Swiss Airlines – BIG 3-Day Spring AIR FARE SPECIALS to Europe – - from $501 Round Trip -

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SWISS AIR - AIR FARES TO SWITZERLAND - SWISS ALPS

Dear Reader,

Spring is in the air and we hope you will be too by taking advantage of our special spring fares available for booking from March 13th through March 15th.               

For departures from March 15 throough May 17th.

DEPARTING FROM BOSTON:













DEPARTING FROM CHICAGO (ORD)




















DEPARTING FROM LOS ANGELES




















DEPARTING FROM MIAMI










DEPARTING FROM NEW YORK (NEWARK)




















DEPARTING NEW YORK (JFK)




















DEPARTING SAN FRANCISCO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATIONS AND BOOKINGS

 

Travel onboard our new addition at Newark International Airport– the Airbus 340-300, giving you three choices for comfort and relaxation: First, Business, Economy.

 There’s more choice too from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport starting June 7 with the addition of four weekly flights.

The choice is yours, and the pleasure would be ours as we look forward to welcoming you onboard.

SWISS AIR - AIR FARES TO SWITZERLAND - SWISS ALPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swiss Pass 2 for 1 Sale (Buy-One-Get-One-FREE) . . . Save over $400

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Swiss saver pass, swiss saver flexi-pass, swiss pass, swisspass

Swiss saver pass, swiss saver flexi-pass

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a limited time offer you must book before 11:59pm on May 25, 2012 

Valid for travel from April 1 to May 31, 2012.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SPECIAL 2 FOR 1 SWISS SAVER PASS SALE

 

This is an incredible 2 for 1 offer. Book two travelers on a Swiss Saver 4-day Pass or Swiss Saver 4-day Flexi Pass by May 25, 2012 and only pay the rate for one traveler!

The Swiss Pass is already a great deal offering extensive travel on the Swiss system including trains, buses and boats. And all that stress-free travel provides the opportunity to take advantage of the more than 400 museums the Swiss Pass will get you into for free. There’s no smarter way to see more of Switzerland than with a Swiss Pass from Rail Europe. It helps make every minute of your trip quality time. And in a country of legendary watchmakers, isn’t that the least you should expect?

Here’s what you get:

  • This rail pass gives you unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel system.

  • Choice of a 4-day Consecutive or 4-day Flexi passes.

  • Includes a Swiss Museum Pass with free access to over 400 museums.

  • Each Rail pass is only valid for 2 travelers, additional travelers can purchase a regular Swiss Pass.

The Fine Print:

Offer is subject to change or extension without notice. No other discounts can be combined. Valid for bookings made on or before 11:59pm ET on May 25, 2012. Offer only valid for 2 travelers traveling together at all times. Valid for travel from April 1 to May 31, 2012.

Child Policy:

The Swiss Family Card is a terrific value that allows children (6-15 years of age) to travel free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Each Swiss Family Card is valid for up to 7 children. Swiss Family Cards are free and can be picked up at any Swiss train station prior to boarding your first train. Children under age 6 travel free when sharing an adult traveler’s accommodations.

Conditions of Use:

  • Residents of Switzerland & Liechtenstein are not eligible to purchase or use this rail pass.

  • Rail passes must be validated within 6 months of purchase date at the station by a railway official.

  • The railway official will write the passport number on your rail pass.

  • When a saver pass is purchased all travelers in the party must be present when validating the rail pass.

  • Rail passes must be validated prior to boarding the first train or before using a passholder bonus.

  • The date of travel must be entered into the corresponding box on the rail pass by the traveler before boarding the first train of the day or when utilizing a passholder bonus.

  • Travelers must either carry a passport or U.S. Military I.D. in order to travel with this rail pass.

  • Rail passes are 85% refundable up to 1 year after the purchase date if the rail pass has not been validated or used.

  • Rail passes are non refundable if lost or stolen except as covered by Rail Protection Plan™.

  • Reservations and supplements are not included in the rail pass and are at an additional cost.

  • Reservations are required on all scenic and high-speed trains. Reservations are not recommended/necessary on all other trains in Switzerland.

  • Prices are subject to change.

    CLICK HERE FOR THE SPECIAL 2 FOR 1 SWISS SAVER PASS SALE

    SUMMER IN THE SWISS ALPS - HIKING IN THE SWISS ALPS

    SUMMER IN THE SWISS ALPS

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a limited time offer it expires at 11:59pm on May 25, 2012

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Private Railway Companies in Switzerland and the Swiss Alps

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Despite the creation of the Swiss Federal Railways in 1902, Switzerland still has a dense private rail network, with over 40 private rail companies – now mostly run by the public authorities – covering more than 2,000 km and accounting for 13% of the market share of passenger rail transport. They include both standard and narrow gauge lines – with gauges ranging from 600 to 1,200 mm. (Standard gauge is 1435 mm. Some 1,400 km (870 miles) of the total 5,000 km (3,110 miles) of today’s network is narrow gauge.) Several start or end their journeys running along city streets like trams – which is what some of them originally were.

From the shortest to the longest

By far the longest line is owned by the Rhaetian Railway in the south eastern canton of Graubünden – it serves the well known resorts of St Moritz, Klosters and Davos, as well as running along the valleys of the Vorderrhein and the Inn, and even over to Tirano, in Italy – a total of 384 km (238 miles). In 2008, this line which offers breathtaking views of the beautiful Albula-Bernina alpine landscape became a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Several lines compete for the title of the shortest. Running only 4 km (2.5 miles), the award should probably go to the Orbe-Chavornay line in the southern Jura – which is also the oldest standard gauge electric railway in Switzerland. It was built in 1894.

The original reasons for building the lines have not always survived. Some were conceived as tourist attractions from the very beginning, others served specific local needs. Several were constructed to link disgruntled locals with the main lines which had passed them by. The Bière-Apples-Morges line in the canton of Vaud was built to ferry troops and military equipment to the barracks in Bière; the inhabitants of the Vallée de Joux used their train to transport ice from frozen lakes, which they sold as far away as Paris.

The BLS

Most of these lines serve locals or tourists in specific areas, but it might be a surprise to learn that until the introduction of Rail 2000 in December 2004, part of one of Switzerland’s main transit lines belonged to the BLS company, and even gave it its name: the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon, which runs southwards from Lake Thun through the Lötschberg tunnel to the Rhone Valley, linking the cantons of Bern and Valais along the major route to Milan. In December 2007, as part of the Rail 2000 programme, BLS exchanged two of its long-distance lines and took over some regional lines from the SBB instead.
The example of the BLS shows how being private doesn’t mean that companies compete with the Federal Railways. They are supplements, not rivals, and their timetables are worked out to link up with the mainline trains.

What you need to keep in mind is that these are real trains that real people ride on every day.  They are not just tourist trains…although tourism is a large part of their passengers.

Switzerland has about 20,300 km (12,600 miles) of public transport network, of which the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) owns a total of 3,000 km (1,860 miles). This is complemented by another 2,000 (1240 miles) run by private railways. There are also 150 km (93 miles) of mountain railway lines (cogwheel and funiculars). The trains are carefully integrated with other forms of transport – buses and boats.

Switzerland has the densest rail network in Europe – 121.9 km of rail per 1000 km2 (196 miles per 1000 square miles) in 1999, according to Eurostat, the EU statistics office. That is more than 2.5 times the European average. And the Swiss continue to build, while the trend overall has been to abandon lines.

The SBB alone carried more than 285 million passengers in 2006. The Swiss rival the Japanese as the keenest rail users in the world: in 2005 each person in Swizerland covered 1929 km (1199 miles) and took an average of 42 rail trips.

Noise barriers offer some protection from a nuisance that plagues more than a quarter of a million people in Switzerland

The Swiss are known for their cleanliness and the trains – inside and outside – are no exception. Graffiti is removed as soon as possible, and an army of cleaners 1,500 strong, is employed to tidy up inside the carriages.

 

Aarau, Switzerland

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Aarau, Switzerland located on the River Aare, is the capital of the Canton of Aargau in the Swiss middleland and for which the town and canton owe their name.  This charming old town boasts some of the most beautiful eaves, the so-called “Dachhimmel”, in all of Switzerland.  Aarau rests near the southern foot of the Jura foothills, nesseled  in the center of the triangle of Zurich, Basel and Lucerne. Due to its central location, Aarau, for a few brief months in 1798, was chosen as Switzerland’s first capital and home to Switzerland’s first Houses of Parliament.   The abundance of elaborately painted eaves or “Dachhimmel”,  which predominantly date from the 16th century when the town underwent considerable extension, are a unique feature of the old town. It is for this reason that Aarau is regarded as the “town of beautiful gables”. A visit to the Town Museum will give a fascinating glimpse into the history and development of Aarau.

   Aarau also shows an appreciation of art and architecture at the Aargau Art Museum, which features an extension designed by the famous architects Herzog & de Meuron, offering architecture and art exhibitions of high standards.The Naturama, Aargau’s nature museum, is not your average museum. Here, plants, animals and exciting video films highlight the continuum of  interaction, as well as areas of conflict, between nature and man in and around the area of Aargau.   There is also the  Roggenhausen Wildlife Park, which has wild animals in their natural habitat as well as affording an invigorating and scenic  Nature Trail. To walk or cycle on trails alongside the River Aare and the Jura slopes provide the perfect opportunity for some pleasant physical exercise. However, if you would like to see the people of Aargau really enjoying themselves, you need to come to one of the local historic traditional events, such as the Maienzug in July, or the Bachfischet or Reblim.

   The Canton of Aargau holds a treasure of many castles, including some of Switzerland’s most impressive, such as the Lenzburg, the Hallwyl Water Castle and the Habsburg Castle, which has been the main residence of that famous dynasty from the the 10th century onwards. Brugg, Baden and Zurich are a very short journey away. There is also the  Vindonissa Museum, offering an opportunity to discover traces of the Romans and Windish, as well as home to the biggest and best-preserved amphitheatre in Switzerland. Close by are many other historic towns like Bremgarten, Zofingen and others, just waiting to be explored.

It is also worth noting that Albert Einstein lived for a period of time and attended public school here.

 

Bill – SwissRailPasses@gmail.com

Schaffhausen – A Thousand years of History and Culture

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Schaffhausen is a wonderful mid-sized city in the north-eastern part of Switzerland.  The city has a rich history and culture dating back about 1,000 years.

The town is first mentioned in 1045 as Villa Scafhusun. There are at least two theories on the origin of this name. One is related to a mention of a “ford” across the Rhine River that first occurs in 1050.  Another theory is that Scafhusun comes from Schaf (a sheep), as a ram (now a sheep) formed the ancient arms of the town, derived from those of its founders, the counts of Nellenburg.

Schaffhausen was a city state in the Middle Ages, documented to have struck its own coins from 1045.About 1050 the counts of Nellenburg founded the Benedictine monastery of All Saints, which became the centre of the town. Perhaps as early as 1190, certainly in 1208, it was an imperial free city, while the first seal dates from 1253. The powers of the abbot were gradually limited and in 1277 the Emperor Rudolf I gave the town a charter of liberties. In 1330 the emperor Louis of Bavaria pledged it to the Habsburgs. In the early 15th century, Habsburg power over the city waned. By 1411 the guilds ruled the city. Then, in 1415 the Habsburg Duke Frederick IV of Austriasided with the Antipope John XXIII at the Council of Constance, and was banned by the Emperor Sigismund. As a result of the ban and Frederick’s need of money, Schaffhausen was able to buy its independence from the Habsburgs in 1418. The city allied with six of the Swiss confederates in 1454 and allied with a further two (Uri and Unterwalden) in 1479. Schaffhausen became a full member of the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1501.

The Reformation was adopted, initially, in 1524 and completely in 1529. The town was heavily damaged during the Thirty Years’ War by the passage of Swedish (Protestant) and Bavarian (Roman Catholic) troops and the very important bridge was burnt down. It was not till the early 19th century that the arrested industrial development of the town made a fresh start.  In 1857 the first railroad, the Rheinfall-Bahn running from Winterthur, reached Schaffhausen.

The Nazi war criminal Karl Jäger was born in Schaffhausen, though he spent most of his adult life in Germany, as soldier, an early member of the Nazi party and the SS, and an Einsatzkommando leader responsible for the mass murder of Jews in Lithuania in 1942.

Schaffhausen is located in a finger of Swiss territory surrounded on three sides by Germany. On April 1, 1944, Schaffhausen suffered a bombing raid by United States Army Air Forces aircraft which strayed from German airspace into neutral Switzerland due to navigation errors. About a hundred civilians were killed; the United States immediately offered a million dollars in reparations.

Schaffhausen is primarily know for the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe.  The area is also known for fine watch making, both red and white wines the annual wine festival in in nearby Hallau), architecture, the historic Benedictine library and more.

The photos do not due this city justice.  Schaffhausen is a place you really have to experience.

Bill – SwissRailPasses@gmail.com

Some Inside Information on Switzerland and Swiss Alps Hotel Prices

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Switzerland and the Swiss Alps are extremely popular destinations for people all around the world.  This is especially true for Switzerland’s European neighbors.  Because they are so close, Europeans account for a large percentage of visitors to Switzerland.

The European monetary down-turn or crisis has significantly affected the number of European visitors to Switzerland.

Visitors from Germany are down 13%

Visitors from Belgium are down 13%

Visitors from The Netherlands are down 12%

Visitors from Italy are down 11%

And the list goes on…

Supply and demand in the tourist hotel industry has an immediate effect on the price of hotel rooms.  With the number of empty rooms created by the decline in European visitors the price of hotel rooms in most areas is down 20% to 40%.

If you have been thinking about visiting Switzerland, this may be a great year to do it because of the slow down of European visitors to Switzerland.

If you want to check prices of hotels in areas that you are interested in visiting, Click Here

Bill – SwissRailPasses@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Is Geneva, Switzerland – The Chocolate Capitol of The World?

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Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps (© Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis)

Guilty pleasure or out-and-out passion, taste sensation or plain greed, chocolate in its many forms brings all kinds of happiness. Right from childhood, it punctuates our existence with solitary and shared experiences.

For the Mayas, chocolate was nectar of the gods and kings; the Aztecs considered it a super-food and aphrodisiac. Chocolate arrived in Europe in the sixteenth century and quickly became popular among the nobility. In the nineteenth century the lower classes began to enjoy chocolate, which then became an industrial product.

Today, the Swiss are the world’s biggest consumers of chocolate! Geneva Tourism has put together this list of chocolate shops and themed activities, some surprising, but all delicious.

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

Chocolate first arrived in Switzerland in 1819. François-Louis Cailler opened chocolate production facilities in Corsier. His brand is still in existence today.

Other chocolate factories soon began to spring up. One of these was founded by Daniel Peter in 1867. It was his idea to try mixing milk with the chocolate for the very first time, thus making milk chocolate.

Swiss chocolate productions really took off as tourism began to boom in Switzerland. Nearly 75% of the chocolate being manufactured was also being exported. The quality of the chocolate was clearly standing out to the rest of the world.

The high quality is due to several factors:

  • the use of perfect raw materials

  • state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, and

  • very strict quality requirements.

    Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

Highly skilled professionals process the chocolate, which is a combination of cocoa beans, cocoa mixture, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk.

During the economic crisis in the 1920’s and 30’s a ration was put on sugar and cocoa imports, making chocolate production wane. However, since 1950 the chocolate industry has been revived and is thriving better than ever before.

Since Switzerland is not only famous for their chocolate, but also their trains, they have developed the Swiss Chocolate Train.

This train ride offers incredible views through scenic countryside as well as stop along the way to tour the Cailler-Nestle Chocolate factory.

If you love chocolate, then Switzerland is the vacation spot for you. For years, they have been known for making the best. You will not be disappointed!

to the best of my knowledge, the following is a complete list of all of the chocolate shops in Geneva, Switzerland.  in addition to this list, don’t forget the Migros and COOP stores that you will see through out Switzerland…both stores carry a fine selection of chocolate.

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps - Martel Chocolaterie & Tearoom, Geneva, Switzerland

 CHOCOLATE SHOPS

Whether it’s dark, white, milk or fondant, many of the chocolate confections created in Geneva’s chocolate shops are based on closely-guarded, centuries-old secrets still known only to “maîtreschocolatiers”. The transformation of cocoa into chocolate lies somewhere between science and magic. It follows processes that the master chocolate makers will only disclose in the vaguest terms.

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

 Arn Chocolaterie

Specialities: Pavés de Genève, truffles, pralines, ice cream
Bourg-de-Four, 12
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 310 40 94
Fax +41 22 312 18 25
www.swisschocolates.ch

Chocolaterie de l’Arve
Specialities: Daily home-made chocolate, pastries, tearoom
Place de l’Octroi 13
1227 Carouge
Tel. +41 22 343 45 00

Chocolatier Auer
Specialities: Almonds Princesse, pavés glacés de Genève, truffles made by traditional method
Rue de Rive 4
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 42 86
Fax +41 22 312 07 24
www.chocolat-auer.ch

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

Chocolaterie des Bergues
Specialities: Chocolate-stuffed dates, pavés glacés, tearoom
Quai des Bergues 27
1201 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 731 54 85

La Bonbonnière
Specialities: Pavés de Genève, 100 percent cocoa fine chocolates made by traditional method
Rue de Rive 11
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 61 96
Fax +41 22 311 63 28

Pâtisserie Confiserie Chocolaterie Cartier
Specialities: Chocolate, pastries, ice cream, tearoom, caterer
Route de Suisse 38
1290 Versoix
Tel. +41 22 755 10 05
Fax +41 22 779 12 45
www.cartier-swiss.ch

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

Chocolaterie Stettler
Specialities: Pavés de Genève, truffles, almond chocolates, Stettler ovales
Rue du Mont-Blanc 5
1201 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 732 17 44
www.chocolaterie-stettler.ch

Chocolats Rohr SA
Specialities: Truffles, pralines, candied chestnuts
Pl. du Molard 3
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 63 03
www.chocolats-rohr.ch

Chocolaterie du Rhône
Specialities: Chocolate, truffles, candied fruit, tearoom
Rue de la Confédération 3
P.O. Box 480
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 56 14
Fax +41 22 781 47 55

Godiva
Specialities: Truffles, pralines
Rue de la Confédération 5
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 810 07 15
Fax +41 22 810 07 19

Jacques Castello
Chocolate, tearoom
Rue de la Corraterie 20
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 310 52 32

Martel
Specialities: Pavés de Carouge, Viennese pastries, pastries, tearoom
Rue du Marché 8
1227 Carouge
Tel. +41 22 342 00 45
Fax +41 22 342 37 00

Micheli
Specialities: Dark chocolate, pralines
Rue Micheli-du-Crest 1
1205 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 329 90 06

Confiserie Teuscher
Homemade specialities: champagne, truffes, pralines
Rue du Rhône 2
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 310 87 78
Fax +41 22 310 87 79
www.teuscher.com

Zogg
Specialities: Pavés de Genève, truffles and pralines, segment of orange
Rue du Mont-Blanc, 3
1201 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 741 32 20
Fax +41 22 741 32 22

Chocolats & Cacaos Favarger SA
Specialities: Avelines, Nougatines. Only on order; no visit is allowed
Ch. des Moulins 27
1290 Versoix
Tel. +41 22 775 11 01
Fax +41 22 755 60 03
www.favarger.ch

 

TASTINGS

“La Maison du Cacao”

Chocolate tastings on the premises

Pâtissier-chocolatier “Desplanches”

Rue de Coutance 16

1201 Geneva

Tel./Fax +41 22 732 45 14

 Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

TECHNICAL VISITS

 

Visit to the chocolaterie Stettler
Chocolatier Stettler
49, avenue Blanc
1201 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 733 44 67
www.chocolaterie-stettler.ch 
Contact: Marc Stettler

Visiting hours: Monday to Friday: 9 to 11am
Duration: Between 30 minutes and 1 hour
Language(s) of the visit: French and German (English)
Maximal group capacity: 20 persons
Rates: CHF 5

Visit to the chocolaterie Auer
Rue de Rive 4
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 42 86
Fax +41 22 312 07 24
www.chocolat-auer.ch

Visiting hours: Monday to Friday: 10am to 12pm, excepted November, December and January
Duration: Between 30 and 45 minutes
Language(s) of the visit: French and English
Maximal group capacity: 15 persons
Rates: CHF 30 per person

Visit to the chocolaterie du Rhône
Rue de la Confédération 3
P.O. Box 480
1204 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 311 56 14
Fax +41 22 781 47 55

Visiting hours: Beginning of March to mid-September: Monday to Friday, mornings
Duration: 1 hour
Language(s) of the visit: French (English on request)
Maximal group capacity: 20 persons
Rates: CHF 2 per person

Visit to the chocolaterie Rapp (Lake Geneva Region)
6, Rue des Alpes
1197 Prangins
Tel. + 41 22 361 79 14
Fax +41 22 362 09 84
www.confiserie-rapp.ch 
rapp-confiserie@bluewin.ch

Visiting hours: By appointment every day of the week except Wednesday
Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30
Language(s) of the visit: French and English
Groups only: Minimum 10 persons – names of participants to be given 4 days in advance fordiplomas’ preparation
Rates: CHF 15 per person Week days / CHF 25 per person Weekends

Chocolate school “Rappsodie” at the chocolaterie Rapp
Visit hours: by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Duration: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Rates: CHF 15
Complete course: about 3 hours 30 minutes. Rates: CHF 110 to 160 per person

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps

 CHOCOLATE CAULDRONS AT THE FESTIVAL OF THE ESCALADE

The festival of the Escalade, celebrated on the closest weekend to the night of 11-12 December, commemorates the defeat of the Catholic troops of the Duke of Savoy in 1602. According to tradition, it was the presence of mind and bravery of a Mère Royaume that prevented victory by the assailants. Legend has it that she threw a cauldron of boiling soup over the soldiers scaling the walls. Today, the people of Geneva recall these heroic deeds by making chocolate cauldrons filled with marzipan vegetables, which they smash open while crying “Death to the enemies of the Republic!”

And, last but not least…

 

Chocolate Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss alps - Swiss Army Knife Chocolate

Bill – SwissRailPasses@gmail.com

PHOTOS – Google’s Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland – - Swiss Alps

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This is a really great photo essay by Katie Hosmer who writes the blog mymodernmet.com

Katie Hosmer

Katie Hosmer

Google’s Colorful and Creative Zurich Headquarters

Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Studies indicate that the productivity of employees is in direct correlation to how comfortable they feel while in a working environment. I can only assume that the Google employees in Zurich, Switzerland are some of the most productive employees around! This bright, fun, colorful working space encourages nothing but creativity and enthusiasm from its workers.

Designed by the creative team at Camenzind Evolution, the resulting office space design is a “distinctive, diverse, light, and flexible workspace, which has been specifically developed to stimulate and support the Googlers in their challenging and innovative work.” The offices include personal workspace, formal and informal meeting rooms (often carrying the theme of the floor, for example subway cars), and communal areas (designed to combine fun, entertainment, and work). Additionally, to promote quick and speedy movement between floors, the design incorporates “quick connections” including fire poles and, wait for it, slides.

Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland
Google Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland

Text and photos from Katie Hosmer of mymodernmet.com

 

 

Bern, the Crown Jewel of Switzerland

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The Clock tower

One of the great things about Switzerland is that each of it’s major cities are totally different.  Each city has a feel and personality of it’s very own.  In addition to being the capitol of Switzerland, Bern is the crown jewel.

The following photos  of, and text about Bern are great, but they can not capture the warmth, charm and feel, that Bern offers those who visit this magnificent city.

Today it is one of Bern’s most important sights. The ornate astronomical clock with its moving figures was built in 1530. It served as the city’s main clock and thus had an authoritative function in Bern.

It was from there that travel times indicated on stone markers along the cantonal roads were measured. Standard units of length – formerly cubit and fathom, today meter and double meter – are displayed for the public in the arch of the gate.

Further information about the Clock Tower (Zytglogge) is available at: www.zeitglockenturm.ch

1530 entstanden die kunstvolle astronomische Kalenderuhr und das Spielwerk. Die Turmuhr hatte die Funktion der Hauptuhr der Stadt und war somit massgebend in Bern. Von dort aus wurden die Wegstunden gemessen, welche auf den Stundensteinen der Kantonsstrassen vermerkt sind. Beim Tordurchgang sind Längenmasse, früher Elle und Klafter, heute Meter und Doppelmeter als Masse zur öffentlichen Kontrolle angebracht.

The Cathedral of Bern

The Cathedral of Bern (Das Berner Münster) is Switzerland’s largest ecclesiastical building. Construction started in 1421 and continued under a series of different builders for generations.

The spire was finally completed in 1893. The portal with its depiction of the Last Judgment is a remarkable feature. The vantage point of this masterpiece is located 344 steps above the entrance, in the 100m-high cathedral spire.

From Switzerland’s highest church tower visitors can enjoy magnificent views across the city and into the Bernese Mittelland and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland.

The Cathedral is Switzerland’s largest and most significant church from the Late Middle Ages. As the dominant structure in Bern’s Old Town, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, the Cathedral plays a pivotal role in the city’s architecture.

Bären Park – The symbol of Bern

In the heart of the city on the banks of the river Aare you will find the world’s most advanced bear park.

Bern’s heraldic animal has been released into new-found freedom on the beautiful slope of the Aare river. The creators of the new, bear-friendly BearPark have built a landscape where Björk and Finn can climb, fish and play, but also just retreat and relax.

A visit to the BearPark is a special experience for children as well as adults. Paths run through the park down to the Aare riverside path, giving visitors great insight into the lives of the bears. They can watch the bears play, bathe and climb right in front of their eyes.

The House of Parliament

Construction on the Parliament Building (the west wing of today’s Parliament Building) started in 1852. The east wing, mirroring the west wing, was added in 1884; and in 1902 the structure was extended into a building complex composed of three parts. All in all, 38 artists from throughout Switzerland are responsible for the building’s decorations.

The Parliament Building is the seat of the Swiss government (Federal Council) and the parliament (National Council and Council of States). The building was completed in 1902. The central domed hall and both chambers feature numerous symbolic renderings of Swiss history.

Parliament Square was inaugurated on July 31 and August 1, 2004 (Swiss National Day). The square now serves as a gathering place for young and old,  rather than providing parking spaces for cars as it used to. It also hosts the traditional weekly market.

Guided tours

Individuals 
•Due to the large number of visitors it is advisable to sign up the day before (Tel. +41 31 322 85 22). You will be given a ticket at the visitors’ office in the entrance hall. Please note that you will be asked to deposit an official identity document at the entrance during your visit.

Groups 
•Groups of 10 up to max. 50 people must book their tour 3 to 4 months in advance at: besucherdienst@pd.admin.ch or Tel. +41 31 322 85 22. Each member of the group must deposit an official identity document at the entrance. Admission is free.

Tour times
•Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.,
plus Thursdays: 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Duration   
•45 minutes

Languages 
•French, German, Italian, English

INSIDE TIP:  Go to the Alps during the week and the cities on the weekends.  By doing so, you will avoid the crowds

Bill – SwissRailPasses.com

 

Pay-what-you-want for hotels in Fribourg, Switzerland – - This is true

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Friebourg, Switzerland - Swiss Alps

Friebourg, Switzerland - Old Town

Hotels in Fribourg, western Switzerland, are offering customers the chance to determine the prices they want to pay for their rooms.

Eight hotels in Fribourg will start the offer this weekend, and continue it for the rest of the year. The offer is only run on Sundays and does not include breakfast.

Customers will be asked to pay what they consider to be the right price for the services they have received and to fill out a short questionnaire explaining how they arrived at their price.

“Our goal is not to offer something for free, even if we do accept customers who want to pay nothing at all. It’s a risk we take,” Sophie Rouvenaz from the committee of Fribourg hoteliers told online news website Le Matin.

“This offer is bold and innovative,” said Thomas Allemann of the Swiss Hotel Association.

A similar project was undertaken in 2001 and showed that customers were honest and did not take advantage of the deal.

“The average price paid was almost identical to the actual price,” said Sophie Rouvenaz. “And we certainly hope for the same result, proving that our services are worth their price.”

The above photo and text is from thelocal.ch

I love the city of Fribourg.  There is 800 years of history here that you can reach out and touch…and almost feel a part of.  The old town part of Fribourg is a motion picture set waiting to be discovered. Old town and the area that surrounds it are best explored on foot.  There are small local shops and cafes that are mostly frequented by locals.  Fribourg has a quaint historic beauty that is  difficult to find in the 21st century.

Freiburg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between Germanand French Switzerland. Its Old City, one of the best maintained in Switzerland, sits on a small rocky hill above the valley of the Sarine.

Fribourg has an elevation of 581 metres (1,906 ft) (in the Old City), and is situated 28 kilometres (17 mi) southwest of Bern. It is located on the Swiss plateau, and extends on both sides of the Saane/Sarine River, which, in the vicinity of Fribourg, has cut deeply into the molasse. The Old City is located on a hill, only about 100 metres (330 ft) wide, which rises about 40 metres (130 ft) above the valley floor. Most quarters of the city are located on the High Plateau and the surrounding hills, which have an average elevation of 620 metres (2,030 ft). The valley floor is only settled in the area immediately around the Old City.

Valley of the Sarine near Fribourg
Fribourg has an area, as of 2009, of 9.3 square kilometers (3.6 sq mi). Of this area, 1.25 km2 (0.48 sq mi) or 13.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 1.58 km2 (0.61 sq mi) or 17.0% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 5.89 km2 (2.27 sq mi) or 63.3% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.53 km2 (0.20 sq mi) or 5.7% is either rivers or lakes and 0.07 km2 (17 acres) or 0.8% is unproductive land. Of the built up area, industrial buildings made up 4.5% of the total area while housing and buildings made up 34.5% and transportation infrastructure made up 15.2%. Power and water infrastructure as well as other special developed areas made up 1.6% of the area while parks, green belts and sports fields made up 7.5%. Out of the forested land, 14.4% of the total land area is heavily forested and 2.6% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 6.9% is used for growing crops and 6.0% is pastures. Of the water in the municipality, 1.7% is in lakes and 4.0% is in rivers and streams. The area of the municipality, which is relatively small for a city, covers an area of Molasse in the central part of Canton Fribourg. The area is cut through from south to north by the tightly wound Saane/Sarine River, which has eroded a valley, in some places, to a depth of 100 metres (330 ft) below the surrounding Plateau. In general, the valley floor is between 200 and 500 metres (660 and 1,600 ft) wide. Pérolles-See, formed as a reservoir by Maigrauge Dam, the first Gravity Dam in Europe, in 1872, is located south of the city. The head of the Schiffenensee is located just 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north of the city. At both of these artificial lakes, the Saane/Sarine covers nearly the entire valley floor.

The hills flanked on both sides by steep, largely wooded, slopes. To the east, the municipality reaches up the slopes of Mount Schönberg, which, with an elevation of 702 metres (2,303 ft), is the highest point in Fribourg. The Galtera River, also deeply cut into the plateau, flows between the mountain and the river, emptying into the Saane/Sarine near the Old City.
The former village of Bourguillon lies within the municipality. Fribourg borders on Düdingen and Tafers to the east, Pierrafortscha to the southeast, Marly to the south, Villars-sur-Glâne and Givisiez to the west, and Granges-Paccot to the north.

The region around Fribourg has been settled since the Neolithic period, although few remains have been found. These include some flint tools found near Bourguillon, as well as a stone hatchet and bronze tools. A river crossing was located in the area during the Roman Era. The main activity in the Swiss plateau bypassed the area to the north, however, and was instead centered around the valley of the Broye River and Aventicum. Therefore only a few remains from the Roman era have been found in Fribourg. These include the traces of a wall foundation on the plains near Pérolles.

The town was founded in 1157 by Berchtold IV von Zähringen. Its name is derived from German frei (free) and Burg (fort). Its most ancient part is conveniently located on a former peninsula of the River Sarine, protected on three sides by steep cliffs. The easily defended city helped the Dukes of Zähringen to strengthen and extend their power in the Swiss plateau in the area between the Aar and the Saane/Sarine.
Beginning at the time of its inception, Fribourg built a city-state; initially, the land it controlled lay some distance away. When the dukes of Zähringen died out in 1218, the city was transferred to the related Kyburg family. They granted the city its former privileges and wrote the municipal laws in the so-called Handfeste in 1249, in which the legal, institutional and economic organizations were established. Several treaties with neighbouring city-states, including Avenches (1239), Bern (1243), and Murten (1245), were signed at this time.
The city was sold to the Habsburgs in 1277. Trade and industry began as early as the mid-13th century. In the early period, Fribourg consisted of four distinct inner city districts: Burg, Au, Neustadt, and Spital. The city developed rapidly, which led to its first expansion: the Burg district expanded to the west in 1224, a town was established across the river in 1254, and in 1280 development began near Place Python. These expansions reflect the economic boom in Fribourg. The 14th century was dominated by trade, and cloth and leather production, which brought the city renown in Central Europe by 1370.
The treaty with Bern was renewed in 1403. The leaders of the city began a territorial acquisition, in which they gradually brought more nearby land under their control. This laid the ground-work for the Canton of Fribourg. By 1442 the city had control of all the land within about 20 kilometres (12 mi), on both sides of the Saane. It was therefore directly controlled by the city leaders, not by any intermediate administration.

Fribourg City Hall
The mid-15th century was shaped by various military conflicts. First, considerable losses in a war against Savoy had to be made good. The Savoyard influence on the city grew, and the Habsburgs ceded it to them in 1452. It remained under the control of Savoy until the Burgundian Wars in 1477. As an ally of Bern, Fribourg participated in the war against Charles I of Burgundy, thereby bringing more land under its control.

After the city was released from the sphere of influence of Savoy, it attained the status of Free Imperial City in 1478. The city and its canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1481, and has long influenced Swiss and European Catholicism. In the 16th century, Fribourg continued to grow, first following the invasion of Waadtland in 1536 with the help of Bern, and then in 1554 through the annexation of land formerly controlled by the Count of Greyerz.

Several prominent families developed as a result of the cloth and leather trade, beginning in the 14th century, including Gottrau, Lanthen, Affry, Diesbach (originally from Bern), Von der Weid, Fegeli, and Weck. Together with the local nobles (the Maggenberg, Düddingen/Velga, Montenach, Englisberg and Praroman families) they formed the 15th century patrician class. This contributed to the decline of the cloth trade, however, as the families involved in the industry began to be more concerned with governing the city and its surrounding possessions.
An important milestone for the politics of the city was reached in 1627, when the patricians drew up a new constitution, in which they declared that they were the only people capable of ruling the city, and thereby took control of all voting rights. This consolidated the oligarchy which had begun to form as early as the 15th century.

The importance of monasteries and churches in Fribourg

The monasteries of Fribourg have always formed a centre of religious culture, which includes architecture, sculpture and painting, and have contributed to the culture of the city. The Franciscan monastery was donated by Jakob von Riggisberg in 1256. In early times, it was closely associated with the city council, because it housed the city archives and its monastery church was used for town meetings until 1433.

Similarly, the Augustinian monastery was founded in the mid-13th century, and enjoyed the support of the noble Velga family for a long time. Additionally, Maigrauge Abbey has existed since 1255, and has belonged to the Cistercians since 1262. An important institution was the public hospital, opened in the mid-13th century, which provided services for the poor.

During the Reformation, Fribourg remained Catholic, although it was nearly surrounded by the Protestant Bern. This led to repeated conflicts over religion in border regions, and in areas controlled jointly by Fribourg and Bern. The city was a major centre of the Counter-Reformation. At the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th, new monasteries were established in the city, including: a Capuchin monastery (1608), another on Bisemberg (1621), an Ursuline monastery (1634), and a Visitandine monastery (1635). The most influential monastery, however, was that of the Jesuits, which contributed to a large extent to the advancement and prosperity of the city. It established the College of Saint Michael in 1582, the theological faculty of which formed the basis of the University of Fribourg. The concept of an objective press was also begun by the Jesuits.  In 1613 Fribourg became the seat of the Bishop of Lausanne, who, after the Reformation, was forced first into Evian, and then into exile in Burgundy. Today it is the seat of the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg.

The strong patrician regime, consisting of no more than 60 families, filled all of the influential positions in the city and dominated all political, social, economic and cultural arenas of Fribourg. On several occasions unhappy citizens joined together to attempt a revolt, including in 1781 under the leadership of Pierre-Nicolas Chenaux. These revolts were repressed with the help of Bern and Bernese troops. The invasion of Switzerland by French troops in 1798 lead to the downfall of this Ancien Régime. Fribourg capitulated to the French on 2 March and relinquished leadership of its lands. This freed the way for the first municipal elections, in which Jean de Montenach was elected the first mayor. With the introduction of the Act of Mediation under Napoleon in 1803, the separation of the city of Fribourg from its Canton was finally carried out. Fribourg was made the capital of its region and Canton, and, between 1803 and 1809, was one of the capitals of Switzerland.

The patricians regained control of the city in 1814 during the Restoration period. They ruled until 1830. Its leadership was followed by a new and more liberal constitution. Fribourg was part of the 1845-1847 Sonderbund, a “separate alliance” of Catholic cantons attempting to secede from Switzerland. Fribourg and the Sonderbund capitulated to Federalist forces under General Dufour on 14 November 1847 in what amounted to a brief and nearly bloodless Swiss civil war. Since 1848, the new national constitution and the amendment to the Canton constitution has guaranteed every citizen the right to vote.

The later 19th and the 20th century brought about drastic changes to the city’s culture and physical nature. In 1848 the city wall was partially torn down and a new bridge constructed across the Saane/Sarine. The opening of the midland railway line through the city in 1862 led to the development of a “railway station quarter” of the city. The improved transportation enabled Fribourg to undergo industrialisation. The city centre shifted from the Old City to the new Train Station quarter. Extensive areas in Pérolles, Beauregard and Vignettaz were developed with industry or houses around 1900. The inauguration of the University in 1889 was an important event in Fribourg. Another economic boon to the city was the opening of the nearby A12 highway.

For more information about the beautiful city of Fribourg visit their website: htttp://http://www.ville-fribourg.ch/vfr/en/pub/index.cfm

Bill –  SwissRailpasses@gmail.com