The colourful burst of flowers heralding spring is a natural invitation to discover wines that boast enticing blossom aromas. Here is a seasonal selection of dry white and red wines made from grape varieties with a definite floral character. Sauvignon Blanc is one grape variety that established New Zealand’s reputation for quality wine. Not only […]
Fasnacht’s music, fun and colour
Masks, lanterns and music are at the ready for the three mystical nights of Basel Fasnacht from 10 to 13 March. People begin filling the streets for the annual festival well before dawn at 4.00am on Monday with the party continuing until 4.00am on Thursday. Switzerland’s largest carnival, has origins dating back to the Middle […]
The Jura – the land of yellow wine
Switzerland lies at a wine-making crossroads in Europe. Not only is it home to a diversity of wonderful wines and stunning vineyards, but it also borders some of the richest and most varied wine regions in the world. In this first of a series of articles to learn more about our wine-producing neighbours we hop […]
Au pairing
Two popular misconceptions exist when talking about au pairing. One is based on gender bias; the other is that it’s not a “proper” job. Reality poses an altogether different take. Living and working abroad while being entrusted with a parent’s most precious possession, their children, is no laughing matter. Nor is it one necessarily reserved […]
Wines of real value
January means counting the cost of the festive period, so maybe now is the time to seek some good value wines. Here is a tantalizing selection of three reds and three whites that balance reasonable quality with affordable prices ranging from CHF 7.95 to under CHF 14.95. Each is available from Coop, Denner and Mövenpick. […]
Auberge de Dully: the chicken place
DULLY I first ate at the Auberge de Dully – known as “the chicken place” by locals – in 2009. I was invited by Zimbabwean friends who lived in the village and had been raving about the restaurant for months. To be honest, I was expecting an average meal at best, as I am British-Jamaican […]
Seeking the “perfect” fondue
Ten years ago, desperate to find an affordable holiday rental, I eyed a last-minute opening on the Wengen tourism site for a rustic chalet with wood-burning stove and stunning view. I dusted off my rusty German, called the owner and then packed up the kids and dog for the Bernese Alps. At 1,300 meters, Wengen […]
A stocking full of surprising wines
The seasonal holidays herald not only festive cheer, but also many festive ”cheers!”. Special wines are stored or bought in time for the celebrations to accompany the fabulous meals to be shared with family and friends. We are so spoilt by the many choices in the wonderful world of wine that this is a perfect […]
Finishing school opens doors to men
GENEVA The times they are a changin’. Switzerland’s last traditional finishing school, the Institut Villa Pierrefeu in Glion above Montreux, has decided that the 21st Century may no longer merit young women being ‘finished’ in preparation for a good marriage. There is growing awareness that good manners can be good for business. With that in […]
Great Swiss train journeys: The Glacier Express
ALL YEAR ROUND The Glacier Express might be billed as the slowest express train in the world, taking a leisurely seven and a half hours to travel through southeastern Switzerland, but it is one of the most panoramic train journeys in Europe. The train, which started running in 1930, travels between Zermatt – at the […]
