Munich, Germany

It is amazing how much can change in a short train ride in Europe - one could be in another country with a completely different culture, language, scenery and architecture in as little as a couple of hours. Following on our epic Europe trip, our first stop outside of Switzerland was Munich. The train ride was around 6 hours, with a couple of changeover stations, and although we started early from Lucerne, it was dusk by the time we arrived at our accommodation in Munich. Travelling in this manner with three young children and many luggage - it proved difficult to pack lightly for the largely variable weather of spring season for our itinerary spanning across a large distance in latitude and altitude - was certainly a test of our resilience, patience, strength, endurance, and in more than a few instances, speed! Despite the challenges hubby and I faced, I consider the effort entirely worth it, and all part of our experience. Travelling with children is certainly better than not travelling at all. At some point on our train journey from Switzerland to Germany, we noticed the scenery outside the window had changed markedly. We were no longer seeing the beautiful snow-capped mountains, the rolling hills and the green pastures that we had gotten used to in our six days in Switzerland; the German scenery was more of a stark beauty in comparison. We stayed in Munich for two days, as a transit stop before heading into Austria. We would return to Germany again 10 days later, to explore the northern parts of the country by car. 

Hubby began our walking tour at Siegestor, triumphal arch "dedicated to victory, destroyed by war, urging peace":

We walked down Ludwigstrasse, which is named after King Ludwig I of Bavaria. The public buildings on Ludwigstrasse maintain the architectural uniformity envisioned as a grand street "worthy the kingdom" as requested by the king:

A humungous door at one of the buildings we walked past:

View of the Theatine Church as we approached Odeonsplatz:

Feldherrnhalle, the site of the brief battle in 1923 that ended Adolf Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup d'état by the Nazi Party leader:

Looking up at the yellow-coloured towers of the Theatine Church:

One of the streets of Altstadt (Old Town):

Neues Rathaus (New Townhall):

The tower of Neues Rathaus, at the top of which is the fifth largest clockwork in Europe:

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel consists of 43 bells that chime and 32 life-sized figures to re-enact two stories from the 16th-century:

The golden Mariensaule standing in the centre of Marienplatz in front of the Neues Rathaus. The Marian column was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish occupation:

Altes Rathaus, the Old Townhall, which was first documented in the 14th century:

View of the Altes Rathaus from the Viktualienmarkt, the Munich food market:

We walked past the Glyptothek:

The walk to Nymphenburg Palace was quite pleasant along the canal:

There were many gorgeous swans and ducks swimming on the lakes in front of the palace:

Nymphenburg Palace:

A sculpture in front of the palace:

Cruising Lake Lucerne and climbing Mount Rigi

I cannot believe it has been more than two years since we made our epic trip to Europe, where we explored 12 cities and towns in five countries, all under 28 days, and with three kids in tow! It is taking me awhile to write about our trip, but I enjoy going through my photos as they bring back many fond memories of the places we explored and the culinary delights we experienced in each location. We spent a few days in the Swiss Alps, which had been a dream destination for me since I was a child. Imagine my delight actually setting foot on the beautiful Alps! Aside from the two days we spent in Murren, a quaint mountain village at the foot of Schilthorn, we also took the cog rail up to Mount Rigi. On our second day in Lucerne, we embarked on a boat cruise around Lake Lucerne and disembarked at Vitznau, where we climbed aboard the cogwheel train to ride the Rigi Railways to the summit. The views on the lake were breathtaking, and the sceneries on the train ride to the top of Mt Rigi were inexplicably beautiful. The views from the summit were awesomely amazing, and I tried my best to fully appreciate the whole experience of being on one of the peaks in the Swiss Alps, all the while trying to keep my little ones from running away and slipping on the snow. Hubby and I had to split up at the summit station because we decided it was impractical and hazardous to carry all our belongings while hiking up to the viewing platform with our three kids in the slippery snow. My mum and I took the girls while the boys had their turn after we returned to the station. There is a picture of my girls and me at the peak, that I posted on the blog two years ago. Below are more snapshots of our trip to the Queen of the Mountains.

The iconic Mt Pilatus overlooking Lucerne:

The Gothic towers of Hofkirche St. Leodegar stands prominently from the lake:

The cogwheel railway station in Vitznau:

Click on this picture for larger view:

Climbing higher towards the summit of Rigi:

Ever the curious monkey (and her curiousity for the world has gotten even stronger, two years on):

We also enjoyed a bird's eye view of Lucerne and surroundings:

We saw some hikers on the trails as we were nearing the top:

Check out that view - click for a larger image:

It was truly beautiful beyond words:

This brings us to the end of our first week in Europe, when we said goodbye to Switzerland, and crossed the border into Germany for the next leg of our journey! I have much to cover, but I am determined to complete the task of journalling about our trip, even if it takes me years!

A typically Lucerne meal @ Wirsthaus Taube, Lucerne (Switzerland)

Continuing on from our travels through Europe, I bring you our dining experience at a local tavern. After our walk through the beautiful historic town of Lucerne, it was almost time for dinner, so we made our way to where hubby had planned for dinner, Wirsthaus Taube. Our company of three adults and three young ones were warmly welcomed by the Wirsthaus Taube's staff, and we received full attention as we were the first guests to arrive for dinner service. The house slogan is "As Grandmother used to make it", and Wirsthaus Taube gives a modern twist of original local recipes. The dishes were homely and hearty with an appetising presentation. The flavours did not disappoint, and we left Wirsthaus Taube with very satisfied bellies.

Approaching Wirsthaus Taube for early dinner:

A refreshing aperitif:

Urchige Buurehofteller - Swiss sausage and dried meat specialties combined with Swiss mountain cheeses, starter size:

Fish fillets with dill cream, mixed vegetables and potatoes:

Panierts Riese–Schnetzu - breaded pork schnitzel with French fries:

This cheeky monkey got the best of two plates, fish and chips:

Chapubrogg–Röschti - Lucerne rosti served with traditional toppings, including bacon, cheese, tomato, chive and egg:

Original Lozärner Chögalipaschtetli - Lucerne puff pastry with veal, rice and vegetables:

Wirtshaus Taube
Burgerstrasse 3
6003 Luzern
Tel. +41 41 210 07 47

Gorgeous Swiss scenery from Interlaken to Lucerne

Many things have changed since my last entry in this blog three weeks ago, on a massive global scale that affects everyone on a personal scale, due to an invisible but very infectious virus that has seemingly brought the whole world to its knees. In this heavy time of anxiety, uncertainty and, for many, isolation, I hope to continue bringing my readers a bit of cheer through my blog. A couple of years ago, we visited the breathtakingly beautiful Switzerland, and I am still working through my huge backlog of photos from that epic trip to Europe for my online travel journal. These photos were taken almost exactly two years ago, so the scenery would match the current season in Switzerland now. Continuing on our journey which first saw us in Zurich and then the Swiss Alps, our next stop was in Lucerne. We took the 3.5-hour train journey from Murren via Interlaken to Lucerne, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Here are some shots I took from inside the train.

I like this shot, because I unintentionally captured my reflection of me taking the photo with my phone from inside the train while carrying my youngest (then 2 years old) who was napping in a carrier:

Passing by Brienzersee - this shot does not do justice to the true beauty of the scenery:

Look at how quaint and picturesque this view is:

Approaching Sarnensee, another lake our train route brought us through:

Lucerne is a historic city situated in the German-speaking portion of Switzerland, a beauty in its own right featuring Lake Lucerne surrounded by the lofty mountains of the Swiss Alps.

A street in Lucerne near our accommodation:

The river Reuss, with Kapellbrücke and the water tower against the backdrop of Mount Rigi (which we would later visit, where I got this shot of my younger two and me). Click on image for a larger version:

A closer view of the Chapel Bridge and the water tower, which were built in the 14th-century:

A more modern bridge spanning across the river Reuss:

Click on image for a larger view:

I'm barely even a quarter way through our trip, and I promise more will be forthcoming!

Cozy German-Swiss dining @ Restaurant Stägerstübli, Murren (Switzerland)

During our (too short) stay in beautiful Murren in the Swiss Alps last year, we ventured out of our excellent lodging for an early dinner at Stägerstübli on our final evening there. It is family-friendly with hearty meals to warm the body and soul up. The meat menu came with the choice of sides, carbs or vegetables and sauce, so between the three adults, we got to try different options. We found the service to be friendly and helpful, and the cozy and homely atmosphere was very inviting. I remember being satisfied and happy with our meals at Stägerstubli.

This was where I tried aperol spritz for the first time:

Can't go wrong with fish fingers and chips for the fussy kids:

Kalbsgechnetzeltes en Rahmsauce - sliced veal in a cream sauce, with rice and vegetables:

Lammfilet mit Knoblauchmayonnaise - lamb fillet with garlic mayonnaise, with rosti and vegetables:

Schweinsrahmschnitzel - escalope of pork with a mushroom cream sauce, with rosti and vegetables:

Dessert was a trio of delicious ice cream flavours:

Restaurant Stägerstubli
L. & R. Gertsch-Betschart
CH-3825 Mürren
Tel. +41 33 855 13 16