Appenzell - Fountain of Youth

Well, it's certainly an attention grabbing headline!

I'm not convinced that "fountain of youth" is strictly true, Appenzell tends to conjure up words like sleepy and unspoilt, but it's what the people at the tourist office say, so it must be true.

That's probably because it has a wealth of rich mineral springs, and visitors have been coming for over 100 years to bathe.

There are a range of hotels in Appenzell offering wellness breaks, often combining Swiss water and air with eastern philosophy and treatments: whey treatments and Kneipp cures alongside Ayurveda, Tai-Chi and Chi-Yung beauty weeks.

Wellness has been a topic in Appenzell long before the word became overused, and I have to say the air is about as fresh as you can get. Plenty of hills to walk up and down too.

If you like the idea, here's a list of some Health and wellness hotels in Appenzellerland:

• Gonten – Hotel Jakobsbad, Kurhaus Bad Gonten
• Heiden – Hotel Heiden, Kurhaus Sunnematt
• Schwellbrunn – Kurhaus Sonnenberg
• Speicher – Appenzellerhof
• Walzenhausen – Hotel Walzenhausen
• Weissbad – Hotel Hof Weissbad
• Wienacht – Hotel Seeblick

 

Photo: Flickr raelb

Altenrhein - Art and Market Hall

In my last post, I forgot to mention the Hundertwasser Art and Market Hall at Altenrhein, which might be of interest if you are in the area of St Gallen.

If you don't know Hundertwasser's work, he can loosely be compared to Gaudí. If you Haven't heard of Gaudí, you should probably get out more.

The hall is typical of his work, with lots of curves - he referred to straight lines as "the devil's tools". Typically, it uses a lot of tiles and loads of wiggles.

There is a gallery with regular exhibitions and a restaurant, so no need to take a picnic.

It's an eccentric building, but given that he chose his own name (which loosely translates to Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water) that is only to be expected.

I particularly like the Hundertwasser/Aldi (a low-budget supermarket) contrast in this photo.

Opening times April-September are 10:00 until 17:00. Winter afternoons only. Entry is CHF 5,- for adults.

Markthalle GmbH
CH-9422 Staad am Bodensee
+41 71 855 81 85
www.markthalle-altenrhein.ch

Photo: Flickr: kecko

Avenches Carnaval

Blimey, they're still going on.

Only two weeks to Easter and the beginning of the 40 days beforehand is still being celebrated.

Mind you, seeing as you're supposed to give up stuff in those 40 days I can't help but admire the logic of having the party late.

Anyway, Avenches, 12km NW of Fribourg is up for a party this weekend, and as you'd expect, they'll be holding it in the Roman Amphitheatre.

Let's face it, when your town used to be the most important in Switzerland, in thise 4th Century days when it was known as Aventicum, you'd want to brag a bit.

It seems to be the classic mix; Guggemusik, outrageous costumes and staying up late drinking.

If you are in the area, don't miss it.

Check www.avenches.ch for parade timings etc.

Photo myswitzerland

Alpine Town of the Year 2008 - Brig

It's amazing just how many awards there are in this world.

I never knew there was such a thing as an Alpine Town of the Year, but Brig seems to have won the big prize this year.

Probably the main attraction is the lavish Baroque palace known as Stockalper Castle, the largest private 17th Century building in Switzerland. Again, that seems like a very tightly defined title, but it, and its gardens, is certainly worth a look.

It also shows just how wealthy merchants could be, Kaspar von Stockalper must have made or bob or two in his time.

A relatively new addition to Brig's list of attractions is the Museum of the Papal Guards. This covers the history of the Swiss Guards, who to this day still patrol the Vatican in Rome.

Brig is one of those "crossroads of Europe" towns. Celts, Romans, Alemannic tribes all came through and settled.

The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with the Matterhorn (and of course the ski resorts of Zermatt and Saas Fee) close by, perhaps it wasnt an unusual choice for the title.

Brig Tourismus
CH-3900 Brig
+41 (0)27 921 60 30

www.ferienland-wallis.ch

photo: the phantom skier

Abegg Foundation

Culture time again.

The Abegg foundation in Riggisberg, not far from Bern, is home to one of the most impressive collections of textiles in Europe.

Probably the most impressive exhibit is the 7 metre long (22 feet) Dionysius wall hanging, which was made in the 4th century. Considering it's 1700 years old, it is amazingly well preserved, and shows just how ambitious our ancestors were.

The museum covers the textiles of the European Middle Ages, with a focus on the region of the ancient Silk Route.

There's also an exhibition of medieval Chinese dress: Dragons of Silk, Flowers of Gold. This covers the Liao Dynasty, which ran from 907-1125 AD.

Unbelievably luxurious, there are the expected lions, dragons as well as a few phoenixes. And porcelain lovers are looked after too, with a selection of vases, urns etc. So, if you are in any way interested in Chines history, this place is worth a trip.

It's only open from April to October though, and only from 2pm to 5pm, so don't rush along just yet!

Abegg Stiftung
Werner-Abegg-Strasse 67
CH-3132 Riggisberg
+41(0)31 808 12 01

www.abegg-stiftung.ch

Avalanche Training Centre

No, not training how to start an avalanche, what to do if you, or someone you're with, gets caught by one.

Flumserberg has recently opened an Avalanche Training Centre. Andermatt and Diavolezza (St Moritz) already have one, and given that the Avalanche Research Institute is in Davos, I'd happily bet they have one there too.

If you ski or board off-piste, it's probably a good idea to know what to do.

The official text says" Skiers and snowboarders straying from marked and secured ski runs are now required to carry safety equipment consisting of a search device for avalanche victims, a sensor and a shovel." I didn't know that.

At the Avalanche Training Center, you they run a basic training course where you are taught to use the equipment. I'm guessing they mean the search device, not so much the shovel.

The center consists of a control unit and six avalanche sensors, which are buried in fixed locations and are activated randomly by a central generator. It is free of charge and open daily to anyone that's interested.

The center allows simulation of individuals or groups buried in the snow.

Schweizer Skischule & Snowboardschule
8898 Flumserberg
Tel. +41 (0)81 733 39 39

www.sssf.ch

Adelboden - Snowshoes

Adelboden is an attractive and not over-populated resort at the southern end of Kanton Bern. It's linked with Frütigen and is an attractive place for a family ski holiday.

In response to requests for more than just skiing, they've opened up 35km of snowshoe trails.

The sport is beginning to attract more and more people, maybe in response to the number of skiers, and the increasing speeds being seen on the slopes.

 

The routes have been designed with wildlife in mind, mainly to protect the animals, but you never know when you might come across a deer or a snow bunny. And later in the season, the Marmottes (Groundhogs?) are likely to make an appearance.

Snow shoes are available in most sport shops to rent or buy.

For further information:

www.adelboden.ch

Photos: ryancordell, EO1

A walk in the snow

So if you don't fancy St Moritz, and you're not keen on skiing, well, how about taking a hike?

New this winter, the Alpavia travel agency will take the backpack from your shoulders while you walk through the winter wonderland.

And your luggage is guaranteed to be at your overnight rest hotel before you.

The classic tour is from Interlaken to Kandersteg, taking in the Jungfrau, the Gemmi Pass (a historic link between Berne and the Valais, see photo above) and Lauchernalp.

The hotels are of good quality (this is Switzerland) and a 6 day trip costs around 880 CHF/person.  This includes breakfast and dinner - food is traditional Swiss and can be relied on to be both tasty and provide energy for the next day's activities.

Trips start each Sunday throughout winter.

Alpavia Lüthi & Stähli
3700 Spiez
Tel. +41 (0)33 650 16 02

www.alpavia.ch

photo; andreas hartmann

Baden

Maybe I'm biased as Baden was the first town I lived in when I came to Switzerland, but I think it's lovely.

As you can see, it is picture-postcard lovely, and has a beautiful old town with buildings dating back to the 14th century.

Of course, the internals have been modernised, the Swiss have a great, non-sentimental way about doing that, but from outside they are unbelievably authentic.

Starting with the covered wooden bridge (now you know where Madison County got the idea from) the walk up the hill towards the centre takes you past some unlikely, and thriving shops.

My favourite used to be the violin maker, but he became so successful he's moved. So it's best just to wander around and see for yourself.

Many of the shops sell child-related (unusual toys, clothes etc) so it can be a fun place to go as a family.

If the town hall is open, try to get in and have a look at the walls and ceilings. Quite outstanding.

Should you go late in the evening, there is a casino, not Las Vegas style, but quite popular these days. I tend to lose, so stay away, apart from eating in the excellent restaurant there. Sunday brunch is a favorite, especially in summer when you can sit outside.

Take your swimming gear in winter, the thermal baths, after which the town was named, are still very much the place to visit. Very relaxing in winter, but don't except to be able to swim laps. Its more about having jets of water aimed at those painful joints that you got while walking along the Lägern.

Photo: Adrian Vogt

Appenzell - Silvesterklausen

We've had quite a lot of winter sports recently on TST, so here's a traditional custom to be getting on with.

To be honest, the more I write about this country, the more I am convinced it's a great (and diverse) place to live or visit.

Silvesterklausen takes place in Appenzell, particularly in the communes of Urnäsch, Schönengrund, Schwellbrunn, Waldstatt, Herisau, Hundwil, Stein, and Teufen.

Apparently (and I may well be wrong on this!) the idea is to distinguish between different types of Santa Claus - beautiful ones, ugly ones and the natural  or forest ones. And I thought there was only the one in the Coca-Cola sponsored suit...

The Chläuse (or Klause) are apparently based on a demonic cult that apparently merged with vegetation and fertility cults near Urnäsch, situated in the valley below Schwägalp.

It's now become more widespread (as listed above) and Old New Year's Eve, January 13, is the main cause for celebration. Something to do with the Julian calendar change apparently; Appenzell isn't known for being progressive, women there have only had the vote for nearly 40 years...

If you'd like to get involved, or at least see strange men and boys dressed in costumes, pop along to one of the villages on 13 January; Urnäsch probably being the place to be.

The action starts at dawn, but there'll be something to see all day.

See http://www.urnaesch-tourismus.ch/e/brauchtum/alter_silvester.htm for a better explanation of what it's all about!