Just in case you have nothing planned for four out of the next six weekends, the majority of wine producers throughout Switzerland are throwing open their doors for the annual ‘Caves Ouvertes’ season. If you have enough stamina, inclination and spare time, you can embark on a wine tour round Switzerland and visit literally hundreds […]
Burgundy: recycling France’s rail and tow routes
BEAUNE One of the most impressive cycle routes in France is the almost completed circuitous 800km Saône et Loire Voie Verte in Burgundy, built along abandoned railway lines and canal towpaths. Less than two hours from Geneva, this voie verte was begun in 1997 and follows a route away from car traffic through staggeringly beautiful […]
Salève cable car Geneva
SPRING-SUMMER-AUTUMN One of Geneva’s most popular tourist attractions – taking the cable car to the top of the Salève for a panoramic view of the Jet d’Eau – reopens on 5 April 2014 after a shutdown of three months to overhaul its cable system. The two cable cars, which each carry 60 passengers, are the […]
Confused by hotel stars?
GENEVA Whether travelling for business or pleasure, trying to figure out Europe’s hotel star category system (often confused with the stringent Michelin restaurant stars) can leave many scratching their heads in confusion. Switzerland was the first to institute a non-government form of hotel classification in 1979; this greatly influenced similar systems in Austria and Germany. […]
Wines in full bloom
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 […]
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 […]
