Get out on the water
Even in a country famed for its lakes, few Swiss cities can match Lucerne when it comes to getting out on the water. The shoreline is filled with parks, lidos and beaches in which to enjoy its beauty and stillness – or maybe kick back with a sundowner in resorts and pop-up bars that open through the summer. Canoes and kayaks let you power yourself over the emerald-green water, while sailing classes, fishing trips and even diving – at least in summer – show why the lake is beloved by locals and visitors alike when it comes to getting active. While it’s possible to circumnavigate Switzerland’s fourth largest lake by rail or road, obviously you’re going to want to explore its inlets, bays and take in the truly majestic mountains that line it. Take your pick from a number of vessels, but we love the stately Steamboat Uri, Switzerland’s oldest paddle steamer, which gently pootles along the river beneath the majestic 7,000ft Mount Pilatus.