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LAUTERBRUNNEN, the waterfall valley, Switzerland
LAUTERBRUNNEN, in the valley of the same name, is another of our favorite villages in the Canton of Bern. The origin of its name is subject to many discussions, but we usually translate it to the “valley of many waterfalls” . And yes, there are 72 of them. Many, many years ago, there were iron and silver mines in the very end of the valley,…
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SUSTENPASS, beautiful mountain pass, Switzerland
The SUSTENPASS is the 10th highest mountain pass in the Swiss Alps with its 2224 meters elevation. The pass has been known as a mule pass for trading and used since the 17th century but was never strategically important, so the road used today was built as late as from 1938-1946. But for us tourists and travelers it is a very interesting and beautiful pass.…
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RIVER CRUISE from Basel to Strasbourg and back
RIVER CRUISE on the RHINE was not really an old and long dream, but we had sometimes considered a cruise on a sea. Then we took a quick decision one day, and booked a river cruise on the Rhine, with just 2 nights and including a visit to Strasbourg with its beautiful Christmas market as a highlight before returning to Basel. This could be, and…
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TRAVERSINER STEG, a wooden stairs bridge, Switzerland
TRAVERSINER STEG II, is a wooden bridge over the wildest part of the Viamala Gorge. Designed by the worldwide renowned engineer and bridge builder Jürg Conzett and built in 2005. The “II” because it is the second bridge – the first, in complete different design, was destroyed by falling rocks a few years before just three years after being built. The Traversiner bridge is part…
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CHRISTMAS market in ARLESHEIM
The Christmas Market in Arlesheim, just outside of Basel, is open ONE day every year. Here in 2019 it will be on Saturday 30 November from 12 – 20:00! On and around the Domplatz (Church Square) there are more than 100 boots selling home crafted quality items and lots of places with delicious food and drinks. One of the major differences of this market it…
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BRONTALLO, medieval village in Ticino, Switzerland
BRONTALLO is the first village in the Lavizzara valley, after turning right in Bignasco and following the Maggia River. Brontallo is a typical Ticino stone house village, all houses covered with heavy stone plates as roofs, picturesque and beutiful in its simple architecture , with stunning and breathtaking views from 715 meters above sea level over the valley and the local vineyards. High above Brontallo,…
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The 494 meters long CHARLES KUONEN BRIDGE, Switzerland
The Charles Kuonen Bridge, Europabrücke, or the Randa Suspension Bridge, is by its 494 meters a world record long bridge at 2090 meters height a.s.l. and can be reached by several hiking trails. Since its opening late July 2017, it has been on our list of “we-simply-must-go-there-one-day” places. But how and from where? It is not just around the corner, on the maps it looks…
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ISCHBODENHÜTTE, mountain restaurant, Switzerland
The ISCHBODENHÜTTE, Ischboden Hut, is located at 1400 meters above sea level, on the Grosse Scheideggstrasse not far from Grindelwald. The beautiful old restaurant/Bergbeiz, with stunning views, over the Grindelwald valley and to the mountains, from the terrace, serves delicious homemade and regionally produced food and service is super friendly. A real gem. The road is not open for private cars (except of course for…
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The KLAUSEN PASS, Switzerland
The KLAUSEN PASS is a very beautiful 1948 meters high Swiss mountain pass, stretching about 46 kilometres from Altdorf (home of the statue and monument of the legend Wilhelm Tell) to Linthal. At the top, there is a small chapel, the Bruder Klaus chapel from 1938. The road is often narrow with no option to enjoy the fantastic views and the numerous waterfalls, but from…
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The AARE GORGE, Switzerland
The AARE GORGE, Aareschlucht, a couple of kilometers from Meiringen, is for many a well-known (worldwide!) gorge, made accessible by hard-working pioneers back in the late 1880s. Safe paths and tunnels, and just a few steps, make the gorge available for most people. The gorge is 1400 meters long, in some places 200 meters deep (high!) and at the most narrow places just one meter…
