Lucerne is located in north-central Switzerland in the German-speaking part of the country and lies along the shore of Lake Lucerne, east of Berne. Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi of the Swiss Alps are within easy view of town, making this a popular tourist destination. In fact, in 2010, Tripadvisor named Lucerne one of the top tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its lively cultural scene and close proximity to stunning natural beauty. The surrounding region is quite rural, making it helpful to consider hiring a rental car for your visit, as this will provide an easy mode of transportation and will allow you to explore at leisure. In addition, Lucerne hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, so consider timing your trip to coincide with one of them, such as the Cheese Festival, the Yodeling Festival or Carnival in the spring. Soccer is also very popular here, so consider taking in a game while visiting, or instead plan to attend one of the city’s many equestrian events