Think of Switzerland and what comes to mind are mountains, pastures and lakes, but islands? Not really. Yet Swiss Heritage’s latest addition to its “Switzerland’s Loveliest” brochure collection introduces 33 islands — both big and small, natural and man-made — that dot the country’s lakes and waterways and traverse national borders.
In its just-published brochure “Switzerland’s Loveliest Museums, vol. 2” the Swiss Heritage Society introduces us to 50 art museums from different eras and all regions of the country that give us a winning combination of architecture and fine art set in a memorable context.
I firmly believe it’s important to preserve and protect a country’s architectural heritage, which is why I’m such a fan of the Swiss Heritage Society and it’s series of portable booklets that are aimed at connecting people with “Switzerland’s Loveliest”… whether that’s coffee houses, swimming pools, B&Bs, nature trails, and now … it’s museums. A neo-Renaissance palace, an innovative municipal museum, an archeological dig and many more, Swiss Heritage’s “Loveliest Museums” focuses on 50 of the country’s 1150 museums, those that best combine quality architecture with a top-notch exhibition. Knowledge and Stories This, the first volume of the Society’s “Loveliest Museums” collection, is devoted to institutions that deal with the natural and human sciences and is entitled “Knowledge and Stories”. The selection offers a balance between Swiss regions, periods and themes, showcasing the diversity of museums — those both well- and little-known — that are available to culture lovers across the country. (A second volume on Switzerland’s loveliest museums will appear later this year spotlighting museums devoted to art.) Inventiveness & commitment According to Swiss Heritage: “To remain relevant, museums must adapt to constantly changing requirements. So they …
The terraced vineyards of the Lavaux region, stretching from Lausanne to Montreux, offer breathtaking views over land and lake that can be enjoyed on foot with relative ease. First terraced by monks in the 11th century, the region received UNESCO World Heritage-site status in 2007 and doubtless is one of the country’s most beautiful to explore. Together with my friends in the Internation Women’s Club of Nyon (IWCN) I walked the very popular portion through the vineyards that stretch from St. Saphorin to Cully. The journey took approximately two-and-a-half-hours at a leisurely pace and offered only a few steep but shortlived inclines. Meandering paths cut through charming medieval villages and took us through vineyards where day-workers picked grapes and wine was available to sample and purchase. Easy to reach by public transport The Lavaux walks are easily reached by train: we boarded in Nyon, changed trains in Lausanne and uncamped at St. Saphorin, a one-hour journey in total. We descended to lake level shortly before Cully and walked along the beach towards the village, where we headed for …
A major heatwave is descending on Switzerland this week so there’s no better moment to take a cool dip in one of the country’s loveliest swimming pools or outdoor nature spots. If you’re looking for something special near you, a pocket-sized French-German booklet published by the Swiss Heritage Society entitled “Les plus beaux bains de la Suisse” (Switzerland’s Loveliest Swimming Pools) will help you locate your ideal dip, one offering architectural distinction and most probably situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The 51 swimming spots profiled in the 108-page, A6-sized booklet are dotted throughout the country and feature architectural styles dating from the 19th century, including sleek, streamlined Art Deco examples from the 1920s and 30s (my personal favourites) as well as heavier 1960s concrete structures. Each selection is accompanied by a brief accompanying text offering historical information about bathing culture in Switzerland since the 1800s. Plan ahead for a refreshing day away You can order the booklet online at a cost of CHF16 for non-members and CHF8 for members of Swiss Heritage. Use it to plan a family or solo excursion that could turn out to be both fun and instructive, but most …
Just in time for the holidays a handy pocket guide has been published by the Swiss Heritage Society as part of its popular series of “Switzerland’s Loveliest…” booklets. This time the country’s most beautiful hotels are getting the star treatment. I love this collection of handy-to-carry A6-format paperbacks because they make it easy to discover off-the-beaten-track cafés, holiday homes, museums, swimming locales–and now hotels–of architectural significance, as well as parks, gardens and walking trails of outstanding beauty. The purchase of these booklets also supports the Society’s efforts to preserve the country’s important architectural landmarks. That’s something close to my heart. Out-of-the-ordinary hotels that are off-the-beaten path In actual fact, Switzerland’s Loveliest Hotels is now in its 4th edition and this latest update adds 27 new hotel discoveries and 13 B&Bs to the original list of 51 hotels featured in earlier issues. In making their selection, the Society chose hotels that take a “global cultural approach” that encompasses a distinct architectural style that reflects the region in which the establishment is found, a “convincing” management concept and a warm welcome. The layout and furnishings of the rooms are also given careful consideration. The Society isn’t looking to follow the trend …
If this holiday season you’re interested in renting a home that offers something out of the ordinary then the Fondation Vacances au cœur du patrimoine (the foundation for holidays at the heart of heritage) may have just what you’re looking for. Founded in 2005 by the Swiss Heritage Society with one goal in mind — to purchase, renovate, and then rent as vacation homes endangered historic properties — the Foundation now boasts a list of 21 impressive buildings that are available to the public to rent. I love the look of the 200-year old “Scheune” barn at Beatenberg in canton Bern. You would never imagine that originally the upper floor served as a hay loft and cows were housed on the ground floor. It stood empty for 18 years and was in a state of collapse before being transformed into a sleek, spacious 2-person apartment in 2007. Its location makes it ideal for long walks in summer and autumn and for skiing in winter. I can just picture the fire place roaring and wine glasses clinking after a super day out on the ski slopes. Heritage with mod-cons included …
