COSMOS The Best of Europe Tour Day 7-Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Our first morning in Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, we enjoyed the small buffet breakfast that was included by COSMOS. The assortment of breakfast foods was considerably smaller than the other hotels. We all enjoyed coffee and croissants. Everyone in the family, excluding myself, also ate meats and cheeses that were offered. After breakfast, we partook in the included morning excursion, a guided walk around the town, and a short bus ride to a small shopping area.

We realized later, after walking around the town, that the spot Attila took us to, was actually the best spot to shop. The prices were lower, and the shops were offering COSMOS tour members a discount. Dusty and I purchased stickers, like we do in every town. When we head back to the states we are going to put all of our stickers, from around Europe, onto out guitar cases. Grandpa bought a pair of sunglasses in the same shop we purchased our stickers.

After returning to the bus, the 5 of us took to the streets ourselves. We browsed and laughed at the astronomically high prices. Grandpa and Mom went back to the hotel to rest, and Dusty, Rachel and I continued to shop and stopped for lunch at a busy spot. The café was located in the same large building as a grocery market, and offered prices half that of anywhere else. We enjoyed 2 sandwiches in the café before heading back to the streets of Lake Lucerne.

Lake Lucerne is very French influenced, from its food to the cold-shoulder of most of the locals. Make sure to bring a large wallet if you plan to do any shopping!!
Once back in the hotel, we all retired for a nap. Then, we were up and getting ready for our first paid excursion. As a family, we chose to participate in the Swiss Folklore and Dinner evening. Before meeting with the entire group to walk to the excursion, we headed into the Hotel bar for drinks. Dusty and I enjoyed our usual espresso….however when the bill came, our enjoyment stopped. It was 10 Swiss Franks, about $10 for 2 espressos!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!! Rachel had ordered a Jack and coke which cost her $30!!!!!!!! Thankfully, we chose to move on quickly. We met with the rest of our group and walked the 15 minutes to our dinner destination.

Dinner was well worth every penny! Attila (previous spellings of this name were incorrect) escorted us to the Swiss Folklore Restaurant, directly across from the beautiful Lake Lucerne. We were seated at a long table, with another tour group from COSMOS. After we arrived, our drink orders were taken promptly. The Included drinks for the evening were one glass of wine or one large mug of beer.

The musicians were dressed in traditional Swiss garb and were playing traditional Swiss music. The first course was served, cheese fondue (with Swiss cheese of course). Dusty and I learned, half way through the course, that it is not polite to eat the piece of freshly dipped bread directly from the skewer in which you dipped it with. We learned that from the skewer, you should place that piece of cheesy-bread on your plate and eat it with your fork! There is something new to learn every day! LOL

The second course consisted of a very small salad with a delicious dressing! This small salad reminded me and my family of our favorite restaurant, Dominicos in Belmont Shores, Ca. Finally, our third course was served, veal in a mushroom cream sauce with grated potatoes. The entrée was quite tasty, but I just could not finish it all.

Finally, my favorite course…desert!! For desert, the Swiss Folklore Restaurant served a “slice” of strawberry ice cream, shaped and colored like the Swiss flag. This slice of ice cream had a thin layer of what the menu said was apple sauce and meringue, the meringue I identified as definitely being there but I am not too sure about the apple sauce.

After dinner, the traditional music continued, and patrons of the restaurants were asked to go up to the stage to participate. Rachel, of course, volunteered twice, once, to blow a traditional Swiss horn and a second time to yodel. Later, one of the women from the performance came into the crowd and gathered everyone into a “train”. Everyone held on to the person’s shoulders in front of them and danced along. We must have circled the entire restaurant over 5 times! When the train stopped, Grandpa found himself directly in front of the stage, with many others, dancing! Shortly after, Dusty and I danced together, as did Rachel and Mom, with their own partners.

All in all, it was a fantastic evening that I must recommend to anyone and everyone that goes to Lake Lucerne. The Swiss Folklore Restaurant offered an evening full of Swiss tradition, including the music food and atmosphere!

After dinner, Rachel, Dusty and I all took an evening walk around the very quiet streets of Lake Lucerne. After returning to the Luzernerhof Hotel, Rachel, Mom and Grandpa stayed up for a few hours with our fellow tour members, having a couple of drinks and chatting. Dusty and I headed to bed to get ready for another day of our COSMOS Best of Europe Tour.