Switzerland and Sweden are sometimes confused for reasons unknown to many. This week, Visit Sweden, the tourist office of the more northerly of the two European nations with names starting with “Sw”, launched a marketing campaign/negotiation off the back of this confusion. Switzerland gets to promote LSD (it was invented there) but Sweden gets to […]
Swiss still travelling less than before pandemic
In 2022, 88% of Switzerland’s population made at least one trip abroad which included an overnight stay of one night or more, reported the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) this week. Last year, Swiss residents made an average of 8 day trips and 2.6 trips with overnight stays, an increase of nearly 30% compared to the […]
Broken wheel caused derailment in the Gotthard tunnel
The Swiss Safety Investigation Board (SUST) confirmed its findings this week, confirming its initial suspicion that a broken wheel had led to the derailment of a train in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in mid-August 2023. The wheel failed due to metal fatigue caused by vibrations and started with the cracks in the rim. The defective […]
Swiss parliament votes in favour of new law banning face covering
It will soon be illegal to cover faces in public in Switzerland after the federal parliament voted in favour of a ban, reported RTS. With 151 versus 29 votes, parliament accepted new laws drafted in response to a successful vote known as the anti-burka referendum. On 7 March 2021, a vote to ban face covering was accepted […]
Switzerland’s closed Gotthard road tunnel now open
2023 has been a bad year for the tunnels connecting the north and south of eastern Switzerland. On 10 August 2023 a train derailed and forced the closure of one of the train tunnels running between the cantons of Uri and Ticino. Then on Sunday 10 September 2023, parts of the roof of the Gotthard […]
British climber found after 52 years in Saas Fee
In early August 2023, two mountaineers discovered human remains on the Chessjen glacier near Saas Fee. However, the identity of the individual was unknown until DNA test results provided an answer. Forensic analysis was done at a hospital in Valais. The work involved an investigation of unfound missing persons. An examination of the bones further […]
Closed Gotthard base tunnel set to reopen
From 23 August 2023, around 90 freight trains will be able to travel through the east tube of the damaged Gotthard base tunnel, reported SRF. Combined with an additional 20 freight trains continuing to run on the old panorama route will mean a total of 110 freight trains will be able to move through central […]
Gotthard tunnel remains blocked causing delays and cancellations
On 10 August 2023, a freight train derailed in the Gotthard base tunnel. The tunnel will remain closed at least until next Wednesday, 16 August, reported SRF. Those travelling by train via the tunnel must expect delays and train cancellations. According to Swiss Rail the Gotthard base tunnel will remain closed to passenger traffic until […]
Gotthard tunnel queues reach 15 kilometres
Switzerland’s Gotthard tunnel is a key link between northern and southern Switzerland. During the summer holiday season it becomes a major traffic choke point. On Sunday 16 July 2023, traffic queues north of the tunnel stretched as far as 15 kilometres, according to SRF. The waiting time to get to the tunnel was as long […]
New gondola connects Switzerland and Italy
On 1 July 2023, a new gondola connecting Switzerland and Italy was opened. The new high altitude cable car, which connects the Kleiner Matterhorn (3,821m) with the Testa Grigia (3,458m) spans the border between two nations. The lift cabins have glass floors allowing occupants a birds eye view over the Theodul glacier. In winter it […]
