Lucerne in the Summertime

Switzerland was one of the first countries I traveled to as a young student when I still lived in the Philippines. I was part of a team that helped Philippine Air Lines inaugurate their flights to London, Paris and Zurich. While in Zurich, I bought Swiss Lace handkerchiefs embroidered with my initials and my very own Bucherer Swiss watch, which I still have to this day.

Michael and I traveled to Switzerland in August and explored the Lake Lucerne Region with a quick stop in Lugano. This was my third time to Switzerland, and I certainly hope, not the last.

PARK HOTEL VITZNAU

From Zurich airport, we took the train to Rotkreuz (halfway between Lucerne and Vitznau) where the hotel’s chauffer met us for our complimentary private transfer to Vitznau. Built in 1906 on Lake Lucern and Mount Rigi, this 5* LHW and Virtuoso property has 2 Michelin restaurants, a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the lake, an extensive Spa/wellness program and the nicest and friendliest team. We’ve dined lakeside every morning and evening because the breathtaking views are everything you want when you come to Lucerne.

BURGENSTOCK RESORT & SPA

Location Location Location - The best way to reach Burgenstock is by boat. From the pier, take the cogwheel train up the mountain and it stops directly at the hotel.

Burgenstock Resort’s Alpine spa alone measures 10,000 sqm, the largest in Europe and this outdoor heated infinity pool has views of Pilatus, Rigi and Lake Lucerne. Trust me when I tell you that everyone at the pool had a phone camera because the location is just too good to pass up.

The Waldhotel at Burgenstock Resort is also a Medical Center (not hospital) where wellness is taken seriously by professionals who will create a plan for your health goals. We loved our dinner at their Ritz Escoffier restaurant and Spices Kitchen had the best Chinese food I’ve had outside of Hong Kong! Big plus is that one of their chefs is a Filipina from Iloilo province and speaks the same dialect as me. It’s always heartwarming to meet my fellow Filipino countrymen/women anywhere in the world.

On a historical note, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren lived in Burgenstock for privacy from the paparazzi. Scenes from the Bond movie Goldfinger was also shot here.

@burgenstockresort is a member of @leadinghotelsoftheworld and @virtuosoltd

MOUNT RIGI

aka Queen of the Mountains 🏔 in the Lucerne region, rightly so. At the top, stunning views of Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, Lake Lauerz and the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the ride up and down to @rigi.ch on Europe’s first cogwheel railway.

So many ways to get up to Rigi but we rode the funicular from Vitznau and was treated by @rigi.ch to ride upfront with the engineer in his special cabin, so VVIP ❤️

There are many stops u til you teach the very top so we did stop at @mineralbadrigikaltbad to swim in their thermal pool overlooking Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. At the top, the views will take your breath away. Thank you to @rigi.ch and @ilove_lucerne for this very special experience ❤️

PILATUS

The beauty of Lucerne is the access to so many activities in the region. One of these is a visit to @pilatus 7,000 ft high, either on Europe’s steepest railroad or on foot (approx 5hrs to the top said a fit hiker we asked). Once on top, have lunch at the Hotel Pilatus-Kulm and enjoy their excellent Swiss cuisine. On the way down, either take the cable car and stop at the family friendly Rope Park. Switzerland is glorious in the summertime.

LUCERNE

Simply gorgeous in the summertime with its lakes and mountains. Even an afternoon downpour makes it more fun - just duck for cover in an outdoor patio with a wide enough umbrella and have some bratwurst 🌭

The Swiss Travel Pass is a MUST as we traversed the country on rail, boat and bus with ease. Public Swiss transportation is precise and accurate like Swiss watches!

LE’TS PLAN YOUR TRIP TO LUCERNE!

AZORES - No longer a secret

Last May 13, I flew on United Airline’s inagural non-stop flight from Newark to Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal. The mid-Atlantic archipelago has nine islands, four of which I’m exploring: Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial and Terceira.

My top reasons for traveling to the Azores

It’s relatively undiscovered

In the short time I’ve been here, Azoreans have asked me how I know about their islands. They follow it up with a whisper, “This used to be a secret.”

Sete Cidades by Michael Girman

It’s now easy to get to

In less than six hours, the Azores can be reached on non-stop flights from Boston and New York.

Dramatic Landscapes

The Azores were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. There are lava fields, crater lakes, natural pools, hydrangea-lined roads and more cows than locals.

From Whale Hunting to Whale Watching

For many islanders, whaling was their tradition and source of income. It all stopped in 1986 and now companies rely on tourists who pay to go out to sea and watch whales and dolphins. In Pico, we spotted two blue whales and schools of common and striped dolphins.

Food and Wine

Tuna, octopus salad, limpets, pineapples, volcanic white wine, passion fruit soda, Gorreana green tea, Bolo Levedo bread, grass-fed beef, Sao Jorge cheeses…these are a few of my favorite things.

Rest or Play

There are so many well-marked hiking and biking trails in the islands. Surfers love Sao Miguel and divers love Pico. The air is clean and the pace is slow. Perfect for active and nature lovers and still under-developed to feel the authentic Azorean way of life.

Best Time to Go

is between the months of April and October with July-August as high season. Azoreans will tell you to expect the four seasons in one day so dress in layers.

Know Before You Go

Sao Miguel and Terceira have international airports and bigger hotels, mostly 4* The other islands have smaller boutique properties and availability becomes an issue during high season. A car rental is a must with an availability and price issue for last minute bookings. Do not expect mainland services and offerings. Take two steps back and appreciate the Azores for its unique beauty and qualities. It’s a safe destination. Being a small island, everyone knows everyone and Azoreans are kind and friendly people. Let’s plan your trip!

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat (Gaelic)

May the road rise up to meet you

And indeed it did, for the two weeks that I spent on the island that is Ireland, both the Republic and Northern (UK) side.

The first half of my trip was hosted by a luxury DMC (Destination Management Company) and their rep company. DMC’s are local experts in a country and are my go-to when planning a client’s trip.

Adare Manor, The KClub, Lough Eske Castle

We experienced Luxury Ireland, stayed at beautiful castles, manor houses, and were enthralled with a wide variety of experiences — from a humbling visit to a tenement house, to uncasking a 50-year-old Jameson whiskey, to a helicopter ride to the Aran Islands, to foraging in the forest, to Michelin dinners, to a horse and hound welcome, to ax-throwing and falconry.

Horse and Hound Welcome at Mount Juliet Estate, Falconry at The KClub, Helicopter to the Aran Islands

The second half of my trip was more personal. Michael met me in Dublin and we spent the next week exploring Northern Ireland with Kieran, our private chauffeur and guide. We started in at the Titanic Museum in Belfast, then drove the Northern Antrim to the Giant’s Causeway, explored Derry and Donegal, and returned to Dublin for our flight home

Gleniff Horseshoe, The Dark Hedges aka King’s Road, Glenveagh National Park

There are so many reasons to visit, explore and experience Ireland. Here are some of mine:

• Over 90% of the adult population are vaccinated.

• Dublin is only 6 ½ hours from the East Coast. Clearing customs and immigration in Dublin makes it a very easy trip back to the US.

• The Aran Islands, Giant’s Causeway, Slieve Liag, Cliffs of Mohr, Wild Atlantic Way, Northern Antrim, Gleniff Horsehoe, and Glenveagh National Park are some of the most scenic and inspiring places I’ve ever been to.

• There is greater value for luxury accommodations in Ireland than in most European countries and even the US.

• There are 494 golf courses on the island!!!

• Irish butter, bread, and potatoes are a cut above the rest. Trust the weight I gained.

• Fans of Game of Thrones, rejoice. Northern Ireland boasts 25 filming locations in addition to the Game of Thrones Studio in Belfast.

• The TITANIC museum in Belfast is a must experience. I’ve since watched the movie again and see it now through a very different lens.

• Learn about The Troubles, the violent, three-decade-long conflict between Protestants and Catholics/Republicans and Unionists. 

• Celebrate the 23-year old peace treaty by signing your name on the Peace Wall (it’s encouraged).

• And lastly, the Irish. As Michael always says, “Every place is only as good as its people.”  

Visit Ireland and let me plan your trip.

Can you believe we only have two more months remaining in 2021? Stay safe and healthy.