The Lion Monument is a powerful memorial and one of the most popular Lucerne attractions. The dying lion was carved onto a sandstone wall in 1820, by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. It commemorates the death of around 1,000 Swiss guardsmen that lost their lives while protecting the life of King Louis XVI of France during the French Revolution.
It is a very powerful and poignant sight. As Mark Twain very famously said, “The Lion of Lucerne (is) the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”
To better enjoy the Swiss scenery, we took a boat cruise around Lake Lucerne.
We met this cute family and these cute cows along the way!
On the train to Interlaken we passed the little village of
Lungern
with its crystal clear turquoise blue water.
Interlaken
(Swiss Alps Region)
Interlaken is strategically located between two blue lakes and at the foot of wonderful mountains. For us, it served as a base for our day trips.
Schilthorn
A visit to Shilthorn in good weather guarantees incredible views.
However, not all days are created equal. This is what we saw...😞Pois é (so it is)
This was also the setting for the 1969 movie "007 - On Her Majesty's Service".
(The guys loved 'flying' the helicopter up and over the mountains!)
It did clear up as we returned to the valley below.
Trümmelbach Falls
These were a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls inside an enormous cavern, which you could explore by walking of a paved path, up and down lots of stairs to different viewpoints. Very amazing, but damp and cold on the day we visited. And the waterfalls were thundering loud!
Zermatt
'The town without cars'
However there are a limited number of electric taxis for those who don't want to walk.
Our main purpose was to visit...
The Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is one of the highest mountains in the Alps, with an altitude of 4478 m . Called Monte Cervino in Italian, it is the only mountain that has a triangular shape resembling a pyramid. Because of this, it holds a great fascination, and many of those who have tried to reach the top over the years ended up losing their lives there (about 500 climbers) . It is not an easy mountain to climb but nowadays for experienced climbers and with the help of a guide it is perfectly possible to complete the mission in a few days.
We didn't have a few days for the climb so we had to settle with just having our pictures taken in front of the Matterhorn.
We are in Switzerland, after-all!
Berne
This is the capital of Switzerland and is a scenic, calm, and pleasant city.
It's also home to the first Lindt chocolate factory, legends of bears (and real bears) and Einstein's most famous published work.
Perhaps the most famous Bern landmark is the bear pit, where bears have been kept on display at the city's expense since 1480.
Just outside of Berne is Zollikofen - where the Swiss Temple is located.
This was the first temple built in Europe and is the 9th operating temple of the church. It was dedicated in 1955 by David O. McKay and rededicated in 1992 by Gordon B. Hinckley.
These are the only two pictures I could find of the interior.
The Celestial Room was updated, but the Baptistry is original - and it is very different but beautiful.
Geneva
Geneva is the base for some of the world's largest organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Bank and, of course, the United Nations.
Geneva's most famous monument, Jet d'Eau, is the world's tallest water fountain and provides a constant landmark for exploring the city.
(I know! 😂)
Saint Peter's Cathedral
Paris
"City of Light"
The capital of France - The most visited city in the world - One of the largest cities in Europe - One of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world - Full of history - A vast influence on culture, art, fashion, cuisine and architecture!
Sooooo much to see and do in this magical city!!
Like the location of the infamous guillotine.
Lourve
Opened at the end of the 18th century, the Louvre Museum is the most important museum in France and one of the most visited in the world. It currently receives over eight million visitors each year.
In 1989, the crystal pyramid was built , breaking the monotony of the large gray blocks of the museum and which currently serves as the access door.
Winged Victory of Samothrace
Mona Lisa
Venus de Milo
These are just a dozen of the approximately 35,000 pieces of art on display!
Notre-Dame
Notre Dame was built between 1163 and 1245 and is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world.
On April 15, 2019, a gigantic fire hit this masterpiece of Gothic art, causing the collapse of its frame, its famous needle, its clock and part of its vault, destroyed by flames, before the astonished gaze of millions of people around the world.
This is what it looks like now.Today an army of artisans and builders are cleaning and rebuilding it - hoping to reopen Notre Dame in 2024, the year the Paris will host the Olympic Games.
Sacré Coeur The Hall of Mirrors has a total of 357 mirrors.
The gardens were amazing as well!
Au Revoir, la France...
Madrid
The capital and largest city in Spain
Madrid averages over 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest cities in Europe!
But, since we arrived at night...😂
The next day was sunny and warm! So off we went exploring...
Plaza Mayor
This huge esplanade, located in the center of the city, began to be built in the 17th century by order of King Felipe III.
(And there he is on his horse!)
Plaza De La Villa
This plaza is one of the oldest squares in the city and dates back to at least the time of the Middle-Ages.
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family at the city of Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies.
And here we are with the King and Queen themselves!
Almudena Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral is the most important religious building in Madrid. On June 15, 1993, it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II, making it the first cathedral to be consecrated outside Rome.
A view from the top...
Parque de El Retiro
The Retiro Park is one of the largest and oldest parks in Madrid, and has 118 hectares of landscaped gardens. It was created in 1640, outside the city walls, as a leisure space for the kings of the House of Austria - but today it's open for all the common folk as well.
And - who knew - but while strolling through Retiro Park, you’ll come face to face with the only statue of the devil in the world! Known as the ‘Fountain of the Fallen Angel’, and sculpted by Ricardo Bellver for the World’s Fair in Paris in 1878, it depicts the moment of Lucifer’s fall from heaven.
Museo Nacional del Prado
The Prado is the main Spanish national art museum. It has whole rooms of the works of Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco. (But they also have some good stuff, too! Sorry, I'm just not a fan of their work.)
Madrid Temple
This is the 56th operating temple of the Church, the seventh temple built in Europe and the first built in Spain.
It was dedicated 19 March 1999, by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Interesting, President Hinckley's son, Clark, was among the four missionaries sent to Spain from other missions to begin missionary work in Spain in 1967.
Years later, our very own Dave Rowe served his mission there as well!!
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And then, before we knew it, our adventure was over! We loved every minute of it. Thanks to Larry and Don (our very own Lewis and Clark) we didn't get lost very often.
We had traveled by plane, train, bus, boat, taxi, metro, gondola, and foot - in fact, my Apple Watch recorded 184,800 steps, 50.93 miles, and 139 flights climbed!! (I swear it was more!!)
We slept in hotels and temple patron housing.
We ate delicious chocolate in each country!
Most of our meals were delicious, too.
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