PIcturesque private cruise

From Weggis, we sail into the middle of the lake (the cross funnel) and then into the Bay of Küssnacht, the shore with Lucernes' castles. We stop to look at the Hasburg castle in Meggen, and get our lunch (fresh lake fish & chips). We eat lunch  in what is the most beautiful spot on the lake (painted by many painters). We proceed to Küssnacht am Rigi for some free time and a stroll into medieval Switzerland to experience the William Tell story. We head back towards Weggis and listen to Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in the spot it was composed. This journey was made by the world's greatest landscape artist (JMW Turner ) in 1802, in 1841 and  again in 1842, so must be beautiful!

Price CHF 600 including lunch and drinks. Max 10 people. If lunch not necessary, cost reduces significantly.

The idea of this tour is that we traverse around the Rigi on the flat bit (geologists call this a terrace) and experience the most amazing views from the west of the mountain to the south. At 1,000 m the views below (of the lake) and above (of the Rigi mountain top) are just spectacular, and tourist free. The trip starts with the historic William Tell Locations and follows in the footsteps of Göthe (who researched the play on this exact same trip) all the way back down to Weggis. There is plenty of free time on the mountain so that one can enjoy a meal at one of the two mountain restaurants with the best view of the Lake. The trip is offered with an e-bike (subject to availability) or with the Seeboden Alp gondola. We start in Küssnacht and end in Weggis. After some free time in the beautiful town of Weggis (Mark Twain's favourite spot) we head back to the starting point.

Mercenaries and the best painters made Lucerne world-famous.  We start at the point where the lake becomes a river and get our bearings for the tour. We traverse the Chapel bridge and head to Holbein Gasse and enjoy his work and time in Luzern, and meet the Swiss King. We snake through Luzern's medieval squares and visit the backside of the Musegg Wall (JMW Turner's favourite Luzern landmark). We walk along the medieval city wall (if its open) and end up at the Lion Monument. We then head back into the city and see where Turner lived and painted,  and finally experience the view of his best painting of Lucerne (by moonlight). The visit includes a visit to the history museum to see the original plaster casts of the Luzern Lion and its origin story.

Whilst the world is affected by the COVID pandemic this tour is only offered as a private tour for family groups  (max 10 people). CHF 200 for 2 hours. Tour can be extended with a private cruise on the lake, for an additional cost (eg an additional CHF 190 to Weggis)

Bürgenstock is truly one of the wonders of the natural world. A mountainous island that became a peninsula and along the way created the Lake of Lucerne.  Not surprisingly, it has inspired three of the greatest artists that have ever lived Rachmaninov, Turner and Holbein.

From Weggis it just looks like a vertical 600m cliff face (the Hammetface). Uninhabited, and looks as it did in  the medieval period. We head towards Hertenstein and view what is arguably the best view of  the Alps (framed by the Hammetface, Rigi and Pilatus), and listen to Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, where it was composed in 1934. We follow in the boating footsteps of Rachmaninov,  and climb to the Bürgenstock resort by train or bus. We go for a walk around the mountain top (flat, steep or with lift), depending on fitness levels and enjoy what has to be the best seat in the house to view the whole of Switzerland: snow capped mountains (Eiger, Jüngfrau etc), historic green valleys, the Swiss plateau and the best mountain view of the lake (because its right below us!). We head back via Luzern by boat of by bus. 

Whist the word is suffering from the covid pandemic, this tour is only offered as a private morning tour for family groups (max 10 people). All inclusive price of CHF 400 that includes a picnic lunch.  Ideal for combining with a visit to Lucerne in the afternoon.