ENJOY LIFE!: Switzerland

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Switzerland

... rhine valley on the way to Julier Pass. The country’s largest canton-the Grisons where you can see some of the best Alpine views before arriving to St. Moritz mountain.

short intro of the Switzerland:

1^st century BC discovered by the Romans - a small country in central part of Europe, has 4 official languages, its area is only 41,295 km2 (16,100miles) same as Netherlands and Poland yet less population, 7.4m inhabitants out of which 1mil are foreigners or guest workers – Italians, Spanish, Portuguese.
Middle of::: North - Germany, South - Italy, East - Austria & Liechtenstein, and West - France.

It is a neutral country, 500 yrs ago (from year 1515 never had a war) till now - not yet part of the European union so, their money is not yet in Euro (Swiss Francs).

Government is Federal Republic consisting of 23 Cantons –a canton is like a small state and each Canton is independent -each is responsible of its education, roads, electricity, public transport, income tax. The capital is Berne. Very well organized. 30% of the surface area of Alpine is in Switzerland.

The Bernina Express Train - Unesco’s heritage. Very beautiful red train, crossing the alps. It is one of europe’s most spectacular train rides that begins in st. moritz and takes you across towards Italy.

They have around 2,000 train stations (in order to reach the small villages).

Lake Lugano. Near Italy, Tirano. Here, main business is wine, there are lots of farm fruits and vineyards of raspberries, grapes and redberries also apples
*Italy is divided into provinces and each part of the valleys have specific wine product.

Observation: I noticed that the people here compared to us are very organized. When you need to cross the road just find the pedestrian lane (there's no need for stoplights) and just stand there at the edge, the cars will politely and patiently stop for you until you cross to the other side, how nice! Life here is so casual- so relaxing. Savour the luminous atmosphere of Lake Maggiore.

Small island Isola Bella- it is a magnificently located palace and garden island (middle of the lake).

In Zermatt, try the Walliserhoff hotel -which is very lovely, it is like a cuckoo clock wooden house. The hotel is run and owned by a local family...very clean and beautiful, full breakfast of cheese and hams and croissants & home made jams of many fruit choices and hot-hot boiled coffee, the milk of course is very fresh! plus yummy wine of course.

MT. GORNEGATT

Gornegatt, you can reach here thru train from Zermatt.

View at the top of gornegatt at 10000feet or 368 meters, here you can see the famous matterhorn mountain where people from all over the world gather for skiing, lots of construction works still goiung on to improve the roads and buildings more and to accommodated the big number of tourists flooding in on winter, cooold.

local cheese fatory in GRUYERE (my hamsters would love to live in Gruyere!)

The evian mineral water comes from the lake in lousane in the town named Evian.

Berne came from the swiss-german name which is bear, so it is their symbol or emblem until now. A very beautiful city. With old buildings and interesting fountains and statues with a culture so unique. The people love to eat outside the restaurants. The buildings are very large and old. Einstein lived here.