2nd day in Lucerne - breakfast in the hotel overlooking the lake / river, and the bridge. Breakfast consist of small coffee - I would order about 4 of these at least, and a wide selection of cheese and meats! \240Also had poached eggs, bread, butter, fruits, etc..

Mount Pilatus -

Pilatus, also often referred to Mount Pilatus, is a mountain massifoverlooking Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It is composed of several peaks, of which the highest (2,128 m (6,982 ft)) is named Tomlishorn.

The top can be reached with the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, from Alpnachstad, operating from May to November (depending on snow conditions) and the whole year with the aerial panorama gondolas and aerial cableways from Kriens. Tomlishorn is located about 1.3 km (0.81 mi) to the southeast of the top cable car and cog railway station. Two other peaks, closer to the stations are called Esel (Donkey, 2,118 m [6,949 ft]), which lies just east over the railway station, the one on the west side is called Oberhaupt (Head-Leader, 2,105 m [6,906 ft]).

During the summer, the "Golden Round Trip" — a popular route for tourists — involves taking a boat from Lucerne across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, going up on the cogwheel railway, coming down on the aerial cableways and panorama gondolas, and taking a bus back to Lucerne.

At airport - \240Getting ready for Our \24030 year anniversary trip - going to Switzerland and Italy!!! \240Very excited. Hard to believe Erin and I have been married this long!!! \240LOL.

Arrived! \240Very upscale airport.

Today we again had a nice breakfast in the hotel and on the lake. Only bummer is the hotel does not have air condition and it is really hot outside - unusually hot. But it doesn’t bother me as much as Erin - I can sleep thru anything and any conditions. Fan does help!

Today we again had a nice breakfast in the hotel and on the lake. Only bummer is the hotel does not have air condition and it is really hot outside - unusually hot. But it doesn’t bother me as much as Erin - I can sleep thru anything and any conditions. Fan does help!

We woke up in Lucerne as our last day. Packed up and heading to the boat. On a boat for almost 3 hourss onLake Lucerne to Furlen. So amazing how the alps run right against the lake. The houses are German / Swiss look and then scattered as you go up the mountains. Cannot believe how high up some of the houses are.

We arrived amd took a taxi to the hotel. First impressions is Lugano is a big city - much larger than a Lucerne. \240The city is a lake town but feels almost Mediterranean- the lake is so vast it looks like ocean. \240From Lugano you see all these mountains right in front of you. Hard to describe the beauty. The mountains either have zero houses or they have “layered” houses almost stacked on top of each other going up the mountain. Can’t imagine driving up to each house.

Our hotel is right on the water and downtown perfect location was built in 1906 and we are fortunate to have a woman with a balcony overlooking the lake.

Erin and I walked around the city and immediately can tell this is very upscale city and tourist \240location. The \240retail shop are high end and \240all over the city. \240There is a metallic art statues located on many different streets- all different but each reflect off them the surroundings - like a mirror. In front of our hotel is a cross.

Lugano every year this time has a Jazz festival. \240One stage and 3 acts each night for 3 days straight. We \240went to the jazz festival and had dinner at a restaurant on the lake - lucky to get a table right up to the roadside which was blocked off for he festival. Lot of people watching.

A couple things of interest

- long days - light until about 10 - wild to see

- the \240activities do not start till close to 9 o’clock - vendors setting up their steeet food and arts.

Good morning today we are going to Lake Como \240 we are taking the train which is about 30 minutes easy to get to you looking forward to seeing this famous lake and surroundings.

Well first impressions were a little different from the Swiss - not as clean - At least walking through the town. More laundry hanging from houses railings outside and just a little run down looking. But when we got The water it was beautiful the city has a park on the water which is fun to walk around with water fountains coming out of the ground who you are as it was so hot

I Erin and I found a place to eat and grab a beer because it was so hot we walked around for about an hour then we decided to get a boat and go out on Lake Como we thought it would be a large bowl but it ended up being a very very small little boat - allmost like a raft with a motor.

But it didn’t matter we had a blast we went out on the lake closer to the shores and saw some beautiful houses on in hotels in so why what was amazing is the landscaping is so beautiful and when you drive your boat up to the shore the shore has old concrete not concrete skews me stone walls built in and they had garage is built into the stone of the mountain so you could park your boat right into the mountain or somewhere more elaborate than others or you had multiple spots for your boats or even like an hour you would drive in and then have like your own little private lake boat place to park hard to describe but beautiful setting so elaborate etc. some of the hotels had a deck built around the lake so the inside of the deck was actually like a pool but it was the lake water

Erin and I had bright wine and had purchased sandwichs made by a local restaurant / bar and ee did our best to eat and drink on the small water craft among rocking back-and-forth with the waves. Lake Como is huge lake - vast and wide! \240But we managed everything on the lake - a very different day but something will never forget!

We went to bed late last night and slept in some. Had a nice walk on the river and breakfast at the hotel. Lots of coffee and good bread and cheese.

We got a taxi to the train station and heading out now to Venice! \240Saying good bye to Switzerland - but Lugano felt like Italy on some ways. Lot of people spoke Italian.

4 hours plus to Venice - having luck on the train.

Venice is a tourist destination most well-known for its canals and gondolas used to transport people around the city (as there aren't streets and cars like in other cities around the world). Interesting Venice Italy Facts: There are estimated to be 350 gondolas on Venice's waterways, which include 177 canals.

Table of Contents:

• All Three of Europe’s Active Volcanoes Are Located in Italy

• Pasta Has Been in Use Since the 4th Century BCE

• Pizza Was Invented in Naples

• It’s Actually Called the Italian Republic

•  Italy Is Full of Hills and Mountains

• Italians Have Created Many Types of Cheese

• Italy Has More Earthquakes Than the Rest of Europe

• Rome Is the Capital of Italy

• Tourism Is Huge in Italy

• Italy Is Overwhelmingly Roman Catholic

• Italy Has a Low Birth Rate

•  Italy Was a Founding Member of the European Union

• Family Is Extremely Important in Italian Culture

• The Fork Was Popularized in Italy

• Fun Facts About Italy for Kids

◦ Italy is Known for its Unique & Charming Hotels