozef
And finally, a run up to a white Christmas – snow in the alps. Photo: youngrobv
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Following on from yesterday’s Luzern piece, it seems only natural to mention the Christmas Market that takes place next weekend.
On 17 and 18 November, the 7th annual market takes place at the restaurant on top of the mountain, 2012m (7000ft) above sea level.
You won’t be alone, typically 4000 people attend the fair, perhaps attracted by the opportunity to go up the mountain with 30% off normal ticket prices.
Over 50 exhibitors from the region will be there, offering a wide variety of goods, I’m guessing traditional toys and foods will provide the mainstay.
Children can be professionally supervised in the …read more
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My brother Ken and his partner Samm are over visiting for a few days, and as it’s Samm’s first time in Switzerland, Ken drove her to Luzern for the day.
Luzern is probably the most visited city in Switzerland, and is pretty much slap bang in the middle of the country.
Easy to reach by car or train from anywhere, the main sight is the Kapellebrücke, now back to looking like a really old bridge after it was rebuilt at the end of the last millenium after 80% was damaged by fire.
The tower was originally a prison, and presumably wasn’t much …read more
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