This week, Switzerland’s Federal Administrative Court ruled that the Sealander, a floating caravan, is allowed on Swiss waters, reported SRF. The German-designed Sealander, a rolling-floating caravan, ran aground recently in Switzerland. A business in the town of Root in the canton of Luzern had been renting Sealanders for outings on Switzerland’s lakes for a number […]
Places to go for early season skiing in Switzerland
Mention skiing in November and it is likely to draw blank expressions, or comments like: “It’s too early, there will be no snow”. While this is true for some resorts not all ski domains were created equal. A recent study shows that in 2015, snow came to the Swiss Alps 12 days later and melted […]
Swiss inflation goes negative in July but rent hikes loom
Data released on 3 August 2023 showed year-on-year inflation in July falling to 1.6%, down from 1.7% the month before. During the month of July 2023, prices fell 0.1%, which translates to an annualised rate of – 1.2%, well below the Swiss National Bank (SNB) target rate of 2%. Underlying core inflation, which strips out […]
Zurich air passenger numbers back to pre-Covid levels
On 16 July 2023, more than 100,000 air travellers passed through Zurich airport. This is the first time since the Covid pandemic that passenger numbers have reached six figures, reported the airport company. During the pandemic, some thought attitudes to air travel might change durably as people fell into a routine of holidaying closer to […]
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 […]
Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s Villa “Le Lac” turns 100
Granted UNESCO world heritage status in July 2016, Villa “Le Lac” in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2023. A number of celebrations are planned until October. The Villa, on the outskirts of Vevey, is open to the public during the following hours: 1st April – 25th June, Saturday […]
Half of Swiss population unlikely to travel abroad this summer
A survey by Tour Club Switzerland (TCS) published this week shows 50% of the population currently have little (23%) or very little (27%) desire to travel beyond Switzerland’s borders. While Switzerland’s population is now travelling far more than during the Covid-19 pandemic, travel remains below pre-pandemic levels. But the population is still going on holiday. […]
Swiss Rail behind on billions of francs of rail maintenance
This week, Olivier Français, a member of the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house, pointed out the long-running underinvestment in Switzerland’s rail infrastructure. According to the engineer and politician, billions have been cut from maintenance and investment budgets, reported RTS. Michel Béguelin, a former transport commissioner, told RTS he remembers plans from the Federal Council […]
Verbier Music Festival – A VERBIER JOURNAL
By Neptune Where does one begin to describe something as rich as the Verbier Music Festival? Two weeks of classical music experiences in mid-July that will enchant you in their variety and excellence. This is a smorgasbord of the world’s top talents – from young, rising students to the cream of renowned virtuosos such as […]
SWISS repays Covid government guaranteed loans early
On 9 June 2022, Switzerland’s government announced that SWISS had repaid the loans the Confederation had guaranteed at the end of May 2022, ending the arrangement with no loss of public funds. After the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted the aviation industry, Switzerland’s Federal Council decided in spring 2020 to provide support in the form of […]
