Beautiful resort towns chain along the shores of the lake. Following the weather in Switzerland from Wisconsin before my trip, it appeared that the weather here would be much the same weather we have at this time of year in Wisconsin. At least the temperatures were comparable.
However, here Spring is well underway. The trees are fully leafed out in Wisconsin we had the barest buds and flowers are abundant in Wisconsin, only daffodils had bloomed when I left. It is so lush and verdant; one can only thank the rain for all this beauty. Our first stop along the way was to see the Hohle Gasse the sunken road purported to be where Willhelm Tell slew the evil overseer, Gessler, and allowed the Swiss Federation to be reunited.
The walk was suggestive beyond belief. Old paving stones between banks of trees and boulders covered with moss! Like a fairy tale, which the story of William Tell may just be. We stopped in a few of the resort towns to walk along the boardwalks and had our picnic on the shore of Lake Lucerne. These were Weggis and Vitznau. Next trip. Once beyond Lake Lucerne we drove on the highway.
Finally, the terrain is mountainous, and we see snow-capped peaks rising in sheer cliffs covered in forests on either side of the road. Cleared areas with dark brown farm buildings, and the occasional cows or goats, appear like dots on the hillsides. We stayed at the Hotel Unione , specifically recommended by Michelin. You can walk around the ruins for free, but you can also buy a ticket for 18CHF to visit all three castles and their museums. The first evening in Bellinzona, we visited the lowest and the oldest of the castles, the Castelgrande , exploring the ruins and the views.
Afterwards we walked around the perimeter streets of the old town, happening upon what to date is the only nightlife we have encountered in Switzerland — a wine festival in a square with accordion music.
