Unique Places in Switzerland

2 more images

Okay this seem to be only a time killing diversion but first a little history. St Gallen is the lace capital of Europe. So there one should feel obligated to visit a museum dedicated to what this town is most renown for (or at least other than the Abbey Library). Here you will find the story of the growth and subsequent decline of textile lace industry in this lovely town. It is well presented and surprisingly interested. There are excellent examples on how the textile industry still serves you today.
The museum is located halfway between the train station and the Abbey Museum. Oddly enough it is one of the few museums in Switzerland that does not close on Monday which is the day of the week that I visited this town.

4 more images

You might search in vain for Bakerstreet 221b in London but you will find it in the Sherlok-Holmes-Museum in Meiringen, in a distance of about 25km east of Interlaken. In the very centre of the lovely village of Meiringen you will be able to see the world's first authentic replica of the living-room of Sherlock Holmes in Bakerstreet 221b. This replica was made according to the exlanations, given in the books and it includes all the small details beeing mentioned there. This room is shown in a small museum that includes plenty of other interesting Holmes-souvenirs, letters that were sent from all over the world to "Sherlock Holmes, Bakerstreet, London" etc.etc.etc.
You really might get the feeling, Holmes was a real person, how else could they show his private things there...
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is open
May-September : Tue-Sun 01.30-06.00p.m.
October-April: 04.30-06.00p.m.
The Sherlock-Holmes-museum is next to Parkhotel du Sauvage inside a small wooden church.

The Bisses are the vital witnesses of a history, culture and civilisation in Valais. Hollowed out into the ground, cut into or hanging from the rock face, like scars leaden with memories, they symbolise the fight of the people for the control of water.

Borne out of the peasant’s desire to escape from the cruel consequences of drought, the water was collected from rivers and artificially diverted onto the cultivated hills.

The paths that run alongside these Bisses have the advantage of being slightly inclined, passing through very varied locations and always providing surprising detours through the valleys, villages and mountains. Hence the reason why these little trails, without any traffic, constitute very pleasant walks and allow you to discover one of the most picturesque aspects of Valais region.

The Bisses are negotiable from Spring to Autumn and are also accessible to children, their parents as well as their grandparents. Nendaz enjoys the largest network in Europe and the Bisses are terraced at an altitude of between 800m and 2,200m.

Would you like to go skiing or snowboarding right in the middle of summer? Visit Saas-Fee or Zermatt summer ski area on high altitude glacier.

A single ski-pass for Saas-Fee and Zermatt: Saas-Fee and Zermatt are joining forces.
The two biggest and most attractive summer ski areas are for the first time offering combined ski-passes during the summer season from 2 July to 31 October.

Saas-Fee and Zermatt are a 40 minute drive apart. 41 km of groomed carving and mogul runs as well as summer parks with a half-pipe and obstacle courses for freestylers provide the ultimate snow experience on hot summer days.

In the famous resort of Montreux,with exquisite hotels,much wealth,with a mild climate favouring explosion in full coloured flowers of all kind and even of palm trees,you may find somewhat in the center of the town,near the lake,a statue which you might not have expected to see there.
It is the statue of the famous lead singer Freddy Mercury,of the Queens,who died in November 1991.
Although many years passed since his death,he is still remembered by this town he liked so much,by the statue which since October 1996 was erected in his honour.He is looking straight to the big Lake,with one hand raised as if to salute people passing by.
His musical carrier is remembered in Montreux by yearly festivals and fans as well as passers by use to put flowers at the bottom of the statue.
Just a place off the beaten path you shouldn't miss,if walking around Montreux

A great adventure for everybody: a funny 10 km downhill run on a sledge by day or by night in Les Mayens de Riddes!

La Tzoumaz/Mayens-de-Riddes nestles in a valley on the left side of the Rhone at an altitude of 1500m. The valley lies about halfway between Martigny and Sion.

Access to the sledge run is via the Savoleyres cable car (alt. 2'354m). From there you can glide down to the village (1'506m).


Daily rates for non-skiers:
CHF 20.- adults
CHF 16.- children

Fly over the Swiss Alps, forests, lakes and glaciers and land to share a glass of Fendant between friends...

Alpine Tours

Take a little plane from Sion Airport for 1 to 3 passengers. Prices are very competitive, for example I paid around CHF 290.- a 60 minutes flight for two people to Mont-Blanc then Matterhorn. You could also plan your flight route with the pilot. Enjoy your flight !

If you prefer helicopter, I recommend :

Air Zermatt

Matterhorn 20 min. roundflight for CHF 195.-.

Air Glacier

Flights from 10 to 60 minutes, up to 4 passengers in a helicopter. 10 min flights from CHF 86.-.

Experience the Vineyard Walk, an educational footpath winding through the vines (6km). This path linked two sites of the Valaisan Museum of Wine and Winegrowing located @ Salquenen (Zumofen House ) and @ Sierre (Chateau de Villa). If you get thirsty, no worries just visit a local cellar!

The Valaisan Museum of Wine and Winegrowing is open: from Tuesday to Friday (2 pm to 5 pm (April to November).

Address:
Chateau de Villa
Rue Sainte-Catherine 4
3960 Sierre (Valais)