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

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

The Riders Palace Hotel in Laax is one of the coolest destinations for snowboarders in Switzerland.

I’ve never bneen there because A) I ski, not board, and B) I’m not cool.

But if you’re into gaming and stuff like that, it’s the sort of place that has a playstation in every room.

And there’s a club where you can throw shapes (or whatever it is that one does these days)  until the early hours.

I’ve just worked out that if you’re the sort of person that’s likely to go there, you won’t want any more info from me, but I hope you like the traffic light corridors…

http://www.riderspalace.com

Photos: Flickr- hannes du plessis and newformula

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

The Dufourspitze is the highest point in Switzerland at 4634m (15,203 ft) above sea level.

It’s located near Zermatt, and has a the Gorner Glacier running down from it towards the town.

In the picture above, the peak is located on the left hand side, it’s more visible below.  

I’ve posted this as I was asked (see http://www.theswitzerlandtraveler.com/ask-the-switzerland-traveler/) to put some photos up, and thanks to Ron Layter’s excellent shots, I’m happy to oblige.

Feel free to ask if there’s anything you want to know about!

The peak (Spitze) was named after Guillaume-Henri Dufour an engineer and cartographer who produced aseries of maps for the military.

On his map, the peak was names as “Highest Peak” which while accurate, doesn’t sound particularly romantic.

Photos: Flickr Ron Layter (Thanks Ron!)

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Confession time. I’ve never been to this glacier.

Because frankly, it looks like a bit of an effort.

But if you’re the sort of person that doesn’t mind slogging uphill to pay homage to a glacier, then this might be for you.

The Forno Glacier is 6km long and over 1km wide in places. It is located in the Bregaglia Range in Graubunden. Vicosoprano (which is apparently not a gangster’s name) and Soglio appear to be the nearest places to stay, and are pretty much on the border with Italy.

It’s not going to be easy to get there, but I figure that if you need me to tell you where it is, then you probably shouldn’t be going!

Pack all the usual stuff, warm waterproof clothing, proper boots etc, but again, you don’t need me to tell you that.

Photo: Flickr richardcjones

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

If you’ve not experienced the low droning sound of an alphorn, then Nendaz, near Verbier, is the place to be this weekend.

It’s remarkable how the sound travels through the mountains, which is, I guess, the reason why they became popular.

They might not be as practical as mobile phones, but do at least have the benefit of requiring neither batteries nor antennae.

Up at an altitude of 2,200m, Tracouet is the setting for the International Alphorn Festival.

To quote the official blurb “Over the course of the weekend, this alpine instrument will be the motivation for the meeting of players of many different nationalities, all brought together by the same love of the mountain, tradition and folklore.”

If you do decide to go, make sure you make it all the way up to the top of Mont Fort, where the view is simply incredible.

And you’ll still be able to hear the alphorns, which is, after all, the point.

From Friday 25th – Sunday 27th July 2008.

www.nendaz.ch

Photo: Flickr – Jason Selby

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Do you love your bike?

Enough to sleep with it?

Well, at the Lofthotel near the Walensee, the hotel rooms (or at least some of them) allow direct acces with a motorbike directly into the room.

Obviously you’ll not be expecting deep-pile carpet on the floor, instead it’s shiny wood, but you will certainly get to wake up with the fresh smell of your chosen lubricant. I’m assuming that bikes still leak oil like they used to when I was a lad…

Of course, there wouldn’t be much point in going if the area wasn’t interesting, but the hotel is at Murg, very near the Walensee, a fascinating lake, with the Toggenburg range of mountains nearby.

Biker lofts are around 130 CHF/person/night including breakfast. See the website for four day packages including dinner etc.

And culture need not be omitted, the gallery has exhibitions, currently from three artists.

It’s about an hour by car from Zürich, and trains are easy too. But you’ll be going on a bike, won’t you?

Thanks to Mary Jo at http://www.flyawaycafe.com/ and http://www.theseattletraveler.com/ for pointing this one out to me.

Photo and further info: http://www.lofthotel.ch/lofthotel/index.php

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

This weekend, classic car enthusiasts from all over Switzerland will be congregating in St Moritz for the annual British Classic Car show.

The show focusses mainly on posh stuff, rather than sports cars, but still has plenty of interest.

Main Marques represented are Bentley and Rolls Royce, with Jaguars, Austin Healeys and Aston Martins and Lagondas also featuring.

Only one MG and one Triumph are on the list, but I’m sure there will be more to see in the visitors’ car parks.

The cars will run up the hill, and given St Moritz’s location, they will have had enough practice at that on the way there.

Classic cars in Switzerland are among the best prepared in the world, the cars are probably in better condition than when they left the factory!

Entry is free, and although it’s normally possible to add a car as a late entry, this year the list is full, so a grand turn out is assured

St.Moritz: Friday, 11 July 08 – Sunday, 13 July 08

www.stmoritz.ch

Photo Flickr: smenzel  juhanson

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

I’m trying to get a bit away from the football at the moment, so I’m also looking at featuring some of the ultimate destinations in Switzerland.

The Matterhorn is pretty much the symbol of Switzerland. It inspired Toblerone, and the Paramount logo is said to be based on it.

It’s a real mountain’s mountain. And this shot above shows just how majestic it is.

It’s quite usual for the mountain to have a tiny bit (or even a lot) of cloud around the top. I’m sure a geologist could explain it, but I don’t really need to know why.

At sunrise, you can get quite strange effects as the light begins to move down the face of the mountain…

…or in the late afternoon, with the moon visible.

and finally, a black and white shot. Doesn’t that look like history?

Photos: Flickr -  Ryan Valdez,  swisscan     ianL   icyBlue  bas il

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

I just wanted an excuse to show a picture of a glacier really.

I always like the fact that you look at this type of picture, and then see the size of the people.

It’s one of those glaciers that really looks like it moves, although watching paint dry is more dramatic.

You can see from the sides how much the glacier has shrunk, so you might want to come and visit it before it disappears.

Mind you, if you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll probably have to get on a plane to get here, which everyone tells us warms the planet up. So maybe you’d better not come.

OK, I’m confused…

Photo: Flickr Mr Ullmi

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Each year the good people of Grindelwald celebrate the fact that they live right by one of the greatest mountains in the world.

The north face of the Eiger is still one of the most diffcult climbs, and the anniversary of the first ascent is worth remembering. Imagine spending a night sleeping in that concave bit!

The celebrations last a week, from Sunday 24th, and will appeal to anyone that appreciate mountain sports, and nature.

Paragliding features too, so there will be plenty of opportunities for colourful photos.

A central fire marks the meeting point for all activities.

www.eigerlive.ch

Photo: Flickr – ronlayters

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler