The Switzerland Traveler

When I was a child, Father Christmas, or Santa if you prefer, used to come on the night between 24th and 25th December.
But in Europe, things aren’t the same everywhere. Many countries celebrate during the evening of the 24th, and the Spanish (amongst others) celebrate the 6th of January as the day when the kings arrive.
In Switzerland, 6th December is the day that the man in red turns up.
Bearing gifts for the Children, he doesn’t sneak down the chimney, but comes through the front door. Or maybe to school.
And he doesn’t come alone. His sidekick, Schmutzli, leaves no doubt …read more

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Just back from a few days rest, first in Zermatt and then in München, or Munich as you probably know it.
We just missed the Kriskindlmarkt in Münich, but as we got off the train in Zürich, our very own one was opening there.
And do you know what? It’s Christmas Market time all over Switzerland. I’m not a lover of the home-woven yoghurt that tends to be sold at this type of thing, but that’s just me.
If you’ve never been to one, then it’s worth it just for the atmosphere, which is invariably helped by the smell of Glühwein and …read more

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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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Another in my helpful series of "why didn’t he tell us about that before?" posts…
Well, in this case, it’s because I’ve only just found out about it, but it seems like it might be worth making a trip next summer.
Switzerland has basically two types of cyclists, those that like going uphill, and those that don’t.
Near Davos is a run that caters exclusively for that second category, which of course includes me.
A 20 km (12.5 miles) run, all downhill? can it be possible? Well at St Antönien it apparently is. There’s a small mountain inn at the top and then …read more

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October and November is the time when Switzerland goes crazy for fairs, or shows as they used to be known when I was a young lad.
This week it’s Basel’s turn (you may have worked out I don’t like to use English spellings, like Basle).
It’s at the Messe, and entrance is (can you believe this) free!
The fair is marketed as representing seven different “worlds”: Wellness, Fashion, Sport,  Living, Leisure, Household and Food&Drink.
If this was in any other country, the homeless would be queueing up to sample all of the free foods and wines on offer, but in Switzerland it’ll be a …read more

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Just a quick throwaway post this one! I’m feeling guilty because I’ve been concentrating on cows, goats and sheeps (which incidentally is a newly accepted spelling for the plural of sheep. Lambs were apparently getting confused how they all became one sheep when they grew up).
Consequently, I forgot to mention the Chestnut Party down  in Valposchiavo, Graubunden. Unforgivable, I know. Hopefully I’ll remember next year.

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Before the winter sets in and the fog comes down over Zurich, why not take advantage of the October sun and nip over to Klosters and find out what global warming is doing to our glaciers?
There is a four kilometer circular walk high above Klosters, located at the Suvretta hut, 2341 meters above sea level. The walk leads from the hut to the Glacier, and features 15 posts along the way, designed to educate and inform about changes to the glacier; local fauna and flora and the influence of humans on the Alpine ecosystem.
That’ll be why there are all …read more

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I’m sorry! I can’t resist it. You all seem to love the concept of Swiss national costume and dressed up cows, so here’s the round-up of this weekends animal activities.
This weekend sees the judging of the cows by the Kloster in Engelberg on Friday 12th. Also there’ll be a small funfair for the little ones. Plus of course the obligatory beer and Bratwurst.
In Lenk, in the Berner Oberland,  the cows are due to be “moved” down the mountains, back to the village. Who could resist the sight of the most attractive cow being crowned “Miss Lenk”? Maybe the crowds eager to …read more

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Did I ever tell you that I’m a bit of a closet trainspotter?
Not to the extent of wearing a jumper that my Mother has knitted me, and scribbling numbers in a notebook, but I do like trains. I even got to drive a steam train on the Bluebell line once.
So the annual Dampftreff at the village of Bauma near Winterthur is an ideal opportunity to get down to the trackside and smell the coal.
Not just steam trains, there are classic electric and diesel locomotives too. Expect to see famous trains like the “Red Arrow” and more importantly, be able to …read more

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