Top Europe destinations 2012: Switzerland
Not to long ago, we gave you some clues on what were going to be the “new” top European destinations for 2012. Now our purpose is to go through those destinations one by one, in order to provide you with further information and some tips to make the best of your holiday. And keep you updated on the upcoming not-to-be-missed events. In this first installment, we’re going to explore Switzerland.
We told you that visiting Switzerland would have been a great opportunity to enjoy good food, through tastings and food&wine tours…
Good to know, Geneva is the culinary capital of Switzerland. If you happen to visit this city, don’t miss a trip along the Geneva Wine Trail and/or Dardagny Wine Education Trail. These include stops at local restaurants and inns with the opportunity to try the best food and drinks from the region, complete with presentations about the grape varieties, wine production methods and fauna found in the vineyards.
Moreover, since 1993, the Swiss Farmers Union has launched Farm Brunches, in an attempt to bring together producers and consumers. Farms in the Lake Geneva Region offer their terroir products all year round.
Don’t miss out Swiss cheeses! Some tips: AOC Emmentaler show Dairy. Founded in 1985, in Affoltern i.E, it tells all the secrets of this legendary cheese with the large holes. Far beyond the borders of Switzerland, around the world Emmental cheese is often simply called “Swiss cheese”. You can also enjoy the Appenzeller® show Dairy in Stein, Le Gruyère Dairy, the cheese factory in the monastery of Engelberg and so on.
And what about chocolate? From Geneva’s traditional “Pavés” to the creations of Swiss chocolatiers renowned worldwide, enjoy the Swiss Chocolate Train, departing from Montreux, a body pack of chocolate at a day spa in Geneva, have a tasting, and buy chocolate to take away from the factory shop – Alprose in Caslano-Lugano, Maestrani in Flawil/SG, Chocolat Frey in Buchs/AG are some of the most popular.
Travel up on a scheduled train to the Uetliberg. Up there, you will enjoy a surprising menu including delicious melted cheese fondue or raclette, and a house desert.
And don’t forget that February is time for Carnival in Switzerland too! From Lucerne (Feb 16/21) to Bern (Feb 23/25), from Zurich (Feb24/26) to Basel (Feb 27/29). They’re all in line, so you can virtually tour these towns in the order and enjoy each of the great parades, midnight parties, concerts, dances and solemn rituals programmed all over the Country.
Photo by Tambako the Jaguar
About the Author
Elena Hey there! My name is Elena and I live in Pavia, where I work as a freelance journalist and Events Coordinator. My personal interests are culture, languages and art. I love travelling and learning about foreign cultures and different lifestyles, and then I like to share my experiences with others writing articles for this blog. My passions drive me forward to live the life of my dreams, and well that’s what I am really good at!
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