Longer winter nights mean bright lights and festive gatherings. Our supposedly quiet little capital city in Switzerland is no place to hibernate.
Bern_©_Bern Tourism
Mulled Wine
The heart-warming elixir for cold outdoor Holiday shopping is mulled wine, that hot mess of steaming red wine and spices. Herewith, some cauldrons around town recommended by Bern Tourism.
Christmas Markets
Christmas markets pop up in Bern and all over Switzerland this time of year. In the wooden kiosks you’ll find everything from tourist schlock to international handmade goods and fine Swiss traditional crafts. Plus soul-warming food and drink. Link to Bern Christmas markets.
Fondue, of course
Swiss winter without fondue? Yeah, when Hell freezes over. Till then, the area around Bern offers wonderful cozy places to dip bread into steaming melted cheese and wine. One of the most unique: the full-moon outdoor fondue adventures in Gurten Park. Link to more.
Ice Skating
You just might find yourself ice skating with the Swiss president at the little rink in front of the Bundeshaus, where the federal parliament meets. Is this the best ice skating rink in Switzerland? Not by a longshot – skating around Geneva and skating around Zurich. But where else might you literally run into the Minister of Transportation?
New Year’s Eve
Bring your own bubbly to chime in the New Year with Bern locals in Cathedral Square. It’s all free and easy. Or go luxe at Bellevue Palace, the Swiss government’s official guesthouse. Those are just two of the New Year’s options around Bern.
By Bill Harby
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