Circus Knie

2024-09-10T11:29:14+02:00

The national Swiss Circus Knie was founded over 200 years ago (in 1803) by Friedrich Knie and is one of the oldest circus in Europe. The Knie family is still running the the show!

The long history of the company reflects a lot about the ups and downs of each epoch. It survived two world wars!

Early last century the circus presented not only exotic animals but also exotic peoples (like peoples from Ceylon and other Indian provinces with dance shows etc). Locals couldn’t travel and were intrigued by such different cultures that could be seen close up.

Since the 60ies, during the winter months, when the circus is not on tour, the artists and their families and a number of animals have residence in Rapperswil, near Zurich.

At this stage in a given year the circus runs over 300 shows in 25 different cities with world famous artists.

Circus Knie2024-09-10T11:29:14+02:00

Crash Landing on You

2024-04-09T12:02:19+02:00

This pretty spot on lake Brienz, called Iseltwald (near Interlaken) suddenly became quite famous.

Between 2019-2020 Netflix produced the South Korean heart-breaking series „Crash Landing on You“. The stars Son Ye-Jin and Hyun-Bin turned the series into a big hit.

Most of the story focuses on Yoon Se-ri, the beautiful heiress to a conglomerate in South Korea. By mistake she lands in North Korea and gets arrested by a handsome North Korean elite military officer, captain Ri Jeong-hyeok.

Part of the series looks back to encounters in Switzerland.

Here in Iseltwald and in the area nearby quite a number of important scenes took place.

Iseltwald has suddenly become a place of modern pilgrimage. For CHF 5.- you can stand on the landing where Ri played his piano, preparing to go back home to North Korea.

Crash Landing on You2024-04-09T12:02:19+02:00

The Beatus Cave

2023-09-23T18:28:00+02:00

High above lake town, on the right side of the lake (closer to Interlaken) is the famous Beatus Cave. Beatus was an British monk who lived here, defeated a dragon and thus won the people’s heart.

The cave is developed on a path of 926m into the heart of the mountain. It slowly climbs 87 meters up from the entrance. In some places water is gushing down a gulley. In others there are ponds where the water reflects the surrounding.

This is an ideal outing during wet days. Inside the cave it is however dry and only 8-10°C. At the cave entrance is a nice restaurant.

The Beatus Cave2023-09-23T18:28:00+02:00

Hot Summer Days

2023-07-20T15:21:16+02:00

In Europe record temperatures are measured all across. In Spain and Portugal up to 44°C were recorded. Here in Switzerland in our area we have had up to 37°C. That is rather unusual. There are some summer storms bringing some coolness but on the whole the ground is very dry and needs more water from above.

During the summer weeks many people are on holidays and life slows down somewhat. We love to spend the summer here out in nature with bearable temperatures and many rivers and lakes to cool down.

Hot Summer Days2023-07-20T15:21:16+02:00

Allotment Gardens

2023-05-05T21:29:18+02:00

In our area there are at least 3 different plots of land that are owned and operated by a garden association. Local residents can join the association and for a very fair price rent a small plot of land for growing vegetables, fruits and flowers. Most tenants set up a shed or at least a roof with a couple of walls. Many spend much of their time off on the land, farming and gardening, chatting with friends and neighbors.

Many plot tenants also raise their own flags above their shed. So between Swiss flags you can see flags from many other nations. It seems that foreigners who tend such a plot of land tend to integrate better into Swiss society since that is an easier way to make friends.

Allotment Gardens2023-05-05T21:29:18+02:00

The Kanderdelta

2022-11-24T18:33:08+01:00

The river Kander is short but dangerous. It does not always lead a lot of water. But within a very short time it can turn into a dangerous torrent. In a terrible accident in June 2008 five soldiers lost their lives. Since then it is marked as too dangerous for river rafting.

The source of the river is high up on 2100m and flows through a beautiful and diverse alpine area. 47km later, in Gwatt, the river enters into lake Thun.

1774 the river was diverted to flow directly into lake Thun (as in the picture). The river used to flow into the Aare river past the city of Thun. This artificial Kander delta has been turned into a beautiful recreational area. The Hotel Deltapark is close by and is one of the best hotels in the area.

The Kanderdelta2022-11-24T18:33:08+01:00

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

Winter Wonderland

2022-01-22T21:58:17+01:00

Even though omicron is raging through the country it seems hardly anyone is dying from it. And there are no restrictions on going outside.

In the lowland there is not much snow left. So recently we decided to go higher up back into the winter season and enjoy the snow and sun.

A safe bet is the Niederhorn (above lake Thun) that is open all year round. Going up from the bottom to the top (at 1950m) takes only about 30’ by cable car.

We strolled along a safe path and looked down into the valley below. Then taking the sledge it is fun to glide down to the middle station in the village of Beatenberg.

Winter Wonderland2022-01-22T21:58:17+01:00

Opening Up

2021-05-04T17:47:19+02:00

In contrast to Germany, France and Italy, at end of April the Swiss government was opening up much of the country. As the weaker population is almost fully vaccinated the Covid cases have been declining or are stable. Recently we have hardly had any more death due to Covid.

Restaurants are allowed to serve customers outside of their premises. The view here is from the sun terrace of the restaurant Marbachegg at 1500m. The background offers a view of the impressive mountain ridge called Schrattenfluh (2000m).

The Marbachegg is a 10’ ride by cable care. Public transport from Bern takes 55’ to get to Marbach where you can purchase the ticket and get your ride up. It is a great area for skying in winter or hiking during the rest of the year.

Opening Up2021-05-04T17:47:19+02:00

The Four Gysnau Hills

2020-11-20T16:38:19+01:00

The town of Burgdorf is also called the door to the Emmen Vally. The river flowing past Burgdorf is called the Emme.

Four prominent and unique sandstone hills are facing the town across the river. They look like cut through the middle and are called the Gysnau Hills. The altitude to the top of them is just about 120m up from the Emme river. The round trip hiking up and along the top ridge of the four hills takes just about one hour.

The medieval town was mostly built from sandstone cut from queries from those hills.

Along those four hills rank some beautiful stories. One sad story claims that about 200 years ago a big boulder tumbled down unto a young couple in love burying them forever. The boulder is mysteriously sitting at the foot of the fourth hill.

The Four Gysnau Hills2020-11-20T16:38:19+01:00

First

2020-09-22T16:26:09+02:00

From the village of Grindelwald a cable car takes you to the top, called First, at 2167m. The view is splendid since the famous three mountains, which are all over 4000m, are right in front of you.

There are many possibilities to have fun. Here just the best three:
– Take the „First Glider“ which runs on a cable and accelerates up to 80km / h down to a station below.
– Just stroll around and walk over the platform in view, as the rock beneath you drops down far below.
– Take a good hour hike to a famous mountain lake called Bachalpsee with a world famous view. If the water is calm it reflects the whole scenery!

The First area is wonderful for kids too with playground and other specials. We recommend this outing especially for families!

First2020-09-22T16:26:09+02:00

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
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