SWITZERLAND. GRAND TOUR

THE NO. 1 ROAD TRIP OF THE ALPS Marvel at the in 10 stages sunrise over the at least once in your lifetime. 1 Zurich – St. Gallen Don’t miss wandering through the vine- p. 12 yards of the winemaking villages of the Lavaux. Or conquering the cobblestoned 2 St. Gallen – St. Moritz Tremola on the south side of the Gotthard p. 15 Pass. The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a magnificent holiday and driving experi- 3 St. Moritz – Lugano ence – and a concentration of all things p. 20 Swiss: this 1,600-kilometre road trip spans four linguistic regions, leads across 4 Chiasso/Lugano – Zermatt five Alpine passes to 12 UNESCO World p. 24 Heritage Sites and along 22 stunning lakes. MySwitzerland is happy to present a 5 Zermatt – Lausanne selection of highlights from 10 fascinating p. 30 stages. Have fun exploring! 6 Geneva– Neuchâtel

7 p. 32 2 1 7 Basel – Neuchâtel 10 8 9 p. 35

8 3 Neuchâtel – Bern p. 40 6 5 4 9 Bern – Lucerne p. 46 You will find a map of the Grand Tour at the back of the magazine. For more information, please see MySwitzerland.com/grandtour 10 Lucerne– Zurich

Whether you’re travelling by car or by motorcycle – p. 50 mountain pass roads like the Tremola are one of the highlights of the Grand Tour of Switzerland.

5 Grand Tour: people and events Sepp Betschart, volunteer on the Stoos ridge trail, Schwyz “Along with my trusty workmates, we’re toiling away to make this breath- taking ridge path into a safe mountain trail. My reward? The thanks I get from JUST LIKE passing hikers.” OLD FRIENDS

The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a journey of sights and discoveries. You will meet many different people along the tour, and thus enjoy the most enriching of experiences.

6 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 7 Patrick Z’Brun, mountain guide and wine producer “It’s always touching how excited and in awe guests are when they’re taken to the gla- cier for the first time or while they’re out and about in these magnificent mountains.”

8 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 9 Alexander Balajew, brewer and musician “The quality of life in Bern has a lot to do with time. The locals take their time for living. They listen to each other.”

10 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 11 Raffaele Peduzzi, microbiologist in Val Piora, “Lago Cadagno has a secret that attracts researchers from all over the world: its middle water column is bright pink! Hikers and wal- kers particularly appreciate the idyllic setting of the mountain lake.”

12 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 13 Zurich – St. Gallen: 152 km

Schaffhausen

Romanshorn Zurich honey 1 from a hotel rooftop St. Gallen Zurich Zurich’s Marriott Hotel specialities5 on the accommodates almost one Grand Tour million extra guests – on its 2 rooftop. These special guests Bratwurst A guest of Frau Gerold’s are bees, living in 26 hives St. Gallen locals have always and cared for by beekeeper enjoyed their delicious bratwurst Small shops, fresh In the Zurich Region, plain, with no mustard at all. “Zürihonig” is Peter Schneider. “City honey included in the Grand cooking, lively events, Tour Snack Box. has more of a complex flavour art – Frau Gerold’s This Snack Box is available in the Zurich and features more taste Garten in the trendy restaurant Adlisberg. nuances than honey from “Züri West” district is an oasis of urban green the countryside, where bees often obtain nectar from mono­ and a wonderful place 3 to meet people. cultures”, says the beekeeper, who also produces the honey Capuns A traditional Graubünden for the Marriott Hotel. dumpling wrapped in chard leaf.

4 Minestrone This vegetable soup from Ticino, available in countless varieties, always hits the spot.

Hiltl 5 If you find yourself delighted Vaudois sausages by limitless choice and the These smoked sausages, both heavenly scents of curry, Zurich West cooked and raw, have been turmeric and masala, then Once an industrial neigh- relished in the Canton of Vaud you are probably standing in bourhood, today the centre of since medieval times. front of the Hiltl buffet in colourful urban life. Among Zurich. With more than the highlights in “Züri West” 1 2 100 home-made specialities are the Prime Tower, the 4 and freshly squeezed juices, Toni-Areal, Frau Gerold’s 3 Hiltl – opened in 1898 by Garten and the FREITAG 5 Ambrosius Hiltl – was the Tower, which is made up of 4 world’s very first vegetarian 19 stacked containers. restaurant, and today remains as popular as ever.

14 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 15 Zurich – St. Gallen: 152 km St. Gallen – St. Moritz: 223 km

St.Gallen

Appenzell

Chäserrugg Maienfeld Bad Ragaz

Davos

At the Falls, National Park Europe’s largest waterfall, Segantini hut hundreds of cubic metres St. Moritz of water shoot down from a height of

23every metres second.

Karola Lüthi, Munot guard in Schaffhausen The first female guard in the 400-year history of the town fortress lets the Munot bell ring for five minutes every night at 9 p.m. She and her husband also organise festivities in the Munot, care for a colony of deer and offer guided tours to guests who have just admired the Rhine Falls.

View of Lake Constance Fascinating stories about transport history in the Lake Constance region are told From an alcohol depot to a museum in the walk-in container of discovery on the A mountain station designed by star architects for top-of-the-line automobiles harbour promenade in Romanshorn. Its The “Autobau Erlebniswelt” (car construction theme highlight is the illuminated three-dimensional The cable car ride up the Chäserrugg ends at a building park) in Romanshorn is just the place for automobile light fixture, complete with peepholes to fans to get their adrenaline rushing while contem­ the past, and stair access to the container’s designed by the architects Herzog & de Meuron. The building also plating cars from the world of racing, such as light­ roof where visitors can enjoy a genuine includes a restaurant, making it the perfect place for a nice ning-fast Sauber Formula One models and luxury 360° view of its surroundings. Visitors can sports cars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris. leave their mark by scribbling messages in long break. But first of all, be sure to take in the lovely view from chalk on a blackboard. the 2,262-metre-high mountain top. St. Gallen – St. Moritz: 223 km The

Swiss National Park is the country’s largest Craftsmanship abounds nature reserve with a surface area of in the Lipp Winery walks5 along the 170 km². Grand Tour Each of the 1,300 bot- 2 Explore the National tles of Intuiva Pinot Park with a guide Noir from the Lipp For animal lovers, Winery is unique. For Val Trupchun is heaven Carina Lipp-Kunz on earth. It is the play­ marks every label with ground of elks, chamois, 1 words of wisdom. By ibexes and marmots. Natu­ Pearls on the Rhine From picturesque Stein am hand, in ink. The Grand rally, our guides know all the Rhein across the vineyards to Tamina Thermal Wellness Spa, Bad Ragaz Tour passes right best spots for watching the wild­ Hemishofen (approx. 45 min.). Need time to disconnect and recharge your batteries? through her grapevines At the “Tamina Therme” in Bad Ragaz, Europe’s life. Tip: before setting off on the in the heart of the largest thermal water spa, relaxation is guaranteed. tour of the park, have a look around 3 Enjoy water temperatures of 36.5°C (98°F) as “Bündner Herrschaft”. you alternate between waterfalls, bubble loungers and the visitor centre in Zernez. Cultural walk massage jets. From Ascona to Monte Verità, a must for art and architecture lovers (approx. 60 min.).

4 View of the Three Lakes From Sugiez to Mont Vully with a fabulous view of the Three Lakes and the Alps (approx. 90 min.).

5 The Way of St. James From to Pfäffikon, Visitor Centre partially along a wooden walk­ Brauquöll Appenzell way that forms part of the Way An exciting tour of the All aboard … of St. James (approx. 60 min.). Landquart Fashion Outlet Brauquöll Appenzell … for an unforgettable train ride in one Graubünden is not only worth visiting on account of brewery’s visitor centre will of the Rhaetian Railway’s convertible 1 the hikes it offers through glorious landscapes – visitors teach you plenty of interest­ cars. In July and August, these cars 5 travel along the Bernina line, part of the can also enjoy breathtaking mountain views as they ing facts about the art 4 amble through the cosy Landquart Fashion Outlet of brewing, such as how UNESCO World Heritage route. This 2 It is definitely worth stopping off at the Lipp Winery & village. And they can do so while browsing the articles Appenzell beer and Säntis railway line, the highest in the Alps, Distillery in Maienfeld and having a look in the shop. offered by more than 160 international brands at malt whisky are produced begins in St. Moritz, crosses glaciers and 3 luxuriously attractive prices. from fresh spring water. ends under the palm trees of Tirano.

18 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 19 Valser Switzerland’s most popular mineral Hertz To the lake in a convertible, water should be a standard item in every into the mountains in an SUV or a backpack. It bubbles out of St. Peter’s spring at Harley-Davidson Whether you need wheels for a day or family trip in an estate car – you can the foot of in Graubünden’s Valsertal several weeks, with Harley-Davidson® Authorized Rentals you can always find the perfect rental car for valley and gives those who drink it a sense of reserve the latest models online with no hassle at all. your road trip here. limitless possibilities. #FeelLimitless

MySwitzerland.com, webcode A210968 MySwitzerland.com, webcode A233349 MySwitzerland.com, webcode A253815

Snacking has never been so much fun Pick up our Snack Box at READY TO GO? over 50 different For an unforgettable Grand Tour, all you really need points of sale is a set of wheels and a passion for adventure. Victorinox Extremely along the Grand But thanks to the offers provided by our partners, robust, weighing only 3.2 kilos, the trip gets even better. the Spectra™ 2.0 Trolley has Tour and refill lots of space – including for it along the way last-minute souvenirs. with typical MySwitzerland.com, webcode C92608 regional speciali- ties. This box is the perfect way to enjoy the vari- ety of culinary delights on offer in Switzerland. Grand Tour Map Plus the Snack Swiss Coupon Pass Take advantage of Europcar From convertibles and vans to electric Hallwag Kümmerly + Frey’s road Box is a cute lucrative 2-for-1 deals all along the Grand Tour. drive luxury limousines and SUVs, Switzerland’s map with marked paths is the perfect leading car hire company has up to 5,500 vehicles navigational tool for exploring the little souvenir. MySwitzerland.com, webcode A77043 available in more than 90 locations. Grand Tour. MySwitzerland.com/ MySwitzerland.com, webcode D91987 MySwitzerland.com, webcode B211695 snackbox

20 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 21 St. Moritz – Lugano: 225 km

Viamala Bellinzona 1654, from an engraving by Matthäus Merian St. Moritz the Younger. UNESCO5 World Heritage Sites Verzasca Locarno Bellinzona Ascona 1

Lugano Montagnola La Chaux-de-Fonds / Morcote Le Locle Meride Mendrisio The industrial past is still very present in Neuchâtel’s watchmaking towns. Welcome to history 3 During the Middle Ages, the Bellinzona forts formed a bulwark against intruders from the north. Today UNESCO World Heritage Property, their sky-high towers and crenelated walls welcome all who visit them. 2 St. Gallen abbey district The abbey was once a prominent centure of culture in the Western world.

4 Viamala – from obstacle to Monte San Giorgio natural monument The 1,097 m mountain is deemed to be the most This wild gorge, with its important fossil site from the Mid Triassic Period. 300-metre-high rock faces, was once an ob­ stacle on the journey 5 through the Alps. Thus Old Town of Bern The Swiss capital’s historic the name “Viamala”, centre boasts buildings that date back several centuries. which means “bad path” For world-record jumpers in Latin. Today you can James Bond’s leap from the 220-metre-high Verzasca dam 2 take its 359 steps all the wall in the film “Golden Eye” is legendary. And recommended 1 only for those who are brave at heart: this free fall from the 5 way to the bottom. world’s highest fixed bungee jump station lasts 7.5 seconds – and is sure to get your adrenaline flowing. 3 4

22 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 23 St. Moritz – Lugano: 225 km Dream route

With the Kings of the Air in Locarno Eagles, vultures and falcons cir­ cle above the heads of visitors while the fal­ coner tells the story of his ancient art. Pio Nesa from Locarno Fal­ conry: “Not only do we train the A charming village on a dreamlike route birds of prey, The former fishing village of Morcote on Lake Lugano but we also was voted Switzerland’s most beautiful village of 2016 by one breed and take Swiss magazine. So be sure to stop, get out and enjoy. care of them.”

The sun shines more deeply here, the mountains are Nice rice redder, chestnuts, The Terreni alla Maggia wine, almonds and is the northernmost plot of figs grow wild land to grow rice in Europe. Hello, my name It produces Riso Nostrano and the people are is Ticinosuchus Ticinese, the perfect rice good, civilised Just after passing through the glass for a creamy risotto. Enjoy Sant’Abbondio: a church with a view and friendly. door of the Museo dei Fossili (Fossil this rice prepared in a variety The origins of the Sant’Abbondio wedding church near Museum) in Meride, you will be wel­ of delicious ways by chef Montagnola can be traced back to the year 1372. Enjoy Hermann Hesse comed by this “mini-T-Rex”. While there, Mattias Roock at the Hotel the distinctly Tuscan feel of the cypress-lined trail to the marvel not only at the dinosaurs and Castello del Sole in Ascona. cemetery, where the writer Hermann Hesse was laid to rest. fossils, but also at the building designed by star architect Mario Botta.

24 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 25 Chiasso/Lugano – Zermatt: 264 km Furka Pass Tremola The Tremola 4 will even Eggishorn have expert riders sweating Binn valley Alpine passes5 on the Brig Bellinzona Locarno The Tremola is one of the most daunting Grand Tour Ascona Zermatt of all mountain pass roads, and for Matterhorn Lugano

Chiasso motorcyclists, also one of the most dan- gerous. Built in the early 19th century and redone with hundreds of thousands of granite blocks between 1937 and 1941, this unsurfaced road starts in Ai- 1 Flüela rolo and climbs countless winding bends The Flüela mountain pass road to reach the top of the 2,106-metre-high ranks number 4 on the Avis list THRILLING Gotthard Pass. This one-time marvel of the “world’s best roads”. of road building design, with its bumpy surface and narrow curves, will speed 2 up the heart rate of any rider who dares Julier to tackle it. In wet weather, however, On the Julier Pass, you will BENDS cruise by rugged rock faces and two-wheelers are advised to proceed picturesque lakes on your way to .

3 San Bernardino This pass marks the border between Italian- and German-speaking Switzerland.

5 Furka The Furka Pass, at 2,429 metres Manoeuvring heavy machines around winding above sea level, is the highest mountain pass roads is not only fun, but also point on the Grand Tour. makes you hungry. with extreme caution. No wonder 1 Harley riders enjoy the sausages at 5 4 3 2 the top of the pass with a smile – and slightly shaky hands.

26 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 27 Chiasso/Lugano – Zermatt: 264 km

Vinotherapy for lunch At the Valais stage of the Grand Tour, it’s worthwhile stopping off at the Mathieu bakery in Susten. Here you can get your Snack-Box (see page 19) filled with GRAND some veritable specialities made of grape seeds. In contrast to what’s done HIKING TOUR in most winegrowing areas, the seeds Valais speciality: views are not discarded after pressing, but With “Swiss Hiking Tours Switzerland” processed into oil, bread, croissants Marco Imwinkelried runs the Horli Hitta on the along the Grand Tour of Switzerland and crunchy bars. They don’t just taste Eggishorn according to the good; they’re also really healthy thanks motto “less is more”. Switzerland isn’t just beautiful through a car Guests forego all the bells window. You can see even more of its diverse to their high-quality antioxidant content. and whistles for a genu- inely cosy hut-style atmos- culture and scenery if you explore it on foot. phere and scrumptious A one- or two-week guided hiking tour along Valais specialities like fondue, melted cheese on the Grand Tour of Switzerland lets you discover bread or a dried meat Switzerland at a leisurely pace – from its high platter with a little glass of Fendant (as Chasselas mountain regions to its mystical gorges. Cover is called in these parts). part of the tour in a convertible postal bus as you Incidentally, the With magnificent travel from one hotel to the next, and round off a length of 23 panoramic your day with some wonderful cuisine, wellness kilometres, view of the the Aletsch Glacier is the glaciers and good company. longest glacier in the Alps. and 4,000 It weighs 27 billion tons, or metre peaks aktivreisen-schweiz.com as much as 72.5 million The Mathieu family has been awarded a gold medal for its grape-seed bread. jumbo jets put is always together. included.

Lengenbachite or wallisite? The Binn valley is famous for its wide variety of minerals. More than a dozen minerals have been discovered here alone. They bear names from the region, such as “lengenbachite” and “wallisite”. Local excursions allow visitors to see why the Binn valley is a paradise for stone lovers. Rarely does a guest return home without at least one little gem.

28 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 29 Matterhorn: 4,478 metres above sea level

local mountains5 on the Grand Tour

1

Uetliberg At 871 metres, this local Zurich mountain offers a stunning view of both the city and the Alps.

WORTH The Matterhorn 4 near Zermatt is said to 2 be the most-photographed mountain in Säntis the world. Each morning, the sunrise over Six countries can be seen from the summit provides for a magnificent the peak of this summit, Eastern Switzerland’s highest mountain. A light show. Whether you prefer the Riffelsee, Gornergrat or the centre of the village – the

best spot for taking pictures is an entirely personal choice.

DETOUR

3 San Salvatore San Salvatore and Monte Brè – Lugano’s local mountains with glorious views.

5 Pilatus The 2,132-metre-high Pilatus offers some of the best views in Central Switzerland.

1 2 5

4 3

30 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 31 Zermatt – Lausanne: 178 km

Lavaux I love the Flon Lausanne Corsier-sur-Vevey district. What was

Aigle once an industrial Sion area is now a Martigny Zermatt meeting place full of cool bars, restaurants, galleries, cinemas and trendy In 1976, Léonard Gianadda just boutiques. wanted to build a house . Stan Wawrinka Tennis player ... but stumbled upon the re- Lausanne’s industrial district Flon has evolved into an avant-garde mains of Switzerland’s oldest neighbourhood that is vibrant both day and night. Gallo-Roman temple. Today, the site is home to the Fondation Gianadda Martigny cultural Dream route centre, which showcases archaeological findings as well as art, concerts and 50 vintage cars.

Niki de Saint-Phalle’s “Les Baigneurs” is just one of the many sculptures in the vast Gianadda Foundation park.

Montreux Jazz Festival One of the most important music festivals worldwide and a platform for Almost too beautiful the greatest names in jazz and rock: to be true Aigle Olympic Museum Fairytale vineyards and picturesque Wine Museum Lausanne each year, well over 200,000 visitors winegrowing villages, coupled Discover nearly two millen- Chaplin’s World, This museum on Lake Geneva flock here during the first two weeks with glittering Lake Geneva and the nia of viticultural history – Corsier-sur-Vevey is the world’s largest centre Alpine peaks on the horizon. The from grape to glass – in the Today, the grand villa of of information on the Olympic in July to experience the atmosphere terraces of the Lavaux winegrowing impressive halls of the Lake the Chaplin family is a Games, from antiquity to of the festival nights along the gor­ area, a UNESCO World Heritage Geneva Region’s Aigle Castle. multimedia museum paying modern times. site since 2007, are a feast for the tribute to the famous actor geous waterfront. eyes. and director.

32 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 33 Geneva – Neuchâtel: 190 km

Neuchâtel

Val de Travers Creux du Van

Yverdon-les-Bains Geneva Watch Tour Time flies when you’re having fun. Col du Marchairuz This tour stops at a dozen historical locations which are Lake Geneva

Geneva all closely tied to the history of Geneva’s watch industry. And you will naturally have time to CITY, find the watch of your dreams in one of the hundred or so watch shops along the way. Full steam ahead! The Celts called Lake Geneva “Lem an”, or “large water”. Justifiably COUNTRY, so, for Lac Léman holds two records: Central Europe’s largest inland Dream route lake, and its lake with the most water. Those inter- WATER ested in witnessing the full

splendour of this body of water can board one of the eight impressive Belle Époque steamboats which have been running between France and Switzerland The Jura landscape is his workplace Eric Jeannod and between Geneva and the is one of the few people to continue Upper Lake for 130 years. Incidentally, the Lake

Water is shot the tradition of building and maintaining Geneva General Navi­ 140 metres into the air gation Company (CGN) at a speed of dry stone walls. You can admire his holds another record: its work on the Grand Tour in the Jura paddle steamer fleet car- 200making km the Jet/hour d’Eau (water jet) Europe’s most Vaudois Nature Park. ries more passengers than powerful fountain. any other fleet in Europe.

34 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 35 Geneva – Neuchâtel: 190 km Basel Basel – Neuchâtel: 158 km

St-Ursanne Delémont In search Goumois of the green fairy La Chaux-de-Fonds For many people, it provided the thrill of a lifetime. “The Neuchâtel green fairy”, as absinthe has come to be called, was prohibited in Switzerland between 1910 and 2005 for health reasons. But that rarely kept people from making it. Indulge all your senses on the “Absinthe Trail” in Neuchâtel’s Val de Travers by getting up close and personal with the history of this mythical spirit at distilleries such as this one run by the Martin family.

Open arena Beholding the rocky Creux du Van arena on the border of the Vaud and Neuchâtel cantons for the first time is some thing not easily forgotten: vertical, 160-metre-high rock faces surround a basin four kilometres long by over one kilometre wide. With a little patience Urban Art Basel and luck, you will also In Basel, art not only abounds in museums, but also in the spot some of the cham- ois, ibexes and lynxes street. Events, exhibitions and workshops by the “Urbane which populate this pris­ Kunst” (“Urban Art”) Association prove that street art is much tine natural landscape. more than just messy scribblings and graffiti on walls.

36 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 37 Basel – Neuchâtel: 158 km

museums5 on the Grand Tour

1 Technorama, Winterthur The Swiss Science Center is an exciting museum for hands-on Doubs trout experimentation. It goes without saying that the fish speciality from the Jura tastes best Lively hermitage 2 when savoured right by the river Legend has it St-Ursanne was founded by the Irish monk Ursicinus, who withdrew to Hermann Hesse that bears its name on the French/ this isolated spot of land to live as a hermit. Museum, Montagnola Swiss border. In the Auberge du Although several hundred people live here This museum is dedicated to the today, the town on the banks of the Doubs 43 years the writer spent in Monet by the lily pond Theusseret in Goumois, for example. has remained a place of rest and relaxation. Southern Switzerland beginning in 1919. Monet’s world-famous water lilies, works of Picasso and attractive temporary exhi- bitions: it’s no wonder that the Fondation Beyeler 5 is regarded as one of Switzer- land’s most beautiful and most popular art galleries. 3 Sasso San Gottardo Once a secret fortress, today an exhibition on energy and mobility.

Jura weather can be extremely harsh: the village of La Brévine once recorded a 4 temperature of (– 43°F), La Maison du Gruyère – 41.8Switzerland’s °C Discover all the secrets of Feel good coldest ever. Gruyère AOP cheese. in Basel A cocktail in one hand and all Splash your way At the heart of the watch industry of Basel at your feet. This one- to fun 5 La Chaux-de-Fonds, the birthplace of the architect 1 of-a-kind feeling can only be When it gets too hot for Basel experienced at Bar Rouge, at residents, they simply jump Le Corbusier, was the worldwide capital of the watch the top of the 105-metre-high into the Rhine for a nice good 4 industry for more than 100 years. As a result, it is 3 Messeturm (Basel Trade Fair soak. But never without a

2 Tower). Even a trip to the “Wickelfisch”, the swimming home to the International Museum of Horology, which toilet is an adventure for those bag created by designer features 2,700 watches and 700 clocks. who aren’t afraid of heights. Tilo Ahmels.

38 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 39 MySwitzerland.com/fotospots #SWISS GRAND TOUR Our photo spots reveal the places on the tour which offer the most stunning views. Share your best pictures with us and your friends: #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND #SwissGrandTour #grandtourphotospot Neuchâtel – Bern: 252 km

Neuchâtel

Avenches Bern Fribourg Beatenberg Lake Thun Interlaken Broc Niesen Jungfraujoch Alp Moléson Gstaad

The home of chocolate You can explore the world of chocolate with all your senses in the Swiss chocolate factory Cailler in Broc, in the picturesque Gruyère region. Take part in an interactive tour that lets you in on the secrets of the 200-year-old tradition for what is still Switzerland’s oldest existing brand of chocolate. Make sure you reserve your spot for a visit to the workshop of Maison Cailler, where you can create your very own chocolate dream under the guidance of a chocolatier.

Power: wastewater People have been taking the so-called “Funi” to get from uptown Fribourg to the lower Visit to the pile-dwellers part of the city and back Life is good by Lake Neuchâtel. The pile-dwellers already since 1899. The funicular is Switzerland’s last water- knew this. You can see one of the most extensive and Ave Aventicum! powered railway. That means comprehensive collections of that time at the Laténium, Aventicum was the Helvetic capital of the Roman Empire 2,000 there is no motor, but that years ago. The picturesque town is now known as Avenches and these cable cars are powered Switzerland’s most important archaeological museum. proudly displays the remnants of these times, such as the famous by wastewater from upper amphitheatre with room for 16,000 spectators. Fribourg.

42 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 43 Neuchâtel – Bern: 252 km

Dream route Girl power at the helm Visitors on a day trip to the town of Murten will enjoy the Of dragons chance stroll and monks through the pic­ The mystical St. Beatus Caves, turesque alleys high above Lake Thun, are an ideal base for trips in the of the old town, Interlaken region. A fearsome To the summits! past historic dragon is said to have once By far the most remarkable way to experience the famous lived in the vast caves architectural Bernese Oberland panorama is by starting at Unterseen and 1,900 years ago before being gems. Then following the banks of Lake Thun, taking in the view of the driven away by the wandering Niesen towards Oberhofen, where a magnificent beach promises Irish monk Beatus. put up your feet to cool you down after your hike. and enjoy a boat trip with Captain Corinne Stauffer on Lake Murten.

Once per year,

a stair climbing competition is held on the stairs next to the Niesenbahn, whose

11,674 steps make it the largest Luxurious staircase in simplicity the world. Upmarket boutiques line up right next to down-to-earth Top of Europe chalets in the village of Gstaad in the Bernese At 3,454 metres above sea level, the Jungfraujoch is Oberland. Many international stars have property here, Europe’s highest train station. But that’s not all there is enjoying the privacy and to see in this region: local guides from Free Walking Tours pristine natural surroundings. in Interlaken will show you all the interesting sights while narrating their history.

44 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 45 Bernese Oberland, Seestrasse Natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Bern – Lucerne: 181 km

Hallwil

Beromünster

Burgdorf Lucerne

Bern Entlebuch Langnau Trubschachen im Emmental

A delicious Kambly experience The delicious world of Kambly lies at the heart of idyllic Em- mental. Discover the secrets of the art of baking fine biscuits In the Wild West of Lucerne Immaculate moorlands, craggy at the best-known karst formations and idyllic Alpine meadows alongside and most popular I have been winding biscuit brand in the Bern Clock Tower wild mountain streams make the UNESCO Biosphere Switzerland. You can Entlebuch an alluring destination for both adventurous sample more than (‘Zytglogge’) clock every 100 types of biscuit. day since 1978. types and those after some peace and quiet. Have fun and bon I really can’t imagine appétit! a more beautiful place to work. Markus Marti Clock Tower mechanic

Castle visit

How does cheese get its holes? Discover the history of If the drawbridge is down, then Emmentaler AOC on the “Königsweg” (King’s Way) that means “Welcome to Hallwyl Castle”. This Hallwyl family Leave your mark in Beromünster and watch how the cheese is made. Enjoy cheese residence is one of Switzerland’s What was once the source of unbiased news for and other regional specialities in the restaurant most important moated castles. Central Europe during the Second World War is Tour its mighty halls with an audio now the KKLB (Kunst und Kultur im Landessender and in the speciality shop where you will find the guide to take in eight centuries Beromünster / Art and Culture in the Beromünster largest selection of Emmentaler AOC. of history narrated by selected Transmission Centre). Grand Tour visitors can leave members of the family. their own personal artistic touch by adding some paint to the vehicle that is on display there.

48 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 49 Bern – Lucerne: 181 km

trendy5 districts on From cattle market to hip neighbourhood the Grand Tour

Calves, cows and sheep in the middle of 1 residential buildings and businesses? Sulzerareal Until 1971, this was an everyday occur- Designers, businesses and residents have revitalised rence in Lucerne’s the Winterthur workshops. Bruch district 5 . The

cantonal cattle market was held here every

week for nearly 60 years. Today there TRENDS, are no traces at all of this market. Quite the 2 A lively district even back then: Quartier des Bains the Bruch in the 1950s. contrary. Wonderful (Bains District) coffee aromas drift The former Geneva bath district from the Hässig Brothers’ Coffee House, is now a hotspot for art and SHOPPING culture. the warmly decorated CrazyCupCake Café entices with its colourful little 3 cakes, and local Kleinbasel & CULTURE The neighbourhood of the boutiques such as common folk has become a fashionable district full of cafés, Atelier Treger bars and nightlife. send visitors into genuine shop- ping frenzies. 4 Lorraine Unwind in the Once a Bernese working class city’s popular district, today this area is the ultimate in hip with cafés, shops, cultural venues, culture and graffiti.

which put on a 3 variety of co- 1 Breathing new life into the Bruch district: 5 a perfect espresso recipe by Marc and Kurt 4 medy shows and Hässig and the original braces from Anna concerts. de Weerdt’s Atelier Treger. From Wednesday to Sunday, when the shops in Lucerne’s Bruch 2 district close for the evening, the La Madeleine bar really comes to life. This bar is the ideal place to meet up for a drink, concert or reading.

50 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 51 Lucerne – Zurich: 136 km

Zurich

Rapperswil-

Einsiedeln

Lucerne

Gersau Brunnen

Zurich, city of water With six lakes and five river pools within its city limits, Zurich enjoys a very spe- Assembled by hand: cial relationship to water. the one and only Swiss Army knife And in summer, there’s no shortage of things to do – Millions of people all over the world have both in and on the water: Zurich’s lakes are perfect one in their pockets. In the Swiss Knife for sailing, stand-up Valley Visitor Center in Brunnen, you paddleboarding and pedalos. And if you get will learn all there is to know about this thirsty, you can enjoy a pocket knife, and can even put one drink from one of the city’s 1,200 water fountains or together yourself. a bottle of “Lokales Wasser 37”, natural spring water from the .

A museum that blossoms and sprouts The Enzo Enea Tree Museum Setting sail on Lake Lucerne uses the tree as a space- Black beauty Hand over the reins for 20 minutes, inhale the lake air, defining object while giving due Pilgrims have been flocking to the respect to its beauty and savour a breathtaking panorama – and still make Benedictine Monastery for more purpose. Rapperswil-Jona headway … the car ferry from Gersau to Beckenried is one than a thousand years. Today it is boasts over 3,000 shrubs by also an attraction for many culture the famous Swiss landscape of the highlights of the Grand Tour. enthusiasts, who come to marvel architect and tree collector for A thirst quencher that makes a at the 15th-century Black your viewing pleasure. difference: all “Lokales Wasser 37” profits go to development projects. Madonna in the Chapel of Grace.

52 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 53 E-Grand Tour: for electric cars Service: digitally active

Swiss e-milestones Absolutely electric: the E-Grand Tour 1947 The rustling of the forest, the ripple of the Publisher The first authorised electric car mountain stream and the chirping of birds – drives through Zermatt. Today without any motor noise at all. With an there are around 500. electric car, the beauty of the Grand Grand Tour of Switzerland Association Tour stands out even c/o Switzerland Tourism 1985 Morgartenstrasse 5a Launch of the Tour de Sol, more. The entire 8004 Zurich with solar-powered cars THE VIRTUAL ROAD TRIP Switzerland driven between Romanshorn route is energised Discover all the steps in the Grand Tour of Switzerland interactively, and Geneva. by an extensive and experience the journey right from your sofa. By participating in the

web tour first, you will look forward to the actual Grand Tour even more. network of more Switzerland Tourism grandtour.MySwitzerland.com Morgartenstrasse 5a than just 300 8004 Zurich 1994 charging stations, Switzerland Nicolas Hayek presents the THE GRAND TOUR FROM A TO Z Swatch mobile featuring Editorial guaranteeing Be well prepared for the Grand Tour. Get all the important information an environmentally friendly Franziska Brunold you need, from A to Z. electric motor. 1,600 kilometres of MySwitzerland.com/grandtourfacts Design comfortable and The numerous charging stations along the route Festland AG, St. Gallen / Zurich clean driving pleas- ensure that you always have enough energy. Switzerland Tourism, Zurich DIGITAL MAPS Photos 2007 ure. Charging and rapid charging stations are Cover: Mattias Nutt p. 6, p. 10/11, Louis Palmer becomes the first The “geotrails” map tool displays the full p. 24, p. 55: Ivo Scholz p. 2, p. 27: man to drive a solar-powered located both in hotels and restaurants as well Grand Tour route online and comes with a Nico Schärer p. 4/5: Switzerland zoom feature for inspecting individual Tourism p. 7, p. 11: Olivier Walther car around the world. as near the various sights and attractions. p. 8: Silvano Zeiter p. 9: LAUSCH- sections in greater detail. We recommend SICHT p.12: Salvatore Vinci p.15: This makes the Grand that you download the GPX data to your Jürgen Pollak p. 20: Markus Tour of Switzerland tablet, smartphone or navigation device for Bühler-Rasom p. 27: Lorenzo Riva when you are on the road. p. 28/29: Robert Bösch p. 32: Olivier 2016 Miche p. 35: Oliver Sloss p. 46: Steffen The “grimsel” electric racing car the world’s first road MySwitzerland.com/grandtourmap Böttcher p. 48: Paul Pacitti Other designed by ETH Zurich images: with the kind permission of trip to be entirely our partners and Lucerne University breaks THRILLING TOUR STORIES the world electronic car navigable by electric Print speed record, going from vehicles. #SwissGrandTour Stämpfli AG, Bern 0 to 100 km/h in 1.513 seconds! #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND Circulation #grandtourphotospot In many places you can combine More information and an overview 200,000 copies Join us as we follow all the best live pictures, videos and charging your batteries with a of all charging stations at April 2020 stories by visitors to Switzerland on social media, and become sightseeing visit. MySwitzerland.com/e-grandtour 2017 a part of the community through their experiences. The Grand Tour is also facebook.com/MySwitzerland accessible to electric cars. instagram.com/MySwitzerland twitter.com/MySwitzerland Inlovewithswitzerland.com

54 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR 55 Service: the Grand Tour in a nutshell

Regional partners

DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF YOUR TRIP For the core route, you will need seven days if you travel for five hours per day. Be sure to plan extra days for side trips and sightseeing. MySwitzerland.com, webcode: A218696 MYSWISS EXPERIENCE GET ADVICE, THEN BOOK Thanks to our extensive knowledge of Switzerland, your Grand Tour is sure to be the Get to know local hosts experience of a lifetime. Our tip: enquire about special offers and packages at and discover Switzerland with them.

00800 100 200 30 MySwitzerland.com/ (freephone*) myswissexperience

ARRIVE IN COMFORT All the tips and information you need for travelling to Switzerland. Whether by plane, train or automobile: Switzerland offers excellent international connections. MySwitzerland.com, webcode: A25321

FIND ACCOMMODATION Official partners Lifestyle hotel, wellness palace or bed of hay? Switzerland offers a wide range of accommodation options, as well as quick reservations. MySwitzerland.com, webcode: A72940

STAY IN THE KNOW Thanks to Hallwag Kümmerly + Frey’s road map and guidebook, as well as the new road book for motorcyclists, you won’t miss a single tour highlight. MySwitzerland.com, webcode: B211695

0204080 km *Local charges may apply 0102004 miles

56 mySwitzerland GRAND TOUR MORE THAN 995 REASONS TO DISCOVER GERMANY SWITZERLAND ON THE GRAND TOUR:: Extreme fun around winding bends: 5 Alpine passes higher than 2,000 m Tons of fresh water: 22 lakes larger than 0.5 km² Schaffhausen Multicultural society: 4 national languages, numerous dialects B o World-class road signs: 650 official Grand Tour signposts d e n First electric road trip: more than 300 charging stations for electric vehicles ur s Rhein Th e Outstanding highlights: 12 UNESCO World Heritage Properties and 2 Biosphere Reserves e Töss Frauenfeld Limma 1 Abbey of St. Gallen t 2 Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Liestal Baden 1 irs Aarau 3 Benedictine Convent of St. John at Müstair B Delémont Herisau AUSTRIA 4 Biosfera Engiadina Val Müstair Appenzell in Re e h

u R 5 Rhaetian Railway in the FRANCE ss Z ü Säntis r 2502 Albula / Bernina Landscapes i s Solothurn c ub h - s e o e LIECHTENSTEIN D 6 The Three Castles of Bellinzona e L Zug Z 2306

u g Churfirsten Aare e Vaduz r W 7 Monte San Giorgio s a e La Chaux- 1607 e lense

e L

Chasseral i de-Fonds e n 12 e t 8 -Aletsch s 1899 r h e el Grosser Mythen Bi Weggis 1798 Glarus 9 The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier Rigi 11 Vierwald- Glärnisch 1408 Schwyz Bad Ragaz 14 2119 2914 10 Lavaux Vineyard Terraces Neuchâtel re Napf stättersee Pizol Aa Pilatus Stoos Braunwald 2844 l 2 te Stans La 11 Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around 13 nd châ qu u Sarnen 1898 Altdorf Linthal art the Alps: Laténium Museum Ne Stanserhorn R 2834 de e Flims ac u Weissfluh Piz Buin 12 La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, L 2350 s Davos 3312 E Engelberg s mm Brienzer e Rothorn Scuol Watchmaking Town Planning e y 3614 Arosa 2383 ro Fribourg Thun Brienz 3238 Inn Yverdon B F 13 Old City of Bern a Disentis/ - L rs. les Bains 2175 ze Mustér in Lai Nationalpark T n rhe Gantrisch h rie er un B A rd 14 Entlebuch Biosphere e a 3503 Vo 3294 Schwarzsee me r r Müstair Sim s e e e 2998 Interlaken Sustenhorn Piz Beverin 2362 Grindelwald 2431 4 Niesen 3 Wengen F Andermatt ein 5 Eiger 3970 rrh e 2970 L'Orbe 2002 2108 nte 2284 n i i Schilthorn Mönch 4107 H 3056 Le Moléson r G a Piz Nair S 4274 a L 4158 Adelboden r 3402 St.Moritz Jungfrau - e

h h Rheinwaldhorn 10 c c 8 s s Montreux Lenk t t 2065 G e e é m a n l l S 2973 L A g 1677 e 2042 Wildstrubel 3272 L Diavolezza La Dôle Rochers- 3244 3934 Basòdino 4049 de-Naye Leukerbad Bietschhorn Crans- Montana T i c 3210 Ve i n Les rzasca o Brig M

e sp a ôn a Sion h Vi g e R g L ia 6 9 Locarno Bellinzona 3257 C H N Dents 02040 80 km du Midi Saas-Fee 4545 01020 40 miles

4357 LUGANO e o an Zermatt r ug i L Matterhorn 3090 o d i 1701 Grand 4478 Gornergrat o g g Monte Combin g La Generoso 4314 a 4634 M 7

1097

o

Monte S. Giorgio

g

Grand-St-Bernard The Grand Tour is signposted clockwise. a

L 02 Alpine04 passes on08 the Grand Tour 0 km

1546 ITALY 0102004 miles

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 Tourism and the Grand Tour of Switzerland association accept no liability for construction work, diversions, signage relating to special events or safety provisions along the route. www.swisstravelcenter.ch NEVER BEFORE HAS THERE BEEN SO MUCH HORSEPOWER FOR SO LITTLE CONSUMPTION.

THE BRAND NEW MAZDA CX30 It consumes less and does more: the brand new Mazda CX 30. Experience new and lasting driving pleasure in this sporty yet elegant compact crossover, and enjoy its fresh design, superb comfort and exhilarating driving performance. Take it for a test drive now at your local Mazda dealer: mazda.ch

DRIVE TOGETHER

US4_Anzeige_CX30_GToS_185x245_EN_unco.indd 1 29.01.20 09:29