The Swiss, it seems, live up to their reputation for cleanliness and comfort. A new survey by the Sotomo research institute for IKEA Switzerland suggests that the home remains, for many, a reassuring refuge from an increasingly disorderly … [Read more...]
News and Features
Votes poll: inheritance tax faces headwind, citizen service hangs in balance
Were the votes held at the start of October, Switzerland’s proposed inheritance tax would have failed. Support and opposition to compulsory community service, meanwhile, remain neck and neck, according to a recent poll. On November 30th 2025, … [Read more...]
Widespread news deprivation erodes trust in Swiss politics
Nearly half of Switzerland’s population now counts as “news-deprived”—people who rarely consume journalistic media. According to the latest Yearbook on Media Quality from the University of Zurich’s Research Center for the Public Sphere and Society, … [Read more...]
FILM: FRANKENSTEIN **** a grand film not to be missed
24 October 2025 FRANKENSTEIN **** The exceptional Mexican director Guillermo del Toro is back once again with another of his moving studies on his favourite themes of myths, gothism and poetic beauty. His previous brilliant works have included … [Read more...]
Can Switzerland charm Donald Trump in Davos?
Donald Trump is expected to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this January, and Swiss exporters battered by 39% American tariffs are hoping the visit might bring relief. The Federal Council, they say, should seize the chance to appeal … [Read more...]
Guides
Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and … [Read More...]
Hiring a cleaner – around half break law on Swiss accident insurance
Brought to you by quitt.ch - No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. In Switzerland, around one in seven hire someone to do their cleaning, but around half break the law, risking fines and a big … [Read More...]
Activities
Five gorgeous Swiss parks for contemplating autumn splendor
By Bill Harby Whether you prefer thickets of grand old trees, a formal English garden, or a pocket park, these five urban green spaces offer colourful ways to rustle through autumn leaves. Geneva: Park La Grange One minute you’re in bustling Geneva … [Read more...]
The Swiss cheese train to Chateau d’Oex – fondue and alpine tradition
It’s called Le Train du Fromage – The Cheese Train – but after this day tour, you’ll remember a lot more than that steaming fondue you had for lunch at an alpine village restaurant. You can board The Cheese Train (just one of several trains) in … [Read more...]
Lake Geneva’s beautiful paddlewheel boats – getting there is way more than half the fun
They say that “getting there is half the fun”. But sometimes it’s more. A lot more. For example: a Lake Geneva cruise on a grand historic paddlewheel steamboat. Destination? Who cares? On a recent gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I, your intrepid … [Read more...]
