Lucerne is the largest city in Switzerland. Once, the centre of the Catholic resistance and political and religious conflict during the Reformation, it is now one of the most visited cities in the country.

We begin our trip along the shore of Lake Lucerne at the Jesuit Church, with its rococo high alter made of red marble and wonderful baroque interior and admire the beautiful buildings in the old town, with facades adorned with frescoes and sgraffito paintings.

Along the River Reuss, a small chapel perches on the covered wooden Spreuer Bridge and the nine towers and walkways along the Musegg Wall offer a panoramic view of the city and the lake from.

Along the quay of the Reuss, there is a leisurely atmosphere and fruit stalls and guild halls accompany us down the promenade. The Schweizerhof Quay leads along the northern shore of the lake to the Hofkirche, of which all but the pointed twin towers were destroyed in a fire in 1633.

After a visit to the ‘Glacier Garden’, now back at the shore of the lake, the Schweizerhof Quay turns into the National Quay, lined with luxury hotels and yacht harbours. This is also home to the Swiss Museum of Transport, telling the exciting history of Switzerland’s transport technology.

We finish our visit back at Lake Lucerne, watching the ships come and go. In the background, the mountains and lake combine to form a fascinating backdrop with the oldest wooden bridge in Europe making for the perfect photo. Lucerne is Swiss history and culture, a treasure under the white cross.