Spotlights

SPOTLIGHTS ON SWITZERLAND

REUSS RIVER. Taking a look at Switzerland from outer space, you would immediately recognize the alps. What would really strike you, however, are the overwhelmingly beautiful landscapes, and the incredible number of lakes, rivers, & streams. I have always been fascinated by rivers. There is something special about them. They have been a source of inspiration for composers, songwriters, poets, and writers throughout the ages. Strauss’ Blue Danube, Smetana’s Moldau, Romain Rolland’s Jean-Christophe, and of course Paul Robeson’s Old Man River come quickly to mind. While most of us will readily identify the Rhine, The Rhône, and the Aare as major Swiss rivers, we often neglect the fourth longest which flows under one of the world’s most famous bridges. Click here for a quick look

SWISS BREADS. Ask anyone in the U.S. to name the national dish of Switzerland and you will probably get a resounding “Fondue”. Most Swiss will agree and add that “Breads” would make a close second. They will also tell you that they really miss a good loaf of Swiss bread. We all agree that Germany also produces excellent breads, but for a Swiss, their breads are something very special. Many places even have unusual names for bread. In the old City of Bern when asked if you want a “Ligu Lehm” or a “Chueflade”, you’ll soon learn that it’s bread they are talking about. With over 200 Swiss bread varieties, all we can do is give you a quick introduction to the world of Swiss Breads. For a taste and some fun facts, click here

SWISS STATUES. It is hard for me to bypass “historical markers” & it is even more difficult for me to ignore statues. They are fascinating, interesting, and as we have seen in recent years, they can be quite controversial. Why have them besides providing birds a great landing place to poop on? In many ways statues reflect the values of a community and who they want to remember or show respect to. Oftentimes statues glorify past events in the hope of inspiring the current generation. They are bridges to the past helping us to understand who we are. In this light, Switzerland with its long history offers a plethora of examples of interesting statues. In past “Spotlights” we have featured a number of famous statues & monuments. This time we will focus on a few you might not know. Click here for a look.

ASCONA. If you are looking to get away for a few days to relax in a town with great access to nature, easy walking trails, and superb warm climate, the little town of Ascona on the north shore of the Lago Maggiore is the perfect choice. Ascona located but a stone’s throw away from Locarno was a well-kept secret for many years. That is until a group of naturists established a colony on Monte Verità introducing it to the German-speaking world. You might recall that at one time West Germany’s biggest selling car (The Opel Ascona) was named after it. Click here for a visit to this beautiful little town.

Hiking with the Molinas in the Engadin. The Grisons are renown, in addition to its spectacular scenery, for its numerous glitzy Alpine resort towns. St Moritz, Davos, Klosters, and Arosa draw visitors from all over the world. For many, however, the canton’s vast network of hiking trails is the main attraction. The Grisons are a hiking paradise offering trails suitable for all skill levels. Joe & Barbara Molina, members of our Tucson Swiss Club, are avid hikers. They love the Engadin and offered to share their recent hiking holiday in the Engadin with us. Click here for a look. Perhaps you’ll get hooked too.

Lake of Geneva. Planning for your next cruise? We have the perfect destination for you. No, it’s not a river cruise, Alaska isn’t the destination, nor is the Caribbean. Although these are wonderful choices, in this spotlight we’ll take you on the largest lake with the largest amount of water in Central Europe. The Celts called it “Large Water” or “Lem an”. It’s called Léman in French and in English we call it Lake Geneva. Needless to say, we are not talking about overnight or extended cruises, but you’ll have the opportunity to take a day-cruise on paddle steamers built during the “Belle Ėpoque”. Yes, 1904 – 1927. Click here to find out why tourists as well as residents have been enjoying the many pleasure cruises on the Lake of Geneva for over a century.

Swiss Painters. All of us at one time or another have been exposed to the arts be it in an art appreciation class, a museum, at a friend’s house, or possibly at a fair or exposition. You might even have a painting of your favorite artist hanging on the wall of your home. You probably can name a number of famous artists be they French, Italian or American. How about Swiss painters? Frankly, I could only name a few so thought it might be interesting to find out more about Swiss painters and share some of my findings with you in this spotlight. I had fun exploring the world of Swiss painters, and I hope that you enjoy this brief introduction. Click here for a fascinating visit.

The River Inn. Be they large or just a rivulet, there is something special and magical about rivers. They captivate our imaginations and give us a sense of peace. Switzerland with its many lakes & rivers is fortunate to be the source of some of the most important rivers in Europe. They originate in the Alps and their waters flow in four directions: the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, and the Black Sea. In this spotlight we will introduce you to a lesser-known Swiss river which originates in the Upper Engadine to become the 3rd largest tributary to the Danube - The River Inn. To learn more about its modest origins, click here.
.

Bern’s Restaurants. One of the things I enjoyed most in my years of travelling internationally, aside from meeting new people, was discovering great places to eat. Obviously, I’m not the only one feeling this way. Just look at the proliferation of cooking travel shows on TV. Bern is a special city which offers the visitor an incredible opportunity to discover what Switzerland is all about, and a great place to meet people & be exposed to its culinary diversity. The Michelin as well as the Gault & Millau Guides will recommend some great restaurants and in a future “spotlight” we’ll feature some. This time, however, we’ll introduce you to a few typical Bernese Restaurants that will fit most budgets. For a brief introduction to some of our favorite places, click here.

Swiss Embassies. Today we take for granted that countries exchange Ambassadors on a permanent basis. Originally, however, diplomats were sent only for specific negotiations limited in scope & duration, and it wasn’t until the thirteenth century that the northern Italian States established embassies to represent their interests. Surprisingly it was only after the fall of Napoleon that the Congress of Vienna in 1815 established an international system of diplomatic rank. The United States and Switzerland have had consular relations since the 1820s, but it wasn’t until 1853 that official diplomatic relations were established. Today, Switzerland plays a significant role in that relationship. Click here to learn more.

Roman Heritage. The Roman columns overlooking Lake Geneva at the entrance of Nyon remind us of Switzerland’s Roman past and that Nyon was the first Roman colony in Switzerland. Another reminder of this heritage is Romansh, the fourth official language of Switzerland, spoken in the Canton of Grisons. It is a blend of the common Latin spoken by Roman soldiers & Rhaetian spoken by the native inhabitants of the region. For the Romans what is today Switzerland was an important transport route for commerce as well as a buffer against the northern Germanic tribes. Many of today’s towns & cities were built along these trade routes. A few vestiges from the Roman era are still visible today. Click here to visit a few.

Lauterbrunnen. With 2021 soon coming to an end, some of us are starting to make travel plans for the coming year. “Where should we go?” is a common refrain. If your plans include Switzerland, consider a visit to one of the most idyllic places in the Canton of Bern - the Lauterbrunnen Valley with its 72 waterfalls. The Valley is the starting point for some of the best- known destinations in the Jungfrau Region, such as the Piz Gloria made famous by James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Less known are the two picturesque car-free villages of Wengen and Mûrren. Click here to find out more.

Swiss Authors. Is there such a thing as Swiss Literature? Gottfried Keller the well-known Swiss author of The People from Seldwyla was against the idea. What are your thoughts? I posed this question to some friends along with “can you name some Swiss authors?” They easily identified Johanna Spyri’s Heidi, some named Dûrrenmatt and Jean-Jacques Rousseau although there was some discussion suggesting that he was French. I realized that I too could only name a few, hence thought that it would be fun to explore the world of Swiss literature with you. Click here for a brief introduction and be sure to let us know who is your favorite Swiss author, book title & language in which it is written.

Swiss Museums. The “must see & go to’ lists of places to visit when travelling to Washington D.C. always include the city’s monuments, parks, and memorials. Probably an even more common destination is the National Mall with its Smithsonian museums. Even people who rarely -if ever- step into a museum will have a favorite one on their bucket list. If you ask visitors to Switzerland what they are planning to do or see on their travels, you will rarely see a museum on their lists. It really is too bad, because Switzerland with over 900 museums has something to please for just about anyone. We’ll introduce you to a few. Click here for a visit.

Crans-Montana. If you are looking for a small, quaint Swiss village located off the beaten-track to spend your summer or winter vacations, Crans-Montana is not the destination for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a family-friendly first-class Swiss resort with all possible amenities with classic panoramic views of the alps, then Crans-Montana is the right choice for you. As a kid I learned that Montana was an excellent health resort for patients suffering from tuberculosis. The reputed healing powers of the dry mountain air and abundance of sunshine were well advertised. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Montana and Crans-sur-Sierre merged to form today’s first-class summer & winter resort. Click here to learn more about this famous Valais destination.

The Swiss Path. In Arizona a group of passionate hikers got together with mountain bicyclists, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts to promote and establish an 800-mile trail that would take you from Nogales at the U.S.–Mexico border to the Utah border. The trail which takes hikers through deserts, historical sites, mountains, canyons and a number of State & National parks became a reality in 2009 when Congress designated it as the Arizona National Scenic Trail. In Switzerland, hikers and other enthusiasts also had a dream. They wanted to establish a special hiking trail in the heart of the country to commemorate Switzerland’s 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. Click here to learn more about it.

Swiss Cantonal Capitals. Most of us have at one time or another tested each other on our knowledge of capital cities, be they of countries, states, or cantons. We thought that it would be fun to check your knowledge on the latter. In this spotlight we’ll visit a few cantonal capital cities omitting obvious ones like Bern, Geneva, or Zûrich. We will only test you on ten of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. Here they are: Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel Landshaft, Jura, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Thurgau, Uri, and Valais. Take out a piece of paper, jot down your answers and then click here to find out how you did.

Legendary Swiss Battles. History, folklore, & legends define who we are as a nation and a people. Did George Washington cut down the cherry tree, or did William Tell shoot the apple off his son’s head? Does it really matter? It is not always easy to separate historical events from how they are remembered & how they actually took place. Some have grown in prominence over the centuries and have helped define the spirit of a nation. In this spotlight we’ll take a brief look at a couple of important battles in Swiss history. These are as important to Swiss, as Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the Boston Tea Party, & the Alamo are to Americans. Click here for a quick visit.

Swiss Covered Bridges. Most of us don’t realize, nor appreciate what treasures we have until such time that we lose them. Fortunately, some people do and take steps to protect them. National Parks in the U.S. are a classic example. Switzerland too has and continues to safeguard its natural beauty, as well as many historical sites. And yet at times, tragedy strikes as was the case in 1993 when the famous Chapel Bridge in Lucerne was nearly lost. Covered bridges to some are an anachronism. For others they conjure up idyllic images of a long & romantic forgotten past. We’ll focus on the latter and introduce you to some of Switzerland’s wooden covered bridges. Enjoy the brief tour by clicking here.

SWISS CHEESE. Since most people associate Switzerland with cheese, we decided that we really should take an exploratory trip to learn more about this absolutely delightful food. Cheese in Switzerland is King. There are over 450 varieties produced in Switzerland, most of which are produced following ancestral traditions. Not only do Swiss produce a lot of cheese, they also consume quite a bit. Statistics reveal that in 2018 the average annual consumption of cheese per inhabitant was 48 pounds. We hope that this overview will tantalize you to further explore the world of Swiss cheeses on your own. Please note that some of the embedded links in this spotlight will be in English, some in French, some in Italian, or in Swiss-German. We wish you “bonne degustation”. Click here to start your tour.

AROSA. The Grisons (Graubünden) is the home of some of the world’s most famous ski resorts, many of which are destinations for famous globetrotters. One lesser known resort, but just as delightful is Arosa which is located in the Schanfigg Valley just a hop away from the resort of Lenzerheide which can be reached by the Urdenbahn Aerial Tramway. We enjoyed pasts visits to Graubünden in past “Spotlights”, and were invited by Werner Bonadurer, Honorary Swiss Consul for Arizona, to visit the canton again with a trip to Arosa. We’ll take you on the Hörnli Trail and introduce you to the challenging sport of “Orienteering”. Click here to learn more.

OBWALDEN. Switzerland is an amazing country in many ways. The one thing that surprises me every time I work on a “Spotlight” is that wherever one travels, you’ll find picture perfect settings and many interesting & fun things to do. Our goal in these spotlights is to “discover” new places to visit and share them with you. We briefly introduced you to the two half-cantons making up Unterwalden about four years ago. We’re returning for a closer look focusing on Obwalden. It is, along with Nidwalden, Uri & Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. Obwalden is located in the center of Switzerland at the foot of Mt Pilatus and Mt Titlis. Click here for a visit.

SWISS DIALECTS. Switzerland is not a very big country. Arizona is seven times larger & has about one million fewer inhabitants. The country is amazingly diverse both culturally & linguistically. It has four official national languages, two of which are reluctantly spoken in daily life by its inhabitants. Its multilingualism makes life quite interesting & confusing for foreigners, yet the average Swiss takes it in stride. It is not uncommon to hear two Swiss from different regions use today’s lingua franca (English) to communicate in lieu of their native tongue. Although this spotlight is written in English, many of the imbedded links will be in some of the languages & dialects spoken in Switzerland. We hope that you’ll explore them and enjoy this introduction to Schwiitzerdütsch & other dialects. Click here for the tour.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden. In our previous visit to “Appenzellerland” we travelled to the half-canton of Innerrhoden. We’re returning for a look at its sibling, Ausserrhoden, which was founded when in 1597 Appenzell was split in two for religious reasons. It is a beautiful canton with great hiking trails, splendid views, and lovely villages & towns which dot the countryside. Its many customs and traditions are celebrated with pride. Appenzell is surrounded by the Canton of St Gallen. Surprisingly, Ausserrhoden, as well as its other half, are often overlooked by tourists as a great destination & a super launching point to explore eastern Switzerland. Click here to begin your visit.

ZÄHRINGER CITIES. The City of Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen. According to historians he vowed to establish & name the town after the first animal he encountered. Yes, it was a bear -I’m sure glad that he didn’t find a skunk. Bern is not the only city established by the Dukes of Zähringen. In Switzerland they founded Rheinfelden, Fribourg, Burgdorf, Murten, Thun, and of course Bern.. In this spotlight we’ll introduce you to a couple of cities that we haven’t yet visited in past spotlights. They all have fascinating histories and are great places to visit. Click here for a quick look.

How Alf Mildenberger Got into Coffee Smuggling. Switzerland has a long & fascinating history of smuggling along its borders. In our Spotlight on La Chaux-de-Fonds - Neuchâtel we introduced you to the “Chemins de la Contrebande franco-suisse” along the border with France. A busier border with lots of interesting tales of ways “entrepreneurs” practiced their trade, is on the border with Italy. There are a number of museums in Switzerland dedicated to these stories. Do keep in mind that from a Swiss point of view, smuggling of coffee & tobacco products was a form of export which was tolerated by most authorities. The Italian Guardia di Finanza on the other hand didn’t share that opinion. Click here to read Alf’s firsthand account of this trade.

Swiss Chocolatiers. In the mid-1950s we were introduced to a hound dog on TV claiming that “Nestlé makes the very best chocolate” We had just emigrated to the States from Switzerland around that time and could only partially agree with the slogan. In school we had learned the names of many entrepreneurs who had laid the foundation making Switzerland one of the world’s leading chocolate manufacturers with names of companies that still exist today. Names like Cailler, Suchard, Lindt, & Tobler are just a few who come to mind. In this spotlight we’ll introduce you to some of these players and how the invention of a baby formula ultimately led to the founding of the world’s largest food & drink company in the City of Vevey on the Lake of Geneva, Switzerland. Click here to learn more.

Canton of Neuchâtel. The canton borders the largest lake entirely located within Switzerland, and it is recognized as the cradle of the world’s watchmaking activity. In addition to great wines it also has the dubious reputation of having invented one of Vincent van Gogh’s favorite beverages. Neuchâtel’s temperature along its large lake is quite mild; however, should you opt to visit the Brévine Valley for its many winter activities, bring some warm clothes. La Brévine’s nickname is “Switzerland’s Siberia” having registered a record cold of 43F below zero. Click here for a quick tour of Switzerland’s 21st Canton.

SPOTLIGHTS - TABLE OF CONTENTS. We hope that you enjoy these “Spotlights” and that we have been able to help you discover new & exciting places to visit on your next trip to Switzerland. We really could use your help to make this site even better. It would be wonderful if you could tell us about some of your favorite places in Switzerland, restaurants you especially like, and share with us special holidays & customs of your hometown. Some of the visitors to this website have never visited Switzerland. Perhaps you could provide some suggestions and ideas to make their trip truly memorable. Click here to see a list of the “Spotlights” we have shared with our visitors these past few years.

CHRISTMAS IN SWITZERLAND. We all have unique ways of celebrating the Christmas Holidays. Traditions vary from family to family as they do from country to country. In Switzerland you know that the Advent Season has arrived by the many Christmas markets you’ll find throughout the country. Each Canton, as well as many cities & villages, have unique celebrations some of which we featured in past “Spotlights”. The Christmas celebrations in Switzerland are in many ways similar to the way they are enjoyed in the U.S., but there are differences. We’ll introduce you to some of the more common ones in this “Spotlight”. Click here for a peek.

Bed and Breakfasts. Once you have determined your vacation destination it’s important that you define your and your travelling partner’s interests. Are historical places your soft spot, do you want to visit museums & art galleries, is hiking or bicycling on top of your wish list, is sight-seeing an important goal, do you want to use public transportation or do you prefer exploring the country by car? There never is enough time to do everything, so select your top one or two choices and start planning. My goal was to give Christine a closer look at Switzerland, its beauty and its people. Not having any family or friends to stay with, our lodging choice to meet our goals was easy: BnBs. Click here to share our experiences.

LAKE CONSTANCE. In our “Spotlights” on the Cantons of Thurgau and St Gallen we talked about the miles and miles of well-maintained walking & cycling paths in the region. We thought that it would be nice to go back for a second look, but this time focus on Lake Constance -Bodensee for German speakers. It is the third largest lake in central Europe, bordered by Switzerland on the south, Germany in the north, and Austria on the east. The lake is a popular vacation destination offering something for everyone. We’ll take a bike ride around the lake and of course plan to go on a lake cruise also. We hope that you enjoy the visit. Click here for the three-country tour.

LAKE OF LUGANO. Located in the southern part of Switzerland in the Canton of Ticino, the Lake of Lugano is one of the many idyllic destinations chosen by visitors looking for a vacation spot to recharge their batteries. Approximately 2/3 of the lake resides in Switzerland and the rest lies in Italy. The Tessin enjoys Mediterranean-like weather and the best time to visit Lugano is from April to June when the region explodes with flowers, or -especially if you are a foodie- in Fall to savor the many superb local mushroom and venison dishes. Click here for a closer tantalizing look. Beware, you’ll want to plan a trip to the Tessin after this visit.

LAKE WALEN (WALENSEE). Looking for a corner to visit in Switzerland that is not over-run with tourists, then a visit to the Lake of Walen is a great choice. Often called “The Riviera of Eastern Switzerland”, Lake Walen links the cantons of St Gallen & Glarus. This holiday region is a great destination for hikers, windsurfers, canoers, and people who simply want to enjoy the beautiful scenery & “veg-out.” Some of the areas on the lake, such as the Village of Quinten, are only accessible on foot or by boat. In winter the region is well frequented by families, skiers, and non-skiers who enjoy the many winter walking trails and the beauty of the region. Click here for a quick visit.

FAMOUS SWISS AMERICANS. America is a nation of immigrants each having brought unique experiences and perspectives from their homelands. Many have made significant contributions to the development of the U.S., and new immigrants continue to do so today. In our “Spotlight” on Berne, Indiana, we talked about the Swiss Mennonites & Amish. In this “Spotlight” we’ll introduce you to some Swiss who have played an important role in the history, in the arts, & folklore of the United States. Some you will recognize. Others we hope will surprise you. Click here for a peek.

MOUNTAIN PASSES. In our spotlight on the Canton of Uri we mentioned that a visit to Switzerland would not be complete without a 3-Pass drive over the Susten, Furka, & Grimsel mountain passes. James Bond fans will remember the chase in “Goldfinger” over the Furka Pass. You’ll probably want to cross the passes in a more leisurely manner. Whether you drive, hike, cycle or motorcycle over the passes you’re in for a thrill and a wonderful experience. Do keep in mind that these passes are usually only open from May to October. This month we’ll take you there and we’ll take a look at other famous Swiss passes in future spotlights. Click here for a closer look.

Genève. A couple of years ago in our spotlight on the “République et Canton de Genève”, we told you about the annual Escalade celebration & the role of Mère Royaume. We’ll take a closer look at the City of Calvin. He would still recognize Geneva’s old town, but would not approve how it has evolved into a truly international city with a unique flair unlike any other in Switzerland. Its citizens frequently challenge their Swiss-German compatriots. They are fiercely independent & proud of their heritage, not only as Swiss, but as citizens of the République et Canton de Genève. Click here to further explore the city.

Lake of Brienz. One of the problems one faces when visiting the Bernese Oberland is that wherever you turn there is something new to see. There just never seems enough time to visit everything. As we have said on several occasions, Switzerland is like Disneyland on steroids. The Bernese Oberland is no exception. The classic view of the Jungfrau as seen from Interlaken is world-renowned. The town is of course located between two lakes, hence its name. Although visitors to Switzerland will be familiar & recognize the Lake of Thun, the Lake of Brienz is oft forgotten. Click here for a closer look.

Berne, Indiana, is a typical mid-western town. Its claim to fame rests with its heritage as the home of the Swiss Amish who emigrated to the United States from Bern, Switzerland, to avoid persecution for their beliefs. The horse-drawn buggies clattering down country roads driven by men & women wearing traditional clothes dating back a couple of centuries, draw tourists from all over the world. The citizens of Berne’s pride in their heritage & their town have inspired them to erect a monument to symbolize their relationship with their town‘s namesake. A clock tower in the image of the famous Zytglogge. Click here to learn more.

ADELBODEN. Ask any Swiss where to spend the perfect vacation and you’ll get a plethora of recommendations. Each claiming that their spot is the most beautiful in Switzerland. Actually, you can throw a dart at a Swiss map & you’ll probably land on a great spot to spend your summer or winter holidays. The Bernese Oberland is one of the most beautiful & varied areas of Switzerland. One of the villages favored by many Swiss, not well-known by Americans, is the village of Adelboden. On our way we’ll stop off in Spiez and we’ll also take some side trips. Click here for the visit.

RAPPERSWIL. One of the many pleasures that await visitors to Switzerland are cruises on one of its many lakes. A day trip on one of Lake Zürich Navigation Company’s historic paddle steamers to Switzerland’s “City of Roses” is one of these treats. The city has an interesting history. During the French Revolution Rapperswil was for a few weeks the capital of the Canton of Linth. The territorial division was short-lived with the forming of the Canton of St Gallen. The city is the headquarters of the famous Knie Brothers Swiss National Circus and the home of the unique Polish Museum which is housed within the Rapperswil Castle. Click here to find out more.

Swiss Cuisine & Fine Dining. Upon returning from extended overseas assignments most of us yearn for some “back-home comfort” food. It could be as simple as an In-N-Out burger, or as fancy as a prime rib dinner in a five-star restaurant. For many Swiss returning to their homeland an OLMA Bratwurst, a Saucisson Vaudois, or a Thurgauer Käseschnitte will address the former. For others, a fine evening out at a 2 or 3-star Michelin rated restaurant would better satisfy their yens. There is more to Swiss cuisine than fondue or raclette. Click here to explore some fine dining options and Swiss regional specialties.

Seeland & the Lake of Bienne. The 3-Lakes Region of Switzerland was one of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s favorite places. Seeland is Switzerland’s most important vegetable growing region & the region is recognized as the cradle of the Swiss watch-making industry. Kurt Schittli, our colleague from the Arizona Swiss Society, hails from the area. It’s a great place to visit in summer, and if you find yourself in Bienne in January or February, you can treat yourself to their traditional Treberwurst (sausage). These are cooked in the hot steam coming out from distilling vessels during the production of grape marc. Would you like to own a personalized hand-made Swiss watch? Click here to find out how.

CANTON OF ZŰRICH. Mention Zürich and visitors will focus on the City of Zürich, one of the most important financial centers in the world & its banana-shaped lake, often neglecting visits to some of the canton’s many interesting spots. We featured the City of Zürich in a previous “Spotlight”. This time we’ll take you to the 6th largest city in Switzerland, introduce you to one of Switzerland’s best-known authors, and we will visit the home of one of the finest chocolatier in the world. Click here for a look.

Lausanne to Villeneuve. There has always been friendly rivalry between the residents of Geneva with its numerous international organizations and of Lausanne, the Capital of the Canton of Vaud, with its famous museums, its university & dynamic night life. Both are beautiful cities with lots to offer. We have introduced you to some of the highlights of the canton in previous “Spotlights”, and now want to take you on a short trip along the Lake of Geneva from Lausanne to Villeneuve for visits to Switzerland’s most famous castle, the home of the world’s largest food & beverage company, and the resting place of one of Hollywood’s most famous movie stars of the silent-film era. Click here for a visit.

Holiday Traditions. As we approach the end of the year, most of us -especially the child in each of us- look forward to celebrate end-of-year festivities and the many traditions associated with the season. In the U.S. we kick off the season in November with Thanksgiving. In the U.K. Guy Fawkes Day bonfires & fireworks set the mood, and in Sweden on December 13th young girls with crowns of lit candles celebrate St. Lucia to launch their many traditions. Holiday traditions are a wonderful way to embrace our heritage and pass it on from one generation to the next. Switzerland with its very diverse culture offers many opportunities to celebrate the season. Click here for a look

THE CANTON OF GRISONS. We’re frequently asked how many languages are spoken in Switzerland. We’ll go down the list explaining that Schwyzerdütsch is different from German and when Romansh is mentioned we invariably get “What’s that?” as a reply. We point out that it is one of the three official languages spoken in the largest canton of Switzerland, the Grisons. In this spotlight we’ll visit Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, and introduce you to the upper Engadine with its many well-known holiday destinations. Although winter sports have long been associated with Graubünden, as the canton is known in German, it’s a great destination for summer vacations as well. Click here for a visit.

SWISS WINES. One of the things that often surprises visitors to Switzerland as they travel on country roads along its lakes & rivers, is the sight of so many vineyards. Many don’t realize that Switzerland produces a great variety of excellent wines. We Swiss are proud of our wines and drink most of it ourselves, leaving little for exporting. In this “Spotlight” we’ll introduce you to the six wine-producing regions of Switzerland. We hope that we’ll tantalize you to visit Switzerland and drink a “deci” or two in one of the many villages after which many of the wines are named. For a great experience click here.

BELLINZONA. We have all done it! While driving somewhere with a destination in mind we bypass interesting places because we did not want to take the time to stop, thinking that we’ll do so some other time. One of the destinations often bypassed by travelers going south via the Gotthard is Bellinzona, the capital of the Canton of Ticino. Even fewer people stop off along the Leventina or Blenio Valleys to visit some of the neat places & villages of the region. With the recent opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel which comes out at Bodio, we fear that even fewer travelers will be inclined to visit the region. We hope that this quick visit to Bellinzona & the upper Ticino will entice you to go. Click here for a look.

La Gruyère. Picture yourself sitting at a table in the middle of winter in a chalet high up in the Swiss pre-Alps ready to dip a piece of bread into a boiling pot of cheese fondue. Follow the meal with a digestive and a chocolate truffle or two. It doesn’t get much better than that! Some will argue that one should use Emmentaler cheese for your fondue. I would argue that the best fondue is made with half Gruyère & half Vacherin the Fribourg. We will visit the Gruyère region for a tour of its famous village & castle, introduce you to the Armaillis of Fribourg, and take you for a visit to the factory of Switzerland’s oldest brand of Swiss chocolates still in existence today. Click here for the culinary tour.

The Canton of Valais. For many, the Matterhorn and Switzerland are synonymous. For those people who have visited this bi-lingual canton, it's the 300 days of sunshine a year, its 5000 miles of marked hiking trails, its majestic mountain ranges of 13,000 ft high peaks, its vineyards, as well as its summer & winter resorts that draw them back year after year. The Valais, Wallis in German, is the home of the legendary Saint Bernard dogs. The upper Valais is the birthplace of one of the most significant waterway of Europe - The Rhone River. Click here for an introduction to the canton.

BASEL LAND. Switzerland is renowned for its Alps which attract thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. Not as well known, yet beautiful as well, is the chain of mountains separating Switzerland from France. The Jura Mountains stretch from Geneva to Basel Land. The Canton has a rich history dating back to Roman times. Many traditions & festivals have been carried forth from the medieval period and are celebrated to this day. The “Chienbäse” in Liestal is one of the most interesting. John Augustus Sutter who attempted to establish a “New Helvetia” in California, claimed Rünenberg in Basel Land as his home town. Click here for a visit to “Baselbiet”.

CANTON OF SCHWYZ. Located in the heart of Switzerland, Schwyz is one of the founding cantons. It is rich in beauty and history. It is the home of the Victorinox Company, the manufacturer of the world-renowned “Swiss Army Knives”. The canton’s capital is the site of the Museum of the Swiss Charters of the Confederation, and for aficionados of fine spirits we’ll visit the Swiss Cherry trail. Kirsch is to the Swiss, what Whisky is to the Scots, Cognac is to the French and Linie Aquavit is to the Norwegians. St. Nicholas visits Schwyz on December 5th, not on the 25th. Click here to find out where.

LUCERNE. The City of Lucerne with its iconic wooden covered bridge is for many synonymous with Switzerland. Located on an arm of the “Vierwaldstättersee” (Lake of four forest Cantons), it is the starting point for may organized tours of Switzerland. The Canton of Lucerne joined the early Swiss Confederation in 1332. In addition to its rich and interesting history, Lucerne offers many delightful spots for year-round holidays. In our spotlight we’ll tell you about the Swiss version of “Radio Free Europe”, we’ll introduce you to one of Switzerland’s most famous heroes, and tell you about a holiday destination for the rich & famous. Click here to learn more about the Canton of Lucerne.

St. Gallen. Mention St. Gallen to a Swiss and they’ll undoubtedly tell you about the magnificent Baroque Abbey Cathedral & its Abbey Library. They will possibly tell you that the City of St. Gallen has a “Red Square” and that you can visit Heidi Land from there. Looking at a map of the canton, you’ll see that it has access to three large Swiss lakes: Constance, Zürich & Wallen. Geographically it surrounds the Cantons of Appenzell-Innerrhoden & Ausserrhoden and borders Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein as well as the Cantons of Graubünden, Glarus, Schwyz, Zürich & Thurgau. The Canton of St. Gallen is a lovely and interesting corner of northeastern Switzerland. Click here for a visit.

Glarus. The flag of Glarus is easily recognizable in its depiction of Saint Fridolin, the Irish missionary who is credited for bringing Christianity to Glarus in the 6th century. The canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1352. Glarus along with Appenzell is one of the few places where one can experience the original form of Swiss direct democracy. On the first Sunday in May eligible voters meet in Glarus’ town square in an open-air assembly (Landsgemeinde) to vote for representatives & cantonal issues. Voting is done by the raising of hands. Although the Canton of Glarus is a bit off the beaten track, it truly is worth a visit. Click here for a brief introduction.

SOLOTHURN. Contrary to popular beliefs, storks might not really deliver babies, but they do perch in their nests on high roofs in a small Solothurn village. For many, 7 is a lucky number; for others, 13 will bring bad luck. Find out why 11 is so important in Solothurn. The capital of Solothurn was founded during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Today it’s known as Solothurn, then Salodurum. It has a lot of history. Rolex watches nor Lindt chocolates are associated with Solothurn, but one of the world’s finest manufacturer of shoes is. Did you know that you don’t have to go to Peru to go trekking with llamas or alpacas? Click here to find out why.

Lake of Thun. Many consider Interlaken to be the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. Located between two lakes as its name implies, it is indeed a great spot to start your explorations of this beautiful Swiss region. As a Bernese I find that Thun and its lake is a better choice; hence, I consider it to be the entrance. I suggest that you spend a couple of days in the capital City of Bern, then take a short train ride to Thun, check out the city, do some shopping, then jump on a paddle wheel ship for a tour of the lake. Click here for a visit.

Canton of Uri. Located in the heart of the country, Uri is the birthplace of Switzerland where in 1291 the Cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swore allegiance to each other to repel the Habsburgs. It is the home of Switzerland’s national hero and the longest tunnel in the world. Uri is located on the southern fjord-like arm of the Lake of Lucerne, more commonly known in Switzerland as the Vierwaldtättersee or Lac des Quatre-Cantons (Lake of Four Forest Cantons). It’s a beautiful canton ideal for hiking, bicycling and simply enjoying the scenery. Click here for a visit.

Canton of Jura. Not to be confused with the delightful single malt whiskies from the Isle of Jura, the Canton of Jura nestled in the Jura mountains gained its independence from Bern in 1979 to become the 26th Canton of the Swiss Confederation. The Canton is sandwiched-in between France and the Canton of Bern to which it belonged since right after the Napoleonic Wars. For a long time this region was cut-off from the other cantons, hence developed a unique culture. Jura is known for its watchmaking, the oldest cheese in the Swiss Confederation, and the home of the Freiberger (Franches-Montagnes) Swiss horse breed. Click here for a visit.

AARGAU. Few people realize that Aarau, the capital of the canton of Aargau, was for a brief moment in history also Switzerland’s capital and the home of the first Houses of Parliament. It’s a charming city known as “The City of Beautiful Gables”. Aargau has a rich history going back to Roman times and offers visitors the opportunity to stroll through many intact old towns dating back to the 1600 & 1700s. We’ll visit spas along the Rhine River, introduce you to a couple of castles and take you to the largest brewery in Switzerland. Click here for a visit.

UNTERWALDEN. We have often heard the remark that Switzerland is a lot like Disneyland - lots of things to see and do in a relatively small place. If you have been there you know that every time you turn around there is something new to experience. Switzerland is no exception. This month we will visit one of the “Forest Cantons” located in central Switzerland- a canton rich in history. In our past “Spotlights” we’ve taken you on boat trips, and we’ve introduced you to great hiking trails & bicycle paths. This time we’ll go riding in one of the newest cable cars in the heart of Switzerland. Click here for a peek.

THURGAU. If you are a cyclist, like to hike, enjoy sailing or inline-skating, or just soak up beautiful scenery, then Switzerland is the ideal place to visit. One of the areas that immediately comes to mind is the Canton of Thurgau on the Lake of Constance or Bodensee as German speakers call it. Located in eastern Switzerland, Thurgau offers miles and miles of well-maintained walking and cycling paths. Needless to say, the strong attraction of this region is the Lake of Constance and Untersee which offer a great variety of water sports. The Canton is easily accessible by car, bus, train, and boat. Click here for a visit.

Unique Swiss Sports- You’ll find passionate soccer fans all over the world and the U.S. is no exception, although I do recognize that American football, basketball, & baseball are still generally in the forefront. Many in Switzerland claim that Jass is the national sport. I agree, but there are other sports even more interesting than this ubiquitous card came. Whip cracking which is associated with “Chlauschlöpfe” and white turf horseracing where thoroughbreds pull skiers over a frozen lake are just a couple examples. Click here to find out more.

The City State of Basel, one of the smallest Swiss Cantons- it’s only 14 square miles in size- is located at the heart of the tri-national metropolitan area made up of Switzerland, France and Germany. The city is separated into two districts by the Rhine River which makes a sharp elbow here as it turns toward the North Sea separating France and Germany on its way. Basel is the embarkation point for Rhine River cruises, so take an extra couple of days to visit this beautiful city with its rich history, beautiful “old-town” and museums to address every interest imaginable. Click here for a look at some of its attractions.

The City of Zürich. In our rush to get from point A to point B, we often miss out on opportunities to see and experience neat things. We’re so focused on the destination that we sometimes forget that the journey is what makes it worthwhile. Most of us have landed at Kloten on our visits to Switzerland, yet, I wager that few of us have taken the time to visit the city on the Limmat. Zürich is the birthplace of Gottfried Keller, one of Switzerland’s greatest writers, and the resting place of James Joyce, one of the most influential writers of the early 20th century. Click here for a look.

The Republic & Canton of Geneva. One of the many memorable sights of Geneva is the Jet d’Eau, that giant fountain shooting its waters 140 meters above western Europe’s largest lake. The other significant landmark is St. Peter’s Cathedral which dominates the Old Town of Geneva. Geneva is the home of the European headquarters of the United Nations and more than 200 international organizations. December 12th is celebrated in Geneva each year. Click here to find out why.

BERN, the capital of Switzerland, is truly unique in that it has managed to retain its medieval appearance and heritage. The sandstone houses, the narrow streets & historical fountains, and of course its arcades which provide about six kilometers of unbroken covered walkways that protect its residents & visitors from the elements add charm to this beautiful city. You can stroll down the arcades and shop at your leisure all the way from the main train station to the bottom of the Old City at Nydeggbrücke. Want to experience something totally different during a summer visit to Bern? Take a look.

The Republic & Canton of Ticino. Polenta cooked on an outdoor fire or in a fireplace is truly a magnificent dish. For many, this and the fact that Italian is spoken there is the only thing they know about the Ticino, or Tessin as the French & Germans call it. Located on the south side of the Swiss Alps, this beautiful canton has lots to offer. Lugano is known for its waterfront. Locarno attracts visitors from all over the world to its summer concerts & its international film festival. Ascona on the Lago Maggiore is not only a beautiful little city, but is a great place to catch the ferry to the Isole di Brissago. And Bellinzona with its majestic Castelgrande medieval castle tops the list of neat places to visit in the Ticino. Click here for some interesting things to do.

The Canton of Vaud. The Chateau de Chillion is a well-recognized island-castle located on the lake of Geneva, and even if you are not a jazz fan, you probably will have heard of the annual Montreux Jazz Festival. Many people, however, don’t realize that James Bond’s pursuit of Auric Goldfinger’s Rolls Royce took place on the hillsides along the vineyards overlooking the Lake of Geneva in the Canton of Vaud. Oh yes, lest I forget, natives of Vaud will be quick to point out that the lake should really be called Lac Léman. Click here and join us in exploring a few of the Canton’s sights.

La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, a well-recognized and renowned center of the watchmaking industry & a showpiece of Art nouveau, is located but a few miles from the French border in the Jura mountains. The Canton of Neuchâtel entered the Swiss Confederation as a principality in 1814, then after a peaceful revolution in 1848 it established a republic. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Chaux-de-Fonds is proud to claim a number of famous sons. Click here to find out who they are. We wish to thank François Robert for his inputs about his hometown.

Appenzell Innerrhoden. To a Swiss, a cow is a beautiful thing, and if you have the opportunity to visit Appenzell at the end of summer when cattle led by their herdsmen return to the valley from their alpine séjour, you’ll understand why & have the pleasure to meet the winners of the annual cattle show. Yes! You’ll easily identify them by the wreaths of flowers hung on their foreheads. Appenzell which is surrounded by the Canton of St. Gallen has a rich history and lots to offer. If hiking or biking are your passions, a visit to the Appenzellerland is a must. Click here to learn more about this “half-Canton”.

Canton of Schaffhausen. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Pisa its Leaning Tower, and Arizona the Grand Canyon. The Canton of Schaffhausen known for its Rhine Falls has a couple of the prettiest old towns in Switzerland. Walking down the traffic-free Old Town of Schaffhausen you’ll see guild and merchant houses, many with richly painted facades & beautifully carved doorways, dating back to the Gothic and Baroque times. We’ve been told that you’ll find over 170 oriel bay windows on these fine buildings. You can’t miss the fortress of Munot which overlooks the City of Schaffhausen. It the can be seen from miles away. Click here to join us for a visit to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfalls in Europe per volume.

City of Fribourg. You probably know what rösti are, but do you know where you’ll find the “Rösti Ditch”? Yes, it’s the name occasionally given to the Saane River, or Sarine if you prefer, which divides the German-speaking and the French-speaking parts of Switzerland. The river flows through the capital of the Canton of Fribourg, and as you might have guessed, it’s a bilingual city. The river surrounds the city on three sides just as the River Aare does in Bern. The City of Fribourg like Bern has preserved its medieval center. It’s a beautiful City. Click here for a peek.

Lower Engadine. Most people associate the Grisons (Graubünden in German & Grischun in Romansch) with St Moritz & Pontresina renowned as winter playgrounds for the rich & famous. Others recognize Davos where the annual World Economic Forum is held. There is another side of Graubünden where many Swiss spend their winter and summer holidays - The Lower Engadin. We’ll introduce you to Selina Chönz the author of a children’s picture book almost as famous as Heidi and take you to the village which inspired the story. If you’re looking to spend some time in the Swiss Alps, a bit off the beaten track where all the tourists hang out, click here and take a look.

ZUG. Located halfway between Zürich and Lucerne, the Canton of Zug is often overlooked as a neat place to spend a weekend or, for those people pressed for time, it’s a perfect destination for a day trip. Zug is a small Canton about ¾ the size of Marana. Some people might know Zug for its extremely favorable tax structure which attracts multi-nationals and the very affluent from all over the world. You’d never know it from your visit. One of the many pleasures of travelling is discovering local traditions & customs and whenever possible participate in them. We’ll tell you about a couple in this spotlight and show you around for things to do. Click here for the visit.

Val de Bagnes. If asked about favorite Swiss dishes, most people will select fondue, some might even say raclette. Whenever I hear the latter I’m prompted to tell them about its origin and that the real name of the cheese is Bagnes. Then of course I have to tell them about royalty in Switzerland and the crowning of the “Queen of Queens”. The Val de Bagnes, a great summer & winter vacation destination, is located in the Canton of Valais. Although some of its towns like Verbier have “ritzy” reputations, there are many lesser-known villages offering affordable accommodations. Click here to find out more.