I have had the pleasure of enjoying the clear lakes, snowy peaks, grassy knolls, and fresh produce of Switzerland for over a year when I lived in Geneva. When I arrived in 2019, I made myself a commitment to learn all I can about the local geography, history, culture, and Read more…
Right on the short of tri-national Lake Constance, Romanshorn is Switzerland’s gem of the lake. It’s no match for Germany’s bustling Konstanz or Austria’s festive Bregenz, but it is an important gateway for the Swiss to enjoy the lake. The ferry pier at Romanshorn is just a stone’s throw away Read more…
After Château de Chillon, Schloss Burgdorf is the second best castle in Switzerland. Construction of fortifications on that hill began in the 11th century by the Kingdom of Burgundy. The was expanded over the centuries by various owners until the 18th century when the precursor to modern Switzerland was formed. Read more…
Burgdorf literally means “castle village,” named after Schloss Burgdorf built on a hill atop the city. Apart from having excellent cheese in the Emmental valley, it also has a representative sample of regional architecture. The castle was built in the 11th century and most of the old town was built Read more…
The Rheinfall is Europe’s most powerful waterfall. It sits in the middle of the River Rhine between the Swiss cantons of Zürich and Schaffhausen. The town of Neuhausen is split by the Rhine and there are three railway stations bearing the name of the town. It’ll be a bit of Read more…
One of the most significant cultural events of the year in Geneva is the Fête de l’Escalade to commemorate the repulsion of Savoyard troops from the Republic of Geneva. In 1602, the Duke of Savoy launched a surprise attack on Geneva and legend has it that a cook was the Read more…
Located in North Central Switzerland, Olten is the average large town you can expect to find in the German-speaking region of the country. When you get off the train you’ll see the River Aare in front of you which can be crossed on the historic Alte Brücke that leads you Read more…
Called Augusta Raurica in ancient Roman times, this city was named after Augustus Caesar. Like Avenches and Brugg, it was the largest city located along the trading route between the Italian peninsula and Alemannia via the Swiss alps. It has one of the most varied (not most well-preserved) variety of Read more…
“Brugg” sounds like the German word for “bridge” and its name came from having a bridge that crossed the River Aare connecting a major trade route between Italy and Germany. The municipality has a little bit of everything, it was founded in Roman times, has a famous monastery founded in Read more…
If a tourist were to look for sites with Roman history, they might think of visiting Italy for entire Roman towns, or going to the south of France for arenas still used for bull fights, or seeing Hadrian’s wall in England, but few think to come to Switzerland to see Read more…