The Switzerland Traveler

Do you know what 50 tons of onions looks like?
If not, then Monday 26th November is the time to find out. On the fourth Monday in November of every year, local farmers bring tons (literally) of garlic and onion to the world famous Onion Market in Bern.
Zweibelmarkt would be the German translation, but in Switzerland they speak Swiss-German, which in fact turns out to be several quite distinct variants of the teutonic tongue. So Zibelemärit is the Bernese variation of that word, and in Zürich it would probably be quite different.
Anyway, onions and garlic there will be aplenty, all …read more

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There are times when you have to admire the teutonic way of naming things. So logical.
Seealpsee (pronounced: say alp say) means literally “Lake Mountain Lake”. And you can’t argue with that. It’s a mountain lake, and er, a lake.
It’s located in Kanton Appenzell, on the eastern edge of Switzerland, allow a couple of hours to drive from Zürich, or a similar time to catch the train to Wasserauen. Then it’s about a four km (2.5 miles) walk to get to the lake, but I’m assuming that if you want to go to a really peaceful, quiet lake, then you won’t …read more

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Schiffbau means (literally) Ship building. So it’s a strange building to find in the middle of a city.
But no, they really used to build the boats that sail on lake Zürich down near Escher-Wyss Platz. The boats are fairly large too, with capacities of around 750 passengers.
But now the industrial area is steadily being converted into a trendy area with restaurants, clubs, cinemas and bars.
Schiffbau itself has two bars, a restaurant (LaSalle) and a Jazz Club (Moods) all of which I’ll be examining in detail in later posts.
The first port of call should be the bar at the top of …read more

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I’m quite new to this blogging lark, so I’m not used to receiving goodies in the post.
The other week a beautifully wrapped parcel arrived, containing a small book for me to review.
The Globetrotter’s logbook is a small (about 5×3 inch) pocket book, designed to allow you to keep a track of your travels.
It’s beautifully produced and is broken down into seven sections:

parts I and II show details of all countries; dependencies and territories of the world, with an impressive array of useful information for each: Time Zone, GDP, Currency, population etc. plus space for a small souvenir – perhaps …read more

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I’m guessing that not many readers live in Switzerland, and may well need a hotel close to the airport, either when they arrive or when they leave.
Basel airport is becoming more and more important for travel to Switzerland, and although it is physically located in France, is very convenient for many locations.
Zurich and Bern are both about an hour away by car, and Basel airport (EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse) to give it its proper name, benefits from many cheap flights, certainly from the UK.
There is now a hotel (I pronounce my “h”s so I do not write an “hotel”) very close to …read more

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Rufus Wainwright played a blinding set at the AVO Sessions in Basel last night.
Playing in a club setting, with most of the audience seated at tables, he performed a reduced set based around the Release the Stars album which was released earlier this year.
As usual Rufus came on stage to great applause while the band were playing the title track.
He played with a full band, although favourite guitarist Jack Petrocelli is still absent due to other commitments, but hopefully will be returning later in the tour.
Introducing his classic Art Teacher song Rufus joked about Basel being such an appropriate place …read more

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La Chaux-de-Fonds is apparently Europe’s highest city, and is known as the city of the three Cs; The architect Le Corbusier, The Automobilist and founder of the great US Car Company Louis Chevrolet, and a poet, Blaise Cendrars.
I like architecture and cars, so I’ve heard of the first two, and sadly have no recollection of the poet, but for this piece I’m concentrating on the work of Le Corbusier.
There are a number of his buildings in the city; La Villa Turque, part of the Ebel watch factory, being probably the most famous of them. But today we’re looking at La …read more

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It’s the time of the week for some lovely pictures to show different views of Switzerland at this time of year. I hope you enjoy these:

Lake Lugano: phaedra.sf

Near Lausanne LePhotographe

Lauterbrunnen superbubby100

Lavaux m x b ch r
Don’t you just want to get on a plane now?

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How do you choose a work of art?
 
Do you look for something that matches the colour of your sofa? Something “safe” that everybody knows – a poster from IKEA for example? Something edgy that nobody else will have, or even like? Or something that excites and awakens your senses everytime you see it?
 
In the heart of the old town of Solothurn, 75 artists from eight different countries are exhibiting their wares; totalling about 5,000 works of art.
 
The Swiss Art Supermarket is entering its eighth year, and is unusual in trying to attract everyone, not just cognoscenti. It takes place in …read more

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I must confess to liking French chateaus (chateaux?) with pointy bits on the roof. Turn one into a restaurant and I’m even happier.
Present me with such a restaurant overlooking a stunning lake and some of the most impressive mountains ever, and I’m, well, really happy.
Down on the shores of the Thunersee (Lake Thun) Schloss (Castle) Schadau sits in a quiet park. The boats that carry passengers across the lake stop there, and in my opinion, it is a fine place for a summer lunch. It’s a fine place for a winter dinner too, which is why I’m telling you now. …read more

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