Andrew Evans, - “Switzerland is good
for the soul, of this I am certain.” - roams the world’s great
destinations-bloggig, tweeting, and posting every step of the way. Here, he
shares memories and tips from his amazing trip exploring the cultural and
natural beauty of Switzerland. He visited the birthplace of the Internet; got
to know locals; tasted the finest Swiss chocolate; hiked the Alps’longest
glacier; explored the lavish city of Geneva; marveled at the famous Matterhorn
peak; and toured the entire country with one single train ticket.
What’s the best way
to get around? Train! With the Swiss Pass, available from Rail Euriope, you
can ride trains, trams, metros, buses, and boats fro a day, several days, ro
like me-a whole month. What I loved best was the freedom to wander freely on a
single ticket.
If you could eat
three things in Switzerland, what whould you pick? A big pot of moitie chees foundue, a crispy brown potato
rosti, and of course, chocolate.
And if you could
drink three things? Swiss wine from Lavaux (Louis Bovards is a favorite), apfelschorle
(sparkling fresh apple juice), and the curing bubbly waters of St. Moritz!.
What surprised you
most? Switzerland is astonishingly diverse-everyGeneva,
Zurich, and Lugano are all in the
same country.
Does one hike stand
out? Yes, definitely, my hike along the top of Aletsch Glacier. I walked
on ice for three days, hopping over crevasses, sleeping in high Alpine huts,
and enjoying the highest layer of the Alps. The summer snow was beautiful-it
felt like walking on diamonds.
Which villages felt
the most authentic? Celerina in Engadin,
Chateau-d’Oex in Vaud, and Fontana in Ticino. Each one offers its own
timeless magic.
Where should extreme
adventure addicts head? Interlake. The mountains, lake, and valley
around intelaken
are paradise for skydivers, paragliders, climbers, and mountain bikers.
What are your best
after-dark memories? Summer in Lucerne, in the dwindling twilight, walking
along the clear lake, rippled with swans and dotted with stars reflected in the
water. I was going to take the bus back to my hotel, but I walked all the way
back instead, under an archway of moonlight trees, finally, across the historic
Chapel
Bridge.
What museum do you
wish you could see again? The Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt. There are so
many grand museums throughout Switzerland, but I love learning about the
history of this iconic mountain and the glory and tragedy that lie at the base
of this huge rock.
Your top mountaintop?
Stanserhorn
(1,898 m) is a peak just outside of Lucerne that makes a wonderful half-day
hike up through flower-filled Alpine meadows. The view from the top stretches
all the way to Switzerland’s borders. Be sure to ride the incredible double-decker Cabrio Cable Car (up or
down), which affords a rare in-motion panorama all the way back down.
Tips for Swiss Bliss
Rent an E-bike. It’s very Swiss, the bike paths take you
anywhere, and you get an extra push uphill!
Go swimming. Switzerland offers some of the cleanest water
in the world, so dive in!
Don’t forget Ticino – the Italian part of Switzerland is
magnifico and utterly unique. Eat gelato in Ascona and drive the scenic Val
Bavona.
Do a hut-to-hut hike in the mountains-it’s an unbeatable way
to absorb the landscape, follow an old Aphine tradition, and make lots of new
Swiss friends.
Take a break from restaurants and dine at one of the weekly
markets in the smaller Swiss towns. Buy directly from the farmer, butcher, or
cheese-maker and taste true Switzerland.
Learn how and remember to say ‘thank you very much’ in all
four official Swiss languages : merci vilmau (Swiss German), merci bearucoup
(French), grazie mille (Italian), gratscha fitg (Romansch).
Check out Switzerland’s many World Heritage sites. My
personal favorites are Lavaux, Aletsch Glacier, the castles of Bellinzona, and
the old city of Berne.
Visit the smallest village in Switzerland; Croppo,
population 16.
Swiss Travel
Resources:
Getting around Switzerland
: Swiss Pass Information; For Swiss Pass Bookings
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