It was an innovative hotelier in St Moritz who first attracted winter guests to the Alps more than 150 years ago. Now Switzerland is a tourist mecca all year round – and this is a country that enjoys the winter outdoors like no other. Head to Switzerland to breathe in the fresh mountain air and feel snowflakes on your cheeks! Of course, there is world class downhill skiing, but there is so much more! Tobogganing, tubing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and more ensure you will keep active in the snowy landscape. From snow-blanketed forests to fondues in charming chalets to Christmas Markets, Switzerland promises excitement, tradition and above all – natural beauty.
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The same charming villages where, in summer, you can take cable cars and hike in alpine meadows convert to ski areas in the winter. The landscape is transformed by snow but the Swiss still get out into nature and enjoy the outdoors! And many people don’t appreciate how affordable skiing in Switzerland can be once you are there – it can compare very favourably with the US. There are many deals to be had where your ski pass may be discounted with your hotel stay or rail pass.
Skiing in Switzerland offers wonderful scenery and much longer trails than we are typically used to in North America. The ski infrastructure is fabulous – encompassing everything from the lift systems to the ski trails, tuition, quality of rental equipment and more. Swiss ski resorts also tend to be at higher altitudes, meaning that there is almost guaranteed snow cover. Nevertheless, you can find peace and quiet in the Swiss mountains, especially during the week, as the Swiss people themselves typically ski at the weekend.
The après ski scene is also woven into the lifestyle in Switzerland. It is all part of the experience to sip hot chocolate or gluhwein on the deck of a mountain gasthaus, watching other skiers come down the mountain. The last ski run of the day ends in a charming alpine village. After delicious local fare like Rosti, Fondue or Raclette in a warm, cosy restaurant you can retire to bed in your traditional, family run inn or hotel. Where you will undoubtedly sleep deeply after all that mountain air and exercise!
There is much to consider as you plan a skiing holiday. Especially with a group of family or friends – do you need a mix of mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced hills? Do you have snowboarders in your party – be aware that some Swiss resorts are ski-only? If you have kids or grandkids in the group - are there good facilities for children and teens? And are you looking for amenities at your resort such as swimming pools and spas? A ski vacation is definitely not booked in one click! Merit Travel have experienced Travel Consultants who really know about skiing. Merit have locations across Canada and will do the research, negotiate the deals, and customize an itinerary for you. Merit have an industry leading lineup of ski vacation packages for families, groups and couples. They offer vacations in Davos, Engelberg, Grindelwald and Zermatt - all fabulous resorts that will allow you to enjoy the essential Swiss Ski experience. Their website is www.merittravel.com.
In addition to traditional downhill skiing there are many other ways to enjoy the snow. Ski-touring is an increasingly popular activity, perfect for nature lovers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of mechanized ski lifts and crowded slopes. Strips of synthetic fabric, or 'skins', stuck to the bottom of the skis allow skiers to climb uphill and get off the beaten track. Then of course once you are in the back country there are the wonderful powder-covered slopes.
Cross-country skiing in Switzerland is nearly as popular as downhill skiing. For the budget-minded, cross-country usually turns out to be less expensive than downhill, since lift tickets are seldom required. There may only be minor charges for using the well-marked cross-country trails – and cross-country skiers and skaters can enjoy a total of 5000 km of groomed tracks and machined trails. Many cross country ski trails are more than 1600 m above sea level and thus provide reliable snow cover.
The Swiss are at their most inventive when it comes to finding ways to play in the snow. As well as hiking, tubing and cycling on bicycles with oversized tires, tobogganing down a mountain into a valley is very much in vogue. In Switzerland, you have countless runs to choose from with one thing in common - the fun factor.
After skiing, Switzerland in winter is best known for the Christmas Markets that form an important part of the Swiss culture. Open-air street markets have a long history dating back long before anyone celebrated Christmas. In Europe in the Late Middle Ages special winter markets, often open only for a day or two in early winter, offered towns people a chance to stock up on food and supplies to tide them over in the cold months. Over time craftspeople began setting up stands at winter markets to sell baskets, toys and woodcarvings. There were also booths for almonds, nuts, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and other baked goods. These items were often purchased as gifts to be given out for Christmas or on New Year’s Day.
Today there are a Christmas markets throughout Switzerland and different markets have different themes and offerings. For example, some markets will be more geared towards crafts while others might be more culinary focused or music oriented or have special programmes for children. Basel – as you might expect as Switzerland’s capital of culture – has a wonderful Christmas Market!
In Basel, the main Christmas Market is found in Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, right in the centre of the city and at the heart of the festively decorated Old Town. A magnificent Christmas tree stands in Münsterplat. Over 180 traders and artisans offer their goods for sale in small, rustic wooden chalets. There are gift ideas and culinary delights such as waffles, glühwein, genuine Basel Läckerli (a kind of gingerbread), delicious Swiss raclette and the popular grilled sausages. You’ll also find a small but delicious culinary offering at Claraplatz, while the neighbourhood Christmas market in Rheingasse also features delicacies and a special programme for children. The Basel Christmas market is also enriched by numerous pre-Christmas events.
The combination of unrivaled natural beauty, Swiss efficiency and fabulous infrastructure take skiing in Switzerland to a different level. As well, or instead, of downhill skiing there are a wealth of other ways to explore the mountains – from backcountry ski tours to gentle hikes and everything in between. Layer on to that a sophisticated après ski scene that is deeply engrained in the Swiss way of life and your vacation becomes very different to the North American experience. And top it off with the unique Swiss culture and the delights of the Christmas Markets and you will understand why Switzerland really is a “Winter Wonderland”.
If you want to get back to Nature – then Nature wants you back in Switzerland! Spectacular scenery is everywhere! In summer this is a country of towering peaks, dark gorges, deep-green forests, picturesque lakes, rushing waterfalls and mighty glaciers. You can ride a train to the Jungfraujoch – known as the “Top of Europe” - and look out the longest glacier in the Alps. You can travel by boat along the River Rhine to take in the wild and romantic “Swiss Grand Canyon”. And you can get close to the roaring waters of the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe.
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Many of Switzerland’s top attractions are works of Nature and none is more breath taking than the view from the UNESCO heritage site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch”, accessed from Europe’s highest-altitude railway station at 3454 metres. The tunnel leading up from the Eigergletscher station is seven kilometres in length and was built between 1896 and 1912. A stop within the tunnel offers spectacular views through windows in the North Face of the Eiger onto the glacier outside. On reaching the summit, visitors are greeted by a high-Alpine wonderland made of ice, snow and rocks.
Switzerland has no less than 18 nature parks scattered all over the country but until this year, there was only one "Swiss National Park”, which is in the canton of Graubünden in the east of Switzerland. It is over 170 square kilometers with 80 kilometers of hiking paths, nature trails and excursions for children and families. Thanks to strict conservation - one is not allowed to leave the hiking paths – you can see ibexes, chamois, marmots, northern hares, lizards and birds.
New in 2017 is Parco Nazionale del Locarnese which stretches from the Brissago Island in Lago Maggiore up to Wandfluhhorn at 2863m. During the ascent the climate and landscape change from sub-tropical to alpine. People will continue to live and work in the park so, as well as Nature, you can enjoy many cultural sites, villages with traditional stone houses - plus tasty regional products such as sausages, cheese and chestnuts.
In Switzerland in summer you can sleep in an alpine hut, meet a friendly St Bernard rescue dog, watch cheese being made the traditional way or help pick cherries, apples, pears and damsons. There are many such opportunities that help you to be at one with Nature and also to meet local hosts. There are a large number of these authentic Swiss experience at the www.myswitzerland.com website and here are a few examples:
- Discover the secret of Le Gruyère d'Alpage. Wander luscious green pastures with all kinds of flowers and herbs and enjoy the mountains and wonderful views of the La Gruyère region when you visit with the Murith family. The family’s been here for five generations, making the tasty Gruyère d’Alpage AOP in the traditional manner summer after summer – and visitors staying in their B&B can experience the cheese making process.
- Follow the Fondue Trail, combining an open-air fondue party and a scenic walk. First you collect the fondue rucksack with everything you need from the Schönrieder dairy. Then at the end of your panoramic walk you have your fondue in the open air or in a number of small mountain huts.
- Kayak as the sun goes down – an unforgettable experience in Lucerne. In the company of professional instructor Reto Wyss, take a guided kayak tours in a small groups on Lake Lucerne.
- Tandem bike tour through Aargau Jura Park. The tour starts at the Krone Country Inn in Wittnau, where your tandem, regular bike or e-bike is reserved in advance. The route takes in producers, wineries, restaurants village speciality shops and also the Erlenhof farm park where you meet the Schmids, a dedicated farming family. The trip includes a picnic hamper with regional products plus dinner in the Krone – with regional dishes from the nature park, of course.
Switzerland was made for hikers with thousands of kilometers of exceptionally well-marked trails. There are National, Regional and Local routes listed at MySwitzerland.com, as well as ““obstacle free” routes – which means “flat”! Don’t forget that, as well as its impressive mountains, Switzerland is also blessed with level lakes shores, river banks and meadows for you to stroll through.
Switzerland is also a cyclist’s paradise and road cyclists will find superb roads with light traffic. Again you can challenge yourself vertically as much or as little as you want. There are level cycling paths by lakes with beautiful views. Hill follows hill in the rolling countryside of the Mittelland. And then there are the Alps, with 17 passes exceeding 2000m in altitude amid the snowy peaks. Imagine the sense of achievement in reaching the top! Switzerland is particularly bike friendly, offering bike stations throughout the country that allow you to leave your bike in a secure and weatherproof place for a modest charge.
Scientific reports are starting to highlight the physical and mental health benefits that accrue from spending time in the outdoors. There is no better place for a vacation that restores your sense of wellbeing than one spent in a beautiful outdoor environment. And there is no better destination than Switzerland – where Nature is calling.
As soon as you start to plan your trip to Switzerland you will realize that everything is made easy. Switzerland has fantastic infrastructure and there is so much to help you explore all that the country has to offer, no matter what time of year you visit. The Swiss public transport system is the envy of the world with 29,000 kilometers of public transport that is well interconnected and in many cases you can navigate it with only a single ticket.
One also forgets that Switzerland is right in the heart of Europe. The Gotthard Base Tunnel opened in December 2016. At 57 km it is the longest train tunnel in the world. At a depth of more than 6560 ft./2000 m inside the Gotthard massif, trains travel at up to 250 km/hr and the train from Milan to Zurich now only takes 3 hours and 33 minutes.
It is as easy to get to Switzerland as it is to travel around once you have arrived. Year round there are daily flights available with Lufthansa from Montreal to Zurich and with Air Canada from Montreal and Toronto to Zurich and Geneva. And there are three additional services in the Summer - Edelweiss from Vancouver and Calgary to Zurich and Air Transat also flies to Basel.
Visitors to Switzerland have a huge range of choices when it comes to accommodation. You can stay in a castle, a Benedictine monastery, a spa, a mountain Inn, a B&B, a rural farm, a family friendly apartment, or at a camp ground. There are also over 100 mountain refuges, all nestled in nature and promising a generous dose of peace and quiet – from alpine huts and guesthouses, rural inns to grand hotels. There are always opportunities to meet the people and experience the local cuisine as many Swiss accommodations are small, family-run operations.
If you want someone else to take all the strain of travel planning then several Canadian Tour Operators offer fully escorted tours to Switzerland such as Monograms, Globus, Cosmos, Insight, Trafalgar, Air Canada Vacations and Senior Discovery Tours. Alternatively you can buy rail passes and tours, book accommodation, and there are suggested itineraries at www.myswitzerland.com.
The train system in Switzerland is superb and Panoramic, Scenic and Themed train journeys are available. These allow you to see the see Switzerland’s spectacular natural beauty or, for instance, discover delicious chocolate and cheese. The panoramic journies are very different according to the season but always stunning in both winter and summer. Here are just a few example trips you can make:
- The Panoramic-Express is a part of the famous Golden Pass Line that spans Switzerland from Lake Lucerne to the vineyards on the shores of Lake Geneva. It takes in 8 lakes, 6 cantons, 3 mountain passes and 2 language regions.
- The Bernina Express certainly is one of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps. Along the way, the Bernina Express rolls Hollywood-style over the 65-meter-high Landwasser Viaduct – a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The famous Chocolate Train offers stately “Belle Époche” 1915 vintage Pullman coaches and you will enjoy a Swiss fondue en route as well as a visit to the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory.
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland combines the highlights of the Swiss public transport network with selected excursions and is a fabulous introduction to Switzerland all year round. From palm-lined lakeshores to sparkling glaciers and from medieval villages to buzzing cities – the Grand Tour of Switzerland packs in an incredible amount, including 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also drive a Grand Tour route, and with driving time of at least 5 hours a day it is recommended that you take at least 7 days to complete the core route. From the end of March 2017 onward, an extensive network of charging stations will electrify a route of more than 1,600 kilometres. This provides a comfortable and clean driving experience in keeping with the Nature you are exploring.
Whether you are going by train or car a great idea is the ‘Snack Box’. Buy the Snack-Box for CHF 25.– from any of the 43 official sales outlets on the Grand Tour and top it up with regional specialities for two people for CHF 20.–. You therefore enjoy the culinary diversity of Switzerland during your journey – and you can even take the attractive Snack-Box back home with you as a souvenir.
Festivals that celebrate the Swiss culture are also a great way to meet the people - the Swiss really let their hair down at festival time! There are festivals all year round that celebrate just about everything - music, food and wine, culture, religious holidays, landmarks in the farming calendar… you name it! A festival is universal and it is easy to enjoy elements like music and food even if you don’t speak the language. And coming up this year is a festival that is only celebrated once every 12 years!
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Unspunnenfest will take place from 26 August - 3 September, 2017 so this is the time to visit Switzerland to see it. Unspunnenfest is about as Swiss as it gets and brings people from all over Switzerland with its rich and colourful heritage of customs and culture. It is held in the town of Interlaken and features Swiss traditional costumes and various alpine competitions such as Stone Throwing and Swiss Wrestling.
The stone used in the throwing competition is a piece of granite that weighs 184 lbs – so it is incredibly heavy – but the winner of the last contest still managed to throw it a distance of 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)! The original stone dated back to 1808 – but in recent times the stone was stolen and had to be replaced. It is now kept in a bank vault in Interlaken!
Swiss Wrestling has been around since at least the 13th century and there are records of wrestling - or Schwingen - in Switzerland from medieval times. The two opponents wear short pants made of jute over their clothes. The wrestlers hold each other by these pants and try to throw the opponent onto his back. Usually Schwingers are big men and mostly craftsmen from traditional professions that require physical strength, like carpenters, butchers, lumberjacks or cheesemakers. The victor in the wrestling contest traditionally wins a bull!
At the other end of the festival spectrum, Circus Festival YOUNG STAGE is the biggest international circus festival in Switzerland and puts on a contemporary, world-class show. Circus Festival YOUNG STAGE in Basel is a very important international festival and amongst the top events in Switzerland. It is a competition for young professional artists up to 27 years of age from all over the world. Canadians would perhaps recognize elements similar to the Cirque du Soleil – and indeed one of the awards that the young people compete for is the Cirque du Soleil award for innovative artistic vision and performance.
Festivals are a big part of Swiss culture - and Carnivals must be at the top of the list. The Swiss Carnival is called "Fasnacht” and can differ from town to town. Over 200 carnivals take place throughout Switzerland, and traditionally many take place at the end of February right before Lent begins – which explains the local name of “Fasnacht”, which originates from the Swiss German word for fasting.
There are huge regional variations but most Carnivals involve costumes, parades, brass bands and carnival foods that are sugary and fatty. Basler Fasnacht in Basel is the largest carnival in the country. The “drey scheenschte Dääg” (or three best days, as the locals call them) are also an incredible experience for visitors to the city. Around 20,000 active participants celebrate for three days, accompanied by music and beautiful carnival lanterns.
On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the "Morgenstraich". At four in the morning on the dot all the lights in the city go out and there is a colorful illuminated procession through the streets of the city. Traditional foods during Basler Fasnacht include Basler Fastenwähe (Basel fasting pie), a prezel-like bread, sprinkled with cumin seeds, Basler Mehlsuppe (Basel flour soup) and cheese or onion tarts.
Switzerland boasts an impressive 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Three of them are natural phenomena, such as the Alps, while eight are areas of cultural significance. The UNESCO sites are as diverse as the country itself. Medieval buildings, unmatched scenery, prehistoric settlements, geological wonders, engineering marvels and more await you!
Here are just a few examples
- The three castles of Bellinzona are one of the main attractions in canton Ticino. They represent the oldest, the highest and the best preserved Swiss castles.
- The internationally-renowned Benedictine Monastery St. Johann in Müstair owes its existence, and uniqueness, to Charlemagne. It is one of the few remaining architectural examples from the Carolingian period. With its magnificent frescoes, this 8th century convent houses the world's largest and best preserved early medieval picture cycles.
- The Albula/Bernina railway line is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys. It is a marvel of railway engineering that winds its way through the Graubünden Mountains thanks to man-made structures, viaducts and helical tunnels.
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