Ann Ruppenstein
Switzerland is calling Canadians
Five unforgettable experiences to add to your 2021 bucket list
1) Enjoy fondue for two in the great outdoors in Gstaad
Cheese, please!
A place that has as many residents as cows — 7,000 — must be home to some delicious cheese.
“It’s true, the number of people and cows are the same in the destination Gstaad,” Thomas Schetty, Head of Markets and Sales at Destination Gstaad, tells Travel Courier. “And we have no traffic lights in the whole destination. Furthermore we have only chalet-style architecture, because it’s a law since the 1960s that every construction has to be made in a very strict way and form. Feels like a fairy tale!”
Travellers looking to enjoy a local delicacy in a unique setting can put an order in for a Fondue Backpack, which contains all the fixings to have a fondue in the wild including crusty fondue bread supplied by local bakeries and a fondue pot. After choosing between a traditional thick fondue or a truffle fondue, travellers can indulge wherever they desire.
Switzerland Tourism/Giglio Pasqua
“It’s a unique and unforgettable experience out in the nature,” he says. “You prepare your own fondue in summer or winter and enjoy the local sustainable products in incredible ambiance.”
Notably, acting legend Julie Andrews once said: “Gstaad is the last paradise in a crazy world.”
2) Live like Bond, James Bond
Shaken, not stirred!
007 fans can dine in style while recreating a scene from the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by visiting the Piz Gloria restaurant at the top of Mt. Schilthorn.
“As you first visit the top of the mountain, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding scenery,” says Samuel Bohren, Sales Manager, Schilthorn – Piz Gloria. “The best way to enjoy the panorama (and also my personal favourite) is to do it in the revolving restaurant, which served as a James Bond film location, while you are starting your day with the James Bond Brunch.”
Bohren says visiting the Schilthorn is a full day experience that offers the highlights of Switzerland in a nutshell.
“After seeing the top you can enjoy more beautiful views from Birg intermediate station and then visit the car-free resort of Mürren – a charming village at the foot of the Schilthorn. It’s a perfect place to go for a short hike after the brunch and to soak up the fresh mountain air and listen to cowbells around you,” he says. “On your way back, you pass the Lauterbrunnen valley with its 72 waterfalls – so you can discover many facets of Switzerland in only one excursion.”
While in Mürren, he recommends picking up a little memento.
“Take a walk through the village and get a piece of fresh cheese out of the vending machine in the heart of the village – a must have souvenir of your trip to our area,” he says.
3) Walk from peak to mountain peak at Glacier 3000
Views from the top
Félicien Rey-Bellet likes to enjoy lunch with a side of scenic views of some of Switzerland’s most iconic mountains: Matterhorn, Mont-Blanc and Jungfrau.
The Sales Manager for Glacier 3000 often ascents to 9,840 ft — or like its namesake suggests 3,000 m — to enjoy a meal with a bird’s-eye perspective.
Along with activities like a snow bus ride on the glacier or an Alpine Coaster dubbed the highest roller coaster in the world, the mountain excursion is known for The Peak Walk by Tissot, a 350 ft suspended bridge that’s connected across two mountain peaks.
“It’s the only one in the world to connect two peaks together,” he says. “Even for me, who was born in the region, it’s still very nice to cross it every time I go up the mountain to have my lunch-break — since the cable car ride lasts only 15 minutes.”
Situated between Interlaken and Montreux, Rey-Bellet says the visit can easily be combined with the GoldenPass train, since Gstaad is the connecting station with Glacier 3000.
4) Head 3,454 metres above sea level at Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
The highest railway station in Europe
With three mountains – Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau — and five scenic villages – Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen and Haslital — Jana Amacher knows the Jungfrau Region has all the ingredients for a memorable holiday.
“Numerous tourists all over the world visit our region in the Bernese Alps year after year to enjoy the unbeatable natural surroundings and the many activities and excursions,” says Amacher, Market Manager, Jungfrau Region Tourism.
One of the highlights of the region is Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, which is located 3,454 metres above sea level.
“Once reaching the top, on the highest railway station all over Europe, you can experience an Ice Palace, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, Snow Fun Park for sledging and skiing and Alpine Sensation, an interactive connection talking about the history,” she says. “Besides this, we have our beautiful mountain villages, which makes scenic bases for a memorable stay. Make sure you tasted some local fresh cheese in any of our villages.”
5) Drink beer from the oldest brewery in Switzerland
Cheers!
If visiting the oldest brewery in Switzerland, Schützengarten, isn’t enough of a reason to entice travellers to visit St.Gallen-Lake Constance, Tobias Treichler has many other suggestions.
“The region of St.Gallen-Lake Constance is not as well known as for example Zurich, Geneva, Paris, Rome or Milano. And this is exactly why your should visit this region,” says Treichler, Vice Director, St.Gallen-Lake Constance. “It’s not crowded. It’s a secret spot on your bucket list.”
Switzerland Tourism/Mattias Nutt
Located between Lake Constance and Mount Säntis, the region borders Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. St.Gallen is the biggest town in the area and makes for a great home base for exploring the area. While in town, he suggests eating a local sausage, bratwurst, but without mustard.
“This is an unique experience since St. Gallen is also known as the capital city of sausage in Switzerland,” he says, adding that a guided tour through its old town is also not to be missed.
A visit wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Abbey with one of the oldest libraries in the world.
For an Instagram-worthy shot, Treichler suggests taking the gondola up to Mt. Säntis.
“It’s the highest mountain in the pre-alps,” he says. “If the weather conditions are good, you will see the mountain peaks of six different countries — Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.”
