Nature wants you back. Summer 2017 my #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND Summer 2017 895 reasons to discover Switzerland Schaffhausen on the Grand Tour B o First electric road trip: 200 charging stations for electric vehicles d e n s Beautiful curves: 5 Alpine passes higher than 2,000 m Rhein e e Freshwater heaven: 22 lakes bigger than 0.5 km² Töss Frauenfeld Unforgettable highlights: 12 UNESCO World Heritage Properties Limma and 2 Biosphere Reserves B t Multicultural society: 4 official languages, countless dialects Liestal Baden Perfect signposting: 650 official Grand Tour signposts irs Aarau B A Delémont Herisau

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The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a suggested route that makes use of the existing Swiss road network. Visitors follow the route at their own risk. Switzerland and the Grand Tour of Switzerland association accept no liability for construction works, diversions, signage relating to special events or safety provisions along the route.

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www.swisstravelcenter.ch Nature wants you back: watch the TV commercial at MySwitzerland.com/ summer “Grüezi”

Swap the office for the mountains, the Wi-Fi for the woods, the hustle-bustle for the heights. Nature is waiting for you. And with good reason – nothing beats the effect it has on body, mind and spirit. Switzerland is ready- made for unforgettable outdoor encounters. Whether you head to the pristine or crystal-clear lakes, you’ll soon slow down, relax and fall head over heels #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND. By the way: Switzerland Tourism has been showing visitors the beauty of the Swiss nature for a century – we’re celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2017. And the subject has never been more relevant.

Enjoy the inspiring journey back to nature!

Jürg Schmid, CEO Switzerland Tourism

3 Contents

6 14 Sunny Far horizons and away

Dreamy sunrises and sunsets as A week in an Alpine hut in the photographed and posted by holidaymakers Bernese Oberland with no computer, in Switzerland mobile phone or internet

36 44 Best What kind on foot of spa-goer

Ten unique attractions that can are you? only be reached on foot Find out if you are into active relaxation or just sheer indulgence

58 70 So close to Quirin’s the best world

Nenad Mlinarevic, Gault-Millau What kids and their parents Chef of the Year 2016, swears by can get up to in the family destination local produce of Pontresina 24 Eye to eye with an ibex

On the hunt for photos with a wildlife specialist

48 Posted: sun photos 6 Pure 14 Far and away 22 Tips for hat lovers nature 24 Eye to eye with an ibex 33 Tips for animal lovers Switzerland’s nature parks and nature discovery parks 34 Mountain high five 36 Best on foot – walk suggestions 44 What kind of spa-goer are you? 48 Pure nature – Swiss parks 58 So close to the best 69 Gourmet tips for foodies 70 Quirin’s world 78 76 Tips for family holidays 78 Ciao Ticino Ciao 82 Stays close to nature booklet Ticino 84 Prix Bienvenu 86 This way to fun World Heritage 92 MySwissExperience site hopping 96 Handy information Posted: sun photos frederic.huber #Rämisgummen “This shows the carpets of flowers in the lovely Emmental – the warm, rich light of sunset really allowed these crocuses to shine on this cool spring evening.” marcelschiegg #Bollenwees “A mystical play of light over Lake Fälen in Appenzell’s Alpstein Alps. As an Alpine herdsman’s blessing resonated through the valley, it sent a shiver down my spine.” missynoomi #Dent de Jaman “We slept in a tent at 1,875m on this hot summer day. The light over the Grammont and the view of Lake Geneva were simply out of this world.” oliver_wehrli #Gisliflue “I love it when flowers cloak the rugged rocks of the Jura in early summer. And at sunset there was this beautiful yellow back- lighting. What an incredible experience!”

Nature lovers: digital detox

Far and away No computer, mobile or internet. Here only birdsong and the sound of wood chopping interrupt the silence. Can urbanites survive a week’s digital detox in an Alpine hut? MySwitzerland visited Lea and Marco in the Bernese Oberland to find out.

Text: Christian Sidow Photos: Ivo Scholz

14 mySwitzerland Our home for the next week, with a rustic bench in the sun.

15 Digital what? Wikipedia describes a digital detox as a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic connecting devices such as smartphones and computers. This time is seen as the chance to distress, step back from social media and concentrate instead on the physical world. A greater appreciation of one’s surrounding environ- ment is listed among the positive effects. I was initially scepti- cal when he came up with the idea, but now I really love it.

17 Sure, I could post a photo about it on In- stagram, but for now I am content to just enjoy it for myself.

Mountains, streams, flowers… Nature’s calm- ing powers are incredible. With every hour, we slow down more, relax and think seldom – or not at all – about our mobiles. It’s scary to leave the phone behind at first, but then it’s liberating. Finally, we have time again – time to read. Not e-mails but books. Why has it taken us so long? Who would have thought it would take so little to be happy?

18 mySwitzerland Fitness with a twist – and with a view of a fiery evening sky.

Nature lovers: digital detox

After a week in the romantic Weidhaus Yeti in Wengen, perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Lea and Marco are convinced: “There is also life beyond internet and e-mail, without TV and radio, with cowbells instead of SMS pings, bab- bling streams instead of building works. Here you feel far from civilisation and it’s such a pleasure – it’s like entering another world; a world that smells of wood, open fires and Alpine meadows. We are soon going to miss it.” 5 tips for Nature lovers and romantics

2 Beat “the Yeti” Hutmacher has lovingly restored Weidhaus Yeti in Wengen. Tecc du Martin 1 Leontica

Weidhaus Yeti idyllic location, Maiensäss With gardens, meadows, is easy to reach. The road is walking trails and phenome- Wengen just 30 m from the holiday nal views, the beautifully home. restored natural stone house The romantic Weidhaus Tecc Du Martin, in Leontica exudes the atmosphere of a Elevation: 1,325 m a.s.l. in the Upper Valley, rustic Alpine hut, while si- Occupancy: up to 2 people is the perfect escape for multaneously offering mod- Price: from £ 687 / $ 868 (week) * nature lovers. It’s ready-made ern comforts and facilities. Facilities: electricity, kitchen for relaxing holidays. Lovingly restored by owner with wood-burning stove, fridge, Elevation: 1,120 m a.s.l. Beat “the Yeti” Hutmacher, running hot and cold water, Occupancy: up to 6 people the traditional timber hut has shower/toilet, wooden hot tub on Price: from £ 513 / $ 647 (week) * a large garden, with a brook the sun terrace, parlour with day Facilities: kitchen with oven and and tree shade and sublime bed, mezzanine with double bed, dishwasher, separate toilet, views to the Jungfrau massif storage space for luggage and shower/toilet, electric heating and deep into the Lauter- equipment Rating: outstanding brunnen Valley. Despite its Rating: beyond words

22 mySwitzerland More digital detoxes: MySwitzerland.com/ alpinehuts 3

1 2 4 5

3 4 5 Maiensäss Plausi Chalet La Huberhaus Buchen Montagnette Bellwald

Perched above Buchen in Prät- High above Château-d’Oex, The historic Huberhaus tigau, the rustic Maiensäss of- this charming little chalet sits in Bellwald in the fers pristine mountain scenery affords breathtaking views of wildly beautiful Goms. The and a staggering view deep into the surrounding mountains. 500-year-old log hut has the valley. You can watch deer In summer, it’s the perfect been carefully renovated. graze at dusk from the comfort base for walks and in winter Old wooden benches, low of your chair. Up to five people the ski pistes are right on ceilings and the soapstone can spend holidays close to your doorstep. oven are reminders of Alpine nature here. Elevation: 1,550 m a.s.l. farming life of past times. Elevation: 1,300 m a.s.l. Occupancy: accommodates Elevation: 1,560 m a.s.l. Occupancy: up to 5 people max. 4 people Occupancy: up to 5 people Price: from £ 483 / $ 608 (week) * Price: from £ 562 / $ 708 (week) * Price: from £ 654 / $ 825 (week) * Facilities: kitchen with oven and Facilities: kitchen with oven and Facilities: fitted kitchen with fridge, privy, camping shower, fridge, bathroom with shower/ fridge-freezer, dishwasher, mod- wood oven toilet, dorm room with bunk beds ern bathroom, shower/toilet Rating: perfect Rating: simple and comfortable Rating: perfect

*Prices subject to change. Prices are correct at the time of booking.

23 24 mySwitzerland Nature experience: wild animal spotting

Eye to eye with an ibex Those who go on a wildlife photography excursion with Urs Grossniklaus are richly rewarded. Ibex can sometimes be spotted grazing peacefully at the side of the walking trails at Niederhorn.

Text: Sabina Brack Photos: André Meier & Urs Grossniklaus

25 The group of budding photographers are peering keenly through binoculars at the rugged cliff faces of mighty Niederhorn. Their gaze is concentrated on just one thing – ibex and chamois. There are so many of them and so close! The peak of Niederhorn is spectacular in some respects – to the right are views of Eiger, We’ll spy the Mönch and Jungfrau, to the left sheer rock faces plunging down first ibex and to the Justistal Valley. The latter is the remote realm of Alpine chamois on the ibex. And much to the delight of the wildlife observers, ibex can cliff faces often be spotted clambering up to the peak during the day. “Ibex are not hunted here,” explains wildlife specialist Urs Gross­ niklaus, “so they are very trusting.” They can be often spotted just a few metres away on the guided wildlife excursions run by Niederhorn top station: Niederhorn Railways. start at 7 am

Urs Grossniklaus: “Horns are not the same as antlers. While ibex horns grow over the course of a lifetime, a

End of the tour at stag sheds its antlers Vorsaas middle station – with time for lots of every year.” animal photos

Ladies here, gents there Urs Grossniklaus has been guiding visitors to Niederhorn’s wild- life hotspots for over a decade. As a keen nature photographer, he knows the Alpine wildlife inside out – where the animals can be found and with whom. “Male and female ibex live apart from one another,” says Urs at Burgfeldstand, where the group pauses to take a break. “Females live with their young, then when the males reach adolescence at the age of two or three, they go off to live in their own bachelor groups. Many older stags are complete

26 mySwitzerland Female ibex and Break at Burgfeld- their kids can stand: Urs speaks be spotted on the about the Alp’s walking trail nimble-footed residents

Marmots below Gemmenalphorn

27 28 mySwitzerland The ibex at Niederhorn live in a protected conservation area, hence the reason they are anything but shy. These nimble-footed Alpine resi- dents come particularly close when wildlife expert Urs Grossniklaus heads out on photo excursions, equipped with only a camera and binoculars.

29 30 mySwitzerland loners.” Ibex are easily identified by their imposing horns. Urs has a number of different horns with him and shows them to the group. “Females have shorter, straighter horns. Males, by contrast, have longer, curving horns that can reach up to a metre long. They need these for the fights to establish hierar- chy and dominance.

Italy in the Bernese Alps Just before the peak of Gemmenalphorn, the binoculars are whipped out for a large herd of ibex females with their young right next to the walking trail. The group walks slowly past them. The animals continue grazing placidly, unperturbed by the inquisitive glances and clicking cameras. It’s a perfect Al- pine picture, but it wasn’t always this way. In the early 19th cen- tury there were no ibex in the Animal lover Fiona Graf: “The animals, as they had been hunted to extinction the views and Urs’ for their meat and so-called healing pow- fascinating insights make ers. “Our ibex are actually Italian,” says the tour unforgettable.” Urs mischievously. “They come from the northern Italian Alps. Around 100 years ago, poachers smuggled ibex kids over the Italian border into Switzerland, against the will of the Italian king.” It’s a good thing they did, as it means there are fantastic photo opportunities on walks in the Alps today.

31 Thousands of biking and hiking trails.

Good thing going there is so relaxing.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps and enjoy Swiss hospitality on the way there.

swiss.com Made of Switzerland.

023_300_Schweiz_161x219_ST_en 1 30.09.16 14:51

3 tips for Animal lovers

1 Pro Natura Centre Aletsch Experience the stag rutting The roar of stags reverberating through the Aletsch’s autumn forests means it’s time to head off on a photo 3 Swiss National Park excursion. Dawn is best as this is when rutting stags can often be seen locking antlers. The experience Spy-bearded vultures sends shivers down your spine. This tour leads through mountain pine forests to Alp Stabelchod, where burrowing marmots can be sighted. After passing through Val da Stabelchod gorge, it heads up to the bearded vulture nest, where with any luck bearded vul- tures, stags and chamois can be spotted.

2 2 Chasseral Nature Park 3 Chamois spotting This nature park in the Bernese Jura is 1 home to rich plant and animal life. Besides marmots, you can spot chamois in the early evening. Guided wildlife spotting walks lead mostly to the Corne de l’Ouest More on wildlife spotting? viewpoint. MySwitzerland.com/ wildlifewatching

33

Mountain high five

3 ALPINE IBEX {Capra ibex} 1 MARMOTS {Marmota marmota} Ibex can clamber up to giddy heights of 3,500 m – and A shrill whistle and they are gone. Marmots are easily down again. And up again. In summer, they like to graze scared and are always on red alert to flee. That’s on Alpine meadows, heading up to the mountains maybe how they managed to survive the last Ice Age. before nightfall to sleep. Habitat: alpine meadows above the treeline Habitat: above the treeline in the Alps Size: head-body length 45 – 58 cm Size: head-body length 115 – 170 cm Weight: 3.0 – 5.8 kg Weight: 35 –150 kg Life expectancy: 12 years Life expectancy: > 20 years

2 CHAMOIS 4 BEARDED VULTURE {Rupicapra rupicapra} {Gypaetus barbatus}

The nimble-footed chamois climb up to the highest Its other name, “lamb vulture”, has been the downfall peaks. Among the cliffs they search for the fresh of Europe’s largest bird of prey. Since it became shoots of alpine rhododendrons, juniper and pine, extinct in Switzerland in 1868, it has been successfully while in winter they nibble moss and lichen. reintroduced to the Alps over recent years. Bearded Habitat: rocky heights in the Alps and Jura, as vultures do not hunt lambs as they feed exclusively well as in forests on carrion. Size: head-body length 120 – 150 cm Habitat: in the Alps

Weight: 30 – 50 kg Size: wingspan 260 – 290 cm Life expectancy: 15 – 20 years Weight: 3.7 – 7.1 kg Life expectancy: 30 – 40 years

34 mySwitzerland

STAG IS MY NAME

Even if you don’t have any close encounters with wildlife, you’re bound to come across plenty of “clues” on the walk, as hunters call the fresh animal droppings.

Ibex

Red deer

Bearded vulture

5 RED DEER {Cervus elaphus}

In the high Alps, red deer graze on peaceful meadows between 2,000 m and 2,700 m. As soon as the first snow Chamois falls, the herd heads down to lower-lying forests. Only the male deer – known as stags – have the impressive antlers that they shed each year. Four months later a new set of antlers grows. Habitat: forested areas in the Alps and Jura Size: head-body length 190 – 250 cm Weight: 90 – 260 kg Marmots Life expectancy: 15 – 20 years

35 Outdoor: walking tips Best on foot There are places where there are no , bus or cable car stations. In spite or perhaps because of this it’s well worth taking your walking boots. MySwitzerland brings you ten of these walkable gems.

36 mySwitzerland #VERLIEBTINDIESCHWEIZ 1 Wildenmannlisloch, Toggenburg, Eastern Switzerland / Rupa © Dolores Liechtenstein Adventure at all levels It’s a 700-m hike from Starkenbach in Toggenburg up to Strichboden. At the top an incredible panoramic view awaits, reaching from the Black Forest to Appen- zell’s Alpstein massif and beyond to the Austrian Alps. From here, the trail leads to Wildenmannlisloch, a mysterious limestone cave. The 150-m-long prehistoric cave is safe to visit and steeped in myth. If you would rather skip the 700-m ascent, hop aboard the nos- talgic wooden cable car. Difficulty: easy Distance: 6 km Duration: 1 hr 50 mins Refreshments: Alpwirtschaft Wildmannli Start: Starkenbach

37 2 Segnesboden, Graubünden

On the geology trail Difficulty: medium

A walk in the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona is a fasci- Distance: 11 km © Gaudenz Danuser nating lesson in geology. Here older rock strata have Duration: 3 hrs edged their way above younger rocks – visible in the Refreshments: Berghaus Segnes; knife-sharp line that gashes the mountain face. The Bergrestaurant Stalla trail leads over harsh tundra and stream-carved flood- Start: Alp Naraus plains to the myth-enshrouded Martinsloch, a hole in the cliff face through which the sun shines onto the village of Elm on the other side of the moun- ­tains just twice a year. 3 Gorges de l’Areuse Jura & Three-Lakes Through the Gorge de l’Areuse The at times narrow trail leads past colossal cliff walls and over picturesque stone bridges. Where the Areuse River thrashes through the deeply carved gorge, the path affords great views of this impressive natural won- der. And a cool breeze is guaranteed here even on the hottest summer days. Difficulty: easy Distance: 11 km Duration: 3 hrs Start: Noiraigues

4 Barrhorn, Valais 5 Lauterbrunnental, Canton of Bern Hiking to the highest peak Pure romance in candlelit At 3,610 m, the mighty Barrhorn in Valais surrounds is the highest peak in Europe that can be If you’re seeking the ultimate escape for a reached solely on foot and without climbing couple of days, a walk to Berghotel Ober- equipment. It’s best to allow two days for steinberg beckons. You won’t find electri- the tour and stay overnight at the Turtmann- city and running water, but you will find hütte. The reward for the effort is a plenty of romance, including a candlelit din- tremendous view over a whole range of ner with beautiful views. The following day four-thousanders. you’ll walk past striking waterfalls to the Difficulty: difficult peaceful shores of Lake Oberhorn. Distance: 18.6 km Difficulty: difficult Duration: 8 hrs 45 mins (in two days) Distance: 17.4 km Refreshments: Turtmannhütte Duration: 7 hrs 10 mins (in two days) Start: Vorder Sänntum in Gruben /Oberems Refreshments: Kerzenhotel Obersteinberg Start: Gimmelwald

39 bmc-switzerland.com/roadmachine 6 Schrattenfluh Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region Over the karst field Local lore has it that the Schrattenfluh’s long, deeply gouged ridges of limestone were clawed out by the devil. Whether or not you believe the legend, this shimmering, silver-grey karst ridge, with its potholes and fissures, offers enticing hiking. The view is remarkable too – reaching from Entlebuch to Jura and from the Brienzer-Rothorn chain deep into the Bernese Alps. Difficulty: difficult Distance: 15.6 km Duration: 6 hrs 30 mins Refreshments: Alpwirtschaft Schlund Start: Sörenberg / Flühli

7 Tomasee, Graubünden 8 Capanna Tamaro, Ticino One step across the Ravishing ridge walk Long before the mighty Rhine reaches the The trail from Monte Lema to Monte sea, it begins as a small stream at 2,345 m, Tamaro is one of Switzerland’s classic high- its source is Lake Toma. The water is crystal level walks. Here you hike almost entirely clear and reflects the majestic mountains along a ridge. Two challenging ascents that rise above it. A detour to the Maighels demand a certain level of condition, but Hut makes the tour longer, but it’s worth the panorama and the inviting sun terrace it for the homemade cake. at Capanna Tamaro make the effort Difficulty: medium worthwhile. Distance: 11.4 km Difficulty: medium to difficult Duration: 3 hrs 20 mins Distance: 13 km Refreshments: Maighels Hut (plus 50 minutes) Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins Start: Oberalp Pass Refreshments: Ristorante Alpe Foppa, for instance Start: Monte Lema

41 What I pack

12 in my rucksack… 3 The perfect daypack 1 has 10 to 20 litres. It should have enough space for a second T-Shirt 2 , a jacket 3 in case the weather changes, as well as a hat 4 and sunscreen 5 . It also contains a drinking bottle 6 , some chocolate 7 , sweets 8 , dextrose 9 and fruit 10 for boosting energy. With binoculars 11 , a walking map 12 , pocket knife 13 and a small First Aid kit 14 you’re well equipped for any eventuality on the trail.

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13 7 14 1 © Maya Wipf and Daniele Kaehr

42 mySwitzerland 9 Lac de Fenêtre, Valais On the trail of Barry The starting point for this walk is the Great St Bernard Hospice, the home of the legendary St Bernard dogs. From here, the tour dips into Italy and back into Switzerland. Fenêtre de Ferret is the name of the little pass crossing, which opens like a window and affords a view deep into the wildly romantic Val Ferret, which is buttressed by the Mont Blanc massif at the western end of the valley. Difficulty: medium Distance: 11.2 km Duration: 4 hrs Refreshments: Hôtel de l’Hospice; Hôtel du Col de Fenêtre (Ferret) Start: Great St Bernard Hospice

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10 , Boundless views You’re just one step From Col du Mollendruz, the trail leads 500 m up to Mont Tendre. At 1,679 m, away from details this is the highest peak in Swiss Jura, com- manding a sweeping 360-degree panorama on this walk and many that reaches from the Savoie to the Bernese Alps. There’s a gentle descent to Col du more, incl. walking Marchairuz, where the walk ends. Difficulty: medium to difficult maps and elevation Distance: 16.6 km profiles: Duration: 5 hrs Refreshments: Auberge de Mollendruz, MySwitzerland.com/hiking for instance Start: Mollendruz

43 START: What kind Do you need a holiday? of spa-goer Yes, are you? urgently!

Active relaxation or pure indulgence? Find out now. Really? That bad?

Yes, I’ve felt How can we better Not really, help you? Kind of – but you’ve got I’m going stir- to treat yourself crazy sometimes

I need a health check

Are you looking for I need a active relaxation? change of scenery

What do you do first Yes, I want thing in the morning? action No, but I want to improve my health Jogging Dreaming

You are health-conscious You love action “Healthy & Youthful” type: “Outdoor & Wellness” type: Do something for yourself and Lying around is nothing for you – keep reading. get active and keep reading.

44 mySwitzerland Wellness: typology

No, To be not straight But don’t wait Where are you reading honest, I don’t away too long this holiday magazine? have time to read

While At an having a open-air pedicure pool after a 3 -km crawl

You’ve missed a bus. What do you do? What do your friends say when you meet In case you change them? your mind, we are here for you: Wait for the MySwitzerland.com You look next one tired You look good Get annoyed

At You prefer home sleeping:

Drink until What do you under- In a you feel better stand by vinotherapy? bed of hay In a luxury hotel

Spa treatments with grape pulp and pips

You are sensitive You seek peace “Spa & Beauty” type “Mind & Body” type: Treat your porcelain skin and Step down a gear and keep reading. keep reading.

45 “Healthy & “Outdoor & Youthful” Wellness”

Prevention is better than cure. Slow the On your wellness holidays you want ageing process and enjoy health-boosting action or to reach sporting goals – Swit- holidays in the Swiss mountains – with zerland offers something for everyone, a check-up, detox plan, nutritious meals from barefoot walks to Kneipp water- and healing waters. Dive into the well- treading cures and high-altitude training ness destination Leukerbad: on running trails. The wellness destina- tion Engadine Scuol has the lot:

Leukerbad is the largest spa resort in the Runners and joggers are particularly in their Alps. More than four million litres of thermal element in the holiday region Scuol water reaching temperatures of up to 51°C Samnaun Val Müstair. The diverse range of gush forth from 65 springs into its thermal trails stretch from flat routes along the banks pools. The mineral-rich waters relax muscles of the Inn River to demanding trail running and mind, allowing you to de-stress and routes high above the tree line. Scuol’s re-energise. Even the Romans praised its running school is very close to the Swiss healing powers. National Park.

Location: surrounded by magnificent mountains Location: nestled between the peaks of Silvretta Highlight: bathing by moonlight and the Engadin Excursion tip: Gemmi Pass – reached either by Highlight: Switzerland’s sunniest valley cable car or via the steep cliff path from Leukerbad, Excursion tip: Swiss National Park – the largest it commands arresting views of the Bernese and conservation area in Switzerland with an 80-km Valais Alps network of walking trails

46 mySwitzerland Illustration: Stephan Liechti

“Spa & “Mind & Beauty” Body”

If you want round-the-clock pampering Slowing down the pace is what your well- on holiday, you’re in the right place. For ness holiday is all about. And where better original spa treatments like whey baths, to do this than in the Swiss mountains? vinotherapy and, naturally, the thermal and Whether it’s to be digital detox or personal saltwater baths for which Switzerland is growth, a spiritual stay in a monastery or famous, you can’t beat Mediterranean-fla- yoga in a place oozing good energy, we voured wellness resort Ascona-Locarno: recommend the wellness resort Gstaad:

Modern spas, enchanting mountain views The location between 1,000 m and 3,000 m on Lago Maggiore’s lakefront promenade has a positive effect on well-being. Five and subtropical nature make this the perfect valleys form a spectacular backdrop, with choice for relaxing, peaceful wellness breaks. rushing streams, glittering mountain lakes Hotels here offer a wide range of beauty and softly rolling meadows rising to the and spa therapies – from aromatherapy to majestic heights of the Alps. Tap into the exclusive Kanebo-Sensai treatments. natural energy here walking, swimming or practising yoga. Location: Lago Maggiore’s lake promenade Highlight: the Kneipp water trail in Hotel Eden Location: set amid softly rolling hills Roc – with stones from the nearby Maggia River Highlight: with a special “fondue rucksack” you Excursion tip: Verzasca Valley – crystal-clear, can enjoy a delicious fondue up in the mountains emerald water reminiscent of the Caribbean Excursion tip: Lauenensee – an idyllic mountain lake set in a beautiful nature reserve

More relaxing wellness destinations: MySwitzerland.com/wellness

47 Natural landscapes: Swiss parks Pure nature Nature and heritage is largely un- touched and pristine in Swiss parks. Besides the unique natural landscapes, the parks stand out with their living culture and the people who want to protect their valuable heritage. Come with us on a ramble through the parks.

Photos: Markus Bühler-Rasom & Lorenz Andreas Fischer Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Nature Park La Pierreuse Nature Reserve Jura Vaudois Nature Park Combe des Amburnex The region’s traditional dry stonewalls thread through the park’s open pastures and up to the highest and most rugged region of the .

Binntal Nature Park View to the Ofenhorn The Binn Valley is famous for its rich min- erals and plant life. Its exceptional and precious landscapes also hide a wealth of internationally important cultural heritage.

Pfyn-Finges Nature Park Rhône between Leuk and Salgesch The wild Rhône flows freely through the lowlands of the lower Pfyn Forest. It creates water meadow landscapes with a diverse array of unique plant life and amphibian biotopes.

Swiss parks: overview

1 Swiss National Park 2 Locarnese National Park Project Parks as (candidate) Doubs Nature Park 3 UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Freiberger horses and lovely beautiful 4 Thal Nature Park riverscapes.

5 Biosfera Val Müstair 14 as Switzer- 6 Argovia Jurapark 7 Binntal Nature Park 8 Chasseral Nature Park Basel land itself 9 Diemtigtal Nature Park 10 Parc Ela

Switzerland’s staggering diversity 11 Gantrisch Nature Park St-Ursanne is reflected in the unspoilt land- 12 Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut 14 4 scapes of its national, nature and Regional Nature Park Delémont nature discovery parks, with 13 Beverin Nature Park their wide range of forests and 14 Doubs Nature Park 8 waterways, rare habitats like Solothurn 15 Jura Vaudois Nature Park St-Imier moors, wetlands and grass- 16 Pfyn-Finges Nature Park lands, and rich plant- and wild- La Chaux-de-Fonds 17 Schaffhausen Nature Park life. But beauty alone is not Bern (candidate) enough for Swiss park status. 18 Wildnispark Zurich Sihlwald To achieve the highly regarded Schwarzenburg 19 Jorat Nature Discovery Park Fribourg Swiss Federal Office for the (candidate) 11 Environment (FOEN) park and product label, the area needs Romainmôtier Diemtigen to demonstrate a thriving culture, 19 9 sustainable management prac- 15

tices and a population eager to Lausanne St-George 12 preserve its precious heritage. Montreux All this makes a visit to Switzer- Château- Nyon 16 land’s parks a simply unforget- d’Oex table experience. Each park is Sierre different and totally unique. Geneva Sion

The Swiss parks app This app shows you the most beau- tiful walks in Swiss parks. Find it in the app store or Google Play. Diemtigtal Nature Park 11 Exquisite landscapes Gantrisch Nature Park in a dreamy valley. Forests, canyons, wildlife 9 and the Bernese Alps.

56 mySwitzerland 6 4 Argovia Jurapark Thal Nature Park Rich in beautiful landscapes Formidable fortresses and and minerals. fascinating industrial heritage. 17 Swiss National Park National park Wil- chingen Regional nature park Schaffhausen Nature Discovery Park

6 Linn St. Gallen Aarau Zurich

Balsthal 18 Horgen 1 Swiss National Park Solothurn Oldest national park in the Alps Glarus and a wildlife oasis. Lucerne Entlebuch Schwyz

3 Chur Sörenberg 13 Thun Disentis / Mustér Tiefen- Zernez 1 Thusis castel Diemtigen Andermatt 10 5 Müstair Wergenstein

Bivio 7 Soazza Bosco / Gurin 5 Leuk Binn Biosfera Val Müstair Brig 2 UNESCO World Bellinzona Heritage Property and Biosphere Locarno Reserve in one valley. Beverin Nature Park Four wild and romantic valleys, two cultures, one park. 13 10

Parc Ela Home to the UNESCO World Heritage 7 Albula/ line. Binntal Nature Park Villages, hamlets, minerals and an endemic species of wild tulip.

For wonderful park discoveries, visit: MySwitzerland.com/parks

57 Lifestyle: local gourmet cuisine

So close to the best Nenad Mlinarevic, Gault-Millau Chef of the Year 2016 and head chef at Restaurant Focus, is a huge fan of Swiss ingredients. A visit to his kitchen and three suppliers shows the closer the better.

Text: Christian Sidow Photos: Ladina Bischof

58 mySwitzerland A

Nenad Mlinarevic is the head chef at Park Hotel Vitznau on Lake Lucerne.

59 Root vegetables in- stead of caviar – for his vegetable course, Nenad Mlinarevic bakes whole celeriac in salt in the oven and then leaves it for a few seconds over the heat.

60 mySwitzerland B A

Werner Brauchart works at Widacher organic farm in Malters, where or- ganic vegetables are grown accord- ing to Bio Suisse guidelines.

“Celeriac and many other vegetables are grown at Widacher organic farm B without synthetic and animal fertilisers. Pests are controlled using beneficial species. A real highlight is our selection of miniature vegetables. They involve more work but they are real attention-grabbers on the plate.” To source ample fish for the 40 covers in his restaurant, Nenad Mlinarevic gets his brook trout from the Reichmuth family trout farm. Here the fish splash around in fresh mountain spring water – and are natur- ally raised without antibiotics.

62 mySwitzerland C

A

Fish farming specialist Franz Reichmuth runs the second generation of the family business Brüggli Trout in Sattel.

“What really sets the trout and brook trout from Sattel C apart is their freshness. Often on the same day as they are caught and prepared, they are whisked off straight to restaurants and fish- mongers. The fish that lands on your plate in the evening was still splashing around in our ponds in the morning. No imported fish can match this exceptional freshness.” Bruno Muff’s apple balsamic vinegar contains up to ten traditional and rare species of apple. Nenad Mlinarevic loves using it to marinate his vege­t- able courses.

64 mySwitzerland D A

The qualified town and country planner Bruno Muff has been running organic farm Haldihof above Weggis since 2005.

“From picking to crushing, pressing, vinegar making and bottling – it’s all organic here at Haldihof D . For our apple balsamic, we sometimes use varieties that are more than 200 years old, such as Russet, Bohnapfel and Sauergrauech. What makes it special is the unique balance between sweet and sour.” Nenad Mlinarevic, your aim is to use 100 per cent Swiss products in the kitchen. How close are you to this goal? We are as close as we can possibly get. Apart from coffee and chocolate, all our ingredients come from Switzerland – even the chillies and the yuzu, an Asian citrus fruit, are Swiss. Where does your fascination for Swiss products come from? Well, it began with the book “Encyclopae- dia of Alpine Cuisine”, written by the culinary journalist and food scout Dominik Flammer, who has now become a close friend of mine. The book is a kind of bible for me. I can always dip into it and find fresh inspiration. How would you describe your culinary philosophy? Our food is constantly evolving – it never stops. It’s a bit like me. I get bored quickly and like to change my recipes often. You should never let creativity slip. Together with my team, I want to invent new dishes using outstanding Swiss produce. What came first? The outstanding produce or the recipes? The ingredients always come first and inspire what I make out of them. A new recipe can take as little as an hour to master, but sometimes I spend two weeks perfecting one until I have achieved the right balance of fla- vours. It’s like a kind of ingredient puzzle, where I experiment until I assemble the pieces into the perfect picture.

66 mySwitzerland Nenad Mlinarevic Is it difficult to cook this way? I’m still (36) launched his career more than rising to the challenge that I have set 20 years ago at the Dolder Waldhaus in myself, but it is getting easier. In the Zurich. Following training, he worked at beginning I was still in the habit of NOMA in Copen- hagen and as the reaching for the olive oil, but things sous-chef of Andreas Caminada at Schloss change with time and you have to Schauenstein, among others. Since 2014 he think of something new. I like breaking has been the head chef of Restaurant the routine. Focus at Park Hotel Vitznau, where his cuisine, made Vegetables are your passion. What is exclusively from Swiss produce, special about them? They don’t have has earned him 18 Gault-Millau points to be just boiled side dishes – they can and a coveted two Michelin stars. be show-stoppers in themselves. For example, you can cure, ferment, Chef’s Table The Chef’s Table in the smoke and roast them; serve them restaurant kitchen allows you to sample as pickles or just raw. Nenad Mlinarevic’s nine-course menu What grounds you? Finding a balance prepared with Swiss ingredients, while between the long hours spent in the watching the Focus team in action. kitchen – my day begins around 11 am restaurant-focus.ch and ends around 2 am – and time spent outdoors in the nature. Sport helps me reconnect with myself. Or I let the surrounds inspire a new recipe. I can never switch off 100 per cent.

67 Brook trout Haricot beans White currants “The trout is cooked slowly. Pickled white currants from last summer give the dish a fruity note. Beans served three ways give it a nice balance. It’s traditionally served with speck, but we achieve a similar aroma using smoked walnuts. A dash of onion puree and stock made with fermented and raw cucumber juice round out the dish.” Nenad Mlinarevic

68 mySwitzerland 5 tips for Foodies 3 Le Noirmont Georges 5 Wenger Bad Ragaz/Schauenstein

Crowned with two Michelin Andreas stars and 18 Gault-Millau points, Georges Wenger Caminada/ has been cooking outstand- 1 ing cuisine using classic Silvio Gstaad ingredients, plus some genuinely surprising dishes, Germann Marcus G. for 35 years. The Andreas Caminada Linder Experience is a two-day journey for the senses. It The head chef of Restaurant begins with the Fine Dining Sommet shows how local Sharing Experience courtesy produce can be transformed of head chef Silvio Germann into a Michelin-starred menu at Restaurant IGNIV, and in intimate surrounds. rounds out with a six-course lunch at Schloss Schauen- stein, prepared by Andreas Caminada. 2 4 Ponte Brolla Lausanne

Andrea Anne-Sophie 3 5

Cingari Pic 4 1 2 Ristorante da Enzo is At the two-Michelin- without doubt Ticino’s most starred Beau Rivage Palace elegant grotto (rustic, family- restaurant, French star run tavern). Enjoy a taste of chef Anne-Sophie Pic uses Appetite for more southern Switzerland at products in her culi- culinary tips: its gourmet best. nary creations. MySwitzerland.com/ culinary

69 Gina, Seraina, Arina and Quirin Agrippi live in Pontresina and know how to keep kids amused. Photo upper right: Quirin as Goat Peter with Anouk Steffen as Heidi and Bruno Ganz as the Alm Uncle in the film “Heidi”.

70 mySwitzerland Family resort: Pontresina

Quirin’s world Quirin and his sisters live where other families go on holiday. The 15-year-old student from Pontresina, who played Goat Peter in the film “Heidi”, knows the region like the back of his hand. Here’s his take on the unmissables for children and their parents.

Text: Lucas Roos Photos: Patrick Blarer

71 Are you ready for thrilling adventures? In Pontresina’s high-rope garden you can climb, swing and jump like a monkey between the treetops. It’s completely safe, of course. The routes are graded according to difficulty. A little bravery and skill can come in handy at times, but it’s great fun.

72 mySwitzerland Lake Staz is swimming heaven. You can only reach the lake on foot or by bike, which makes its cool waters all the more welcome. Lake Staz also has a sandy beach, diving board and raft. It’s no wonder I’m often here in summer.

73 THE SWISS CHOCOLATE FACTORY

OPEN 7/7

Rue Jules Bellet 7, 1636 Broc +41 (0)26 921 59 60 [email protected] CAILLER.CH The Trail is really exciting. On the trail to the glacier, which used to be much longer, you can discover all about it at 16 info points, and there is a special mini book for kids. The best thing is that at the end of the trail you can actually walk on the ice.

Lej da Staz

Pontresina Experience cheese Morteratsch Diavolezza making first-hand. At the Alpine Show Dairy Morteratsch it’s free to watch and you can taste the cheese and other tasty treats. If you’re lucky, I might be serving you during holiday times. 02040 80 km

There are many fire01 pits, but02 only0 40 miles one is the highest in Europe at 3,066 m. It’s at Sass Queder, close to Diavolezza top station. Wood? Bring it yourself or buy it at the mountain restaurant.

The film “Heidi” is available on DVD and Blu-ray. 5 tips for Young and the young at heart

1 Dwarf Bartli Braunwald

Have you ever explored a dwarf castle? Or looked for 2 the trail to a water play- ground in an enchanted for- Alpine life, Alpage de Balavaud est? From mid-June to late October, wondrous encoun- Nendaz ters await on the Dwarf Bartli Discovery trail, tucked It’s no secret that the herbs find out more about Alpine away in the Glarnerwald and plants of the Valais Alps, life and the grazing cows. forest’s southern reaches. the near-Mediterranean The delicious cheeses and Families with kids aged three climate and the traditional regional products served and over can discover eight methods used to produce at breakfast are an insight magical natural settings in a Raclette du Valais AOP lend into Valais traditions and a fairytale world. There are the cheese its unique fresh- delight for all ages. five different trails, some of ness and tangy aroma. But Arrival highlight: cable car which are pushchair-friendly few know exactly how one Recommended time: in part. of Switzerland’s best-loved half to full day Arrival highlight: chairlift national dishes is made. What else: 250 trees that are Braunwald – Gumen At Alp Balavaud, where 300 to 800 years old Recommended time: Europe’s oldest and highest 1 hr 10 mins to 3 hrs 30 mins larch trees grow, you can What else: Braunwald is a watch farmers in action as car-free holiday paradise. they make cheese – and

76 mySwitzerland More family excursions and resorts: MySwitzerland.com/ family 1 4 5

3 2

3 4 5 Lamatrekking Treasure hunt Goat Peter Ascona Engelberg Savognin

Kids love animals – especially Globi needs help. Captain Every Thursday in July and ones as friendly as the Engelbart has stolen 11 sto- August, families can head llamas that lead tours through ries from his book – and up to Alp Tigignas to pet the captivating scenery of has hidden them in treasure and feed the resident goats. the future Parco Nazionale chests because of his guilty Afterwards, you can listen to del Locarnese. Parents also conscience. Kitted out with a Goat Peter telling his fasci- love the fact that the llamas treasure map, kids can go in nating story over a glass of carry all the luggage. search of them – from Ristis fresh goat milk and some Arrival highlight: Verdasio – over Alp Rigidal to the tasty goat’s cheese. Monte Comino cable car Brunnihütte. Arrival highlight: Recommended time: half a day, Arrival highlight: Savognin – Tigignas cable car a full day or several days Engelberg – Ristis cable car Recommended time: 1 day What else: eat and sleep Recommended time: 2 hrs What else: thrills and spills outdoors What else: Globi’s fun Alpine at Pinocchio Club playground with a fire pit

77 Ciao Ticino “The Grand Tour of Switzerland brings together a concentration of attractions and highlights that is unri- valled worldwide,” according to the tour’s website. It delivers – especially when it comes to two UNESCO World Heritage Properties in Ticino, which are only a few kilometres apart.

Text: Lucas Roos © Maya Wipf and Daniele Kaehr Grand Tour: Ticino highlights

he green stars on the Grand Tour map denote a UNESCO highlight. We’ve only just arrived in Mendrisiotto, a region shaped by its gently rollingT hills, picture-book villages and vine- yards, when we spot one – Monte San Gior- gio, a UNESCO World Heritage Property. It’s reason enough to park the car in Meride and take a detour. While Meride is steeped in medieval history, the fossils in the stone layers Prehistoric treasures: Fossil Museum. of Monte San Giorgio stretch back more than 200 million years. They can be admired in the Museo dei Fossili, a project that bears The Grand Tour’s appeal lies the hallmark of Ticinese starchitect Mario not only in its many Botta. We push open the glass door and are greeted by a “Ticinosuchus”, a kind of mini attractions, but also in Tyrannosaurus Rex. All of the other dino- its hidden gems and saurs on display are marine reptiles, as Monte San Giorgio formed part of the seabed little-known places that are 240 million years ago, long before it became now ripe for the discovery. a 1,100-m mountain. Just a two-hour walk from the panoramic peak of Monte San Giorgio, Meride has far more to offer than its fossil museum, however. The medieval village itself is worth a visit and the Antico Grotto Fossati on Via Le Cantine is a real insider tip for food lov- ers. The braised beef in red wine with - lenta, cooked in a cauldron over an open fire, is sublime. The wine list has some fine regional picks, but we can’t linger to sample them as the Grand Tour beckons.

We drive on along the shore of Lake Lugano towards Melide – not to be confused with Meride. In the town that is home to Swiss- miniatur open-air museum, the route dips south to Morcote. With its arcades and dec- orative frescoed facades, this romantic little village is perfect for an espresso, a shot of Mediterranean flair and a quick look at the The village of Meride – pristine and well preserved.

80 mySwitzerland map. Our goal? The three castles of Bellin- zona, another of Ticino’s UNESCO World Heritage Properties, just a short drive away. If we were to factor in visits to sights like Lugano’s Old Town, Locarno’s Piazza Grande and Ascona’s famous lakefront prome- nade, we could easily tag on an extra two days. But today the Grand Tour is taking us north.

Bellinzona’s castles are visible Morcote, the star of Lago di Lugano. from afar. These formidable fortresses controlled the move- ments of the Swiss heading south in medieval times. How times have changed! Today, the town welcomes guests from the north warmly – and naturally also those from the south. We opt to visit Cas- telgrande, choosing to walk instead of taking the lift that whizzes up to the for- tress. After the drive, it’s a pleasure to wander the narrow lanes that thread to the top. The oldest castle of the three, Castel- grande harbours a small museum, which showcases the history of the castles and Bellinzona’s historic centre. From the ram- parts, there is an impressive view over the Old Town’s rooftops. Close by, we stopped UNESCO World Heritage: the . for a break at Osteria Mistral, Via Orico 2, where the service is friendly, the menu outstanding and the Ticino merlot the icing on the cake.

Enjoy using electric vehicles thanks to a great network of

charging points:

MySwitzerland.com/grandtour

81 Booklet: Stays close to nature In the back of beyond

Whether you are a nature lover, a romantic seeking the ultimate escape or simply fancy a total break from the daily grind – there is a back-to-nature stay with your name on it. Find plenty of inspiration in our “Stays close to nature” booklet.

82 mySwitzerland You don’t have a booklet? Visit: MySwitzerland.com/staysclosetonature

83 Prix Bienvenu: rewarding first-class hospitality

1 Luxury hotel Prix Bienvenu Attentiveness to CERVO, Zermatt guests’ needs, a At CERVO Mountain Boutique ResortÖ , luxury also means hav- ing the time to be at one with yourself. All of the seven chalets, which warm welcome, guests often describe as having a “cosy atmosphere”, have their own spa heartfelt service and area, with a sauna, sanarium, experience showers, massage rooms and fireplace. Foodies are in for a treat at the restaurant in the chalet, a willingness to help which has been awarded 14 Gault-Millau points.

are the Prix Bienvenu cervo.ch criteria. The Swiss prize for hospitality 2 is awarded to Luxury city hotel 100 Swiss hotels every year. The results Des Bergues, GENEVA are based on hotel Geneva’s first ever hotel – and still the first address for a luxurious guest feedback stay – is the Four Seasons Hotel drawn from more Des BerguesÄ in the heart of the city. Right on the shores of than 250 review and Lake Geneva, the imposing hotel booking sites. Here with 68 rooms and 35 suites im- presses not only with its old-world are the winners of charm and sumptuous surrounds. the five categories Its competent team go out of their way to make guests feel welcome. for 2016. fourseasons.com/geneva

84 mySwitzerland 3 City hotel La Rinascente, Locarno

Housed in a lovingly restored building dating to 1550 and run by attentive hosts, Boutique Hotel La RinascenteÔ is just a few steps from Piazza Grande. Guests particularly praise the outstanding restaurant. It’s a real gem for unforgetta- ble experiences. hotel-rinascente.ch

4 5 Large holiday hotel Small holiday hotel Walther, Glocke, Reckingen Pontresina Peace, rest and inspiration – In the mood for some spa time? these three make for wonder- You’ll be in your element at the fully relaxing stays at Hotel 700- m² Aqua Viva wellness area at GlockeÔ. The hotel’s centre­ the family-run Walther Relais & piece is the parlour with a tiled Châteaux Hotel À. Equally im- oven, lounge, billiard table pressive are the stylish dining room, and many other games. Little à la carte restaurant La Stüva with details make the difference at its Alpine-chic look and the ele- this small, traditional hotel, gant bar with pianist. Kids will such as the home-ground flour have a blast in the large playroom used to make fresh bread. and outdoor playground. glocke.ch hotelwalther.ch

For more information on the winners of the Prix Bienvenu and nominated hotels, visit: MySwitzerland.com/ prixbienvenu

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85 Selected: MySwissExperience

This way to fun Lacking inspiration? No problem. Incredible activities abound in Switzerland – be it in rivers, on lakes, in the mountains or in caves. MySwitzerland recommends 12 fun-filled experiences. Ready? 1 Graubünden ADRENALINE-FREE VIA MALA If hardcore canyoning is not your bag, there are more gentle ways of discovering the Alpine waters of the Via Mala, which will cer- tainly appeal to nature lovers. You’re in the best hands with guide Rik Brown. The path that follows the often turquoise-blue water of the Rhine leads enchantingly past glittering slate cliffs, bizarre rock formations and dazzlingly green moss-clad fields. The up- and-down bit is over after around two hours. The jumps are maximum two metres high, the water is mostly calm and you’ll find thrills with minimum exertion.

3 Ticino FROM CORN TO FLOUR

Fringed by chestnut woods, the village of 2 Vergeletto in the Onser- none Valley has smelt Reka of popcorn for centur- BAKING RYE ies. In the restored mill, Ilario Garbani produces BREAD “farina bóna”, outstand- In Grimentz, the neighbouring ing flour made from village of Zinal where the Reka roasted corn kernels. Holiday Village is located, you Every Tuesday he takes can bake traditional rye bread at a historic bakehouse. The baker visitors through the has pre-prepared the dough, village and explains the so it’s up to you to shape it into history of this special a loaf, pop it in the oven and flour. enjoy the delicious bread at the holiday village in the evening – with fondue, for instance.

87 4 Lake Geneva Region FULL SPEED AHEAD Ever dreamed of standing next to the captain on the navigation bridge of a paddle steamer? On “La Suisse”, the dream becomes a reality on a round trip of upper Lake Geneva. An in-depth tour of the Belle Époque paddle steamer, a peek in the engine room, intriguing chats with the captain and breathtaking views of the lake and shore – from Schloss Chillon to Montreux and the vineyards – are part and parcel of the trip.

6 SBB Railways 5 FREE NATURAL Swiss Parks SPECTACLES DISCOVER NATURAL WONDERS Both the scenery and sensational Pius Schnider’s guided tours of UNESCO Biosphere feats of engineering impress in Entlebuch are unforgettable. He shares fascinating equal measure on the Gotthard insights into the origins of the karst fields of Panorama Express. The train approaches the old Gotthard Schrattenfluh and takes you on an adventurous Tunnel from the south. At the spin of the limestone caves, followed by a hearty loop tunnel, the church of Was- lunch of Alpine macaroni at Alpbeizli Silwängen. sen appears three times from different angles. A real treat awaits at the end: the change to a paddle steamer in Flüelen.

88 mySwitzerland 7 Fribourg Region SAY CHEESE Close to the iconic peak of the Fribourg pre-Alps, 2,002-m Moléson, the Murith family own three Alpine businesses and a BnB in the village of Gruyères. As a guest, you’ll get to experience the finest Gruyère d’Alpage AOP cheese and watch how it is made by father, Jacques, and son, Alexandre. While the milk coagulates, breakfast is served with fresh bread, double cream, preserves and Alpine cheese.

8 Aargau ROLLING ON THE RIVER The rivers Aare, Reuss and Limmat converge at the water castle in Brugg. With its un- touched shores and wild islands, the river begs to be explored by nature lovers – it’s best discov- ered in a dinghy, say, and then on foot where the Limmat flows into the Aare. Boatmen and nature experts Christoph Flory and Dieter Humbel guide the way safely across the water and make the trip a fascinating experience with their insights and anecdotes.

89 9 Jura & Three-Lakes AWAY WITH THE GREEN FAIRIES The “green fairy”, as absinthe was once known, was illegal from 1910 to 2005. But people still drank it on the quiet – secretly in bars or served in white Ovaltine plastic cups. Philippe Martin, distiller of La Valote Martin absinthe, reveals that it is made from worm- wood and that, depending on the recipe, it is made from up to 12 other herbs, as well as alcohol and water. It soon becomes clear why, despite the ban, Jura locals continued to distil and drink this spirit derived from botani­ cals – green fairies and all.

10 Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region CANOEING TOWARDS THE SUN There’s no better way to switch off, find peace and spend a romantic evening than with a sunset paddle with a canoe on Lake Lucerne. Reto Wyss from Kanuwelt gives handy tips to make the experience as relaxed as possible. The striking back- drop and the setting sun make for a canoe excursion to remember – and one you’ll be longing to repeat.

90 mySwitzerland 11 Valais TREASURE HUNT IN THE BINNTAL VALLEY

The Binntal Valley is remarkably rich in minerals – more than a dozen of which are found nowhere else. They take their names from the region, such as wallisite and lengenbachite. Local amateur 12 geologists take visitors on mineral excursions, revealing what makes Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein the Binntal Valley a paradise for enthusiasts, with tips on how and EARLY-MORNING CATCH where to find these and other stones. A stick to identify minerals For more than 20 years, professional fisherman and a hammer come in handy in Rolf Meier has puttered out from Ermatingen across the chasms where minerals glitter. Lake Constance in his little fishing boat. On board Nobody goes home from the Binntal Valley empty-handed. he has his fishing net and sometimes visitors who are enraptured by the morning magic of Lake Constance as it awakens. Back on land, you can stay as a guest with the fishing family – watching them at work and then enjoying the freshly caught fish in the cosy restaurant or outside on the sun terrace. Whitefish, perch and pike have never tasted better.

Find more top experiences from April 2017 at: MySwitzerland.com/ 12 myswissexperience 8

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700 unique experiences on one website. Discover your dream experi- ence now.

Meet your Swiss hosts and discover Switzerland with them. From April 2017 at: MySwitzerland.com/myswissexperience Switzerland’s most beautiful panoramic routes.

The Glacier Express in Andermatt, en route to St. Moritz.

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland packs as well as the magnificent Glacier Express the country’s most beautiful panoramic to Chur and St. Moritz. In the fashionable journeys into one unforgettable experience. health resort of St. Moritz in the Engadin, Bringing together the highlights of all you have two choices for your onward jour- Swiss public transport routes, it can be ney to Lugano – in summer it’s best explored explored year-round. with the and Bernina Ex- Begin your Grand Train Tour of Switzerland press Bus, in winter with the Palm Express at any chosen point on the route, for in- postal bus. From Lugano, the Gotthard stance in the trendy Swiss city of Zurich. Panorama Express takes you to Flüelen, From the shores of Lake Zurich, the tour where you’ll travel by historic paddle steamer heads on to St. Gallen, then it’s time to board to Lucerne. From the “City of Light”, with the Pre-Alpine Express (Voralpen-Express) its many sights and attractions, it’s time to to Lucerne before continuing on the Golden- board the train back to Zurich. Each of the Pass Line to Interlaken and Montreux on eight stages of the journey offers exciting ex- Lake Geneva. From here, you’ll travel to periences, breathtaking views and countless Zermatt, where the world-famous, much- discoveries. Enjoy the journey! photographed peak of Matterhorn awaits,

One ticket for the whole tour – the Swiss Travel Pass. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland can easily be discovered in a week. And the best thing is that just one ticket gives you access to the whole tour: the Swiss Travel Pass. Naturally you can combine the round trip with other attractive excursions – find a route that suits with Swiss Travel System’s wide range of different tickets. For suggested routes and more information on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland and Swiss Travel Pass, visit SwissTravelSystem.com/grandtraintour Service: Swiss digital

One click back to nature Watch deer graze above the treeline, dive into crystal-clear mountain lakes or relax in a back-to-nature spa hotel. Summer in Switzerland is rich and varied. Here’s all you need to know: MySwitzerland.com/summer

Nature news Nature on your tablet More nature, you say? Find the latest informa- Discover the Swiss summer tion on unforgettable summers in the Swiss with interactive stories in outdoors in our newsletter. Subscribe now: our new e-magazine. From MySwitzerland.com/newsletter late April 2017 in the Swiss Mag app. Twitter and post #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND Follow us on social media to see the impressive photos, videos and stories of Switzerland holidaymakers, and join the community by sharing your own memora­ ble experiences: facebook.com/MySwitzerland Install and download instagram.com/MySwitzerland e-brochures at: twitter.com/MySwitzerland MySwitzerland.com/ipad Inlovewithswitzerland.com

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95 Strategic premium partners

The trade association of the Switzerland by train, bus and boat The airline of Switzerland Swiss hotel industry SwissTravelSystem.com swiss.com hotelleriesuisse.ch

Financial services ubs.com

Publisher Switzerland Tourism Strategic partners Tödistrasse 7 P.O. Box 8027 Zurich Switzerland

Editorial American Express Performance Bikes Home of Swiss Chocolate in Switzerland bmc-switzerland.com since 1819 Samuel Zuberbühler, Diana Rizzo americanexpress.ch cailler.ch Switzerland Tourism

Design Festland AG, St. Gallen/Zurich Retail and wholesale trade Car rental Gateway to the Alps Switzerland Tourism, Zurich coop.ch europcar.ch zurich-airport.com

Photos Cover: Iragna, Ticino, © Per Kasch Other photos: Exquisite Swiss biscuit Switzerland Cheese Marketing SWISS ARMY KNIVES | With kind permission of partner specialities switzerland-cheese.com WATCHES | TRAVEL GEAR kambly.ch victorinox.com

Print Stämpfli AG, Bern Official partners Circulation 200,000 copies

Languages

The Swiss holiday magazine appenzellerbier.ch gastrosuisse.ch gubelin.com swisstravelcenter.ch hertz.ch mySwitzerland is published twice annually in German, French, Italian, English, Dutch and Spanish.

holycow.ch intersportrent.ch kirchhofer.com grimselstrom.ch lesambassadeurs.ch

mammut.ch nikon.ch swisseducation.com snowsports.ch swisscom.com

swissinfo.ch swissrent.com visana.ch

MySwitzerland.com/strategicpartners

96 mySwitzerland Service: recommendations

A robust SUV that gets you from A to B, a walking map that shows you the way even when the road comes to an end, plus other equipment and guidance for the best outdoor experiences you’ve ever had – these offers mean you’ll be ready and well prepared for any adventure.

Europcar Europcar is Switzerland’s No. 1 car rental partner, with some 5,500 vehicles at more than 90 hire stations – from compact cars to vans, luxury limousines to four-wheel drives, cabriolets to campervans. Whatever your needs, we have a rental car that suits. MySwitzerland.com, Webcode: 324243

Kümmerly+Frey walking maps These new 1:50,000 walking maps on waterproof and tear- resistant paper offer a great overview of 33 attractive walking tours. They also feature all you need to know about the most beautiful walking regions, with elevation profiles, estimated times, restaurant tips, bus connections and much more. MySwitzerland.com, Webcode: A92363

Nikon Discover Switzerland with Nikon. Distant objects appear close enough to touch, with incredible sharpness and natural colours. Thanks to their robust design and light intensity, the handy Nikon MONARCH series binoculars are perfect for wildlife spotting in the great outdoors. MySwitzerland.com, Webcode: A224733

Mammut Alpine School We offer a wide range of activities, from gentle walks to challen- ging high-Alpine tours. We look forward to showing you the glorious Swiss mountains. MySwitzerland.com, Webcode: B233220

97 End

Advice and bookings With our outstanding knowledge of Switzerland, we’re on hand to help you plan the Swiss holiday of your dreams. Call: 00800 100 200 30 (free*)

Can you hear the rush Travel in comfort Switzerland travel tips and information. Whether by plane, of streams as you flick train or car, Switzerland is remarkably well connected. MySwitzerland.com through? Or picture Webcode: 25321

spectacular landscapes

Getting around with glaciers and snow- Travel in relaxed fashion and enjoy the journey – an extensive public transport network makes capped peaks? Follow your for memorable discoveries and flexibility throughout Switzerland. MySwitzerland.com Webcode: 25349 inner voice – it’s saying

quite clearly that nature

Find accommodation wants you back. Whether it’s to be a trendy city escape, a palatial spa hotel or a night in the straw – Switzer- land offers accommodation­ to suit every taste and budget. Book now. MySwitzerland.com Webcode: 25384

*Local charges may apply

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Nature wants you back. Summer 2017