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The Mirror House

2020-06-18T14:33:27+02:00

The Los Angeles artist Doug Aitken set set up this temporary amazing piece of art called „Mirage Gstaad“. All the surfaces of the house, that looks typical for the American West is covered by a mirror surface. The house reflects the countryside, the sky and the whole changing atmosphere and virtually melts into the landscape.

The mirror house can be visited for free. It will be available until spring 2021.

The art object is above the village of Gstaad in the Canton of Bern. This village is quite famous for its international billionaire clientele owning huge luxurious chalets. Many of those super wealthy people only live in Gstaad a few months or even just a few weeks a year.

The Mirror House2020-06-18T14:33:27+02:00

The Napf

2020-05-04T15:16:28+02:00

In the middle of a beautiful forested area one mountain peaks above the rest: the Napf. The altitude is only 1408m. But the view is incredible.

On top of the mountain it is rather flat surface with a restaurant. The view is literally 360° into every direction of Switzerland: mountains, hills, valleys and far away villages and towns.

The ascent isn’t too strenuous. It takes a good hour’s steep hike to make it from the bottom (starting at Mettlenalp near Trub) to the very top. Paths lead up from diverse directions. The way down to the starting point by another path takes about 90’.

The Napf2020-05-04T15:16:28+02:00

Gas price tumbles

2020-04-29T22:41:24+02:00

The gas price is at a historic low. It just shows that much less gas has been consumed over the past weeks of the corona lockdown. And amazing how much environmental pollution has cleared up too. Switzerland has been under lockdown since March 16. The Swiss have strictly kept to social distancing guidelines and unless necessary haven’t much left their homes. And the measures have clearly slowed the increase of cases. Starting April 27 the Swiss government is carefully opening up our country with three measured steps. It is a difficult balance act of trying to limit the growing immense damage to the economy and saving lives.

Gas price tumbles2020-04-29T22:41:24+02:00

Corona Times

2020-03-27T22:07:13+01:00

A good month ago (Feb 19) I reported on the coronavirus situation in Switzerland. Then we didn’t have a single case yet! Today (March 27) a little more than 5 weeks later, we have almost 13’000 cases. That is a lot for such a small country. Initial infections happened mainly via Italy, France and Germany….

Our health care system has a very high standard and we are preparing for a flood of cases. At the same idea everybody is now working to flatten the curve. On March 16 the central government set martial law into place.

A few important rules are set: thorough and regular washing of hands and staying at home as much as possible. If one has to leave there has to be a distance of 2m to the next person. Maximum 5 people are allowed to walk the street (a family that lives together). Police will enforce these basic rules. However most Swiss take this very seriously and don’t need reminding. 🙂

At the moment shopping is still possible for foods and some other important items. All other shops and restaurants are close. The yellow line on the ground helps people to keep distance. Customers are encouraged to pay wireless.

We expect that now the curve is slowing down. But the experience in China shows, that it takes a long time to really be able to control the situation.

Corona Times2020-03-27T22:07:13+01:00

Coronavirus and Switzerland

2020-02-19T12:23:26+01:00

While the coronavirus is still raging in certain areas in China, it has been very quiet here in Switzerland. We don’t have one known infection yet! But we are fully aware that the virus keeps spreading. The question is more, how much can it really be contained and controlled….

The impact of the virus in China is clearly felt on several fronts here too:
The media keep reporting, how the coronavirus is spreading. Facials masks are mostly sold out, even though no one is wearing them yet.
The economy is also clearly getting affected. Interlaken is one of the main tourist spots in Switzerland. There are no guests from China anymore. The Chinese restaurant in the picture was empty when I visited around 1pm!
The production of goods in China is affected. This has even an impact on global companies such as Apple and Co.

Our hearts go out to China, that is going through an extreme situation. We are looking forwards to the time, when guests from China are again able to enjoy the beauty of Switzerland strolling around leisurely without having to wear facial masks!

Coronavirus and Switzerland2020-02-19T12:23:26+01:00

Fox Town Outlet

2020-01-23T19:46:48+01:00

Foxtown is the biggest outlet shopping center in Switzerland. It is located near Lugano (Ticino) and therefore also very close to Italy.

The shopping center is open daily from 11am to 7pm. Many name brands sell clothing, shoes, accessories etc on three floor levels. It is basically a fashion outlet and doesn’t have many electronic shops and only one watch shop with some middle class watches.

There are several restaurants catering to the taste of their customers be it Italian, Asian or Swiss folks.

The big discounts make shopping of name brands a seriously good bargain compared to China, especially when the 8% VAT also gets included!

Customers from China can claim the 8% VAT for purchases over CHF 300.- from the same shop. If paid by cash or a credit card issued in Europe the tax office returns the 8% in cash. For most credit cards issued in China the customer has to get the receipt chopped at the airport and then send it off in an envelope received at the shop. The money will be directly returned via the credit card.

It is best to go and inquire at the tax office on floor 1, store 120 before going into hunting mode! And then come back to the tax office allowing enough time to process your bargains to claim your VAT back before the center closes.

Fox Town Outlet2020-01-23T19:46:48+01:00

Public Holidays

2019-12-25T17:10:58+01:00

In Switzerland starting with December 25 most people are off work until January 2. Kids enjoy a two weeks Christmas holiday. Everything is closed on the major dates of December 25 and 26 as well as December 31 and January 1. These dates are official public holidays.

People enjoy this festive season and often celebrate in their wider family. Quite a few people also travel abroad. The atmosphere is comparable to the Chinese Spring Festival! But in contrast to China here shops and businesses are all closed and hardly anybody is found walking the streets.

Public Holidays2019-12-25T17:10:58+01:00

First Snow

2019-11-20T15:28:42+01:00

Sigriswil consists of a couple of villages just above lake Thun. It is a great destination for hikes and offers a wonderful view into the mountains and down the valley to lake Thun. A hanging bridge crosses a deep canyon. In summer there is a place offering to wash gold flakes out of a river.

But now in November as the village is on about 800m the snow limit clearly comes down the mountain peaks. During November the weather is growing colder and sunny days are interspersed with days without much sun.

First Snow2019-11-20T15:28:42+01:00

Beatus

2023-09-23T18:27:08+02:00

According to legend Beatus was an British monk who travelled on pilgrimage to Rome in the first century AD. In Rome he met St. Peter and became a priest. He was sent to the area North of Switzerland, crossed the dangerous alps and arrived in the area of the lake of Thun in.

St. Beatus discovered the cave around 112AD and lived there as a hermit. A terrible dragon was devastating the area. St. Beatus was able to defeat the dragon and the area turned to Christ.

Today the cave offers a lot for modern visitors: about one km of trail leads through the beautiful natural cave. A restaurant caters to the needs of its visitors. And also for the little guests there are interesting activities.

Beatus2023-09-23T18:27:08+02:00

Gotthard Pass

2019-09-10T18:22:52+02:00

Since the middle ages the connection of the North of Europe with the South has gone right through the Swiss mountains across the Gotthard pass. It reaches 2107m and used to be a treacherous small road for traders and pilgrims often traveling in caravans past deep gorges. Due to bad weather every year a number of people didn’t make it.

Today a solid road leads across the pass. It’s great for motorbike rides or people wanting to enjoy the scenery rather than going through the fast tunnel beneath. The road is closed in winter with snow covering the top up to 10m. However the tunnel at the foot of the mountain stays open all year. During summer holidays sometimes the traffic from all over Europa causes traffic queues of several km of cars waiting to enter the tunnel…. A new railway tunnel through the mountain connects Bern to Milano by direct train in only 3h03’.

In the picture our friends look down into the valley on the Ticino side shortly before reaching the very top.

Gotthard Pass2019-09-10T18:22:52+02:00

Swiss Miniature

2019-08-23T12:22:13+02:00

Swiss Miniature was set up in 1959. It is located in Melide, in the Italian speaking Canton of Ticino. Switzerland’s most important buildings and sites are represented with a scale of 1:25.

Many scenes also represent local customs offering deeper glimpses into the different cultures of our country

There are also model trains (3,5km rails) running between the different locations and cable cars leading up and down the big mountains. 1500 trees and thousands of plants are naturally part of the picture.

Every year about 200’000 visitors make their way to this park, that is also very suitable for families with children.

Swiss Miniature2019-08-23T12:22:13+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
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