Category: Blog

If you really want to experience the Swiss Alps, then this is the tour for you. 

This tour will take you into the heart of the Swiss Alps and whilst not taking you to the top of Jungfrau or Schilthorn will supply you with stunning scenery and  memorable experiences that you will cherish for a very long time.  Here are just a few of the highlights of  the first par of this popular and breath-taking tour – the next part comes in 2 weeks time.

If you are journeying from Luzern, we will stop at 2 popular beauty spots near the turquoise lake of Lake Lungern.  Reason this superb photo which epitomises the beautiful countryside.

So we start with the incredible Aare Gorge near the village of Meiringen famous for being the place where Sherlock Holmes met his death at the Reichenbach Falls.  Opposite the Falls is the entrance to the Aare Gorge – a one mile walk through a natural wonder where the river Aare has eroded and cut a gorge through the limestone cliffs.

The second place we visit has to be one of the most spectacular places for lunch in Switzerland. The Giessbach Hotel above the cobalt blue Lake Brienz and facing the breathtaking Giessbach Falls is a must visit for any traveller in the Oberlands. The combination of taking a 20 minute hike actually under the falls, having a delicious lunch in the 150 year old hotel and the taking in the views over Lake Brienz is an experience that you will never forget. And that does not even include the funicular ride down to the lakeside and the boat across Lake Brienz to Brienz itself !

The boat lands at Brienz and then a 30 minute walking tour of the picturesque and historic village takes place taking in the lake promenade, the wood carving shop which Brienz is famous for and one of the prettiest streets in Switzerland – Brungasse which won an award for precisely that.   

That’s all for part 1 of this epic day tour of the Best of the Bernese Oberlands tour – there’s plenty more to come in Part II, coming up in 2 weeks time.

Switzerland boasts some of the best Xmas Markets in Europe and in around 4 weeks time they will start to appear.  And the good news is, there are over 150 Xmas Markets coming up this year in Swiss Cities, Towns and Villages across the length and breadth of the country.

If you like wandering around stalls and sheds armed with a gluhwein and a bratwurst, then you will love a visit to a Xmas Market.  There’s a real myriad of Christmas presents to buy loved ones made right here in Switzerland and many handmade items from overseas too.

Here are my top 3 Swiss Xmas Markets 

Luzern

The Luzern Christmas market boasts the Franziskanerbrunnen fountain, which adorn the metre high candles, twinkling lights and pine fronds is transformed into the largest Advent wreath in Central Switzerland. The concerts of St Maria and the unique nativity scene with life size figurines are also worth seeing.

Basel

The city on the Rhine has a very special charm in the Christmas period. The quaint Christmas market can be found on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, right in the centre of the city and at the heart of the festively decorated Old Town. A magnificent Christmas tree stands on Münsterplatz, with ornaments by the well-known decorator Johann Wanner.

Zurich

Whether at Zurich’s oldest Christmas market in the picturesque Old Town, at the urban “Wienachtsdorf” Christmas village on Sechseläutenplatz near Bellevue, or next to the 15-meter (49 ft) tall sparkling Christmas tree at the Christkindlimarkt at Zurich Main Train Station: In Zurich, there is a Christmas market to suit each and every taste. A huge choice of gifts and gift ideas enchants visitors to the beautifully decorated market stands.

Luzern is a must-see location for people travelling to Switzerland. It has everything – charm, history, great restaurants, cool bars, superb hotels, lovely shops, interesting museums and is small enough for people to enjoy in a couple of days.

Personally, I say it’s history and geography rolled into one and it’s the geography side I will concentrate on here.

A not to be missed adventure is to go up a mountain and near Luzern there are 4 of them which are close by and accessible. Here we go with a brief description of all them

Mt Pilatus

The closest to Luzern, Pilatus, the “house” mountain of Luzern at 2132m is a very popular destination and in particular the golden round trip which you can do from Luzern by taking the boat to Alpnachstad, the steepest cog wheel in the world to the summit to admire the views. Take some refreshments at the top or even stay at the hotel before heading down on the opposite side with 2 cable cars, stopping half way to check out the 1 mile mountain roller coaster or the rope park before completing your journey by taking the bus from the cable car station to Luzern – a wonderful day out.

Mt Rigi

Mount Rigi’s majestic peninsula on Lake Lucerne is the perfect setting for an authentic Swiss mountain experience with unforgettable views of over 13 lakes and the spectacular snow-capped Swiss Alps. Located 10 miles from Luzern, Mt. Rigi at 1832m can be quickly and easily reached by boat or car. It is the Swiss people’s favourite mountain destination, can be accessed via Europe’s first ever cogwheel train (est. 1871) and is renowned for its numerous cogwheel railway and aerial cable car routes. You can visit Mt. Rigi 365 days a year and there’s plenty of outdoor action on offer, including 120km of hiking trails. The numerous lookouts, delightful terraces and the Mineral Baths at Rigi Kaltbad also ensure there are plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation on the Queen of the Mountains.

Mt Titlis

Mt Titlis at 3339m is the jewel in Central Switzerland’s crown, the highest accessible mountain and the only publicly accessible glacier in the area. You will feel on top of the world as you take in the spectacular panoramic views of snow-covered mountains and unspoilt Alpine landscapes. The Titlis ski area is home to more than 80 kilometres of pistes, with slopes to suit every ability. The season lasts from October until May. And in the summer, the mountain is a mecca for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Do not miss the Rotair – the world’s first revolving cable car taking you to the summit, the glacier cave, the Ice Flyer and the Titlis Cliff Walk

Mt Stanserhorn

The exciting trip up the Stanserhorn on the CabriO cableway and funicular railway, which dates back to 1893, is like taking a trip through cableway history.  The combination of an old funicular and new a(n open air cable car) technology is something to cherish as you climb to 1800m for superb views of the Swiss Alps and the 100 kilometer Alpine chain, 10 Swiss lakes, Stanserhorn rangers, marmots, a plant protection area with enchanting flora and fauna, culinary delights in the Stanserhorn revolving restaurant, the specialty Älplermagronen from an edelweiss pot and lots more are just waiting to be discovered on the Stanserhorn.

MASSIVE DRINKS

April 2021 will see the 2nd in the MASSiVE Series of Promotions and this month the focus will be on the Swiss Drinks Industry which is obviously a very big sector and very wide ranging with multiple brands across the hot and cold and non alcoholic and alcoholic sectors.

When it comes to the age limit, the legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16 for beer, wine and cider and 18 for spirits.  Coffee is the most popular hot drink and the coffee culture defintely exists here in Switzerland wth the likes of Starbucks and mutilple pop up coffee outlets springing up in towns and cities. In fact Switzerland are amongst the worlds biggest coffee drinkers with famous brands like Nespresso and Movenpick. 

Tea on the hand is less popular and like cofffee, sales are increasing especially green and herbal/fruit teas and together with hot chocolate and a swiss brand Ovalmaltine make up the majority of the hot drink market.

The soft drink market is also very well defined with the usual array of international brands mixed in with some national drinks such as Rivella and Apfelschorle (apple juice and sparkling water)

Alcohol plays a strong role in society and drinking like in most western countries is a popular activity both at home and going out which the Swiss like to do on a regular basis in restaurants and bars and at events.  The variety of alcoholic drinks available is very diverse and has increased in line with other western markets.  Whether it`s beer, wines or spirits, you will find a great selection of drinks and here I am very proud to showcase  6 drinks makers in Switzerland who produce some of the finest drinks in the land.  

Together they form MASSIVE DRINKS and will be promoted heavily during the month of April. I have a craft beer brand from Luzern – Luzern Brauerei, a wine grower in Luzern – Kaiserspan, 2 gin makers from Entlebuch in Frakmont and Studer, a Vodka maker Turicum in Zürich and Langutan, a Swiss Whisky maker from Kanton Bern

We start with Luzern Bier which was founded in 2008 and the beers are brewed to the old cradt tradition.  Over the following 2 years the brewery grew and the necessary equipment was purchased to enable the first Luzerner Beer to be produced in 2010. The entire production process, from malt grist and brewing to bottling and labeling. There is a good selection of Lagers and Ales and various other brews at certain times of the year.

All beers are characterized by their unique taste and freshness. They are not filtered, not pasteurized and not treated in any other way : a natural fresh product from the region, brewed in a very authentic way.

David Schurtenberger, Business Leader runs a team of devoted beer lovers and craftsmen taking pride to brew and deliver top quality beers to the local market.
 

Back in 2013 Merlin Kofler and Oliver Honegger had the idea to start a distillery and after taling inspiration from their visits to English gin distilleries, they started their “drinks”  journey together with their friends Philip Angst and Oscar Martin in Zürich where they reside. 

Less than 2 years later, they realised their dream to create «The goal was to create a gin that represents Zurich’s spirit and that caters to the locals’ taste, celebrating our city beyond its limits».  Local and regional ingredients such as Juniper, coriander seeds, lime blossoms from Lidenhof (the epicentre of Turicum, Zürich`s ancient name in Roman times, handpicked fir buds as well as rose hips from the region.

As well as distilling, the company offers Gin workshops, guided tours and events in their premises. 

Kaiserspan Weinbau owned and managed by couple Edith Mächler-Britschgi and Andreas Bachmann have been producing high quality wines in Seetal in Kanton Luzern for over 20 years. Growing conditions are excellent for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Muscat Oliver and Riesling Silvaner grape varieties. Red, white, rosé and sparking variations are produced.

This family run business prides itself on producing wine with passion and years of knowledge and experience resulting in high quality drinks experiences for wine lovers all over Switzerland.

Frankmont is the brainchild of 4 young swiss entrepreneurs from Luzern, Carlo Fischer, Philipp Businger, Robin Odermatt and Mathias Näpflin.  A few years ago, they decided in partnership with Studer Distillery in Entlebuch to create a new Gin brand for the Swiss market.

The Frakmont Dry Gin inspires with its fine, classic juniper flavor, the light citrus note and a finish which is refined by the clear mountain water. The native herbs, which also come from the foot of Mount Pilatus, come skillfully to the fore. The crisp, harmonious note of rosemary with a hint of ginger brings the legend to life in the mouth. A mystical piece of Lucerne in all senses.

 
Langatun is the Celtic version of the name Langenthal, a settlement that can be traced back to the year 861. The name means ‘the fortified place on the Langa’. The word ‘Langa’ is an Old European name for water. Water is one of the most important ingredients in whisky making. The name of Langatun whisky is therefore a tribute to the area’s first settlers and brewers in this area.

This traditional business produces distillates of the highest quality by using old artisanal methods. The home of the Langatun distillery is the historic, listed Kornhaus in Aarwangen. The long history of Langatun (since 1857) is above all the history of the people, the region and the products, which reflect the company’s core values: Honesty, Quality, Commitment and Innovation.

Langatun whisky is awarded and drunk all over the world. The high quality of the casks, the precise method of distillation and the passionate commitment of the employees give Langatun whiskies their incomparably soft, complex and delicate character. The details of the production process are a well-kept secret to which only a few people are privy.

It was in 1883 that the four brothers Robert, Gottfried, Hans and Josef Studer set out from Switzerland to travel the world and learn the fine art of producing liqueurs and spirits in France, Spain and Scotland, among other places. Today, almost 140 years and four generations later, and with a wealth of specialist experience under its belt, the Entlebuch region between Berne and Lucerne is still dedicated to the production of the finest and most noble spirits. The small but subtle difference: today, the tradition-rich Distillerie Studer is not only one of the best distilleries within Switzerland, but rather plays in the league of the best distilleries in the world.

At Studer & Co AG, the master of the finest distillates, quality, tradition and craftsmanship are of paramount importance. To this day, the various fine spirits that the extensive range of products has to offer are distilled by hand in Studer’s manor house according to recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation and according to old fathers’ customs. Only the best ingredients are used, primarily from regional cultivation in Switzerland. And this is noticeable in many ways. Quite apart from the fact that the noble spirits with fine nuances know how to pamper the tongues of connoisseurs and lovers in a very special way, the fine distillates all enjoy an excellent reputation and are regularly awarded prestigious prizes and awards in national and international competitions.

As TST Tours are few and far between these days, TST has tried to adapt and has become relatively successful in some digital or social media marketing. TST has reached out to several organisations and activities across Switzerland and has tried to create partnerships.  These have included with Tourism Agencies and mountains so that thy receive some free advertising in return for some competition prizes.  So for example last month saw a joint promotion with Graubünden Tourism and in return for 6 interesting FB posts and Linked In exposure, the Tourism organisation offered a night`s accommodation in a lovely hotel and for a first prize a 1st class trip for 2 on the amazing Glacier Express.

So this theme continues into March and as Easter is on the horizon, I thought it would be a cool idea to run a mega campaign all about one of Switzerland`s most famous export.  The campaign is called MASSIVE CHOCOLATE as it all to do with Chocolate and it will be Massive.  The start date is March 5th and  activity will be posted on Facebook all through March culminating on April 1st with the TST Newsletter featuring an interview with Urs Furrer from Choco Suisse, the Trade Organisation representing the best chocolate makers in Switzerland.

The plan is to offer 3 Facebook posts to all of the participating chocolate making companies which will hopefully provide some interesting insights into the world of chocolate. Here is some more information about the participating brands in MASSIVE CHOCOLATE.

Lindt is probably the most recogniseable Swiss Chocolate brand founded in 1845 by Rodolphe Lindt at its headquarters are near Zurich.  Lindt pioneered the conching method which evenly distributes cocoa butter within chocolate to enhance the flavour.  Their 2020 Home of Chocolate is the largest Chocolate museum in Switzerland and contains the world`s largest chocolate fountain at 9m in height.

Aeschbach Chocolate is a smaller family owned Chocolate factory based in Luzern. Aeschnbach`s chocolate is hand made and uses the freshest ingredients.  At there factory there is  the excellent Choco World where the history and production of chocolate  is superbly exhibited.  You  can make your own chocolate bar and of course sample some delicious chocolate and enjoy a drink in the cafe.

Cailler, the oldest Swiss chocolate brand still in existence since the early 1820s, is nestled in the foothills of Gruyères. Its chocolates are produced at Maison Cailler. In 1929 Cailler merged with Nestle and produces a range of brands. You can learn about their chocolate through a multi-sensory experience and of course take time to sample their chocolates and buy some product in the well stocked shop.

Läderach first started production in Glarus in 1962. Discover all you need to know about Läderach and much more in the new House of Läderach. Experience an unforgettable day in our new event location with café, factory store, chocolate museum, live production and a walk-in atelier where you can make your own chocolate.  Läderach is famous for it`s different slabs of chocolate in Läderach shop windows across the land.

Aquilino Maestrani was one of the founding fathers of a chocolate culture that survives to the present day. In 1852, the ambitious entrepreneur and inventor founded the Maestrani company and helped shape the history of Switzerland. The factory in Flawil covers 4 famous brands – Minor, Munz, Maestrani and the Chocolarium which is an interactive experience showing us how Happiness makes it`s way chocolate !!

For more information on MASSIVE  CHOCOLATE  go to www.facebook.com/typicallyswisstours or check out Linked In or the TST Newsletter out 1st April in tine for Easter,

Tours are a wonderful way to experience what any destination has to offer.  Typically Swiss Tours (TST) is no exception.

There are multiple tours for every budget and interest level. These can be a simple one day set itinerary tours to more complex multi-day tours taking in several locations. Clearly embarking on a tour with a local tour company with experience will certainly add value and take away the hassle of trying to organise it on your own.

A major advantage of booking a Private guided tour is the option for a personalised , tailor-made tour.  Typically Swiss Tours, like most tour companies has many pre planned options on the website – www.typicallyswisstours.com. However TST offers clients to personalise or customise tours which means you can choose exactly what you want to do and see and how long you want the tour to be.  Some good examples are a tour that takes in an activity such as water skiing or a paraglide or wants to visit a particular town or village.

For those clients who either have or have not done the research a private tour guide will get to know you and take the time to plan a day according to your wishes.  Perhaps there are certain important aspects about mobility and diet which are important to the tour which clearly can be added to the discussion to base a tour around the guests. And with technology being what is it this days, there is really no excuse not to build up a good relationship with clients so that when the day, there is no need to break the ice.

The size of the private tour really depends on the size of the vehicle the Guide has and in TST`s case it is a 6 seater, Mercedes V Class. Tours are always exclusive to the party and arrangements are made as much in advance of the tour as possible, normally by a Zoom call so people can get to know each other. The in terms of the day itself, the guide will ensure that the places discussed are covered and then will try to always add on elements as surprises. All with the intention  of giving the guests a truly memorable day.