Travel writer Carol Antman surmounts misgivings and mountains in Switzerland When I was invited to tag along as a journalist with Alpine Adventure Trails Tour on a two-week hike in the Swiss Alps, I was eager for my husband Mark to book the trip and come. Somehow he did not share my … [Read more...]
Travel Europe – meet a guidebook writer & Charlie Chaplin
Lausanne, Switzerland. On the Via Francigena When on the Via Francigena, there are precious few opportunities that come your way in regards to being ferried about instead of walking. Such an opportunity arose in travelling from Lausanne to Vevey - by ferry. In the morning, with the bright sun … [Read more...]
Via Francigena: Martigny to Orsieres
Suddenly the mists parted, revealing the valleyVia Francigena: Martigny, Switzerland. After a filling breakfast we donned our packs and walked out into the wet, overcast weather which was rather pleasant after the past few hot days. We arrived at a park where there was a fork in the track. … [Read more...]
St Bernard Pass – gateway throughout the ages
From Martigny in Switzerland (along the Via Francigena) we struggled over the hardy obstacle of a mountain ridge. Because a flood two weeks before had washed away the walking track and the railway track - both of which followed the river. We had planned to walk from Martigny to Orsieres that day, … [Read more...]
To visit a castle – sometimes take a bus
What a lavish breakfast at Hotel Helvetie in Montreaux, Switzerland. We were journeying along the ancient Via Francigena, the path that stretches all the way from Canterbury to Rome. After breakfast we decided to take the local bus four kilometers to Chillon Castle which lay on the lake’s (Leman) … [Read more...]
Swiss Cheese – more than Gruyère, but…
When I read that there are more than 400 varieties of Swiss cheese, I was astounded. Most non-Swiss people would only know of a handful, the most popular ones being Emmenthal and Gruyère. Still, Gruyère is undoubtedly the big cheese of the Swiss dairy industry, so when we visited the … [Read more...]
Tax Free Shopping in Switzerland
Swiss Tax Free Shopping: The VAT rate in Switzerland is 8% and is included in the sales price. With prices in Switzerland as they are, any discount is welcome, so don't miss out on your tax refund! All visitors living outside Switzerland are entitled to claim back the VAT if they spend more … [Read more...]
St. Moritz – A Glitzy Swiss Ski Resort
Glitz and Glamour at St. Moritz - but not so much in Summer... St Moritz is one of the world's glitziest, most expensive ski resorts, deserving its reputation as the St. Tropez of ski destinations. Our tour director referred to this place as a ski resort for the "chic-kie mickeys", her … [Read more...]
Swiss Postal Service
Post Post offices are usually open from 8 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm on weekdays, although some branches in shopping centres often open the same hours as the shopping centres, and this includes late night shopping (usually Thursdays). On Saturdays, post offices in large cities are open … [Read more...]
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