The Schilthorn

2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

The Schilthorn reaches almost 3000m (2970m exactly) and is one of the most beautiful outings into the alps of Switzerland.

The panoramic view is breathtaking. Right across are the famous three: Eiger (3970m), Mönch (4107m) and the Jungfrau (4158m). Turning around 180° you can still just see the end of lake Thun and then gaze right across Switzerland into the rolling hills of the Jura.

The 360° restaurant on top turns around a full circle within 48 minutes. So you can comfortably sit over a drink and take in the view. It is also worthwhile just walking around outside or exploring the James Bond exhibition. Many important scenes from the Bond movie „On Her Majesty’s Secret Service“ (1969) were shot right here.

In winter the skying trail starts with a very steep descent. When there is no snow a nice trail leads from the middle station Birg station up to the Schilthorn.

The outing starts in Stechelberg, that is just one hour’s car ride from Bern. From Stechelberg the aerial cableway only takes 20’ to climb more than 2000m. There are three stations in between: Gimmelwald, then the delightful village of Mürren, the middle station Birg and the the Schiltorn. Each station has special attractions and activities to do and see.

The Schilthorn2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

Paragliding over Mürren

2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

In the Bernese Oberland (the alps in the canton of Berne) there are several companies offering tandem paragliding. One of the best flights is probably from the village of Mürren across the valley deep below towards the majestic „Wall of the Jungfrau“.

Airtime is a local company with professional pilots who have done a thousand and more flights. The flight from Mürren down to Stechelberg is called The Wall. It takes around 10’ and costs CHF 170.-. These guys are really fun to fly with. It might be best to reserve your flight a day or a few hours before take off.

The start is really quite easy. The pilot helps you get into the gear and then gives you instructions. These are rather simple. At his command run fast down a grassy slope (only about 3-4m) and then you are already airborne. As you sit comfortably you sail across the valley towards the towering wall of the Jungfrau only hearing the noise of the wind. The pilot will take you in circles high above the ground while you are gently loosing heights. The touch down is soft and easy too.

If you want the pilot to record scenes of your flight he will take his go pro along. The set of recording costs another CHF 40.-.

By car the drive from Berne to Stechelberg takes just one hour. From Stechelberg take the thrilling cableway (another 20’) to the very top, the Schilthorn at almost 3000m. On the way down get out in lovely mountain village of Mürren and enjoy and unforgettable flight down to the bottom of valley.

Paragliding over Mürren2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

The Lake of Thun

2016-11-19T20:05:58+01:00

Thun is a beautiful old and compact city at the lower side of the lake. At the other side, where the Aare river enters and mainly feeds the lake lies the village of Interlaken.

The lake of Thun is a mountain lake fed by water flowing down from the partly icy heights of the area. That is why it is also a rather cold lake. Even at the highest point of summer it reaches a maximum of about 22°C. However swimming out in this lake in the midst of a majestic mountain scenery is a most thrilling experience….

The lake is on an altitude of 558m. The Aare river meanders on flowing through Bern that lies another 20km down the river. In summer many people float down the river on rubber boats.

A great way to explore the lake is via boat. There are five different boats that crisscross the lake according to a set schedule stopping at the major villages on both sides of the lake.

In Interlaken it is easy to stroll across to the port for boarding a boat cruising the lake on the other side of Interlaken, called the lake of Brienz.

The Lake of Thun2016-11-19T20:05:58+01:00

The Lake of Hallwil

2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

Two beautiful natural lakes are part of the valley of the lake (Seetal): the lake of Hallwil and the smaller lake of Baldegg. Here in the picture is the lake of Hallwil (Hallwilersee). It is surrounded by soft green hills.

The lake of Hallwil is 8km long and very clean, like almost every lake in this country. The water has virtually drinking water quality.

In spring when the many fruit trees are in full bloom the area looks like in a picture book.

In summer the temperature of the lake reaches easily a comfortable 25°C. The lake offers a very popular and relaxing swimming experience and all sorts of water sports.

Usually in mid October a 21km jogging event takes place leading around the lake.

Occasionally in a very cold winter the whole lake can freeze up. The last time this happened in 1986.

Beinwil am See is the biggest village sitting on the lake and is part of the Canton of Aargau. Quite a few artists have made their home in this charming area.

Opposite of Beinwil am See is the village of Aesch (belonging to the Canton of Lucerne). On the sunny hills of Aesch a great vine is produced by friends of ours. This wine has won several prices for its outstanding quality.

The lake is about 1 1/2 hour away from Berne when taking the slightly longer and very beautiful scenic route via Huttwil.

The Lake of Hallwil2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

Enjoying a Skibock in Adelboden

2016-02-14T20:19:50+01:00

Switzerland is famous for winter sports. There are many areas in the alps dedicated to winter sports, some with hundreds of kilometres of ski slopes of various degrees of difficulties. Usually there is an amazing infrastructure built around those. Skiing and snowboarding are possible in a few high up areas on 365 days a year.

Mostly in February schools all over Switzerland have one week off, called the sports week. During this week most kids would join the school for a camp where they would continue to develop their skiing or snowboarding skills.

For a few years snow boarding was the big hype. In recent years however ski carving has gained a lot of popularity and most people on the slopes go down with their carving skis.

Last weekend with a group of friends we tried out something new called skibock. Especially in Adelboden, the skibock (a sawn-down ski with a simple seat) has become quite popular. It is a lot easier than skiing or snow boarding and quite some fun too. So even if people have no experience with skiing, why not try a skibock?

Enjoying a Skibock in Adelboden2016-02-14T20:19:50+01:00

Heidi, A Heart Warming New Movie

2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

The brand new movie “Heidi” is set in the middle of the 19th century. The story was written by the Swiss Johanna Spyri and published in 1879. The book became such a success that it was translated into more then 50 languages. The new movie follows very faithfully the original book. The film makers took tremendous shots of the scenery of mountains in Graubünden (southeastern part of Switzerland) and interesting perspectives of the 19th century German city of Frankfurt. Here is the trailer of the movie in the original languages (Swiss German and German).

Heidi is an orphan girl that gets placed with her loner grandfather called Alpöhi. Up on the mountains she leads a carefree and simple life. Her best friend is a shepherd boy (Geisspeter) who daily comes by to mind the few goats of Alpöhi.

One day Heidi’s aunt Dete snatches Heidi away and takes her to the far away city of Frankfurt. Here Heidi is placed in the house of a rich German family. Klara is the daughter of the house owner and just a little older than Heidi. Klara is bound to a wheelchair. The two quickly become best friends even though culturally they are from incredibly different backgrounds. As time goes on Heidi gets so homesick that she is allowed to return home to her Alpöhi living high up in the mountains.

Later on Klara comes to visit Heidi in her remote spot. The visit even has the effect of her learning to walk again.

Heidi, A Heart Warming New Movie2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00
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