My Swiss Adventure

Switzerland On A Budget

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Boat on Lake Lucerne Photo - Lucerne, Switzerland

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The last stop on my month long trip was Lucerne, Switzerland. This is the city where visitors must pass through in order to visit Engelberg and Mount Titlis. There were accommodation options in Engelberg, but the prices were a bit unreasonable, so we stayed in Lucerne where better deals could be found.After arriving on the train, we got out at the station and to our surprise, a full blown carnival was taking place. I'm talking about the kind of carnival with almost every ride imaginable, food concession stands and loud music. We decided to locate our hostel (The Lucerne Backpackers) for the night, and return for a night of fun, and to grab something to eat for dinner.Following ...Read More

The last stop on my month long trip was Lucerne, Switzerland. This is the city where visitors must pass through in order to visit Engelberg and Mount Titlis. There were accommodation options in Engelberg, but the prices were a bit unreasonable, so we stayed in Lucerne where better deals could be found.

After arriving on the train, we got out at the station and to our surprise, a full blown carnival was taking place. I'm talking about the kind of carnival with almost every ride imaginable, food concession stands and loud music. We decided to locate our hostel (The Lucerne Backpackers) for the night, and return for a night of fun, and to grab something to eat for dinner.

Following the instructions from the website, it took us a while to locate our hostel. We were lucky enough to be aided along by friendly locals who took pity on two lost tourists in the cold. The temperature was the lowest that we had experience all through Europe, to the point that we could see our breath as we spoke. Thankfully, with their help, we made it to our hostel, and checked in.

After receiving our room keys, we went straight to our room to drop our bags. We booked a twin room, and it was quite acceptable if you judge it from European standards. As opposed to American standards, rooms in in Europe tend to be on the small and basic side, unless you are checking into a very large and posh hotel, and willing to pay over 100 euros. Our room at the Lucerne Backpackers set us back the equivalent of 30 euros only.

Our room had two comfy looking twin beds, bedside tables and a table with two chairs in the corner. There was also a glass door which led out to our own mini balcony overlooking the town. If it wasn't for the cold weather, we probably would have spent at least an hour, simply sitting outside and enjoying the view.

However, we were hungry and ready to try out a few rides at the carnival. We bundled up and left the hostel, returning to the train station. This time however, we walked along a path which ran adjacent to Lake Lucerne. There were ducks and a few swans in the water, and we saw a few men with fishing poles trying their luck off a couple of small deserted piers.

We soon arrived at the carnival, and immediately started to search for food. We found a hot dog concession stand, which had some very large hot dogs for 7 Swiss Francs. We ended up buying two each and some soft drinks, then found a bench by the lake to have our dinner. Seeing that we just ate, we sat for a bit and did and watched the locals while we allowed our meal to digest. Heading on an amusement park ride immediately after eating is never a good idea.

After about an hour, dusk was setting in, so we headed over to the first ride which we wanted to try. It was a large swing which threw you high into the air while flipping you over! Within no time, we found out that most rides were 5 Swiss Francs each. Quite expensive, but considering the cost of other means of entertainment, we didn't complain. After the first ride, we got an adrenaline rush, causing us to go through two other rides before slowing down.

Finally, when we were leaving to head back to the hostel, we noticed a Haribo candy stand. This is my favourite candy brand, so I ran over and ended up buying a pound of assorted candy. The price wasn't bad, at 3 Swiss Francs per pound. I was definitely now a happy camper, and arrived back to my hostel safe and sound. It was a great evening, and a perfect ending to my trip to Switzerland. Read Less

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Mount Titlis Rotair Cable Car

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Attraction | "Best Cable Car Ride Worldwide?"

Snow and Ice on the slopes Photo - Mount Titlis Rotair Cable Car, Engelberg, Switzerland

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The Mount Titlis Rotair is the means of transport to Mount Titlis, one of the greatest attractions within central Switzerland. This is one trip, where the destination isn't the only thing to look forward to, but the journey is quite special in itself. My friend Jen and I hopped off the train at the Engelberg Station, and immediately saw the sign at a store, indicating that tickets to Mount Titlis could be bought there. We excitedly rushed inside and spoke to the gentleman at the cashier. He was a friendly chap, who spoke to us for a bit, while obtaining our tickets. The tickets for the journey to Mount Titlis cost us 86 Swiss Francs each, and I charged the amount to my credit c...Read More

The Mount Titlis Rotair is the means of transport to Mount Titlis, one of the greatest attractions within central Switzerland. This is one trip, where the destination isn't the only thing to look forward to, but the journey is quite special in itself.

My friend Jen and I hopped off the train at the Engelberg Station, and immediately saw the sign at a store, indicating that tickets to Mount Titlis could be bought there. We excitedly rushed inside and spoke to the gentleman at the cashier. He was a friendly chap, who spoke to us for a bit, while obtaining our tickets.

The tickets for the journey to Mount Titlis cost us 86 Swiss Francs each, and I charged the amount to my credit card. After a smooth and painless transaction, I happily pocketed the ticket which I needed to show at a few check points before I'd be allowed to board the gondolas and the famous Rotair cable car.

Our trip was on the 17th of October, so we were very lucky to have bright blue skies and good weather. From what I previously read online, fall is not an opportune time to visit the mountain, due to heavy cloud cover and cold weather. Taking our good fate as a sign of a great day ahead of us, we strolled along the streets, following the road signs to the gondola station.

There were fields along the way, with Swiss cows peacefully grazing. Their bells rang louldy in the quiet village, reminding us that we were in fact in the Swiss country side! The cows were kept within the field by a surrounding wooden picket fence. It was a lovely sight to behold. Continuing along the way, we also encountered old fashioned bridges with small blue streams trickling below. Switzerland is breathtakingly beautiful!

Finally, we arrived at the gondola station where we needed to take two gondolas before boarding the Titlis Rotair cable car. There were lockers where people could store any valuables for a small fee. We were traveling with small daypacks, so we didn't need to use the facilities. We joined a small line heading towards the first gondola and came to the first check point. After waving the ticket infront of the monitor, we allowed to pass.

The gondolas were rather small, and Jen and I were able to have one to ourselves. We were soon moving through the air, and the landscape below motivated us to snap a few photos. The vegetation soon changed from small trees to tall pines, the further up the mountain we went. After about 5 minutes, we switched gondolas and continued along.

Soon after, we were alighting at the station where we would board the Titlis Rotair. We were required to show our tickets once more before being allowed to enter the cable car. After it was full, the doors closed and off we went! There was a rotating strip under the glass windows, which allowed us to spin around, giving everyone a chance to admire the scenery from a 360 degree angle.

We soon saw snow and ice on the mountain slopes and we sailed over the tree line. There were glaciers below us, and Engelberg looked miniscule at the bottom the the mountain. I took many photos, and a chorus of oohs and ahhs rang throughout the cable car. Before we knew it, we were disembarking at 10,000 feet above sea level. The Mount Titlis Rotair definitely lived up to its hype! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 29, 2011

Mount Titlis Rotair Cable Car
Mount Titlis
Engelberg, Lucern

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Mount Titlis

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Attraction | "Stunning Mountain Scenery!"

Outside on the Mount Titlis Platform Photo - Mount Titlis, Lucerne, Switzerland

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Mount Titlis is one of the major sites to see while in Central Switzerland. From Engelberg, one must buy a ticket for two gondolas and a rotating cable car for the price of 86 Swiss Francs. The trip up the mountain is quite lovely, and after roughly 25 minutes, you will arrive at the station at the top of Mount Titlis.The station at Mount Titlis is quite large and has at least four different levels. There's a photo booth, a few restrooms, a gift shop and the entrance to the ice caves. I climbed up six flights of stairs to make my way outside to the platform overlooking the mountains. Two minutes later, and quite breathless, I stepped out onto the wooden platform and was immediately taken a...Read More

Mount Titlis is one of the major sites to see while in Central Switzerland. From Engelberg, one must buy a ticket for two gondolas and a rotating cable car for the price of 86 Swiss Francs. The trip up the mountain is quite lovely, and after roughly 25 minutes, you will arrive at the station at the top of Mount Titlis.

The station at Mount Titlis is quite large and has at least four different levels. There's a photo booth, a few restrooms, a gift shop and the entrance to the ice caves. I climbed up six flights of stairs to make my way outside to the platform overlooking the mountains. Two minutes later, and quite breathless, I stepped out onto the wooden platform and was immediately taken aback.

The surrounding mountain range were sheeted with snow and ice, creating one of the most striking vistas I've ever seen in my life. Where I live, snow doesn't fall, so when I see sights like this I guess I may be easily impressed, but it really was something worth remembering!

There was a small shop outside, where everyone was buying something to eat around the picnic tables which were set up nearby. Jen and I ordered a large plate of franks with fries, for an atrocious price of 16 Swiss Francs! I'm guessing that the price includes the fee for eating in the midst of such natural beauty! Along with our meal, we bought cups of hot chocolate for 4 Swiss Francs, which was a slightly more reasonable price.

After eating, we left the platform and went out into the snow. There were little kids playing in the snow, and grown folks admiring the views. We walked carefully on the ice, and headed down the slippery slope to gain different vantage points of the majestic mountains surrounding us. The blue sky contrasted with the white snowy peaks, and I had lots of fun trying to capture the scenery on camera.

We stayed on the mountain for the better part of four hours. I bought a small cookie and fed the blackbirds which were perched on the railings of the Mount Titlis platform. It was fun to see them scrambling over the ice to get to the crumbs. All in all, it was a very peaceful afternoon at Mount Titlis, and the views plus the trip up the mountain on the Titlis Rotair cable car are definitely enough to make the expensive day trip worth it. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 29, 2011

Mount Titlis
Poststrasse 3, CH-6390 Engelberg
Lucerne, Switzerland
+41 (0)41 639 5050

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Show Cheese Factory-Schaukäserei Kloster Engelberg

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Attraction | "Lunch at a Cheese Factory!"

Swiss Cheese Fondue Photo - Show Cheese Factory-Schaukäserei Kloster Engelberg, Engelberg, Switzerland

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After a great day on the Swiss Alps, I was quite hungry. I wandered around the quaint town of Engelberg, looking for a decent place to grab a bite to eat. Eventually, I came across a small little store, called The Cheese Factory. I thought it would be a good (and rather cheesy) idea to eat Swiss cheese while in Switzerland, so I went inside to look around.The first thing that popped into my mind upon entering was, 'Wow... this place is very strange'. There were shelves along one side of the store, where different types of cheese stacked for sale. I've never seen a cheese themed store before, and it was very interesting. Some were boxed, some were wrapped and others were in colourful plasti...Read More

After a great day on the Swiss Alps, I was quite hungry. I wandered around the quaint town of Engelberg, looking for a decent place to grab a bite to eat. Eventually, I came across a small little store, called The Cheese Factory. I thought it would be a good (and rather cheesy) idea to eat Swiss cheese while in Switzerland, so I went inside to look around.

The first thing that popped into my mind upon entering was, 'Wow... this place is very strange'. There were shelves along one side of the store, where different types of cheese stacked for sale. I've never seen a cheese themed store before, and it was very interesting. Some were boxed, some were wrapped and others were in colourful plastic bags.

The main feature of the store however, was the actual 'factory' itself. There was a glass dome in the middle of the building, with lots of machinery and other technical equipment. A man in a white suit, complete with boots and gloves, was operating the devices and actually making cheese right there in the store! Trays upon trays of cheese were being made, while customers walked about and shopped only a few feet away!

Behind the cheese factory were a few tables on an elevated platform. Being curious as usual, I approached the lady at the cashier, and asked if they served food there as well. I was given an affirmative nod, and handed a very old fashioned menu. After glancing through it, I decided that I would like to try a Swiss cheese fondue. The lady took my order, and told me to have a seat at one of the tables.

After sitting for about three minutes, staring at the work being carried out in the dome factory, a waitress appeared with a small tray. On the tray were bowls of bread, pears, little pieces of meat and a small burner. I was also given a long stemmed fondue fork, and a large wooden shaker containing black pepper. She then opened a table napkin, and placed it on my lap! Talk about customer service!

Soon after, she returned with a deep pan of melted Swiss cheese, placed it on the burner, and started the fire. This was my first cheese fondue, but in no time, I was eating like a pro. The cheese was extremely rich, seeing that it was fresh from the factory. The bread and pears were tasty, but I enjoyed the little pieces of meat, dipped in the melted cheese the most.

After a while, I realized that I had forgotten to order something to drink, so I waved the waitress over. She informed me of what soft drinks they had on sale, and brought me a coke in one minute flat! That was the best service I've received at a restaurant all year. I don't know how, but I managed to eat most of the food. It was a large helping, so I guess I must have been pretty hungry.

After my table was cleared, I staggered to the cashier counter, and paid 20 Swiss Francs for everything. It was a reasonable fee to pay, considering the authentic experience and the great service, and I tipped accordingly.

The Cheese Factory is a great little place to check out, if you're in Engelberg. It's definitely different! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 2, 2011

Show Cheese Factory-Schaukäserei Kloster Engelberg
Engelberg Monastery
Engelberg, Switzerland
+41 41 638 08 88

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Mount Titlis

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Attraction | "Flying high on the Ice Flyer"

Ice Flyer Photo - Mount Titlis, Lucerne, Switzerland

Quote:

One of the major activities on Mount Titlis was the Ice Flyer, an open air chairlift ride which allowed you to fly over glaciers and other various ice formations located on the mountain. The cost of the Ice Flyer was included in our lift ticket, so my friend Jen and I trekked through the snow and ice to arrive at the station where the ride operated from.The Ice Flyer was mostly made of hard plastic with a steel frame. The seat consisted of a sturdy leather cushion which made the ride as comfortable as you can possibly be while suspended in the air. The hard plastic exterior allowed for a 360 degree view during the ride, which was a big plus.There was a bit of a line to go throu...Read More

One of the major activities on Mount Titlis was the Ice Flyer, an open air chairlift ride which allowed you to fly over glaciers and other various ice formations located on the mountain. The cost of the Ice Flyer was included in our lift ticket, so my friend Jen and I trekked through the snow and ice to arrive at the station where the ride operated from.

The Ice Flyer was mostly made of hard plastic with a steel frame. The seat consisted of a sturdy leather cushion which made the ride as comfortable as you can possibly be while suspended in the air. The hard plastic exterior allowed for a 360 degree view during the ride, which was a big plus.

There was a bit of a line to go through before our turn came around. Eventually, it was time for us to go, and we were instructed on how to seat ourselves on the chairlift. Due to the pulley system which is used to 'fly' the chairlifts, they won't actually stop moving. They slow down enough for you to hop on from a platform, and off you go! After managing to hop on, albeit a bit clumsily, we were locked in using a metal bar and we flew off the side of the mountain!

It was a very bright and sunny day, so the views were unobstructed, and what views they were! The ice and snow were clean as a white blanket on the surface of the mountain, and the higher we went, to more mountains came into view. Soon, we were looking over a large portion of the Swiss Alps, and the sight was literally breathtaking.

After five minutes of gliding above the surface of the earth, we pulled into the other gondola station, a few hundred meters below the station where we boarded. We circled around, waved hello to the operators, and started our flight back up the mountain. It was a different experience this time, as we started our ascent. We felt as though we were climbing Mount Titlis, but without the need to actually hike.

Three minutes or so later, we saw glaciers below us! Large ice surfaces with deep crevices lay below us, and seeing that Mount Titlis has snow all year round, I'm actually wondering how old the glaciers were. They were lovely to look at, and I snapped a few photos before the chairlift moved out of range.

All too soon, we were approaching the end our of ice flight. We looked over to see a station attendant waving at us to smile as he pointed towards a camera which was perched on the roof. We put on a pair of cheesy smiles, as the camera flash went off. We weren't expecting it, but the photos managed to turn out pretty ok. We hopped off the chairlift and quickly moved out of its way as it turned around to head back down the mountain.

We followed a path, indicated by signs to the exit. Before reaching the gate, we saw the photo booth where we assumed our photo would be on display. After waiting for two persons to complete their transactions, we approached the counter and were shown our picture. We actually liked it, so we bought two copies for a charge of 10 Swiss Francs each.

We enjoyed the little excursion, and the fact that it didn't cost extra with our tickets, was simply icing upon the cake. A must-do for any adventurous visitor to the mountain. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 7, 2011

Mount Titlis
Poststrasse 3, CH-6390 Engelberg
Lucerne, Switzerland
+41 (0)41 639 5050

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