Nestled right in the heart of Switzerland, along the western shore of Lake Lucerne, is the jaw-dropping town of Lucerne. So pristine, so glorious, so magnificent, it is one of Europe’s most stunning destinations. Skipping this town would be a crime against the Laws of Traveling because Lucerne is downright STUPID PRETTY!! (Are there such laws? If not, there should be!)

To top off any alpine experience, it is an absolute must to take one of the many cable car rides up to the top of a peak to enjoy the breathtaking views. One of the most spectacular rides is with the Jennerbahn, located near Bavaria’s loveliest lake: Königssee.

This Valentine’s Day, Hans and I spontaneously  decided at the last minute to take a day trip instead of stressing over the pressure of buying the right gift or surprise. We decided to get up super-doooper early (ugh!) and take the train to Zugspitze – Germany’s tallest mountain which is a whopping 9,718 feet tall and offers breathtaking views over Bavaria, into Austria and even all the way to Italy!