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 […]
All entry restrictions into Switzerland to go on 2 May 2022
On 21 April 2022, Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced that all entry restrictions into Switzerland related to the Covid-19 pandemic will disappear from 2 May 2022. All travellers from abroad will be able to travel subject to normal visa requirements from 2 May 2022. Currently, most countries outside the Schengen zone remain on […]
Swiss narcissus season approches
That small window where the hillsides turn white with narcissus (often referred to in English as a white daffodil) is upon us again. One of the best places to see these stunning flowers is at Les Pleiades above Vevey. The region takes the flower very seriously. There is an association for the preservation of the […]
Work started this week on second Gotthard road tunnel
On 29 September 2021, work began on the tunnel with a symbolic blast after being delayed since last spring because of the pandemic, reported RTS. The Gotthard road tunnel, which passes through the Alps between Göschenen (UR) et Airolo (TI), is one the most important and congested in Europe. The decision to build a second […]
Mountain biking in the Jura
SPRING-SUMMER-AUTUMN The Alps have their attraction, but some of the best mountain biking is just outside Geneva. For most of us, Sunday mornings are meant for kicking back and relaxing. For me, it means waking up and hitting the trails as early as possible. That’s when they’re the best. Empty. Unridden. Pumped up with caffeine, […]
Switzerland confirms three new coronavirus cases
One person in the canton of Geneva and two in the canton of Graubünden recently tested positive for the new coronavirus Covid-19, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced this morning. All three, who are in good health, are being treated in hospital isolation units. These three new cases bring the total number of people […]
No need to switch phones to flight mode on Swiss
Since 1 February 2020, switching devices to flight mode is no longer required on Swiss, according to the newspaper Blick. However, flights through US airspace will still require flight mode because of US regulations. While there are no documented cases of transmitting and receiving personal electronic devices (T-PEDs) compromising flight safety, regulators have applied the […]
5 best mountain spas in French-speaking Switzerland
ALL YEAR ROUND The Alps are synonymous with skiing but alpine geothermal springs and spas are sometimes overlooked. If the thought of lugging skis, poles and person to the ski lift to spend a day risking life and limb on snow isn’t appealing, or the sun has gone into hiding, then why not head to […]
10 Swiss Christmas markets to get you in a festive mood
While Christmas may be considered an over-commercialised affair, the Swiss hold true to their roots. Traditional Swiss Christmas typically lasts from the beginning of Advent (Sunday 1 December 2019) to the end of Epiphany (6 January 2020). While each Swiss home may give the tradition a slight twist, some customs have remained intact: the excitement, […]
The colourful history of Swiss mountain air rescue
Today two notable organisations provide mountain rescue services in Switzerland. Prior to 1946 mountain air rescue did not exist. Air Glacier SA is based in Sion in Valais, and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega in Zurich. Rega has twelve operational bases around Switzerland but does not operate in Valais. In Valais, Rega uses the services of Air […]
