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