Bern
Berger bell foundry Bärau
Anno 1730, King Henry VIII weds his 6th wife; Johann Sebastian Bach composes 'coffee shop music' for the Leipzig Café Zimmermann; and Farmer Berger starts to cast bells on his picturesque Bernese Oberland farm. King Henry & the Bachs are gone, but Berger bells are cast in Bärau to this day! >Emmental Christmas market
A warm and authentic atmosphere reflect the charming, unhurried Bernese dialect and way of life of these Emmental country folk. Talented local artisans demonstrate traditional crafts in typical designs made of local materials. Far from flashy lights and repetitive music, these are gifts of value & authenticity. >Justistal Chästeilet
Do you know the difference between Alp- and Bergkäse (Alp and mountain cheese)? The farmers hard work and skill culminate in the end-of-summer cheese distribution with a community gathering, music, mouthwatering fare and Alpabzug and is part of this Swiss tradition dating back to 1739. >Brächete and autumn market in Zäziwil
In the village of Zäziwil, Canton Berne, the world's oldest known textile fibre - flax - is grown and processed into fine linen fabric in the way it has been for centuries during the yearly flax-to-linen festival called Brächete. >Unspunnen festival
Switzerland's Unspunnen festival showcases traditional sports, music, arts, food and more such as Swiss-style wrestling, stone throwing, Hornussen and yodelling during the competition and festival week in the summer, once every six years. >Oeschinen Lake - UNESCO World Cultural Heritage region
Explore hidden gem Oeschinen Lake in the Bernese Alps with these insider-tips from Swiss Wanderlust guest writer Thomas Kalau. He recently visited this little-known area with his family and describes the special places and other activities not to be missed. >Hotel Alpenblick Berne where guests return as friends
This three***-plus gem of a hotel in a quiet residential neighbourhood close to down-town Berne boasts comfortable, bright rooms, a warm atmosphere and a superb breakfast buffet. Add a cozy library, a charming outdoor terrace plus underground parking and you have an all-round winner! >Urbärn a cappella quartet sings gorgeous Swiss folk songs
Traditional Swiss folk music is on the rise again. The four Urbärn singers are classically trained musicians. Their recent concert captivated the audience and kept us spellbound with their haunting, funny and exuberating renditions of an incredibly diverse repertoire of Swiss songs in all four languages. >Rudy Canonica: Swiss shepherd in the Bernese highlands
Every year, between the months of November and March, Rudy Canonica walks his flock of six hundred sheep from pasture to pasture across the Bernese Highlands. With the help of a second shepherd, four donkeys and three dogs. At night, he sleeps in his caravan. >About Swiss Wanderlust
Welcome, and Grüezi!
Switzerland, my native country, is the main focus of travel for this guide. Slowly, a few other destinations are added. Whatever the country, when I write, my cat Sari supervises me. More about Silvia, Sari & Swiss Wanderlust »
