Tag Archives: Switzerland

Village Walks: Sonlerto In Southern Switzerland

The town of Sonlerto lies in Bavona Valley (Val Bavona), arguably the wildest one among the valleys of Ticino. This spectacular side valley is part of the Maggia Valley. The whole region is part of the Lepontine Alps – a mountain range that covers various parts of Switzerland (Valais, Ticino, Uri, Graubünden) and Italy (Piedmont and Lombardy).

The Bavona Valley has seen massive rocks fall from mountains time and time again. Sometimes the stones are as big as houses. Locals then build new houses next to the stones after they fall. Locals refer to it as Splui. As such, it is no surprise that the houses in this area are built from stone.

Headlines: Russia Rejects Switzerland Mediation, North Korea Covid, Kenya

Russia turns down Switzerland’s offer to represent Ukraine’s interests in Moscow. Plus: North Korea declares victory over coronavirus, the latest on Kenya’s general election and highlights from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Swiss Views: 60-Mile Hike In Interlaken-Jungfrau Area

Spent 4 days hiking 60 miles outside of Interlaken’s Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps.

Video timeline: 00:00 Intro 07:01 Day 1 – Interlaken to Schynige Platte 11:42 Day 2 – Bachalpsee to Grindelwald 22:26 Day 3 – Eigergletscher to Lauterbrunnen 29:20 Day 4 – Murren to Interlaken 32:30 Outro

The Jungfrau Region (German: Jungfrauregion) is a region of the Bernese Oberland, at the foot of the Bernese Alps. It consists of two valleys south of Interlaken: that of Grindelwald and that of Lauterbrunnen, both drained by the Lütschine.

The Jungfrau Region is named after the highest mountain in the area: the Jungfrau. It is also notably dominated by the Eiger and Mönch. It is a major tourist destination in Switzerland and the Alps, renowned for its mountains and lakes (in particular Lake Thun and Lake Brienz). Both valleys are served by several railways: the Bernese Oberland Railway, the Wengernalp Railway and the Jungfrau Railway. The region also includes numerous cable transports and other facilities.

Travel Tour: Ticino In Southern Switzerland

Ticino is an Italian-speaking region in southern Switzerland with palm-lined lakes and sharp Alpine peaks. Its architecture, cuisine and culture is closely related to that of neighboring Italy. Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, is home to medieval castles. Lugano, a town on glacial Lake Lugano, is known for its waterfront promenade and Piazza della Riforma, a square lined with neoclassical buildings.

Lakeside Village Walks: Morcote, Switzerland (4K)

The former fishing village of Morcote is situated on the shore of Lake Lugano and is undoubtedly one of the most frequently photographed places in Ticino. It was not without just cause that picturesque Morcote was voted Switzerland’s most beautiful village in 2016.

The overall appearance of Morcote is characterised by its division into two parts: a secular part on the Lake and an ecclesiastical part on the slope. Both parts have their own characteristic buildings.

The bank of the lake is lined with numerous imposing buildings such as Palazzo Paleari, as well as a number of simple buildings. The row of houses by the lake, with their magnificent arcades, is one of the most distinctive features of Morcote and characterises the view of the village from the lake in particular. Just behind these, the winding, cobbled laneways of the village centre unfold. Even today, these still clearly reveal its mediaeval origins.

Lakeside Walks: Lucerne In Eastern Switzerland (4K)

Lucerne is an old city with rich history and beautiful architecture in Switzerland. Lucerne’s old town boulevard lies between city hall and Chapel Bridge along the river Reuss. Numerous restaurants invite our guests to sit at nicely arranged tables. Guests from all over the world stroll along the river and enjoy the “see and be seen”!. Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama.

Village Walks: Zermatt In Southern Switzerland

Zermatt, in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, is a mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing and hiking. The town, at an elevation of around 1,600m, lies below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutique shops, hotels and restaurants, and also has a lively après-ski scene. There are public outdoor rinks for ice-skating and curling. 

Swiss Hikes: The Beauty Of Lauterbrunnen Valley (8K)

Lauterbrunnen is situated in one of the most impressive trough valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks. With its 72 thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, colourful alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland.

– Description The very name ‘Lauter Brunnen’ (‘many fountains’) suggests the magnificence of this landscape. There are 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the most famous being the Staubbach Falls. Plunging almost 300 metres from an overhanging rock face, they are one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe.

In 1779, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the valley, and was inspired by the roaring waters to write his well-known poem ‘Spirit song over the waters’.

Another deafening natural phenomenon are the Trümmelbach Falls in the ‘Black Monk’ mountain, hidden behind mighty rock faces. Up to 20,000 litres of water per second cascade over the ten glacier falls from a total height of about 200 metres. This spectacle can only be reached in summer by tunnel lift.