Like many cities, Zurich celebrates New Year with a big firework display.

Held over the lake, it’s a great way to see in the New Year, particularly if you are lucky enough to be able to get onto a roof terrace or balcony with a lake view.

And even if you won’t be here to see it, I hope you enjoy your own New Year celebrations, and have a healthy and prosperous 2009.

Photo: Flickr Toni_V

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Just in case you don’t get a White Christmas of your own, have one from Switzerland.

A very Merry Christmas, or whatever festival you choose to celebrate (or not) to all of TST’s readers.

Photo Flickr ashley stewart noble

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

I’m clearly getting into hotel corridors at the moment. After the recent post on the Riders Palace, here’s another interesting ski and boarding hotel.

The Cube in Savognin is designed to be enjoyed apparently, with a modern lifestyle architecture.

The idea is that most of the time you spend in the htel, you aren’t in your room, and even if you are, a lot of the rooms are for four people so you can still socialize.

The hotel features a wellness area downstairs, and there’s also a climbing wall if you fell like, er, climbing a wall.

There’s a club (the Cube Club) in the basement too,

Spacious communal areas, big TVs. You get the picture…

Savognin itself is not the largest ski area, but it’s big enough (80km of pistes) to keep you occupied and is only 40km from St Moritz should you feel so inclined.

Room prices are from CHF 179 per person including half board and a ski pass, so it seems good value.

http://www.cube-savognin.ch/en/home/

Photo: Flickr Lars Tinner

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Lago Bianco – White Lake.

Except it’s not really white, unless it’s frozen and snow covered. And given that it is 2234m above sea level (over 7000ft) that happens quite frequently.

If you happen to be staying in the Bernina area of Switzerland, you might want to travel along the Bernina Pass and take a look at this little lake. It’s about 1.5 square km, which is less than a square mile, so there’s not masses of walking to get round it, but expect to do some clambering. Remember: sensible shoes…

The pass, which is located in the eastern end of the country, Graubünden (or Grisons) connects the locals with Italy. At least it does in summer. It’s pretty much closed from October to April. Check local reports before setting off!

The lake is at least partially dammed, and has a hydro-electric power station at one end, providing clean electricity to the national grid.

The Bernina Expresses passes close by, so you can get there easily (and very pleasantly) even if you don’t have a car.

Photo: Flickr Lars Tinner

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Ic skating is pretty popular in Switzerland, and in most towns there’s probably an ice-rink near the city centre, or maybe out by a lake or river.

There’s one where I live, one in Zurich, one in Baden, well, pretty much everywhere…

This one is in the Quartier du Flon in Lausanne, the French speaking part of Switzerland, and as you can see, there’s some attractive lighting going on.

You can rent skates at the rink, or even just go and watch while people practice their dancing or hockey moves.

And if you get thirsty, there’s almost always a little wooden hut doing a roaring trade in hot drinks, or something stronger.

Photos: Flickr – g2_gi

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

As a confirmed user of the Zurich Dining Out Guide, I was delighted to discover that there is a new version out for 2009.

On sale as from yesterday, the guide costs CHF 26 which seems like a good investment to me.

Looking through my review copy the biggest changes seem to be the new “organic” section, and the addition of a map. The latter is particularly useful if you are planning to meet somebody, and would like to eat in a quality restaurant nearby.

The guide covers a large number of categories, including: organic, Italian, mediterranean, Asian and, of course, Swiss.

The format is clean and stylish, one page per restaurant, with attractive photos and useful information, including whether restaurants are fully wheelchair friendly.

As you’d expect, information for each eatery covers opening times, location and prices; for various courses as well as for wines by the glass and bottle.

A helpful introduction provides a restaurant vocabulary in German, and a few essential phrases to get you through the meal. If you’re new to Swiss food, there’s an explanation of the major culinary highlights too.

There are over 1000 restaurants in Zurich, and it’s great to have a bit of help with choosing one, so if you’re looking for a guide to some of the best restaurants in the city, look no further.

The 2009 edition has been completely reworked, and of the 100 or so restaurants covered, approximately 20% are new to the guide.

And if you’ve ever been stuck for ideas for gifts, the book would make a great Christmas or birthday present for a friend or loved one that either lives in, or plans to visit, Zurich.

To order, or for more info: www.andes.ch/dining

Photo: andes

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

The main station has a Christmas Market on at the moment, the Christkindli Markt.

It’s full of little wooden huts selling craft items, or food, pretty much all of it of reasonable quality.

But the thing you notice first is the Christmas tree.

Provided by Swarovski, the entire thing (and it’s massive) is decked out with tons of sparkly crystals.

Once again showing that Switzerland is a great place to be wealthy…

Photo Flickr: Brujita

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Starting with a stunning night image: Lomyx 

It, er, snowed: JMVerco 

Schloss Schadau: igw_mike See here for more details.

A chocolate trophy, with the Geneva Canton coat of arms: keepps 

A traditional snowman: epengui

 All pictures: Flickr.

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

I was on my way to work yesterday, and looking out from the railway platform I could see the majestic profile of Mount Säntis across the lake.  Not quite like the picture, but it’s such a fabulous photo I had to use it.

It’s a big mountain, made easier to recognize by the radio masts on top of it. 

Fortunately I find the juxtaposition of technology and nature to be very attractive,  so don’t think it spoils the view.

It sort of looked like this picture above, although this is taken from the Konstanz side, and it’s sunset, rather than sunrise.

But it’s still beautiful, isn’t it?

Photos – Flickr: coyote-agile ghentoo

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

The Riders Palace Hotel in Laax is one of the coolest destinations for snowboarders in Switzerland.

I’ve never bneen there because A) I ski, not board, and B) I’m not cool.

But if you’re into gaming and stuff like that, it’s the sort of place that has a playstation in every room.

And there’s a club where you can throw shapes (or whatever it is that one does these days)  until the early hours.

I’ve just worked out that if you’re the sort of person that’s likely to go there, you won’t want any more info from me, but I hope you like the traffic light corridors…

http://www.riderspalace.com

Photos: Flickr- hannes du plessis and newformula

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler