Practical Cozy Travel

Tag: day trip

  • Lucerne and Mount Rigi: The Best Day of Our Switzerland Trip

    Lucerne and Mount Rigi: The Best Day of Our Switzerland Trip

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    If you only have one big day to spend beyond Zurich, this is the one I’d copy exactly. We spent it in Lucerne and up Mount Rigi, and it was hands-down one of the highlights of the entire trip.

    Why we booked a private tour

    Handing the logistics to someone else genuinely made the day. We went with The Zurich Insider, and our guide, Samantha, and our driver, Josh, took a beautiful route to Lucerne and coordinated every moving piece — the drive, the boat, the gondola, the trains — so we could just relax and take it in.

    Samantha was in great communication before we even started, incredibly knowledgeable along the way, and read our group perfectly: she adjusted the pace and priorities to what we wanted and even clocked exactly when we were ready for lunch (and sent us somewhere that fit us to a tee). Josh was a safe, professional driver, and between the two of them every stop was handled so we could simply enjoy the scenery. If you want a day this full without any of the planning stress, a private guide is worth every penny — I’d recommend them without hesitation.

    Swiss countryside scenery on the drive from Zurich to Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Lucerne is a gem. We saw the Lion Monument — that famous carved lion — visited a few beautiful and genuinely interesting churches, and walked across the iconic wooden Chapel Bridge. Lunch was at a brewery right off the water, which was perfect on a warm day, and I tried a Switzerland cola that was a fun, tasty surprise. We wandered the town, grabbed a few (very touristy) souvenirs, and worked in some cupcakes and treats, because vacation.

    The old town of Lucerne, Switzerland, along the waterfront

    One honest note: we took a boat across the lake, and while it was beautiful, it functioned more as a way to get from A to B than a dedicated scenic cruise. Still lovely — just manage your expectations if you’re picturing a sightseeing boat.

    Up Mount Rigi

    Then came the showstopper. We took a gondola partway up Mount Rigi — I’ll be honest, it was a little horrifying for me, but absolutely beautiful — and then a train the rest of the way to the top. The view up there was, no exaggeration, the most beautiful we have ever seen.

    The view from the summit of Mount Rigi over the lakes and Alps of central Switzerland
    Walking paths and alpine scenery at the top of Mount Rigi, Switzerland

    One thing I really appreciated: at the top there’s a steep path and a more meandering one. We took the meandering route — still a decent incline, so don’t picture it flat — and it was absolutely worth it. Coming back down, we took the train, which was less frightening than the gondola, though a few of the drops still made me say oof.

    Our driver picked us up and took a scenic route back to the hotel to close things out — a stunning end to an amazing day. If you do one big Swiss adventure from Zurich, make it this one.

    Comfort tips: it’s cooler and breezier at the summit than down by the lake, so pack a light layer — and wear comfortable shoes for those inclines. The New Balance 1080 v15 handled the paths at the top easily. If heights aren’t your thing, know there’s some exposure on the gondola, but the cog train is the gentler way up and down.

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    ← Switzerland — Zurich

    Back to: The full 12-day itinerary →

    The final stop in A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.

  • A Day Trip to Trier: Germany’s Oldest City, Straight from Luxembourg

    A Day Trip to Trier: Germany’s Oldest City, Straight from Luxembourg

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    If you’re basing yourself in Luxembourg City, Trier is one of the easiest day trips you can add to your itinerary — and one of the most rewarding if you love Roman history and pretty German squares without the tourist crush.

    Getting there

    The train from Luxembourg drops you right at Trier Hauptbahnhof, and the whole trip is genuinely simple — no connections to stress over. I’ll be honest: stepping off the train, the area right around the station felt a little sketchy, and we weren’t totally sure what to expect. Don’t let that first impression put you off. About a ten-minute walk in, the city opens up and the beauty starts to show itself.

    Colorful gabled houses around the market square in Trier

    What we saw

    Trier wears its Roman history on its sleeve, and the monuments are genuinely cool to see in person — the Porta Nigra especially. The old market square (Hauptmarkt), the cathedral, and the architecture around town made for a really fun wander, and the shopping was better than I expected. Those core sights sit fairly close together, so it’s an easy stroll from one to the next.

    Where the distances start to add up is getting out to the Roman amphitheater. It sits a good 15-to-20-minute walk from the Hauptmarkt and the main shopping streets, off on its own edge of the center — so tacking it on after a morning of wandering is more of a trek than the map makes it look.

    Which brings me to my most practical tip: there’s a real spread between some of the sights, so we ended up doing the hop-on-hop-off bus — and it was completely worth it. It let us reach the amphitheater and a few extra spots without piling miles onto our step count, which on a hot day made a real difference.

    Exterior ruins of the Roman Imperial Baths in Trier, surrounded by trees

    A few honest notes

    It was hot the day we visited, so we stopped for a drink partway through — a cold beer for part of our group, and I had a Granini juice topped with sparkling water, which was ridiculously refreshing and something I’d order again in a heartbeat.

    Cold glass of German beer on a table in Trier

    One thing I appreciated: without the Christmas markets in full swing, Trier didn’t feel especially touristy. It felt like a real, lived-in German city that just happens to be beautiful. Lunch was a proper German spread and hit the spot.

    Is it worth it?

    Yes — easily. If you’re in Luxembourg and want a low-effort day trip that delivers history, good food, and a change of scenery, Trier is a great pick.

    Comfort tip: this is a walking-heavy day even with the bus, so wear shoes you already trust and bring water — it gets warm in summer. My go-to travel bottle is the Owala FreeSip insulated 24 oz, and I wore the New Balance 1080 v15 for the extra cushioning on a high-step day.

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    ← Durbuy & Dinant

    Next up: Luxembourg City →

    Part of A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.

  • Ghent: Belgium’s Underrated Canal City

    Ghent: Belgium’s Underrated Canal City

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    Ghent often gets overshadowed by Bruges, and while Bruges did win my heart, Ghent was absolutely worth the visit. It has a completely different feel — bolder, a little grittier, with its own gorgeous canal and a very different style of architecture.

    Getting there — and skip the walk

    Ghent is an easy morning train from Brussels — the same line as Bruges, just an earlier stop. Here’s the one thing I’d do differently: from the station, take the tram into the city center. We decided to walk it, hoping the route would be scenic, and honestly it wasn’t worth the steps or the effort. The tram is cheap, quick, and gets you to the good part faster. Learn from my mistake.

    Stone gatehouse and battlements of Gravensteen castle in Ghent, flags flying

    What we saw

    The waterfront along Graslei and Korenlei is the postcard shot, and the medieval Gravensteen castle anchors the old center. St. Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) is home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece and worth stepping inside. We also did the canal cruise here — it was great, though I’d say it edges out just behind Bruges for me. Different architecture, still very beautiful.

    Medieval guild houses lining a canal in Ghent with a tour boat passing

    One local sweet to try: cuberdons, the little cone-shaped candies. Fair warning — they are very sweet. And if beer is more your thing, Artevelde is brewed right here in Ghent.

    Glass of Artevelde Belgian ale on a table in Ghent

    One thing to check before you go

    Our one downside was timing: the city was setting up for the Ghent Festivities (Gentse Feesten), which meant a fair amount of construction and stage rigging around the center. If you want Ghent at its prettiest and least cluttered, it’s worth checking the festival dates (usually mid-July) before you lock in your day trip.

    Is it worth it?

    Yes. I enjoyed Bruges more overall, but Ghent earns its spot — pair the two on separate days from a Brussels base and you get two very different, very beautiful sides of Belgium.

    Comfort tip: even with the tram, it’s a walking day on cobbles and canal-side paths. I alternated between the Skechers GO Walk Flex slip-in sandals (unbeatable on cobblestone, and easy to rinse off) and the New Balance 1080 v15 for extra cushioning.

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    ← Belgium — Bruges

    Next up: Durbuy & Dinant →

    Part of A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.

  • Bruges: The Storybook Belgian City (and How to Beat the Crowds)

    Bruges: The Storybook Belgian City (and How to Beat the Crowds)

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.

    If you only have time for one Belgian day trip, make it Bruges. Of the three cities we visited, this was my favorite by a mile — genuinely storybook, canal after canal, and the kind of place that makes you slow down and just look around.

    Getting there (and why we went early)

    We got up early and took the train from Brussels specifically to beat the crowds and the summer heat. The train is genuinely easy — worth upgrading to first class if you can swing it — and it’s a quick ride straight to Bruges, followed by a beautiful walk into the center. Two small things save you a lot of hassle: have your tickets ready to show, and go early. It’s the best decision we made all day.

    Brick church tower rising above trees beside a quiet canal in Bruges

    Do the canal tour — but do it first

    We deliberately bypassed a lot of sights on the way in so we could get to the canal boats before the lines built. We were on the second boat out; by the time we got back, the operator was quoting people a 45-to-50-minute wait. Going early in summer also meant a lovely breeze on the water instead of the midday heat. The tour itself is a wonderful way to see the city and pick up a bit of its history — highly recommend, just get there early.

    Canal lined with stepped-gable houses and moored boats in central Bruges
    Tree-lined canal path beside old brick buildings in Bruges
    View along a Bruges canal toward a distant church spire under a wide blue sky

    Wander, and eat well

    After the boat we wandered the Markt and Burg squares and just soaked it in. A few things I’d send you straight to: chocolate from Dumon and waffles from Laurence take-away were both excellent calls, and the mussels we had for lunch were delicious. This is a city that rewards a slow afternoon.

    Interior of a Belgian chocolate shop in Bruges with sweets on display

    The takeaway

    We took the train back to Brussels that afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing evening in. Bruges was worth every early-morning minute — if you do just one thing here, ride the canals first thing, then let the rest of the day unfold.

    Comfort tip: the cobblestones here are charming and completely unforgiving on the wrong shoes. My two go-tos: the Skechers GO Walk Flex slip-in sandals — a cute, functional sandal that handles cobblestone beautifully, stays comfortable all day, and rinses off easily — and the New Balance 1080 v15 when I want more cushioning underfoot.

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    ← Belgium — Brussels

    Next up: Belgium — Ghent →

    Part of A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.