The Swiss Rail

2024-02-29T11:34:39+01:00

The Swiss trains are known for their punctuality and their cleanliness. The Swiss love their public system network, with which probably every village in the country can be accessed.

For a few decades the double decker trains have helped in coping with the streams of commuters during the daily rush hour.

More than 10,000 trains run on the network every day, together with the Alpine railroads, which are attractive to tourists. All of this contributes to the image of Switzerland as a railroad country.

The Swiss rail network is considered the best in Europe in terms of passengers transported, punctuality, kilometers travelled per passenger and low number of accidents. At the same time it is one of the most expensive in the world.

The Swiss Rail2024-02-29T11:34:39+01:00

23°C

2023-08-24T13:03:53+02:00

Lake Thun is a cold lake. The glaciers up on the high mountains carry cold water into lake.

This summer the lake water temperature  has reached 23°C. This is about the maximum. Flocks of people are using the wonderful cooler water to find refuge from the oppressive heat.

The best experience of the lake is going out for a swim at night, when nobody is around and the stars are shining above your head.

This kind of high quality of life is free and easily available during the hot summer months.

23°C2023-08-24T13:03:53+02:00

Sailing

2023-06-25T17:48:32+02:00

Switzerland is a very small country with 208 mountains over 3000m and 24 mountains over 4000 meters. 70% of the country is hilly. Many rivers have their source in these mountain areas. That is why Switzerland also has over 1500 lakes (small and big).

In Switzerland sailing is a hobby that quite a few people are enjoying.

The biggest sailing school is on lake Thun, in Hilterfingen.  It offers a basic course over 4 days. From day one people are paired up and go out in a sailing school boat to try out sailing fully hands on. Instructors are nearby on motorboats and keep an eye on the newbies.

Sailing2023-06-25T17:48:32+02:00

The Technorama

2022-09-27T22:17:48+02:00

This is Switzerland’s exciting science center located in Winterthur (near Zurich). It is great for a family outing and allows a hands-on experience of hundreds of natural phenomena and technology. The Technorama is really geared towards kids who are into exploring the world through touch, play and experimentation. When visiting you hear a lot of laughter and see people being mesmerized by awesome discoveries.

It is a rather big place with exhibitions, labs, seminar rooms and a big outdoor area (with more exciting discoveries). The restaurant is simple and offers food that kids love.

For adults (16 and over) it costs CHF 32.- / person. Kids are charged CHF 20.- and kids under 5 are free. It is certainly worth to spend a morning or an afternoon there.

The Technorama2022-09-27T22:17:48+02:00

The Susten Pass

2022-08-19T14:43:57+02:00

Switzerland most famous pass is the Gotthard. It leads from German speaking Switzerland into the Italian speaking part of the country and on to Italy. Another pass that is not as well known but one of the most spectacular ones is called Susten.

The road up to Susten starts from the very end of the Aare valley connecting the canton Bern with the canton Uri, landing to the ascent of the Gotthard pass.

The road is famous for motorbike fans. There are 23 wonderful bends. The most famous one is a hairpin curve at km 24. There are several tunnels and the road is in excellent condition. Close to the top, on the Bernese side you are granted a view of a glacier on the other side of a beautiful valley.

The pass dates back to the Romans who already traveled across the alps. In the 18th century the Susten was famous for its steep ascent and descent and not recommend for people who were not free from giddiness.

The Susten Pass2022-08-19T14:43:57+02:00

The Rheinfall

2022-07-06T12:56:23+02:00

In the most Northern part of Switzerland (close to the city of Schaffhausen) the river Rhein pours 23m down, over a width of 150m. In summer there are about 600 m3 per second that crash down the waterfall, causing a continuous thundering noise.

The view of the Rheinfall is great from both sides of the river. However we recommend to approach the fall from the small castle of Laufen on the left side of the Rhein. The entrance fee is CHF 5.- an adult and CHF 3.- for kids.

A great concrete viewing platform offers a magnificent close up view of this spectacle. At the bottom a ferry takes people to the castle Wörth on the other shore. From that location a boat takes people around the fall area or another one even to the rock in the middle of the fall.

The Rheinfall2022-07-06T12:56:23+02:00

Euro Soccer Cup 2021

2021-07-05T17:17:12+02:00

This summer Europe was glued to the screen due to exciting euro soccer matches. This year the Swiss team, which has been rather unspectacular turned out to be a big surprise.

On June 28 in Bucharest the Swiss had to play against France, the winner of the previous euro cup! The game almost ended with 3 goals for France and only 2 for Switzerland. But then in the very last minute of the game the Swiss scored another goal. Suddenly there was a tie: 3:3. What a cliffhanger game! In the ensuing 11m shoot out the Swiss scored a 5:4 victory  over France. The Swiss rose to incredible quarter-finals.

On July 2 in Petersburg (Russia) the Swiss team then had to face famous Spanish team. After the virtually impossible victory against the French the Swiss had high hopes that we might even be able defeat Spain as well. With a 1:1 the Swiss indeed were able to achieve another tie with Spain! In the 11m shootout the Swiss team lost 3-1. But the Swiss team had achieved the almost impossible and has been proudly celebrated upon their return home.

Euro Soccer Cup 20212021-07-05T17:17:12+02:00

Top of Europe

2019-07-23T17:16:48+02:00

Top of Europe, or Jungfraujoch, is reached by a mountain train either from Grindelwald or from Lauterbrunnen. The journey takes a little more than one hour. A first stop is at the Kleine Scheidegg above 2000m. After changing the train the journey leads through a long tunnel and ends on an altitude of 3454m. At this altitude the mountains are covered by snow all year round. And the temperatures drop correspondingly!

The view from the Jungfraujoch is staggering. On the Spingx observation desk there is a 360° view around. There are three mountain peaks right next to it that are higher than 4000m. The Aletsch glacier below stretches over several km.

A suggested trail leads the stream of visitors from one attraction to another. The tour takes a good 2 1/2 hours. During peak season about 5000 visitors make it to the top. It is recommended to make reservations beforehand.

Top of Europe2019-07-23T17:16:48+02:00

It’s hot!

2019-06-27T20:07:53+02:00

Finally summer has arrived with full strength. These days the temperature is around 34°-35°C, which for Switzerland is really hot! Most homes have wonderful central heating systems for winter, but no Airconditioning for such hot days!

At the moment people throng into the rivers and lakes and public swimming pools.

This picture focuses on the Aare river. It was taken above the Marzili area in the heart of the city of Berne. On the left people are just sunbathing, in the middle folks are walking up to one of many places where they can enter or jump into the Aare. And finally on the right you can see the people floating down the river.

Aare river swimming is an exhilarating experience. It flows fast, is quite cold (only 20°C at the moment) and also somewhat dangerous. Every year there are a couple of people drowning. So good swimming skills and some instructions are needed before taking a first jump into the clean water.

It’s hot!2019-06-27T20:07:53+02:00

The Europa Park

2019-05-27T13:27:21+02:00

This fun destination is very popular: around 5.6 million visitors a year flock to one of the biggest theme parks of Europe. On a surface of 950’000m2 you will find a mini Europe: 15 different countries (Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Russia, Greece etc) are represented with their different building styles, foods and attractions. Three different hotels and many restaurants and food stalls cater to the needs of the European customers.

On of the main attractions is the Silver Star roller coaster. It is one of the fastest and highest of Europe. But there are a dozen other roller coasters each with different characteristics.

Also for the smaller kids and elderly folks there are nice areas to hang out, play and enjoy time out with the grand kids.

The Europa Park is only an hour away from Basel, or two hours from Bern. It is across the boarder in Germany and also very close to the border of France. A day card ticket costs €52 for an adult and 44.50 for kids and senior citizens.

The Europa Park2019-05-27T13:27:21+02:00

Christmas Market

2018-12-21T11:05:11+01:00

Christmas markets are hugely popular in Europe! Some are really famous but most have become commercialised and lost authenticity.

For years in Bern we have already had two Christmas markets. This year a third was opened that everybody raves about.

This new Christmas Market is also very central and in a park next to the houses of parliament. It is really beautiful and has a much more authentic feel. The stalls are set up for about three weeks before Christmas. But they are beautiful and lovingly designed. There are lot’s of food opportunities but also sweets and many possible Christmas gifts available. A lot of atmosphere pervades this newly created but temporary space well worth checking out.

Christmas Market2018-12-21T11:05:11+01:00

Burgdorf’s Summer Festival

2018-06-26T14:21:53+02:00

On the last Monday of June the whole town of Burgdorf is celebrating. The festival is called Solennität – from the latin solemnis or solemnly. The beginning of the festival dates back 250 years. All the locals remember how they as kids in their school classes paraded through the streets along with an occasional marching band. I grew up in Burgdorf and love to flock back for the event.

The morning event starts at 9am. The girls are all dressed in white with flower wreaths in on their heads and holding a bouquet of flowers. The boys follow, also clad in white shirts. The morning event finishes with a service in the beautiful gothic church on top of the hill in the old town.

In the afternoon a topical parade leads through the whole town and ends down at the public meadows with dancing and a folk festival finishing in the early morning hours.

Burgdorf’s Summer Festival2018-06-26T14:21:53+02:00
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