This week’s incredible Davis Cup victory, Switzerland’s first, was proudly wowed by Swiss both at home and abroad, including those who vehemently oppose migrants coming to this country, whether through last February’s anti-European Union vote and this month’s 30 November referendum. At least two of this month’s federal and cantonal initiatives are particularly xenophobic. The […]
Archives for 2014
Cabernet Franc, Quintessence 2012, B Dorsaz Valais
Cabernet Franc, Quintessence 2012, B Dorsaz Valais Cabernet Sauvignon, as you probably know, is the offspring of Cabernet Franc. Cab Franc was crossed with Sauvignon Blanc to create Cabernet Sauvignon. It is one of the Bordeaux varieties and has been around for centuries. It is also grown throughout Europe, the United States, New Zealand and […]
A Most Wanted Man; Refroidis (In Order of Disappearance)
A Most Wanted Man **** Except for a few moments of greenery, an imposing private bank and a grand hotel bar, the elegant city of Hamburg has never looked so grim. But we are, after all, in the grey world of John le Carré, a universe of tired spies with few illusions of grandeur. Our […]
Sewa Beats: Do you speak djembe?
An exceptional show based on the idea that sharing music and rhythm generates an extraordinary shared experience. As you come into the theatre, you will find a djembe drum on your seat. Guided by Doug Manuel, the Master of Ceremonies, you play and accompany the twelve musicians and singers on stage. You become a percussionist […]
Past it parents: Best before 2014
When did I realise I was obsolete? Thank you for asking. It was last week, when the five-year-old pushed my helping hand away from the touchscreen and said, with some impatience, “It’s fine, Mom, I can do it. You take too long.” These are the exact words I remember my brother and I using back […]
Payot’s best sellers of the week
The Long Haul. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the ninth book in this series of children’s books written and illustrated by American author and cartoonist, Jeff Kinney. Published by Penguin the latest book is about a family road trip. Normally this is supposed to be a lot of fun but of course this story […]
Win the war against winter by super-boosting your diet
With temperatures dropping and winter around the corner, warm boots, fluffy sweaters and big woolly scarfs are slowly re-emerging from the back recesses of our closets. But we need more than warm clothes to protect us from the harsh claws of winter. By making sure that our bodies are getting the right vitamins and minerals, […]
We are the champions! Roger and Stan wow Lausanne
Around 10,000 people gathered at the Place de la Navigation in Ouchy, Lausanne yesterday evening to celebrate Switzerland’s first ever win in the Davis Cup’s 115-year history and to congratulate the players, above all Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer. They came straight to the Vaud capital off their flight from Lille, bearing the trophy with […]
You are being fleeced: “Reputable” foreign companies taking money off Swiss consumers
Many supposedly reputable foreign companies are taking Swiss consumers to the cleaners. Their marketing is masterful in its obfuscation. Some recent product launches exemplify how such companies seek to make excessive profits by charging “Swiss prices” when they have no need to, and how they abuse consumers’ trust here. Netflix, the US-based video on demand […]
1 hour faster to Milan
The Gotthard Base Tunnel running under the Swiss Alps is one step closer to completion: all 290 km of track for the new flat rail link are now laid. The 57-km tunnel, which is the central component of the CHF 9.74 billion project, will surpass the current world record for the longest tunnel held by […]
