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"I love you and will never leave you": Federer's message to fans

<p dir="ltr">Roger Federer has announced his retirement from tennis after an incredible career hailing 15000 matches over 24 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Swiss tennis player shared the breaking news in a lengthy post on all his social medias starting with a simple: “To my tennis family and beyond”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 41-year-old explained that it was time to retire after listening to his body following multiple knee surgeries. </p> <p dir="ltr">He first started off by acknowledging what the game has given him, friends, competitors, and fans who’ve been by his side throughout his incredible journey before he went on to share the devastating news. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 15000 matches over 24 years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Federer announced that the Laver Cup will be his final ATP event but teased that he won’t be completely disappearing from the game. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">To my tennis family and beyond,</p> <p>With Love,<br />Roger <a href="https://t.co/1UISwK1NIN">pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN</a></p> <p>— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/1570401710685945856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Federer then went on to thank his wife Mirka and his four children, who stood by his side and endured his fantastic tennis career. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I would like to especially thank my amazing wife Mirka, who has lived through every minute with me. She has warmed me up before finals, watched countless matches even while over 8-months pregnant, and has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I also want to thank my four wonderful children for supporting me, always eager to explore new places and creating wonderful memories along the way. Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He also addressed his parents and sister “without whom nothing would be possible”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Federer then listed everyone who stood by him, from former coaches, to players, to sponsors, partners, and the “unbelievable fans” over the last 24 years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries,” he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Through my travels, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life, who consistently took time of their busy schedules to come watch me play and cheer me on around the globe. Thank you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Federer then ended the lengthy post with a little glimpse into how he decided he wanted to play tennis back when he was a ball boy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were like giants to me and I began to dream. My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Some success brought me confidence and I was only my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Following the shock announcement, Federer’s fellow tennis players wished the best for the Swiss tennis player.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rafael Nadal - “I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world. I said it to you when we spoke and now it’s here. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Billie Jean King - "Roger Federer is a champion's champion. He has the most complete game of his generation &amp; captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with an amazing quickness on the court &amp; a powerful tennis mind. He has had a historic career w/memories that will live on and on."</p> <p dir="ltr">Rod Laver - "Thank you for everything Roger. See you soon. Rocket."</p> <p dir="ltr">Martina Navratilova - "What a heartfelt message, full of love, life, hope, passion and gratitude. Which is exactly how Roger played the game we love so much. Thank you thank you thank you, for all the magic!!!"</p> <p dir="ltr">Carlos Alcaraz - "Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! I still want to play with you! Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next!"</p> <p dir="ltr">Andy Roddick - "Cheers Roger. Thanks for the shared memories my friend. It was an honour to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Don't be a stranger."</p> <p dir="ltr">Petra Kvitova - "Roger - you have always been such a huge inspiration to me. Your elegance, your grace, your beautiful game. I have always held you in the highest regard and want to congratulate you for an amazing career. Tennis won't be the same without you!"</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Retirement Life

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An Italian lodge jumps the Swiss border

<p dir="ltr">The borders in the European Alps have been the source of some strange happenings recently, including a border-jumping ski lodge.</p> <p dir="ltr">Refugio Cervino, a two-storey lodge built on the Italian side of Theodul Glacier, has been slowly moving towards Switzerland - and its international movement has called its ownership and national boundaries into dispute.</p> <p dir="ltr">The border between Italy and Switzerland has previously been defined at the boundary of the Theodul drainage divide, the point where melted water either flows south to Italy or north towards Switzerland.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, rising temperatures have changed the flow of water.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result, two-thirds of the Refugio sits in Switzerland while the remaining third is in Italy, and has become a subject of diplomatic negotiations.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Agence France Presse, a compromise to redraw the boundaries was reached last year - but that doesn’t stop the ever-increasing glacier melt.</p> <p dir="ltr">Swisstopo, which stays on top of the official boundaries of the Confédération Helvétique, will be changing the boundaries in 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We agreed to split the difference," chief border official Alain Wicht told AFP.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though international surveyors have previously been brought in to determine where the boundary should sit previously, Mr Wicht says the Refugio is a sensitive issue as the Theodul Glacier is “the only place where we suddenly had a building involved”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Swiss have taken a more neutral stance in the debate, but the Italians are unwilling to part with the building without compensation, </p> <p dir="ltr">"The refuge remains Italian because we have always been Italian," Refugio’s caretaker, 51-year-old Lucio Trucco, says.</p> <p dir="ltr">For now, the refuge will be an enclave of Italy within Switzerland until the borders are changed.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3d7b9463-7fff-3769-cf91-d68e9a97682f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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Federer sends tennis world in a spin

<p dir="ltr">Roger Federer has sent the tennis world in a spin after announcing he may be pushing back his retirement. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old Swiss player was welcomed to a standing ovation and a huge round of applause when he appeared at Wimbledon on Sunday for the traditional parade of champions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Federer, who has been struggling with his right knee after undergoing three operations to help repair damage to his meniscus and cartilage, then announced exciting news to tennis fans.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope I can come back one more time. I’ve missed it here," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Of course I've missed being here. I would have loved to be here. I knew walking out here last year, it was going to be a tough year ahead.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">With eight singles titles to his name, <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CentreCourt100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CentreCourt100</a> <a href="https://t.co/ucGLn0wW6q">pic.twitter.com/ucGLn0wW6q</a></p> <p>— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1543582911466700800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">"Maybe I didn't think it was going to take me this long to come back. But the knee has been rough on me.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I didn't know if I should make the trip, but I'm happy standing right here, right now."</p> <p dir="ltr">Federer has played at Wimbledon every year since his main-draw debut in 1999 but had to sit out in 2022 due to the long recovery on his knee. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I've been lucky enough to play a lot of matches on this court. Feels awkward to be here today in a different type of role," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"But it's great to be here with ... all the other champions. This court has given me my biggest wins, my biggest losses."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Federer’s ultimate Swiss bucket list

<p dir="ltr">Travelling internationally can come with its own unique challenges, so choosing a destination that is both enjoyable and drama-free is a must.</p> <p dir="ltr">One such destination is Switzerland, which Swiss native Roger Federer wants to promote as a place of beauty.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fea1078-7fff-31c3-aa9d-cf5cdd4b8caa">His love of Switzerland saw him become an ambassador for <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switzerland Tourism</a> last year and front a campaign inviting those looking for an idyllic getaway.</span></p> <p><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 315px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RLCAGb-tuYs" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">“I was really excited to have a worldwide campaign where I can invite people to Switzerland to highlight its beauty because I am so very proud to be from such a beautiful country,” says the tennis legend.</p> <p dir="ltr">To help you plan the perfect Swiss trip, Federer has shared his own favourite spots – as well as a few places he still wants to discover for himself.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-recommendation-the-best-known-ski-areas/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pack your skis and head to Wengen</a></p> <p dir="ltr">As the original winter holiday destination, Switzerland has plenty of ideal locations to choose from.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Hit the slopes at Wengen, Lauberhorn. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Wengen, a holiday resort at the foot of the Junfrau summit and overlooking the Lauberhorn valley, is a perfect example and could be considered the Federer of skiing destinations, featuring a family-friendly skiing and rambling area that lets you explore the Mannlichen mountain and the Kleine Scheidegg pass.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-recommendation-cool-winter-experiences/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keep cool with winter experiences</a></p> <p dir="ltr">This applies not just to Roger Federer in a grand slam final, but also as a motto for icy winter experiences.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Embrace Switzerland’s wintery experiences at Albula Skateline. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">From ice skating through the forest and exploring ice palaces to winter kayaking and ice fishing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Switzerland – especially during the chilly months.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">3. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-recommendation-optimal-recovery/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soak up the views from a thermal bath</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Elite athletes like Federer aren’t the only ones who can benefit from taking time to recharge, and a rejuvenating dip in a thermal bath can be the perfect way to round out a day of skiing.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Relax and enjoy the whirlpool of the Tamina Therme. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Bad Ragaz, nestled at the foot of the Pizol mountain in the St Gallon Rhine Valley, has a long tradition as a health spa. Today, its status as a wellness resort means you can still enjoy the warm, healing waters, as well as all the luxe benefits of its top-class hotels. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">4. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-choice-best-of-swiss-nature/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Embrace the natural beauty</a></p> <p dir="ltr">With recharging in mind, exploring Switzerland’s bountiful natural environments allows you to pause, take a deep breath, and take a break from fast-paced daily life. </p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Explore Switzerland’s wild side and take in the stunning views. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">To retreat even further away from your day-to-day stresses, head to the village of Bettmeralp.</p> <p dir="ltr">Only accessible by cableway, this car-free village boasts a family friendly holiday resort with plenty to do in both summer and winter.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">5. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-choice-city-experiences/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Take in some culture</a></p> <p dir="ltr">As a melting pot of cultures and four different languages, Switzerland’s cities have their own unique charms and histories.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native5.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The mediaeval Chapel Bridge is just one of the unique landmarks you’ll find in Lucerne. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, is one such place that celebrates its culture and history. You’ll find Europe’s oldest covered bridge, complete with mediaeval paintings, and the futuristic Culture and Convention Centre – a hub for cultural events all year round.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">6. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-recommendation-a-trip-to-the-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Head to new heights</a></p> <p dir="ltr">With a career full of highs, it should be no surprise that Federer loves his home country’s mountain peaks and their world-class views. And – much like winning at Wimbledon – reaching the top of the Swiss peaks is an adventure in itself.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native6.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">For instance, heading to the monastic village at the top of Engelberg-Titlis will see potential visitors travel by both gondola and the world’s first revolving cable car.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">7. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-choice-hiking-trails/?utm_source=latte&utm_campaign=rf_bra_21_au&utm_medium=display&utm_content=rf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Partake in Switzerland’s national pastime – and no, it’s not tennis!</a></p> <p dir="ltr">When Federer isn’t playing tennis, he enjoys the famous Swiss pastime of hiking. </p> <p dir="ltr">But potential visitors shouldn’t pin their hopes on running into him, as Switzerland is home to more than 65,000 kilometres of hiking trails.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native7.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Explore Switzerland by foot and enjoy the view. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The trails also let you soak up Switzerland’s picturesque views, with those around the village of Kandersteg boasting panoramas of the peaks of Blumlisalp Massif.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">8. <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/roger-federers-choice-the-best-of-switzerland/rogers-choice-hidden-gems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find some hidden gems</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Opting for the road less travelled rather than heading to tourist hotspots is the ultimate way to have a unique holiday experience – and Federer’s bucket list of diverse Swiss villages to visit is bound to offer an experience unlike any other.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/swiss-native8.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Morcote is one of the most frequently photographed places in Ticino, and it’s not hard to see why. Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Morcote, a former fishing village, is a perfect example, offering jaw-dropping views of Lake Lugano that saw it be named the most beautiful village in 2016. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Tourism Switzerland</em></p> <p dir="ltr">For all of these incredible experiences and more to help create the trip of a lifetime – and memories that will last a lifetime – check out ​​<a href="http://myswitzerland.com/roger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MySwitzerland.com/roger</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em><strong>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Switzerland Tourism</a>. </strong></em></p>

International Travel

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Prince Andrew settles debt on Swiss chalet ahead of potential sale

<p dir="ltr">Prince Andrew has settled the outstanding debt on his seven-bedroom Swiss ski chalet, potentially enabling him to sell it in order to finance his court costs.</p> <p dir="ltr">The previous owner of the £17 million home in Verbier had taken the Prince to court after he allegedly failed to pay the final installment. However, Isabelle de Rouvre recently told the<span> </span><em>MailOnline,<span> </span></em>“The war is over. He has paid the money.”</p> <p dir="ltr">That could mean that last week’s trip to the chalet by ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters Beatrice and Eugenie could be the last time the family visits.</p> <p dir="ltr">Multiple reports have said the Duke of York wants to sell the property in order to raise money for his legal battle with Virginia Giuffre, who is suing Andrew for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager, and who is seeking unspecified damages, which could amount to millions of dollars. The Queen has reportedly refused to fund any court bill or potential settlement, forcing Andrew to find the money himself.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s thought that Andrew paid between £17 million and £18 million for the chalet in 2014, agreeing to pay in installments. £13 million came from a mortgage and the rest was to be paid in cash, but de Rouvre, a French socialite, accused them of not paying the final £5 million in 2019, and took the issue to court, seeking payment as well as £1.6 million in interest. The total amount sought by Ms de Rouvre worked out to roughly $12,477,522AUD.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms de Rouvre told the<span> </span><em>MailOnline,<span> </span></em>“I sold it two months ago, or was it one. Maybe six weeks ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anyway, I sold it to the Yorks and we made an agreement. That is the end of the story thankfully. The war is finished. It is the end of the matter. I have nothing to do with it now. That’s all.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know what they are doing now. They were here at Christmas but I only know that because I read it in the press. I did not see them. So Happy Christmas and that’s that. The end.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The sale of the chalet would leave Andrew owning no property in either the UK or abroad.</p> <p dir="ltr">The duke is awaiting a ruling from Judge Lewis Kaplan on whether he will face a full civil court case over the allegations, which he has consistently denied. His legal team has argued Ms Giuffre waived her right to sue when she signed a $500,000 settlement agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in 2009.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

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Switzerland offers message of hope to Aussies by projecting flag on mountain

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Australia’s national flag has been projected onto the Swiss Alps in a message of hope from Switzerland during the global coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>It was projected early in the morning onto Mount Matterhorn on Thursday, local Swiss time.</p> <p>The mountain is 4,478 metres high and overlooks Zermatt, a town in southern Switzerland.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Australia is having a hard time with the bush fires and now the Coronavirus. Today we think of the Australian people and send hope and courage to get through the crisis well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Australia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zermatt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zermatt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Matterhorn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Matterhorn</a><a href="https://t.co/qFjiKuZNsE">https://t.co/qFjiKuZNsE</a> <a href="https://t.co/qFKgakRlbp">pic.twitter.com/qFKgakRlbp</a></p> — Zermatt - Matterhorn (@zermatt_tourism) <a href="https://twitter.com/zermatt_tourism/status/1253312079852900355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Daniel Luggen, spa director of Zermatt-Matterhorn, said the projections are a message to the rest of the world.</p> <p>"Since almost a month, we're illuminating every night the Matterhorn with different symbols, to give the people hope and show our solidarity to the world," Mr Luggen said in a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday evening, Australian time.</p> <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fzermatt.matterhorn%2Fposts%2F10157945339765605&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=552&amp;height=503&amp;appId" width="552" height="503" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> <p>The projections are a project by light artist Gerry Hostetter and are meant to say “thank you to all the people working hard during this crisis”.</p> <p>"It's empty and quiet in Zermatt and that makes us sad, but soon we look forward to (having) you back here," Mr Luggen said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

International Travel

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“Did not come early enough”: Swiss doctor scolds Aussie coronavirus response

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>A Swiss doctor looked at his Italian neighbours and prepared for the likely spread of coronavirus through his region of Ticino, Switzerland.</p> <p>Paolo Ferrari also monitored the situation of his wife’s country, Australia, and his final verdict is stern.</p> <p>He believes measures to stop spreading the virus are too late and that Australian hospitals must hurry to increase capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.</p> <p>"The containment measures did not come in early enough, you heard new measures every day, but you still had cruise ships coming in with people that are positive and disembarked," Paolo Ferrari told AAP.</p> <p>"One person can infect 3500 people within five days and each one of those 3500 can infect as many other people. So, what you see now is just a tip of the iceberg of how far in the community the virus has spread."</p> <p>Under the advice of Professor Ferrari, Ticino grew its intensive care capacity ten days before it even had a positive case. The region now has about 300 cases and is expected to peak in two weeks time.</p> <p>"You will have way more patients requiring hospital admission that you would have had if the measures had been introduced early enough," he said.</p> <p>"So the only way now to be able to care for those patients is to create those beds that are not there."</p> <p>He argues that early intervention was key in countries that have managed the pandemic so far, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.</p> <p>Professor Ferrari says that Singapore learnt from the SARS virus outbreak 17 years ago, which is an idea that’s supported by Flingers University Professor Michael D Barr.</p> <p>"In 2003, I watched the epidemic unfold day by day and felt the initial response was hopeless, until at least halfway through the crisis," Prof Barr said to<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/aust-shutdown-came-too-late-says-swiss-doc/news-story/7e36507a062ceff74ba4a71938f95a02" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p>"Ad hoc, inconsistent responses at that time now remind me of how Australia's political leaders are behaving during the current COVID-19 crisis."</p> </div> </div> </div>

International Travel

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Roger Federer responds to Greta Thunberg criticism: “I am misused”

<p>Tennis veteran Roger Federer has responded mounting scrutiny regarding his controversial partnership with Swiss bank Credit Suisse after he was criticised by Greta Thunberg last month.</p> <p>In January, a group of climate activists raided a Credit Suisse office in Switzerland to protest against the bank's investments in fossil fuels.</p> <p>The dozen of activists began to play tennis in a stiff call-out to Federer as they urged him to cut ties with the institution which they claim has provided over $85 billion to companies searching for new fossil fuel deposits.</p> <p>Brandishing banners read: "Credit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?"</p> <p>Thunberg would soon retweet the initial post from 350.org, asking Federer to "wake up now".</p> <p>That gave birth to the hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow which was quick to begin trending on Twitter.</p> <p>Prior to the Australian Open the 38-year-old had touched on the incident claiming that he was open to "innovative solutions" to climate change and discussing "important issues" with Credit Suisse.</p> <p>"I take the impacts and threat of climate change very seriously, particularly as my family and I arrive in Australia amid devastation from the bush fire," Federer said in a statement to<span> </span>Reuters.</p> <p>But before his charity exhibition match against Rafael Nadal in South Africa over the weekend, the Swiss Maestro doubled own on his stance, and argued his persona was being leveraged.</p> <p>However before he began his charity exhibition match against Rafael Nadal in South Africa over the weekend, he argued his personal was being leveraged.</p> <p>"I am sometimes misused for certain purposes," Federer told Swiss publication<span> </span>Tages Anzeiger.</p> <p>"When I help one person, I am criticised for not doing it with others. I have reached a point where I have to think carefully about what I am doing.</p> <p>"But I also have to be able to overlook criticism. I can't be everywhere, I can't do everything. I am also a father and tennis player.</p> <p>"I am aware that I can make a difference, take the microphone and address certain things. But I can't do that all the time.</p> <p>"It is important that you choose the right things at the right time and get your message across in a fair way. Not by attacking others.</p> <p>"I know I can make a difference with my popularity. For others, for the planet, for the animals. And I think it's good what has recently been raised about collective consciousness."</p> <p>Federer’s charity initiative at Cape Town Stadium was to raise money for the <em>Roger Federer Foundation.</em></p> <p>His organisation supports early childhood education in six African countries.</p> <p>The foundation was hoping to top $US1 million from the exhibition. It raised a whopping $US3.5 million.</p>

TV

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Inside Princess Mary’s secret Swiss chalet listed on Airbnb

<p>Pictures of the “secret” Swiss home belonging to Australian-born Princess Mary and husband Prince Frederik have emerged after it was revealed the couple had rented it out to travellers in the past.</p> <p>According to<em> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/princess-mary-in-airbnb-scandal-over-sky-chalet/news-story/09c4aa604c005cc91758a335f8818994" target="_blank">Herald Sun</a></em>, the Danish royals are said to have let the luxe ski chalet in Verbier, Switzerland for $14,000 a week (65,400 Kroner) on Airbnb.</p> <p>The spacious wooden lodge, which features a lux sauna, three bathrooms and a room for up to 10 guests, has been in possession of the Tasmanian royal and her hubby for over a decade.</p> <p>It was recently discovered that the property was rented out on Airbnb, which disrupted the blissful bubble their supporters living in Denmark had been in, as reported by<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/denmark/denmarks-crown-prince-couple-cancels-further-hidden-income-from-private-ski-lodge-136554/" target="_blank">Royal Central</a>.</em></p> <p>“I was very surprised when I found out that the family does not just have such a house, they have had such a house for 10 years, without any ordinary Danes knowing about it,” parliamentarian Mai Villadsen said.</p> <p>“We are the ones who pay the money so we must know about the house,” she added.</p> <p>The Danish royals live on a public allowance and are not allowed to spend money on foreign assets - such as a Swiss ski chalet - without approval.</p> <p>Conservative member of parliament Birgitte Bergman, shared a different opinion to Ms Villadsen, saying she didn’t see “anything wrong” with the pair owning the home.</p> <p>Following the backlash, the Royal Court released an official statement stating the couple had both dipped into their own funds to purchase the property but would no longer accept revenue by renting it out.</p> <p>“Now it is no longer an anonymous property, so the conditions for rent are no longer the same,” the family’s communications manager said.</p> <p>“In addition, for the Crown Prince Couple, this makes a difference compared to the possibility of having some privacy. In addition to that, there is also a safety aspect.”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see the "secret" Swiss chalet. </p>

Home & Garden

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Go tell it to the mountain: A Switzerland adventure

<p>There aren’t many countries where you can sit in the spot where it all began. Relaxing in a small meadow on Lake Lucerne’s shores, however, I can make that claim for Switzerland. Here on this patch of grass on 1 August 1291, representatives of three small alpine valleys got together and signed a pact from which modern Switzerland emerged. August 1 is now a national holiday, and the meadow’s name, Field of Rütli, resonates through Swiss history.</p> <p>True, I don’t find much happening in Rütli these days, but it’s a fine place for a picnic and a good location to start an exploration of the Swiss heartland around Lake Lucerne, where history and scenery are equally dramatic. It’s also the spot to start my hunt for William Tell, the local lad who fought for freedom and became the world’s most famous Swiss.</p> <p>I arrive from Lucerne by steamer on an astonishingly scenic ride down its lake, embraced in mountains. My aim is to walk parts of the 36-kilometre Swiss Path, created for the 700th anniversary of Switzerland. With Swiss precision, the pathway is divided into segments representing its 26 cantons. As I walk, signs informs me when each canton joined the confederation, and gives a background to their history. It’s a lovely walk, the path sometimes talking to footbridges across streams and tunnels through cliffs. The landscape is surprisingly wild and rugged: quite the contrast to the bourgeois prettiness of downtown Lucerne.</p> <p>The following morning, a yellow postal bus deposits me back on the Swiss Path at Altdorf, a pleasant town of cobbled squares, painted houses and elaborate shop signs. A twist of bread marking a bakery directs me to a scrumptious almond croissant. Altdorf is the birthplace of William Tell, whose statue I find at the base of a medieval tower. The hero stands with his crossbow over his shoulder, his arm around his son. The monument marks the place where Tell was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head by Gessler, an arrogant Hapsburg overlord.</p> <p>As I walk onwards, the valley narrows and the cliffs close in. Steep ups and downs challenge my lungs and knees. There’s only enough flat land to support a few villages under towering snow-capped peaks. It’s a rewarding hike to the Tell Chapel along the lake’s shore, which is painted with scenes from Tell’s life. It was from this spot that the hero supposedly leapt from a boat taking him to captivity. Tell fled into the forest and later shot Gessler dead with his crossbow, sparking Swiss independence.</p> <p>Nearby Schwyz sits high above Lake Lucerne in a wide valley of cherry orchards surrounded by snowcapped mountains. This now-quiet backwater canton gave its name and flag to Switzerland, and became famed for its mercenaries, who returned to build the impressive townhouses. The Town Hall is exuberant: cherubs hang over every window and frescoes depict historical battles.</p> <p>In contrast, the Federal Archives are kept in an ultra-modern, concrete building on the edge of town. I drop by to see the original Oath of Alliance signed at the Field of Rütli. Other proclamations mark the adherence of new cantons to Switzerland, each becoming increasingly ornate with ribbons and wax seals. Few countries in the world have such delightful birth certificates.</p> <p>Back by Lake Lucerne, I follow the road to Gersau. Improbably, this was once the world’s smallest republic, independent from 1390 to 1817. At Vitznau I enjoy modern evidence of Switzerland’s fighting spirit at Mühleflüh Artillery Fortress, decommissioned in 1998. I enjoy a scramble through underground bunkers to inspect barracks, kitchens and artillery batteries beneath fake rocks.</p> <p>From here, legs weary, I take to the rack railway up Mt Rigi, and the views become ever more expansive around each dizzying bend. Lake Lucerne shrinks to a puddle and a 200-kilometre range of jagged snow peaks emerges on the horizon. Though less glamorous than more famous viewpoints near Lucerne, such as the James Bond movie setting, Mt Pilatus, Rigi provides a landscape to make my soul sing. Even the cows seem to pause in their chewing and bell-clanking to contemplate the scenery that plunges below their flowery pastures.</p> <p>At the western end of the lake I’m back to base at Lucerne, whose old town straddles the Reuss River and looks onto the yacht-studded lake and panorama of alpine peaks. In 1332, Lucerne became the first big town to join the alliance of alpine cantons. It’s crammed with old guild houses, baroque churches and ornamental fountains. I study a cartoon-like account of its history on the painted panels that line its famous symbol – a covered wooden bridge. One shows William Tell with his crossbow at the ready. The timeline shows me something that I’ve already gathered: Switzerland has a birthplace, a proper birth certificate, and a mythical founding father, providing a story to delight me.</p> <p><em>Written by Brian Johnston. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/switzerland-adventure-go-tell-it-to-the-mountain/">MyDiscoveries.</a> </em></p>

Cruising

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Why every Australian must take this panoramic train trip

<p><span>From the green Alpine pastures to the bold urban districts, there is a lot to see in <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/destinations/holiday-destinations-in-switzerland.html">Switzerland</a>. Every corner of the mountainous Central European country packs a surprise that every traveller can appreciate. </span></p> <p><span>Taking a train trip is a convenient way of getting around to see everything the nation has to offer. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland combines eight different lines throughout the country, covering a total of 1,280 kilometres of travel across Swiss’s diverse highlights that you can explore with a <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/swiss-travel-pass.html">single ticket</a>.</span></p> <p><span>Here are the reasons you should hop on the train to enjoy the best of Switzerland.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Personalised trip</span></strong></p> <p><span>The train tour, which runs all-year round, is easily customisable – you can start at any point and go in whichever direction you’d like. </span></p> <p><span>When in doubt, you can follow the popular suggestion to depart from Zurich, the country’s largest city and one of the most stylish European metropolises. Wherever you are beginning, the integrated train network makes it easy to go places.</span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qCxSEDlc21s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><span>Exploring the destinations off the train is also made easy, thanks to the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass. Besides train travel, the pass also gives you access to buses, boats and public transportation in most areas, as well as free admission to over 500 museums and discounts to excursions – you can pick and plan your itinerary as you please.</span></p> <p><span>Prefer to sit back and have somebody else deal with the details? Go for the <a href="https://www.switzerlandtravel.com.au/grand-train-tour-of-switzerland">9-day rail adventure package</a>, which includes must-have experiences and overnight stays in some of the most famous Swiss cities and resorts with all the nitty-gritty taken care of.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Great destinations, spectacular sceneries</span></strong></p> <p><span>On the <a href="https://grandtraintour.myswitzerland.com/en/">scenic rail journey</a>, you can enjoy a variety of glorious landscapes in every route. If you’re starting from Zurich, take a day to stroll around – the global banking and finance centre is full of urban charms, with numerous museums and art galleries, as well as hip riverside bars.</span></p> <p><span>From Zurich, there are two directions – you can go up north, passing Europe’s largest waterfall the Rhine Falls to arrive at the medieval old town of Schaffhausen. Then you can continue the journey through the Rhine river that stretches out to the beautiful Lake Constance, and find yourself at St Gallen, the gateway of the Alps, at the end of the line.</span></p> <p><span><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825983/swis5-stsy9923.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/33cff19d2ca748f0be068f6b8e183909" /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>'Dragon Ride' between Fraekmuendegg and Pilatus with a spectacular view of Lake Lucerne. Credit: swiss-image.ch/Urs Wyss</em></p> <p><span>Otherwise, you can take a trip down south to Lucerne, a city situated by the lakeside amid spectacular mountainous panorama, and continue from thereon to Interlaken, the gateway to the “Top of Europe” Jungfraujoch. Afterwards, the train follows the banks of Lake Thun before heading into the Simmental, where green Alpine pastures, flowering meadows and traditional villages can be seen from the train. From this point, you can expect the postcard view of Switzerland – alpine forests and mountain villages – until you get into a tunnel to emerge in the vineyards of the Lake Geneva region and arrive shortly in Montreux.</span><span></span></p> <p>Following that, Zermatt is the next destination. The resort lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. Its touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world's most famous mountain. The village is all car-free, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825982/swis6-stsy9950.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/410affc08fd2466e8b19895529385cdb" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Gornergrat Train Zermatt, Valais. Credit: swiss-image.ch/</em></p> <p><span>Once you’re done and dusted, hop on the “slowest express train in the world”, the Glacier Express to St Moritz. Follow up with Bernina Express to enjoy one of the continent’s best scenic rail journeys through UNESCO-protected landscapes to the borders of Italy.</span></p> <p><strong><span>All in one tour</span></strong></p> <p><span>Whatever you are looking for in Helvetia, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland can get you there. Travelling independently and enjoying all the tourism highlights, from picturesque sceneries to cultural sites and urban centres, have become more convenient and seamless than ever.</span></p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery above to see more stunning images of Switzerland's Grand Train Tour. </span></p> <p><span>Will you be visiting <a href="https://www.switzerlandtravel.com.au/switzerland-travel-brochure/">Switzerland</a> on your next trip? </span></p> <p><em><span>This is sponsored content brought to you in conjunction with </span></em><span><a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/home.html"><em>Switzerland Tourism</em></a><em>.</em></span></p>

International Travel

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Roger Federer's shock admission: “I was an angry person"

<p>Roger Federer has dominated the tennis world since 2003, but he recently reflected on his bad behaviour in an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Roger_Federer/68395/roger-federer-i-was-an-angry-person-on-the-court-as-a-teenager-/" target="_blank">Tennis World USA.</a></p> <p>When the Swiss tennis legend was a teenager, the champion admitted he didn’t have a lot of control over his emotions. </p> <p>Federer explained:</p> <p>"I also had my bad times, I struggled with my temper, I was an angry person on the court and very sad once I lost.”</p> <p>Federer also mentioned that he would ruminate on the mistakes he made whilst he was playing.</p> <p>“I was more always very sad commentating every point I lost and I was like, 'Okay, play today is terrible.'</p> <p>“It took me a long time to get really serious and maybe that's the small regret I have, maybe that I did not realise or react earlier but with all the success I have had, I had a very normal and clear path.”</p> <p>This clear path to tennis success has helped him keep a clear head when it comes to his goals, although the 37-year-old did reflect on how long it took him to break through into the world of tennis.</p> <p>“It took me more time than other players maybe to breakthrough but once I broke through, everything was in place ... I did not become a superstar overnight so I think that helps me today."</p> <p>Federer has just recently won his 101st career title as he won the Miami Open over John Isner on April 1.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvr3WTMg15t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvr3WTMg15t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣‼️😁💥</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/rogerfederer/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Roger Federer</a> (@rogerfederer) on Mar 31, 2019 at 1:02pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Without his tennis idols, Federer might not have had the drive to be where he is today.</p> <p>His two idols were Stefan Edberg when he was growing up and Bjorn Borg later on. This is due to Federer’s coach Peter Lundgren telling stories about Berg.</p> <p>“I heard so many stories from my coach Peter Lundgren and all these great records and what an influential and great person he was for the game of tennis and this is obviously when I started to admire Bjorn as well and everybody who did such amazing things for tennis.”</p> <p>Federer maintains that without these two idols, the world of tennis would be very different today.</p> <p>“I am thankful too because they created the great platform we play in today and I hope I can do something similar for the next generation."</p> <p>With 101 career titles under his belt, Federer is well on the way to inspiring a new generation of tennis stars.</p>

Mind

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5 reasons to travel on Swiss trains

<p>Efficient, excellent and easy to choof along with. Here are five reasons to take the train in Switzerland. </p> <p><strong>1. No need to drive</strong></p> <p>Switzerland’s 29,000-km transport network includes a superb rail system around the country and across the mountains. Travel on premium and panoramic trains for breathtaking Swiss lake and mountain scenery, and easy connections between cities and regions.</p> <p><strong>2. Forget tricky tickets</strong></p> <p>Select from a range of Swiss passes for effortless travel by train (also boat and bus) across Switzerland, with extras including entry to 500 museums. Trains run on Swiss precision time, a minute past the hour/half hour.</p> <p><strong>3. Climb the Alps</strong></p> <p>The Glacier Express, known as the world’s slowest express, crosses the Alps on an epic eight-hour journey over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. The Furka Steam mountain railway trains puff along the same historic route.</p> <p><strong>4. Catch the Chocolate Train</strong></p> <p>Themed Swiss journeys include a first-class trip from Montreux to the Cailler-Nestle factory at Broc. Tip: Easy on the fondue lunch at Gruyeres before the chocolate degustation (just sayin’…)! Cheese-lovers choose the Train du Fromage.</p> <p><strong>5. Superlative Swiss service</strong></p> <p>Door-to-door luggage delivery is available between 20 destinations, so you don’t have to haul bags on and off trains as you travel. Bags can also be checked in at train stations direct to your home destination airport. </p> <p><em>Written by Alison Plumber. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/swiss-trains/">MyDiscoveries</a>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Hiking paradise in the Swiss Engadin Valley

<p><em><strong>The passengers on the train from Chur to Bever thought New Zealanders Justine and Chris Tyerman were crazy… so did those lunching at the top of Muottas Muragl. The Kiwi couple fitted in well however among other outdoor fanatics and aficionados at the trendy, three-star, hyper-modern Bever Lodge, Switzerland’s first hotel built using an innovative modular wooden construction technique.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Flabbergasted at the scenery</strong></em></p> <p>My limited German came in incredibly handy on the day we set out by train from Chur to Bever Lodge in the high Engadine Valley. I recognised the word ‘spät’ which means late, something that seldom happens with Swiss trains.</p> <p>But the ‘drei Minuten zu spät‘ or ‘three minutes late‘ meant we could catch an earlier train to our destination and spend more time in this spectacular mountain region in the canton of Grisons (Graubünden). </p> <p>Joel at the Rhaetian Railway office in Chur had promised the trip, a UNESCO World-heritage-listed section of the world-famous Glacier Express, would be thrilling but I wasn’t prepared to be quite so flabbergasted by the landscape. We never actually sat down in our seats but stayed at the back of the carriage by the door where I could open the windows to take photos without disturbing the other passengers. The countryside flickered past my eyes like the frames of an old-fashioned movie, only in glorious technicolour. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-9396 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Glacier-Express-Logo-Wagen-1024x683.jpg" alt="Glacier Express bar and observation cars" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Switzerland’s famous Glacier Express. Image credit: Justine Tyerman </em></p> <p>We spent the entire two-hour trip leaping from one side of the carriage to the other frantically trying to capture the vertiginously-high viaducts, deep gorges, swirling rivers, turquoise lakes, castle ruins, glorious autumn colours, bright blue skies, majestic mountain peaks and impressive hydro-electric dams. The highlight was the staggering 65m high, 136m long, six-span Landwasser Viaduct between Tiefencastel and Filisur. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-9392 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Glacier-Express.jpg" alt="Glacier Express on the Landwater Viaduct" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Our Glacier Express on the Landwasser Viaduct. Image credit: Justine Tyerman </em></p> <p>There is, however, a serious downside to Swiss train travel. You can't relax, read, sleep, work or even go to the bathroom for fear of missing out another astonishing stretch of countryside. The passengers in the carriage next door thought we were crazy.</p> <p><strong>Lodge conveniently located</strong></p> <p>Bever Lodge is ideally located for those travelling by train or bus – it’s directly across the road from the railway station with a bus stop right out in front.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14241 no-display appear lazyloaded" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Bever-Lodge.jpg" alt="Bever Lodge" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Bever lodge. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Having spent the last few weeks in stately old hotels and resorts with centuries of history, it was refreshing and exciting to stay at this near-new establishment, Switzerland’s first hotel built using an innovative modular wooden construction technique. The components were all prefabricated and then assembled on site. </p> <p>The trendy, three-star hyper-modern lodge opened two years ago and is already a big hit with hikers, bikers and families who are seeking close-to-nature, active, outdoor holidays rather than a life of leisure and luxury.</p> <p>You get a feel for the healthy, sporty vibe of the place as soon as you arrive – there are mountain bikes parked outside, cyclists taking a break in the sunny courtyard or ‘Sunset Lounge’ and hikers with backpacks and walking sticks heading for the mountains. It’s our kind of place. We felt right at home.</p> <p>The location has the added advantage of being just 15 minutes from world-famous St Moritz if you do want a taste of glitz and glam - but without the eye-watering price-tag. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14232 no-display appear lazyloaded" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/St-Moritz-building.jpg" alt="St. Moritz" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>St. Moritz is the ultimate in elegance with a host of boutique designer shops and grand old heritage buildings. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>When we checked in, the very efficient and knowledgeable Andrea at reception gave us excellent instructions about the best hike to do that day and issued us with cards providing free use of all the buses and mountain transport. She also gave us a couple of walking sticks and two tubes of sunblock.</p> <p>Within 10 minutes we had deposited our bags in our lovely, spacious modern suite, changed into our hiking gear and were heading for the mountains with maps and a tourist information app in hand, courtesy of Andrea.</p> <p>With our magical free transport cards, we caught a bus outside the lodge to the Punt Muragl Talstation and enjoyed a thrilling trip up the mountain to Muottas Muragl in the historic 1907 funicular, the oldest in Grisons/Graubünden.</p> <p><strong>Awe-struck… lost for words</strong></p> <p>Sitting in the warm autumn sun at the restaurant having lunch and drinking chilled rosé at 2454 metres surrounded by magnificent mountains, lakes and glaciers brought tears of joy to my eyes and made my heart soar. I was awe-struck . . . lost for words. Our fellow lunchers were bemused at the tears. Perhaps it was altitude sickness. We could see four or five lakes sparkling like a row of sapphires strung on the necklace of the Inn River, and the stunning snow-covered Bernina Massif and the Morteratsch Glacier. Below us, hang gliders were taking off with whoops of excitement and hikers were beaming with joie de vivre on a perfect day in the Swiss alps.</p> <p align="center"><img class="size-full wp-image-14244 no-display appear lazyloaded" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Chris-Justine-Tyerman-Muottas-Muragl.jpg" alt="Muottas Muragl" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Justine and Chris toast a perfect day at the top of Muottas Muragl. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>We didn’t think life could get much better - but then we set off on the 7km Panoramaweg, one of the most beautiful walking tracks on the planet. The path took us around the side of Schafberg mountain, through larch woodlands and across mountain streams beneath the towering peaks of Piz Muralg (3157m) and Piz Languard (3262m). Hikers sitting in the sun outside an alpine hut built of grey stone waved out to us. Their heavy packs suggested they had done a trek far more arduous than ours. Our path was mainly downhill which was a blessing because at this altitude, even the slightest climb had us puffing.</p> <p>We stopped midway for refreshments at the picturesque little Unterer Schafberg mainly for the sheer novelty of coming across a restaurant on a mountain hiking track, a rarity in our home country, New Zealand.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14233 no-display appear lazyloaded" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Unterer-Schafberg-restaurant.jpg" alt="Unterer Schafberg Restaurant" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>The picturesque little Unterer Schafberg restaurant. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>By the time we reached Alp Languard two and a half hours later, it was late afternoon and the air was starting to chill so we caught a chairlift down to Pontresina and a train back to Bever. So easy, so Swiss . . . and free.  </p> <p><strong>Bever Lodge buzzing</strong></p> <p>When we arrived home, Bever Lodge was buzzing with rosy-cheeked guests, fresh from a day in the Great Outdoors. We dined on hearty pumpkin soup with chilli and coconut and tasty Bever Lodge Burgers with country fries and coleslaw - well looked after by charming chef de service Matt.</p> <p>After dinner, we sat by the fire in the cosy lounge before collapsing into our super-comfortable beds.</p> <p>In the morning, refreshed after a deep, restful sleep, we had a closer look at our surroundings.</p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-msonormal">Our spacious, cleverly-designed room was sturdily constructed with pale larch wood-panelled walls and flooring giving it a light, clean, airy, modern look. The lovely tiled bathroom - and one of the best showers I’ve ever experienced - was concealed behind frosted glass decorated with a mountain motif.</p> <p>The floor-to-ceiling windows and doors opened up to allow fresh air to circulate and gave the effect of a balcony but without being outside the room. The view of the Engadine Valley ablaze with autumn colours was mesmerising. In the foreground, stood graceful dwellings with ornately-decorated plaster walls. The grass was clothed in silver from an early frost and the clear sky promised another perfect autumn hiking day. I could hear the tinkling of cow bells in the distance and the rumble of an early train coming down the valley.</p> <p>With plenty of storage space, a flat-screen television, free wifi and an app with all the activities of the area, we lacked for nothing.</p> <p>Practical, well thought-out, aesthetically-pleasing, welcoming and exceptionally comfortable, we felt relaxed and at home in our surroundings.</p> <p>A gym, sauna, massage studio, relaxation and meditation rooms and an all-important well-equipped cycle, ski and snowboard repair workshop were located on the ground floor.</p> <p>The breakfast buffet was varied and extensive with a chef on hand to cook omelettes, scrambled eggs, bacon and tomatoes. The array of fresh fruit, yoghurt, muesli, juices, bread and pastries was mouth-watering.</p> <p>Managing directors and hosts Marco and Johanna Zeller said the lodge was proving very popular with Swiss bikers, hikers and families looking for an active, holiday in one of the country’s most beautiful regions without having to pay a fortune. We were there in late autumn and the 41 rooms were nearly all full.</p> <p><strong>St Moritz the ultimate in elegance</strong></p> <p>Although we were blissfully happy in our own Engadine paradise, a visit to nearby St Moritz was a must – especially when we discovered the card Andrea issued to us on check-in also gave us free use of all the cablecars, buses, funiculars and mountain railways in the world’s ritziest mountain resort. </p> <p>The bus to St Moritz took us along the broad, sunny valley beside the pristine Inn River past the pretty villages of Samedan and Celerina and the historic Cresta toboggan track built in 1884.</p> <p>The town is superbly positioned on the shores of Lake St Moritz and completely encircled by mountains. It’s the ultimate in elegance with a host of boutique designer shops and grand old heritage buildings. Enough said. Volumes have been written about St Moritz.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14224 no-display appear lazyloaded" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/lake.jpg" alt="St. Moritz" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Superbly positioned on the shores of lake St. Moritz and completely encircled by mountains. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Reaching the summit of the highest peak, 3057m Piz Nair, was our aim for the day, a feat we achieved effortlessly by riding two funiculars and a giant cablecar. This mode of transport may be commonplace for Swiss folk but for New Zealanders, it was an enormous thrill, especially gliding above the near-vertical start of FIS Alpine World Ski Championships downhill run called ‘Free Fall’.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14230 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Piz-Nair-cablecar-lakes.jpg" alt="Piz Nair cablecar" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Piz Nair cablecar with St. Moritz and the sapphire lakes</em></p> <p><strong>Mind-boggling view</strong></p> <p>The panorama from the summit was mind-boggling with a myriad of peaks clamouring for attention. Piz Nair, which towers above St Moritz, was shoulder-to-shoulder with dozens of other imposing peaks, all over 3000 metres. At this height we experienced mild altitude symptoms, a gentle rocking sensation like a small earthquake . . . even before our prosecco with lunch.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14235 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/view-from-Piz-Nair.jpg" alt="View from Piz Nair" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p align="center"><em>The view from the top of Piz Nair. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Fit-looking hikers were setting off in all directions while mountain bikers were launching themselves down precipitous, scary-looking tracks.</p> <p>We lingered at the summit, knowing this was our last day in the alps. I even played in a patch of early snow, the last we would see until the southern winter.</p> <p>After much discussion with locals and consulting of maps, we finally set off towards a lake far below us. The top of the track was rockier, narrower and steeper than it looked from above, and there were patches of snow and ice that kept us well and truly focused for a good 30-40 minutes. But the vista was breath-taking and we made it down safely to the funicular station at Corviglia. Looking back up the mountain, we realised we had crossed an enormous rockfall that covered the entire face of Piz Nair.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14225 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/lake-Piz-Nair.jpg" alt="Piz Nair" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>A lake on the track down from Piz Nair. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p><strong>Tranquil Bever</strong></p> <p>We arrived back in Bever in time to explore the idyllic little village with its pretty houses and tall-spired church - so tranquil and peaceful after bustling, self-important St Moritz. Home to 700 people, many of the sturdy four to five-storey dwellings are decorated with exquisite Italian sgraffito art.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-14239 no-display lazyloaded appear" src="https://travelmemo-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Bever-building.jpg" alt="Bever" width="500" height="NaN" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The tranquil little village of Bevers with its pretty houses and tall-spired church</em></p> <p>The ancient technique involves applying layers of coloured plaster to the walls then scratching patterns in it with iron tools. The designs around the windows and huge arched doorways, built in the old days to accommodate hay-wagons, depicted ibex, deer, elephants, horses and bears. It's a tradition in the Swiss Engadine Valley, borrowed from nearby Italy.</p> <p>The houses were built small windows to limit heat loss and deep sills that funnel the light and sunshine into the rooms.</p> <p>We heard wonderful stories about the Fairytale Path that leads through the middle of the Val Bever to Spinas but the daylight faded before we could explore it. Created by local Engadine authors and sculptors, there are six stations depicting scenes from fairytales.</p> <p>That evening, we lounged in the sauna before feasting on delicious Engadine capuns, pulled pork and Thai curry.</p> <p><strong>Special deals – year round</strong></p> <p>Bever Lodge is the perfect base for summer and winter sports, and Marco and Johanna Zeller, who know every corner of the Engadine, are delighted to share their secret spots with guests. </p> <p>In the winter there’s limitless scope for alpine skiing and snowboarding, snow-shoeing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing and tobogganing, and in the summer there’s a vast network of hiking and biking trails right on the doorstep.</p> <p>The lodge also prides itself on an-house bike coach with personal touring suggestions and insider tips, not to mention a lockable, video-monitored bike room, workshop and spares. And they throw in a free laundry service for biking and hiking clothes.</p> <p>Marathon runners and athletes train here too, taking advantage of the Engadine Valley's 1700m altitude and dry alpine climate with 322 days of sunshine every year. Swiss athletes trained here nearly 50 years ago for the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.</p> <p>The lodge has some great deals for cost-conscious holiday-makers.</p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-msonormal">In winter, if you stay at Bever Lodge longer than one night you can buy the Hotel Ski Pass for 38 Swiss Francs ($56NZ) a day –  for instance, if you stay five days, you can book the pass for five days. That’s roughly half the price of the average lift pass in New Zealand . . . and for this you can access 350km of perfectly-groomed pistes, three snow parks, 56 mountain lifts and 34 mountain restaurants. There’s also a free ski bus on the doorstep and a train station across the road.</p> <p>And in spring, summer and autumn, a similar deal applies. Guests who stay at the lodge for two nights or more get free use of public transport, funiculars and cablecars.</p> <p>From 190 Swiss Francs for a double room, ($275 NZ) Bever Lodge is comparable if not cheaper than hotel accommodation on the fringes of New Zealand’s top holiday resorts. Excellent value for money.</p> <p>Who says Switzerland is expensive!</p> <p><strong><em>Written by Justine Tyerman. </em></strong></p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-m7149461699139407776p1"><em>* Justine and Chris Tyerman stayed at Bever Lodge in Bever, Switzerland: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.beverlodge.ch/" target="_blank">www.beverlodge.ch</a></strong></span></em></p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-m-8124531875553392154gmail-m-2224420815876639875gmail-m3141362298482917753gmail-msonormal"><em>* Switzerland Tourism: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/" target="_blank">www.MySwitzerland.com</a></strong></span></em></p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-m-8124531875553392154gmail-m-2224420815876639875gmail-m3141362298482917753gmail-msonospacing"><em>* Swiss Travel Pass: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/rail" target="_blank">www.MySwitzerland.com/rail</a></strong></span></em></p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-m-8124531875553392154gmail-m-2224420815876639875gmail-m3141362298482917753gmail-msonospacing"><em>* Rail Europe: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.raileurope.com.au/" target="_blank">www.raileurope.com.au</a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.raileurope.co.nz/" target="_blank">www.raileurope.co.nz</a></strong></span></em></p> <p class="gmail-m6272848758373915986gmail-m-8124531875553392154gmail-m-2224420815876639875gmail-m3141362298482917753gmail-msonospacing"><em>* Swiss International Air Lines: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.swiss.com/ch/en" target="_blank">www.swiss.com/ch/en</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em>Republished with the permission of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://travelmemo.com/" target="_blank">Travelmemo.com</a></strong></span></em></p>

International Travel

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Meet the 64-year-old winner of Swiss alpine MasterChef

<p>New Zealand travel writer Justine Tyerman meets Iris Riatsch, the winner of Landfrauenküche, the Swiss alpine version of MasterChef, who shares the recipe for her famous nut tart.</p> <p>High in the lush green meadows of the beautiful Engadine, I met a famous chef and television star. I was visiting an organic farm in Vnà, a tiny alpine village of 50 people near the town of Scuol in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.</p> <p>The farmer, Fadri Riatsch, showed us around his impressive farming operation, where his cows and pigs are treated like royalty, after which we sampled a delicious array of richly flavoursome alpine cheese and salami made from his cows’ milk and meat, and locally-brewed beer.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7264900/image-3_500x333.jpg" alt="Image 3 (1)" width="500" height="333" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Vnà is a tiny alpine village near Scuol in the Lower Engadine in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Fadri then introduced us to his mother, Iris Riatsch, who was helping his wife Daniela to serve the food. Iris just happened to be the winner of the Swiss Rural Woman of the Decade, a hugely popular MasterChef-type television show featuring country women and their recipes.</p> <p>Iris was a delightful, modest lady of 64 who radiated warmth and good health. She spoke little English but our guide explained that she had won the annual competition many times and this year took the top prize at the 10th anniversary of the show.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7264901/image-1_498x245.jpg" alt="Justine 1 - Hero" width="498" height="245" /></p> <p align="center"><em>Fadri’s richly flavoursome alpine cheese and salami, and locally-brewed beer. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Ten episodes of the show were filmed in her own kitchen in Vnà so she has become accustomed to working under pressure in front of television cameras.</p> <p>Originally from Zurich, Iris has lived at Vnà for 40 years and has a very close bond with the land. She keeps a large organic garden and attributes her success in the competition to the relationship she has with all the ingredients she uses in her recipes.</p> <p>“It’s very important for me to know where the food and flavours come from — I grow all the vegetables and herbs I use in my recipes here in my own garden,” she says standing amid huge cabbages, potatoes, leeks, peas, brussel sprouts, carrots, spinach, artichokes and herbs.</p> <p>The meat and dairy products she uses come from Fadri’s farm and the venison from her husband Domenic’s hunting expeditions.</p> <p>Iris loves to cook but keeping the Engadine recipes alive is the main motivation for entering the competition. Many are traditional recipes she learned from her mother-in-law.</p> <p>Her winning entry was a venison schnitzel dish with juniper berry sauce followed by a nut tart which has become quite famous.</p> <p>Switzerland’s second biggest supermarket chain is promoting Iris’s recipes and her nut tart is marketed under her own name as ‘Iris Engadinerli’.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7264902/image-4_498x280.jpg" alt="Image 4" width="498" height="280" /></p> <p align="center"><em>The main course in Iris's winning entry was a venison schnitzel dish with juniper berry sauce. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>Michelin-star chefs are now lining up to learn from her.</p> <p>Mother of four and grandmother of nine, Iris leads a busy life.</p> <p>She runs cooking classes for children and teenagers so that she can pass on the Engadine recipes to the next generation.</p> <p>Like most Swiss, Iris likes hiking so she combines two of her loves in one, cooking for hikers in one of the local alpine huts.</p> <p>She rents out a small holiday flat under her house, a former cheese factory, to travellers who want to get back to nature and experience a week helping out on an organic farm.</p> <p>And she’s an accomplished artist with a studio at her house. She sees food as an art form — ‘creating art on a plate’.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7264903/justine-image-two_498x280.jpg" alt="Justine Image Two" width="498" height="280" /></p> <p align="center"><em>‘Iris Engadinerli’ served with eggnog parfait, fresh berries, peppermint and lavender ice cream. Image credit: Justine Tyerman.</em></p> <p><strong>‘Iris Engadinerli’</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span>:</strong></p> <p><em>For the Engadinerli:</em></p> <ul> <li>150g butter</li> <li>150g sugar</li> <li>1 egg</li> <li>1 pinch of salt</li> <li>300g flour</li> </ul> <p><em>For the filling:</em></p> <ul> <li>300g sugar</li> <li>1 tablespoons water</li> <li>20mls cream</li> <li>250g of walnuts</li> <li>2 tablespoons grated almonds</li> <li>1 tablespoons honey</li> </ul> <p><em>For the berry compote:</em></p> <ul> <li>2 tablespoons liquid honey</li> <li>2 tablespoons orange juice</li> <li>1 vanilla pod</li> <li>400g fresh berries</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p><em>For the Engadinerli:</em></p> <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Cover a flat baking tray with baking paper.</li> <li>Cream the butter and sugar, beat in the egg and mix with the flour and a pinch of salt. Put the dough in a cool place for at least one hour. Form into a thin rectangular shape on the baking sheet, no more than 1cm thick.</li> <li>For the filling, melt the sugar over a gentle heat, stir in a tablespoon of water. Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully add cream, nuts and honey and stir until smooth. Let cool down.</li> <li>Spread the filling on the pastry and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes at 180 degrees. The tart should be baked nice and light brown. Cut into rectangles when it is still warm.</li> </ol> <p><em>For the berry compote:</em></p> <p>5. For the berries, mix honey, orange juice and vanilla in a bowl. Carefully mix together with the berries. Cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Then warm gently in a pan carefully. Do not boil. You want the berries to retain their beautiful shape.</p> <p>* Serve the engadinerli with warm berry compote.</p> <p><em>Justine Tyerman travelled courtesy of Switzerland Tourism <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/" target="_blank">www.MySwitzerland.com</a></strong></span> and stayed at the Belvédère Hotel in Scuol. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.belvedere-scuol.ch/" target="_blank">www.belvedere-scuol.ch</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em>Switzerland Tourism: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/" target="_blank">www.MySwitzerland.com</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em>Swiss Travel Pass: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/rail" target="_blank">www.MySwitzerland.com/rail</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em>Swiss International Airlines: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.swiss.com/ch/en" target="_blank">www.swiss.com/ch/en</a></strong></span></em></p>

International Travel

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This Swiss village is like something out of a fairytale

<p><em><strong>Travel writer Ben Squires spends time in the fairytale-like village of Gstaad.</strong></em></p> <p>Switzerland is a country with no shortage of jaw-dropping views, to the point where it’s impossible to imagine someone visiting without filling three or four SD cards with holiday snaps. That being said, as my train started to approach the station, with the Alps surrounding a rolling, chalet-lade hillside, I knew I was in for something special.</p> <p>My destination was Gstaad, a small upscale resort village in the German-speaking region of the canton of Bern. It’s a major destination for skiers during winter but, as I would soon find out, also has plenty to offer those visiting in summer.</p> <p>Gstaad is a chance to experience the very best of the Swiss countryside, and whether you’re hiking, biking, golfing or visiting the spectacular Glacier 3000, you’ll find no shortage of things to do. With a motto “Come Up, Slow Down”, all it takes is a few breaths of mountain air to forget about the stress of day-to-day life.</p> <p><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40745/gstaad-palace-in-text_500x333.jpg" alt="Gstaad -Palace -In -text"/></p> <p><em>Gstaad Palace. Image credit: Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus</em></p> <p>We stayed at Gstaad Palace, a historic 5-star hotel that’s hosted many famous guests including Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore and Michael Jackson, the last of whom famously offered to purchase the hotel (he was politely declined). Even in comparison to other 5-star hotels the palace really feels a cut above, with attentive staff, luxurious lodgings and the surrounding mountain view creating a superior experience.</p> <p><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40749/walig-hut_500x333.jpg" alt="Walig -hut"/></p> <p><em>Walig Hut. Image credit: Sheila Moser </em></p> <p>If you’re after something a little more rustic, enquire at the front desk about the Walig Hut. This authentic Swiss cabin was first built in 1786, and has only been slightly renovated since. We dined here our first evening, and it has a very charming, dairy farmer-esque vibe. A night in a mountain cabin might seem inferior to a 5-star hotel, but the Walig Hut is cosy, comfortable and gives you a chance to really appreciate the scale and beauty of the Alps. </p> <p>Our next day began with a blissful horse carriage ride through the neighbouring village of Saanen, before we were whisked away by chairlift to enjoy a lunch at Wasserngrat, which at an altitude of 1,920 metres is the highest mountain restaurant in the region. Spectacular panoramic views were accompanied by a performance from a trio featured in the Montreux Jazz Festival.</p> <p><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40750/wasserngrat_500x333.jpg" alt="Wasserngrat"/></p> <p><em>Wasserngrat. Image credit: Ben Squires</em></p> <p>Gstaad Palace’s head chef Franz Fäh put together a five-course menu which showcased some of the best local cuisine and was accompanied by a range of delicious regional wine. Switzerland might not have the same reputation as other countries for its wine but that’s not because it’s not as good. The Swiss just like to keep it for themselves, rather than exporting it (which after you’ve had a glass or two seems completely understandable). </p> <p>If you’re visiting early in July make sure you catch a game of the Gstaad Major beach volleyball tournament. A beach volleyball tournament in the middle of the mountains might seem like an odd prospect but it’s a major event on the competitive calendar and a favourite among spectators and competitors alike. Gstaad is also home to the Swiss Open tennis tournament in late July, where the sand is replaced by a clay court to create an event that undeniably has one of the most spectacular backdrops on the ATP World Tour.</p> <p>We were sad to say goodbye on our last day, but not before the highlight of our visit - breakfast in the mountains with Hélène and Ruedi Wehren, two Swiss dairy farmers. Hélène put on an incredible spread, while Ruedi explained his cheese-making process, which combines traditional principles with a few more modern methods to create a product that really is top of the line. We were lucky enough to sample some (that he’d obviously prepared earlier) and there really isn’t anything like it. You’ll be left considering how you’ll be able to cope with the Swiss cheese on offer at your local supermarket.</p> <p><img width="400" height="600" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40751/dairy-farmer.jpg" alt="Dairy -Farmer"/></p> <p><em>Ruedi hard at work. Image credit: Sheila Moser </em></p> <p>Gstaad will always be a destination that’s most popular in winter. The population typically triples in December months with visitors looking to experience the idyllic Christmas scenery. But even if you happen to find yourself visiting in summer you’ll find plenty to like about this Swiss village, which really is like something out of a fairytale.</p> <p><em>Hero Image credit: Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus</em></p> <p><em>*The writer travelled courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.</em></p> <p><em>Visit <strong><a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/" target="_blank">www.myswitzerland.com</a></strong> for more information about Switzerland.</em></p> <p><em>And visit <strong><a href="http://www.myswtizerland.com/rail" target="_blank">www.myswtizerland.com/rail</a></strong> for the Swiss Travel Pass which allows holders unlimited access to all Swiss public transportation including buses, boats and trains, up to 50% off mountain railways and cableways and free access to more than 500 museums around the country.</em></p>

International Travel

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My fairytale holiday in the Swiss village of Grimentz

<p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. In this piece, she takes us to the history, fairytale village of Grimentz, high in the Swiss Alps. She was so enchanted, she wants to go back in the summer…</strong></em></p> <p>The dull thud of explosives penetrated my dreams, peeling away the layers of sleep. I floundered my way out of feather duvets and pillows so deep, they must have placed the entire Swiss goose population in serious jeopardy.</p> <p>I wondered whether I had accidentally been spirited away to a war zone in the night. My heart pounding as the muffled blasts intensified, I stumbled over a mountain of pillows and peeked out the window to see a blizzard of epic proportions raging outside.</p> <p>High up in the mountains above our cosy chalet, I visualised the heroic ski patrol bombing the steep slopes and wind-blown cornices above the pistes, releasing controlled avalanches before opening the ski area.</p> <p>We had arrived the previous day at the exquisitely-beautiful alpine village of Grimentz, one of a cluster of small settlements in Val d'Anniviers in Switzerland's Valais region.</p> <p>Negotiating the half-hour, narrow, windy road by car from Sierre was an adventure in itself and reminded us of the spectacular but hair-raising Skippers Canyon road near Queenstown.</p> <p>We discovered on the return trip that we had taken the wrong turn-off and driven on a secondary route rather than the main one, but it was worth it for the sheer thrill factor.</p> <p>There was a high degree of trepidation and anticipation as we unlocked the sturdy wooden door to Anne's chalet, booked from New Zealand via the international home swap website, <a href="http://www.lovehomeswap.com" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Love Home Swap</span></strong></a>. We had suffered a few scam attacks (not on the Love Home Swap website, I hasten to add) en route to securing the perfect Swiss chalet so it was a relief to find ourselves ensconced in the most stunning of homes.</p> <p>The luxurious, spacious, five-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home on the top two floors of a traditional Swiss chalet-style complex was even more gorgeous than portrayed on the website. Elegantly-designed with oak floors and enormous cathedral windows in the apex of the steeply-pitched roof, the chalet overlooked the magnificent Val d'Anniviers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35154/in-text-image_498x245.jpg" alt="In -text -image (2)"/></p> <p><em>Looking down on the Val d'Anniviers from the Grimentz ski area. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>What's more, it was just a few steps from the speedy bubble télécabine to the Grimentz ski area, the brand new high-speed cable car linking Grimentz with the neighbouring Zinal ski area ... and Florioz' legendary Après Ski bar owned and run by Claudio Florey, an Italian woodcraftsman loved by all.</p> <p>As I stood on the balcony drinking in the sweet alpine air and the breathtaking mountain and valley panorama, a few wispy snowflakes began to drift down from the silver-grey heavens.</p> <p>Later in the afternoon, as we wandered through the picturesque village, with its sun-blackened wooden granaries on stone stilts, a serious blizzard set in, delivering much-needed fresh snow to the slopes.</p> <p>We took shelter in Restaurant Claire-Fontaine where we feasted on scrumptious raclette (a traditional Swiss tummy-warming potato and cheese dish) and spicy vin chaud (hot mulled wine).</p> <p>By next morning, the weather had miraculously cleared and we had the best blue-sky powder day of our lives. The snow was the lightest, driest fluff you could dream of. We skied every on-piste and off-piste run on the entire mountain until the lifts closed.</p> <p>It was a heady thrill to ski the wide, open, uncrowded, sunny slopes with our adult offspring who can now ski faster and better than their ageing parents... all those years in ski school finally paid off.</p> <p>Having first-class, new ski equipment also made a huge difference to our skiing. The charming Benoit at Val Sports in Grimentz assured us the Dynastar Neva skis he picked out for the females in the family would be perfect ... and they were. A versatile ski designed especially for women, they were soft, light, forgiving and easy to manage. We fell in love with them.</p> <p>In addition to an excellent, efficient, logically-designed network of chairlifts at Grimentz, we were astonished to ride poma and T-bar lifts that turned corners and carried on even further up the mountain just when you expected to unload.</p> <p>And nothing ever breaks down on a Swiss ski field. It would be considered a national disgrace ... unlike elsewhere on our month-long family ski tour.</p> <p>From the top of the Grimentz field, we could see the majestic Matterhorn in the distance, standing aristocratically apart from the dozens of other 4000m-plus peaks.</p> <p>Jets from the Swiss Airforce thundered over us during the day, leaving the sky crisscrossed with vapour trails like a drunken game of noughts and crosses. They kept returning for yet another circuit of the clear blue sky, tipping their wings in greeting to the skiers and the mountains, no doubt as reluctant as we were for the fun to end.</p> <p>Rosy-cheeked and deliriously happy, we stopped off for a glass or two of local wine and beer at Florioz before heading home to our cosy, warm chalet. It was such a novelty for us, as Kiwis, to be within strolling distance of the lifts, supermarket, restaurants, butcher, boulangerie, patisserie, ski shops and the best après ski joint in the village.</p> <p>After luxuriating in hot baths (there were two in the chalet) and cooking dinner in the superbly-equipped kitchen, we fell into our sumptuous beds and slept soundly until the boots of the first skiers walking down to the lift woke us from our blissful slumbers.</p> <p>We had five unforgettable days' skiing at Grimentz, Zinal and neighbouring St Luc in bright sunshine, with few people and the best snow conditions in the alps, thanks to the high altitude.</p> <p>Riding the shiny new cable car linking Grimentz and Zinal was an exciting scenic experience. The huge rectangular capsules can transport 125 people at a time over the steep mountain between the two resorts in just eight and a half minutes. It is the pride and joy of Grimentz-Zinal lift company director Pascal Bourquin. He said the cable car took two years to construct at a cost of $32m Swiss francs, a huge vote of confidence in the future of tourism in the region.</p> <p>For variety, we also rented snow shoes from Benoit and spent half a day hiking the tracks above the village, lunching at the up-market Marais Restaurant, one of many on the mountain. It was a warm zero degrees so we snow-bathed outside in deck chairs until the sun went down.</p> <p>As soon as the skiers and snowboarders headed for the bars or their beds, the mountains became the domain of the snowcats. I loved watching the groomers at work just above our chalet, preparing the pistes for the next day, pushing mounds of snow ahead of them and creating smooth trails in their wake. The powerful lights of the massive machines illuminated the white darkness and the plumes from the snow guns on the lower slopes.</p> <p>I had never heard of Grimentz before I came across Anne's chalet on the Love Home Swap website, and neither had many of the Swiss people we talked to. But this remote, relatively-unknown jewel of a resort turned out to be a highlight of our ski touring adventure in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.</p> <p>The beauty of the village and the mountains, the comfort and convenience of the chalet, the vast scope of the excellent, high-altitude ski areas and the quality of the snow took us completely by surprise.</p> <p>Rather than a house swap which did not suit Anne, we negotiated a points swap whereby she earned points or credits for our week that she can use at other Love Home Swap members' homes anywhere in the world at any time.</p> <p>At the end of our week-long stay, I wandered around the lovely chalet, imagining how it would look in the summer with the light streaming through the cathedral windows, and the doors open wide to the mountains and the valley. I had visions of myself sitting on the balcony in the wooden chair made from a tree trunk, sipping chilled white wine in the sunshine instead of vin chaud by the roaring fire.</p> <p>The name Grimentz does not express the mesmerising effect of the place. Far from being grim as the name implies in English, it is enchanting. It played with my heart and my head, fooling me into a fantasy that it was not really 30-plus hours from New Zealand and that we could pop back in the summer to go hiking and biking ... and sip chilled wine in the sunshine.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Switzerland? Share your travel experiences in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Anne's chalet can be booked through the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.lovehomeswap.com/home-exchange/switzerland/grimentz-stunning-penthouse-ski-duplex" target="_blank">Love Home Swap website.</a></strong></span> For further information, visit <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.valdanniviers.ch/" target="_blank">anniviers.ch</a></span></strong> and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/home.htm" target="_blank">myswitzerland.com.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em>Justine Tyerman travelled in Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.</em></p> <p><em>Love Home Swap assisted with accommodation. Visit <a href="https://www.lovehomeswap.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.lovehomeswap.com</span></strong></a> to view 100,000 properties in over 150 countries.</em></p>

International Travel

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Creating the world’s grandest timepieces

<p>Justine Tyerman is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris. In this piece, Justine immerses herself in haute horlogerie (fine watch-making) in Le Sentier, the birthplace of “grande complication” watch-making in Switzerland.</p> <p>As Vincent Jaton shakes my hand, he smiles charmingly and then surreptiously glances at my left wrist. After a lightning-fast assessment of my modest watch, he makes a judgement of my horological status and I no doubt fall woefully short.</p> <p>He’s a suave individual, the front man and director of the magnificent Espace Horloger (watch-making museum) in Le Sentier, the cradle of “grande complication” watch-making in Switzerland.</p> <p>He confesses he judges people by the watches they wear and says he has a dreadful habit of peering up sleeves to sneak a peek at their time piece. Espace Horloger is Vincent’s brain child, dedicated to Switzerland's watch-making genius. Housed in the former L’Essor watch-making factory, the museum was set up in collaboration with the School of Technology of Vallée de Joux where watch-makers of the 21st century are trained.</p> <p>Vincent has employed his considerable entrepreneurial and design skills to spear-head recent radical renovations at the museum to modernise and broaden its appeal.</p> <p>His aim was to redefine the museum’s vocation, attract members of the public of all ages, and to educate and entertain.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33334/in-text-imate-one_500x375.jpg" alt="In -text -imate -one"/></p> <p><em>A Meuron &amp; Comp carriage clock, made in 1790 in Paris, one of the exquisite watches on display at the Espace Horloger watch museum in Le Sentier. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>He wanted to create a space that would give pride-of-place to training and apprenticeships and above all spread the word about Le Sentier and its watch-making lineage. “Displaying exceptional old exhibits is all well and good,” Vincent says, “but we also wanted to bring them to life with innovative interactive communication.”</p> <p>The end result is an astonishing mix of old and new – display cases housing precious, ornate antique clocks such as an 18th century porcelain clock from Germany, complicated watches like the minute-repeater from Jaeger-LeCoultre and Audemars Piguet, and dazzling über-modern state-of-the-art technology, Ludotemps and workshops where you can design and build your own watch on huge touch screens. Interactive tables allow visitors to learn about the different skills of watch-making and the three fields of applications: movement, watch exterior, decoration and finishing.</p> <p>Visitors can create their own watch design at Espace HorlongerThere’s even a cinema where visitors are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Vallée de Joux, thanks to the startling 3D effects.</p> <p>An excellent movie tells the history of watching-making in the valley, an industry which began in the 17th century when farmers set up work benches in their homes as a means to occupy themselves and make a living during the long snow-bound winter months.</p> <p>Skills were passed on from father to son and the valley, with around 6400 inhabitants and nine villages, became famous as the birthplace of world-renowned mechanical watch-making.</p> <p>The region in the south-western part of the Jura massif is still home to some of the most prestigious brands in the world including Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Blancpain and Breguet.</p> <p>Clued up on the history, I lose myself for a while in the Gideon Albert Jean collection which features timepieces from the 16th to 19th centuries – exquisite table, travel, Gothic and planetary clocks that once graced the homes of the European nobility and wealthy middle classes.</p> <p>Among the hundreds or more modern timepieces on display is the world’s thinnest wrist watch by Audemars Piguet created in 1946, a pop art watch by Andy Warhol and a Reverso watch created by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1931, a model which allows the case to swivel to protect the glass during vigorous sports like polo. Considered a classic of Art Deco design, the Reverso is still manufactured today.</p> <p>Developments in the 20th century saw the marriage of the mechanical and the aesthetic to produce high-fashion watches such as the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet where style is as important as function.</p> <p>And then there are the grande complications, the functions built into watches such as date, month, minute-repeater, grand strike, split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, tourbillion, moon phases and signs of the zodiac.</p> <p>Some complications involve as many as 600 working parts. That’s complicated!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="605" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33335/in-text-image-two_499x605.jpg" alt="In -text -image -two"/></p> <p><em>The legendary Philippe Dufour, the most famous watchmaker in the world. Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p>The legendary Philippe Dufour, one of the most famous watchmakers in the world and a resident of the valley, pops in to see Vincent while we are there.</p> <p>He’s immediately surrounded by admirers who want to quiz him and get a look at the seriously complicated $US100,000 hand-crafted watch on his wrist, custom-made for him by none other than... Philippe Dufour.</p> <p>Fortunately, I have by now taken off my humble watch and slipped it into my travel bag.</p> <p> A somewhat reluctant super-star, 66-year-old Philippe looks like a quintessential Swiss watchmaker and even has one of those eye-glass things in his pocket.</p> <p>Born in the valley, he began his career at the age of 15, and was employed by Jaeger-le-Coultre and Audemars Piguet amongst other famous firms before deciding to produce watches under his own name in 1989.</p> <p>Now one of the most sought-after independent watchmakers in the world, he works alone producing 15 to 18 watches a year by hand on direct commission.</p> <p>His run of 200 Simplicity timepieces took him 12 years to make, the last of which was delivered in 2012. Regarded as a luminary in watchmaking circles, he’s a modest man and a delight to meet.</p> <p>After half a day at Espace Horloger, there’s little you will not know about horology. You will even be sent email details of the virtual watch you created, thanks to the smart technology.</p> <p>“If you love history, heritage and the art of watch-making, you can’t remain indifferent to a place like the Espace Horloger,” says Vincent.</p> <p>“It’s a total immersion experience in the world of the Vallée de Joux watchmaker.”</p> <p>A shop attached to the museum stocks more than 120 books devoted to watch-making as well as reference books and DVDs and souvenirs.  It’s a fascinating place and one of 490 museums in Switzerland that are free to visit with a Swiss Travel Pass.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Switzerland?</p> <p>Justine Tyerman travelled courtesy of <a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/home.html"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Switzerland Tourism</span>.</strong></a></p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2017/01/chocoholic-dream-trip-switzerland/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>A chocoholic’s dream in Switzerland</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/11/why-you-must-visit-switzerland/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>7 excuses to visit Switzerland in 2017</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/09/4-seemingly-boring-cities-worth-visiting/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>4 seemingly boring cities worth visiting</strong></em></span></a></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Strawberries and cream Swiss roll

<p>What better way to welcome the warmer weather than with a delicious, fresh-tasting Swiss roll? This strawberries and cream variation will definitely be a hit with kids and big kids alike.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 10 – 12</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>4 large eggs, at room temperature</li> <li>¾ cup sugar</li> <li>2 tbsp. vegetable oil</li> <li>2 tbsp. buttermilk</li> <li>1 tsp. apple cider vinegar</li> <li>1 tsp. vanilla essence</li> <li>1 cup all-purpose flour</li> <li>1 tsp. baking powder</li> <li>½ tsp. salt</li> <li>170g cream cheese, softened</li> <li>1 ¼ cup cream, whipped</li> <li>½ cup icing sugar</li> <li>½ tsp. vanilla essence</li> <li>1/3 cup strawberry jam</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a Swiss roll pan with cooking spray, cover with baking paper and spray again.</li> <li>Lay a tea towel on a flat surface and sprinkle generously with icing sugar and set aside.</li> <li>Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.</li> <li>Beat the eggs on high for three minutes in a large mixing bowl until pale in colour. Slowly add the sugar, continuing to beat. Add the oil, buttermilk, vinegar and vanilla, beating for another minute. Add the flour mixture and mix until combined.</li> <li>Pour cake mixture evenly into pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.</li> <li>Remove the cake from the oven and immediately flip onto the towel, removing the baking paper. Roll the cake into the towel, starting at the short end. Set aside and let cool.</li> <li>To make the filling, beat the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth, then mix in whipped cream and refrigerate until cake is completely cooled.</li> <li>Unroll the cake and spread evenly over the cake, leaving a 1cm border from the edges. Add the filling and spread evenly over the jam, then roll the cake back up – ignore any spillage.</li> <li>Place the rolled cake on a plate, seam side down, cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.</li> <li>To serve, dust with icing sugar and garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.</li> </ol> <p>What’s your favourite afternoon tea treat? If you have a recipe, we’d love to hear it. Tell us about it in the comments below.</p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook,</strong></em><strong> The Way Mum Made It</strong><em><strong>, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/guilt-free-chocolate-fudge-cake/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Guilt-free chocolate fudge cake</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/coconut-cake/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Coconut cake</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/triple-layer-chocolate-mousse/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Triple-layer chocolate mousse</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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The best way to see Switzerland

<p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris.</strong></em></p> <p>Drifting down a crocodile-infested Ghanaian river in a boat with a broken motor was just the sort of epiphany my young Swiss friend needed to shock him into an appreciation of the transport system he had taken for granted all his life.</p> <p>As we zipped effortlessly and quietly by train through the unbelievably picturesque Swiss countryside, I complimented Rafael, a Swiss-German in his mid-20s, on the punctuality, cleanliness, comfort and efficiency of his country's superb transport system – but to my amazement, he screwed up his nose at my praise and professed feelings of frustration at such a well-oiled system.</p> <p>"It's so well-behaved, so predictable, so... so Swiss," he said.</p> <p>"That's why I went to Ghana last year – to experience a country as different as possible from the perfectness of Switzerland. I wanted chaos and unpredictability."</p> <p>And Rafael got what he was after.</p> <p>"Ghana was über-chaotic, especially the transport," he said.</p> <p>"We were stranded for a couple of hours in a boat on a river before the skipper managed to restart the motor. There were crocs in the water and the boat had seriously low sides. My girlfriend wasn't happy," he said.</p> <p>Then, a few days later, the vehicle they were travelling in broke down and they were marooned in the middle of nowhere for three hours in the extreme heat before a mechanic arrived by bus with a replacement radiator.</p> <p>Rafael said he came home with renewed appreciation and grudging respect for the transport system of his motherland. Such things would never happen in Switzerland.</p> <p>Ah the young, I thought at the time. They always need something to rebel against and in an orderly place like Switzerland, the only thing this charming young man could target was the perfect transport system.</p> <p>So to the rest of the world, for whom gleaming, clean, modern trains, boats and buses that run precisely on time and never break down are a huge novelty and a joy, I say go to Switzerland.</p> <p>And buy a Swiss Travel Pass which allows you to travel on all public transport – trains, boats and buses in 75 towns and cities across the entire country – with no fussing about queuing for tickets or operating vending machines at deserted stations. The Swiss Travel Pass (from three to 15 days) also allows free entry to more than 490 museums and gives holders 50 percent off most of the magnificent mountain railways. There are many options but best of all, children under 16 travel free when accompanied by an adult with a pass.</p> <p>The network of trains, buses and boats is astounding – it's the densest public transport system in the world with over 26,000 kilometres of rail, road and waterway routes. Even the tiniest of villages in the remote countryside and the high alps have rail links. It's the lifeblood of the countryside and enables the Swiss to maintain their village lifestyle and commute to the cities to work. The rail is electric so it's quiet and clean and non-invasive.</p> <p>I quickly became a Swiss rail convert, travelling many of the main lines between towns and cities and the panoramic and mountain routes too.</p> <p>My introduction was the Jura Foot Line which links Basel and Geneva, passing <br />through picturesque vineyards and villages and skirting three sparkling blue lakes as it traverses the rugged, sub-alpine terrain of the Jura Range, including the famous Creux du Van rock formation.</p> <p>Determined to give my pass a thorough work-out, I also travelled by boat from Switzerland's most beautiful baroque town, Solothurn on the River Aare, to Biel on Lake Biel. The afternoon was warm and sunny, so we sat on the top deck of the long riverboat, drinking in the stunning views of the Jura ... and a glass of Swiss chasselas.</p> <p>Hugely confident after just a few days, instead of taking the direct route on my itinerary from Yverdon-les-Bains on Lake Neuchâtel to Interlaken at the foot of the Jungfrau, I opted for the Golden Pass Line scenic route through the Swiss Alps.</p> <p>"It's much longer," said a Swiss transport advisor whose intention was to get me from Y to I as efficiently as possible.</p> <p>"Who cares," I replied.</p> <p>"I don't mind how long I sit on a Swiss train – it's a bonus."</p> <p>Five hours later I disembarked at Interlaken, my nose squashed from having pressed it to the panoramic window of the luxurious carriage for the duration of the impossibly scenic trip through alpine meadows and valleys with soaring, snow-capped mountains and glaciers on either side.</p> <p>The mountain railways are in a league of their own. I travelled the historic Jungfrau Railway which takes passengers from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch at 3454m, the highest-altitude railway station in Europe. The top section of the cog railway climbs through a tunnel in the Eiger and Mönch mountains, an audacious project finished in 1912 after 16 years' construction.</p> <p>The view from the Sphinx Terrace at the "Top of Europe" is quite literally breath-taking and dizzying. At 3571m the air is noticeably thinner and I wasn't sure whether I was suffering a touch of altitude sickness or was just completely bowled over by the spectacular 360 degree panorama of the row upon row of mountain peaks and glaciers.</p> <p>The mountain railways operate all year round and are an essential service, offering the only access to remote alpine ski villages like Kleine Scheidegg.</p> <p>The booking system is effortless too. I went to a ticket office in Grindelwald with what I thought was a nightmare set of connections whereupon David calmly typed in the details and came up with a print-out of all the information I needed to get me from Grindelwald to Berne airport.</p> <p>He confidently assured me that six minutes between trains was exactly sufficient time to go from one platform to the next... and it was. It had been calculated to the millisecond.</p> <p>My next trip is to take the slowest express train ride in the world, the Glacier Express, which meanders through the alps from St Moritz to Zermatt in eight hours, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels. I can't wait.<br /><br />When I retire I plan to buy a <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.raileurope.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Swiss Travel Pass</strong></span></a> and spend the rest of my life travelling Switzerland by train – there are dining cars on many of the trains so I'll be ok for food.</p> <p>Sleep, however, is another matter. The seats are superbly comfortable, but the views are too good to miss... I'll only be able to sleep in the tunnels.</p> <p>Have you travelled on the Swiss transport system before? Share your experience with us in the comments below. </p> <p><em>* Justine Tyerman travelled courtesy of <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.myswitzerland.com" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Switzerland Tourism</span></a>.  </em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/10-best-rated-tourist-landmarks-in-europe-tripadvisor/"><em>10 best-rated tourist landmarks in Europe revealed</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/"><em>10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/tips-for-travelling-in-europe/"><em>5 quick tips for travelling in Europe</em></a></strong></span></p>

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