Sunday’s journey: Fall Every Day

Ready to kick fall into high views? We asked Travel Photographer Luis Medina, mastermind behind Swiss Photo Travel and Passenger Diaries, to put together the nicest, most autumnal photo walk he could think of in Lucerne city. The result? These amazing vistas from some of the loveliest Lucerne iconic peaks framed with its golden brown nature, completed with a fascinating walk through an inspiring forest. You’re going to want to be there…
Avoid getting too down about the short days, here are a few of our favorite pics to stay positive and active during these short, but beautiful autumnal times!!!
Our Swiss Alps Photo Adventure series is a behind-the-scenes look at Passenger Diaries best landscape journeys in Switzerland. Whether we’re following the stages of a new Epic Adventure build-out or sharing couple of impressions from our most Classic Swiss peaks tours, PD takes a look at the real people and real stories happening inside Passenger Diaries. This week PD’s own Luis Medina show us, through one of his many scenic journeys around the Stanserhorn & The Geo-trail, the start of Autumn with an awesome set of snapshots that perfectly capture the changing of the seasons in his home Canton of Lucerne, in Central Switzerland.
Our Swiss Alps Photo Adventure series is a behind-the-scenes look at Passenger Diaries best landscape journeys in Central Switzerland. Whether we’re following the stages of a new Epic Adventure build-out or sharing couple of impressions from our most Classic Swiss peaks tours, PD takes a look at the real people and real stories happening inside Passenger Diaries. This week, PD’s own Luis Medina show us through one of his many scenic journeys around Vierwaldstättersee & Mount Rigi, the start of Autumn, with an awesome set of snapshots that perfectly capture the changing of the seasons in his home state of Lucerne.
Our guides Hans Spichtig and Werner Bissig appeared at the steinbock bar to welcome us with wine, canapes and fresh brewed coffee. On top of Mount Pilatus, in Central Switzerland, we were about to follow on the steps of the Ibex, one of the most iconic animals in the Swiss Alps. Through out the wide windows, we enjoyed otherworldly vistas which were as far as the eye could reach. Some of the landscapes around were white dust peaks, some other looked like the lunar surface, and some other looked like you were right in the middle of heaven and could step on white cotton clouds to wander around.
The Wind blew strongly through the Alps unveiling all secret places where the ibex could shelter and play the seek & hide game with us. In the meantime, we stood still with a drink in the hand enjoying a relaxed moment while listening to Hans and Werner about all the knowledge and experience that they had gathered over the years living free in the Wildness.
Just before giving the last sip to my glass of wine someone in the crowd spotted a steinbock, it was a good sign, i thought, and we had not even started yet.
Today I saw a red and yellow sunset and thought, how insignificant I am! Of course, I thought that yesterday too, and it rained” – Woody Allen
It is Ski season, and everyone (except me) is dressed up in fashionable outfits. Helmets, Boots, Jackets, Pants, Goggles, Hats, Gloves, and of course Hi-tech skies which could make you fly as high as an Angel over the clouds. All pieces of clothes match perfectly with each other, it looks like everyone is about to attend the latest winter fashion catwalk somewhere else in the World rather than going “Ski fahren” in the swiss alps.
Adults and children hurry up and get in line to catch the first cable car towards Mt. Titlis. I am in Engelberg, a Ski and Spa resort in central Switzerland, in the Canton of Obwalden. It is early morning, cold wind blows, but the weather forecast shows at the tv screen, inside the waiting room, clear skies and mild tempertures during the day. Im getting in my capsule-like funicular to begin my first stage to reach the major peak “Mount Titlis”.
After a pleasant ride, the Second stage awaits you. I take a lift with the sign “to Jochpass & Titlis” the cable car is already packed with a crowd of winter sports lovers. I managed to clear my vision among skis and snow boards blocking the windows, we passed the thick clouds curtain and the sun shines. Warm sun beams wrap us like a wool blanket, the vistas are remarkable!!!
Third Stage, the “Rotair”, with more space to move around, you don’t need to hurry up finding your best vantage point next to the window, instead, the whole saucer-like container moves 360 degrees as we start our upward journey and brings you right in front of your eyes mind-blowing Landscapes. Your adventurous spirit wakes up as we reach the last final stage. A sign welcomes you at 3028 mts with the name “Klein Titlis”. From here, all you have to do is to enjoy the alpine air and scenery.
Mount Rigi “The Queen of the Mountains” as the local people in Central Switzerland calls her. In German language “Der Berg” uses a male article “der” to refer to the masculine subject: The Mountain; strangely Rigi uses the female article “die” since it is believe that it is a “she” and not a “he”. Local legends say that the name comes from the Latin word “Regina montium” but this hasn’t been proved. Whatever the origin, her unique elegance and mysterious beauty, is undeniable and spectacular
With a little of imagination you could see her natural, femenine and seductive curvy shape, which has been formed thousands of years ago, after the crash of the continents. She shows off her irresistible and delicated face every dawn with the sunrise coming behind her; she combs her hair with the first sunrays, she takes a look at herself in the clear crystal mirror lake water and she shows her shining smile. She is the queen of the mountains among many kings in the Swiss Alps which try to get her attention with their most spectacular display of lights. Just before sunset,when they are all bathed in honey colour light, she hides in thick clouds like an innocent girl does it behind her mother’s skirt. She will be waiting until the next morning to inspire travelers with her legendary and captive beauty and will allow to get seduced by the Swiss Alps once more!!!