I was on my way to work yesterday, and looking out from the railway platform I could see the majestic profile of Mount Säntis across the lake.  Not quite like the picture, but it’s such a fabulous photo I had to use it.

It’s a big mountain, made easier to recognize by the radio masts on top of it. 

Fortunately I find the juxtaposition of technology and nature to be very attractive,  so don’t think it spoils the view.

It sort of looked like this picture above, although this is taken from the Konstanz side, and it’s sunset, rather than sunrise.

But it’s still beautiful, isn’t it?

Photos – Flickr: coyote-agile ghentoo

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It’s that man Calatrava again.

This is the entrance to an underground area,  with one of the grooviest doors on the planet.

Photo – Flickr Kecko

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Another Appenzell building today, hosting the works of Carl Liner and his son.

The museum was designed by Annette Gigon and Mike Guyer, Zürich.

Photo: Flickr numstead

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Another bit of crazy architecture – this time from Appenzell.

I’m trying to work out who the architect is, any ideas?

It’s above a hill in Herisau, and is visible from the train.

Photo Flickr: Kecko

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The exhibition of mountain crystals in the old church at Flüelen has been extended for two years.

It’s open from March until October, for both 2008 and 2009. 10 am to 6 pm. The church is opposite the railway station, although you might want to consider arriving by boat – the Wilhelm Tell express from Luzern is a fabulous trip.

The crystals are said to be a sensation, because of their size, colour and clarity.

And of course, crystals are always associated with special powers. Why not toddle along and find out if you’re hypnotized.

And of course, if you have the urge to buy a shiny souvenir, there are lots of jewellers in Switzerland!

Photo: Flickr – Peter Schaer

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I know you like these ones.

On Sunday, Lichtensteig, a small town in the Toggenburg area, near Wildhaus, has a barrel organ event.

It’s for antique or home-made barrel organs, and around 20 are expected. I can’t imagine the noise if they all play at the same time.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a small antiques fair and an old fairground roundabout too, and where there’s any gathering of people, it will be accompanied by the smell of sizzling sausages

The ”Friends of vintage motor-bikes” are also planning to turn up – surely a good time guaranteed for all!

Verkehrsverein Lichtensteig,
Hauptgasse 29, 9620 Lichtensteig

www.verkehrsverein-lichtensteig.ch

Photo: Flickr MrUllmi

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Artosa. Art, in Arosa – brilliant!

15 international artists are exhibiting sculptures in the open air: in the pastures and meadows around Arosa.

There are also great natural sights to see, such as the reservoir shown above.

The Hotel Sorell is offering rooms in Arosa from CHF 90 per person/night for the summer period, 14 Jun – 28 September.

So you can indulge a taste for nature, art and fresh air, at a reasonable price.

Sounds good to me…

Arosa Tourism
Poststrasse
Postfach 90
7050 Arosa
Tel. +41 (0)81 378 70 20

Photo Flickr – keiko

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It occurred to me after doing the Appenzell post that I hadn’t mentioned Rorschacherberg, which offers one of the best views of Lake Constance – or Bodensee as the locals call it.

With a cute little mountain railway to get up there, it’s reachable for everyone.

I once thought there was a prospect of seeing five countries at once, because the area is called “Fünfländerblick” (view of 5 countries) but it turns out that three of the countries are more like states of Germany.

But either way it’s an impressive view.

Take the train from Rohrschach to Heiden, or the other way round. It’ll take about an hour to an hour and a half.

Here’s a couple of extra pictures to give you a taste:

Photos: Flickr-kecko

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Well, it’s certainly an attention grabbing headline!

I’m not convinced that “fountain of youth” is strictly true, Appenzell tends to conjure up words like sleepy and unspoilt, but it’s what the people at the tourist office say, so it must be true.

That’s probably because it has a wealth of rich mineral springs, and visitors have been coming for over 100 years to bathe.

There are a range of hotels in Appenzell offering wellness breaks, often combining Swiss water and air with eastern philosophy and treatments: whey treatments and Kneipp cures alongside Ayurveda, Tai-Chi and Chi-Yung beauty weeks.

Wellness has been a topic in Appenzell long before the word became overused, and I have to say the air is about as fresh as you can get. Plenty of hills to walk up and down too.

If you like the idea, here’s a list of some Health and wellness hotels in Appenzellerland:

• Gonten – Hotel Jakobsbad, Kurhaus Bad Gonten
• Heiden – Hotel Heiden, Kurhaus Sunnematt
• Schwellbrunn – Kurhaus Sonnenberg
• Speicher – Appenzellerhof
• Walzenhausen – Hotel Walzenhausen
• Weissbad – Hotel Hof Weissbad
• Wienacht – Hotel Seeblick

Photo: Flickr raelb

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In my last post, I forgot to mention the Hundertwasser Art and Market Hall at Altenrhein, which might be of interest if you are in the area of St Gallen.

If you don’t know Hundertwasser’s work, he can loosely be compared to Gaudí. If you Haven’t heard of Gaudí, you should probably get out more.

The hall is typical of his work, with lots of curves – he referred to straight lines as “the devil’s tools”. Typically, it uses a lot of tiles and loads of wiggles.

There is a gallery with regular exhibitions and a restaurant, so no need to take a picnic.

It’s an eccentric building, but given that he chose his own name (which loosely translates to Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water) that is only to be expected.

I particularly like the Hundertwasser/Aldi (a low-budget supermarket) contrast in this photo.

Opening times April-September are 10:00 until 17:00. Winter afternoons only. Entry is CHF 5,- for adults.

Markthalle GmbH
CH-9422 Staad am Bodensee
+41 71 855 81 85
www.markthalle-altenrhein.ch

Photo: Flickr: kecko

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