Things to do in the Bern area
Bern - www.bernetourism.ch - UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site - (possibly) ‘the world’s most beautiful and relaxing capital city’ (Rough Guide) - unmatched ambience - named after bears which can still be seen in pits at Bärengraben - 20 minute multimedia show in nearby Tourist Centre - excellent guided tour also available - compact old town close to station - 6 km of medieval sandstone arcades dating from 1405 when previous wooden buildings was destroyed by fire - ‘the longest covered shopping promenade in the world’ - 'a beautiful order, a solidity, a gravity' (Dorothy Wordsworth) - Zytglogge (clock tower) (1530) with display of figures four minutes before the hour - all cantonal road distances are measured from here - ‘gorgeous’ views of River Aare - Gothic sandstone cathedral (1421) with striking depiction of Last Judgement over entrance portal - climb 344 steps (100m) to top of belfry for stunning view - Kunstmuseum (art gallery) - www.kunstmuseumbern.ch - www.paulkleezentrum.ch -largest Klee collection in world - almost half of Bernese artist’s output is here with 3000 paintings and 50000 drawings - Einsteinhaus - where physicist lived between 1903 and 1905 and later wrote ‘The Theory of Relativity’ - over 20 other museums including such diverse offerings as the Salvation Army Archive, Psychiatric Museum, Children’s Museum, Museum of Wildlife and Hunting, National Archives, Rifle Museum and Communications Museum housing world’s largest stamp collection -Tierpark Dahlhölzli (Zoo) www.tierpark-bern.ch - 2000 European creatures in natural woodland - some parts accessible at any time. (BE)
Interlaken - www.interlakentourism.ch - between Thunersee and Brienzersee - venerable Swiss resort and another favoured location for Bollywood films - slightly dull although Alfred Lord Byron was an afficionado - and Mendelssohn: ‘anyone who has not seen the scenery which surround Interlaken does not know Switzerland’ - neighbouring areas are indeed more exciting (note following entries).(BE)
Grindelwald - www.grindelwald.ch - lively town in winter and summer - good views of the Eiger - in winter 213 km of downhill pistes and 20km of cross country trails. (BE)
Lauterbrunnen - www.lauterbrunnen.ch - exceptionally attractive mountain valley - 72 waterfalls including Trummelbach (7 cascades viewed from inside mountain - up to 20000 litres per second ) and 280m Staubbach (on outskirts of village) which Byron likened to ‘the tail of the pale horse ridden by Death in the Apocalypse’. (BE)
Mürren/Schilthorn - www.schilthorn.ch - traffic free ski resort perched on ledge above Lauterbrunnen - highest continuously inhabited village in area - discovered by Victorian tourists in 1840s and birthplace of slalom skiing in 1922 - 16 runs/50km pistes -Inferno Run descends 2150m in 15.8km - Sport and Balloon Museum - dramatic 360 degree views from Schilthorn (2923m) in winter (sometimes) and summer (likewise) – James Bond visited Piz Gloria - world’s first revolving restaurant - on Her Majesty’s Secret Service. (BE)
Wengen - www.wengen.com - another pretty traffic free village at 1274m - reached by train from Lauterbrunnen - perfect skiing and walking country - hosts longest World Cup Downhill ski race annually on Lauberhorn - 4.25km.(BE)
Jungfrau (‘the virgin’) - www.jungfraubahn.ch - 4258m - reached via highest railway station in Europe at 3454m - much of ascent is in 7.12km tunnel - overrated and horrifyingly expensive - good weather essential together with warm clothes stout shoes and sunglasses - 16 per cent oxygen deficit at top - inordinately popular with tour groups - revolving restaurant and Ice Palace - 19m below surface - Aletsch Glacier is longest in Alps - marvel at sight of Europe’s highest Post Office - views of the Eiger (‘the ogre’) - 3970m - and of Münch (‘the monk’) - 4099m. (BE)
Brienz - www.alpenregion.ch - on Brienzersee - ‘best place between Interlaken and Zurich’ (Brienzer publicity literature) - Wood Carving School (Schnitzlerschule) - guided tours available - violin making centre - musical box exhibition at the Jobin Living Museum - Lötscher cuckoo clocks (a German invention) are made here out of 3 year old linden wood - Huggler specialise in nativity scenes - original home of Sbrinz cheese - Switzerland's parmesan - typical Berner Oberland architecture - lovely promenade along lake with good places to eat - paddle steamers on lake - unique steam railway up the Rothorn (2350m) with average gradient of 22.5% - www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch (BE)
Giessbach Falls - Victorian tourist attraction accessible by boat on Brienzersee and funicular - very spectacular - possible to walk underneath. (BE)
Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg - www.ballenberg.ch - Swiss Open Air Museum - open April to October - over 90 traditional buildings to explore - set in wonderful scenery - demonstrations of crafts and regional costumes - 250 animals - restaurants - shops - special events - quite exceptional. (BE)
Get in touch
ZURICH4YOU.chSchutzengelstrasse 57
CH-6340 Baar
+41 41 763 36 66
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