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Lucerne Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Lucerne. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Lucerne locals.
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Luzerner Fasnacht - a different kind of Carneval
  • Tip Rating:
    • globetrott
  • By globetrott on January 12, 2007
  • Lucerne Page by globetrott
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by globetrott,
    4 more photos
    Luzerner Fasnacht starts at 5.00a.m. with a giant clash and small and large groups of people in strange masks are parading through the city playing their own kind of music, in fact its mostly just making noise with all sorts of instruments that makes a constant melody, although they are all trying to play something different.
    The Fasnacht always starts at Schmutziger Donnerstag - Carnival Thursday - Jeudi gras - Giovedì grasso, that is the thursday before the mardi-gras
    Click here for all dates of Jeudi gras untill 2035

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  • Website: http://www.woodart.ch/luzern.htm
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    Christmas markets
  • Tip Rating:
    • call_me_rhia
  • Updated By call_me_rhia on December 23, 2003
  • Lucerne Page by call_me_rhia
    • christmas market - Lucerne
    christmas market
    by call_me_rhia
    If you visit Lucerne in December you may find some really charming Christmas markets all over the city - and in particular along Loewenstrasse. There are plenty of tiny wooden huts that sell all sorts of things, and you can find some interesting and unusual Christmas presents, like for example raspberry wine and beautiful handmade candles. Even if you're not looking for anything to buy a stroll along the Christmas market is worthwhile: it's a true delight in terms of smells - especially because of the gluhwein - a spiced wine served warm... simply delicious!

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    Donkey rides
  • Tip Rating:
    • sandysmith
  • By sandysmith on November 27, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by sandysmith
    • A wedding in Lucerne - Lucerne
    A wedding in Lucerne
    by sandysmith
    Its not often you see Donkey rides through the old town centre of Lucerne...but it was someone's special day....a wedding. The brass band was playing "Its raining men" and the bride was being led through the streets on a donkey....really strange sight!

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    I really like the new KKL...
  • Tip Rating:
    • shellseeker
  • By shellseeker on September 13, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by shellseeker
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by shellseeker
    I really like the new KKL ('Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern') designed by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel. It is now home for a fantastic music hall and many other cultural sights. You can't miss it because it is very centrally located at the lake front and just next to the train station!

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    In case you haven't already...
  • Tip Rating:
    • Krystynn
  • By Krystynn on September 12, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by Krystynn
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by Krystynn
    In case you haven't already noticed, the smooth walking paths along the lakeshore is perfect for inline skating. You can rent skates in the city at several sports shops... Oops, but skating out of town does mean bouncing over a few cobblestone streets before you reach the trail! Anyhow, the nicest hotel along the lakeshore is the aptly named Palace Hotel. It is in a great location and has wonderful lake views. One of the longest “off piste” ski runs in Europe is here in Engelberg.... so if the conditions are right, hire a guide to take you to “the Laub”. You won't regret it. I hope... :-)

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    Let's spend some time now and...
  • Tip Rating:
    • Krystynn
  • By Krystynn on September 12, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by Krystynn
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by Krystynn
    Let's spend some time now and talk about TIPPING. Hey wait... don't run away! It's not that bad. Really.

    As a general guideline, I would recommend the following for you to adhere (I DO want you to leave a LASTING impression in the minds and hearts of the Swiss people, ya see):

    (1) When you're at a restaurant, try and leave SOME tip although service charge is already included in the bill.

    (2) A one - two franc per bag tip is appropriate for the bellman, as well as each added service you request of a staff person. And remember, the Concierge staff should be tipped depending on the difficulty of the service. I'm sure the next time when you come back to Lucerne, they can still remember you and will address you BY NAME. Now, wouldn't that be so cool?

    (3) DON'T FORGET to tip the chambermaids at your hotel! These poor folks are hardly appreciated for a job well done so it would be a great incentive to them. Whenever you do so, you'd find that they'll take EXTRA special care in cleaning up your room. I promise. I usually leave a few Swiss francs per day; if I'm staying at a resort (like in Club Med for example), I'd leave the tip with the Manager at the end of my stay.

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    The Swiss people living here...
  • Tip Rating:
    • Krystynn
  • Updated By Krystynn on September 12, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by Krystynn
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by Krystynn
    The Swiss people living here in Lucerne are really friendly and VERY polite; so please be sure to greet them with a warm 'Hello', 'Goodbye', 'Please' and 'Thank you' in either German, French, Italian or English (yes, they are multi-lingual!) whilst entering and leaving the shop premises. We certainly don't want these lovely Swiss folks to think that we tourists are a barbaric bunch, yes?

    For the absolutely curious amongst us, 70% of Swiss people speak German as their first language; 18% French, 11% Italian and 1% Romansch. English is understood and spoken (to a certain degree) in most places where you'd find tourists. However, in smaller towns or shops off the beaten path, English is hardly spoken. So, in order to BLEND in with the Swiss, speak GERMAN!!! I'm sure your attempt to speak broken German will be greatly appreciated by them. I tried and it did work... even though I have NO CLUE what I was talking or speaking about. Duh!!

    Oh, and in case you haven't already figured out, ALL THINGS Swiss are SUPER-CLEAN (not even a speck of dirt anywhere!), SUPER-EFFICIENT, SUPER-ORDERLY and yes, MEGA-EXPENSIVE!! :-) Have a great trip!

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    Fasnacht (Carnival)
  • Tip Rating:
    • yumyum
  • By yumyum on February 10, 2007
  • Lucerne Page by yumyum
    • Carnival decoration in railway station - Lucerne
    Carnival decoration in railway
    station
    by yumyum, 1 more photos
    A lot of Swiss German town know the Fasnacht. It officially starts every year on 11th November at 11.11 but the main events are in February. In Lucerne on a Thursday (in 2007 on 15th February). There is a cortège with dressed up groups that play music (Guggenmusic) etc.

    Best check with the tourist office when what event takes place.

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    Money
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 13, 2006
  • Lucerne Page by keeweechic
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    All major credit cards and travellers' cheques are accepted in Switzerland. No commission is usually charged for converting cash or cheques, but you should shop around for the best rates (hotels usually have the worst rates). Train stations are usually the best place for exchanging money and they are open for long periods. City banks are open Mon- Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm

    Tipping : is not usually necessary at hotels, bars and restaurants which already charge a 15% service charge.

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    Folk Show and Dinner
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on September 18, 2002
  • Lucerne Page by keeweechic
    • Lucerne Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    If you are on a tour you will inevitably do the 'folk show and dinner'... This actually ended up being a lot of fun. Dinner was served with everyone sitting at long bench tables with huge steins of local beer to try. It got noisy but no one really cared by the end of the night.
    .

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    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
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    Things To Do
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    Tips: 64 - Photos: 85    		Restaurants
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    Shopping
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 32    		Off the Beaten Path
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    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 16 - Photos: 11    		Warnings or Dangers
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    Local Customs
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 28    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 10
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2    		General Tips
    Tips: 150 - Photos: 157
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