Tag Archives: switzerland

Index | Tracking the Lion Man

Seeing the Lion Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel at Museum Ulm was a thrill. The journey to Ulm made the experience all the more worthwhile. I reckon the Lion Man is a must-see for anybody keen to experience an overwhelming sense of … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Germany, History, Museums, Switzerland, Tracking the Lion Man, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ulm | Tracking the Lion Man

Continuing on from Baden-Baden, the next stop on my trail was Ulm, Germany – home of the Löwenmensch (Lion Man) of Hohlenstein-Stadel, the reason for my trip. Located roughly halfway between Stuttgart and Munich, this small city in the state … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design, Germany, History, Hotels, Museums, Tracking the Lion Man, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Basel | Tracking the Lion Man

Welcome back to Tracking the Lion Man, a series of posts about my trip to Switzerland and Germany en route to the city of Ulm to view the Löwenmensch (Lion Man) of Hohlenstein-Stadel – a prehistoric sculpture carved out of mammoth … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Design, Drink, Food, Germany, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, Switzerland, Tracking the Lion Man, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tracking the Lion Man

I’ve just returned home from a week away in Switzerland and Germany. The reason for the trip was to have an in-person look at the Löwenmensch (Lion Man) of Hohlenstein-Stadel – a prehistoric footlong sculpture carved out of mammoth tusk on … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Germany, Museums, Switzerland, Tracking the Lion Man, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Beer of 2018

I pour on with my Best of 2018 series to provide a heady brew of the tastiest beers I enjoyed during the past 12 months. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Basel, Beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Cleveland, Drink, England, London, North Carolina, Ohio, Pubs, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel, USA, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Burgers of 2018

Is there anything more satisfying than a big juicy burger? After compiling my list of the best burgers I had this year I’m having trouble coming up with ideas for foods I crave nearly as much. My Best of 2018 … Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Basel, Beer, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Drink, Dublin, Edinburgh, England, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants, Scotland, Switzerland, Tennessee, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Cafes of 2018

Excellent coffee is crucial, particularly when I’m travelling. Having comfortable places to drink it is a big deal too. So are competent and affable baristas. If you can throw in reliable WiFi and an outlet to keep my laptop and phone charged while I drink coffee, you’re golden. This list of three London espresso bars and six more in Chattanooga (Tennessee), Greenville (North Carolina), Köln, Liverpool, Pittsburgh, and Zurich met all my requirements and shined the brightest for me in 2018. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Best of 2018, Best of the Best, Drink, England, Food, Germany, Pittsburgh, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Continental Canine | Swiftly Through Paris and Zurich

Amber was happy to get off the taxi and go for a sniff as well as a much welcome toilet break. We had just over an hour to kill before our TGV and a good chunk of it was taken by queuing at the ticket office to buy Amber’s pass. On continental trains dogs over 10kg and/ or on a lead (as opposed to in a crate) have to pay a fee, usually 50% of a standard second class ticket fare). Continue reading

Posted in Continental Canine, France, Paris, Pets, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Acts at Schaulager, Basel

A comprehensive survey spanning five decades of the American artist’s odd oeuvre, Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Acts is a beast of an exhibition and one I believe is worth a visit to Basel in its own right. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Museums, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Beer of 2017

Last but not least, let’s have a beer. I conclude my Best of 2017 lists with a round up of the tastiest and most intriguing beers I got to drink this year. The world may be falling apart at the … Continue reading

Posted in Basel, Beer, Belgium, Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Drink, England, Food, Italy, London, Scotland, Switzerland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Hotels of 2017

I stayed in a lot of hotels over the past 12 months. Most of them were perfectly adequate, and I wouldn’t be against checking in at them again. A select few far exceeded even my highest expectations and deserve some extra recognition. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2017, Best of the Best, Cook Islands, Hotels, Luxury, Netherlands, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to Basel? Weihnacht!

I spent the last weekend having an especially festive time in Basel – home to Switzerland’s biggest Christmas market and an all round excellent destination for cultured city break. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Beer, Christmas, Design, Germany, Hotels, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, Street Markets, Switzerland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Yodel for Valais | Index

I hope you had fun too reading about my trip to Valais and that my tales may help you plan your own Alpine adventures. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Entertainment, Food, Live Performance, Music, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Alpine Eats!

Before wrapping up my series about all the fun I had in the Valais, I thought I should take a moment to talk about how well I ate and drank while there. Here’s a taste of the best bites and sips from trip. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Restaurants, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel, Wine, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Jodlerfest 2017

So my reason for being in Valais was to experience Jodlerfest 2017 in the town of Brig. And what an experience it was! Continue reading

Posted in Live Performance, Music, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Around Aletsch Arena

The Aletsch Arena is a mountain resort area on the German speaking side of Valias (or, Wallis as they say in German). It encompasses three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. Due to its outstanding natural beauty, it was the first site in the Alps to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. The big draw here is the Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Hotels, Museums, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Cultural Tour of Champéry

First stop on my way to Jodlerfest was the Val d’Illiez village of Champéry on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Hotels, Museums, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais

Jodlerfest is a triennial celebration of Swiss Alps culture and that most melodious of Alpine traditions, yodelling. Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Live Performance, Music, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Jura Food and Drink

Every meal of Voyage de Fromage was an extremely enjoyable experience of saveur locale presented with regional pride and kind hospitality. I can highly recommend the Jura as a delicious destination for even the most finicky of gourmet travellers. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voyage de Fromage: Consider Comté

Consider Comté, an unpasteurised, cow’s milk cheese made traditionally by farmer cooperatives to exacting standards in one of the most beautiful corners of rural France to the delight of gourmands across the globe. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, France, Hotels, Shopping, Travel, Voyage de Fromage, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Restaurants of 2015 (Excluding London)

The tikichris of 2015 series continues with a look at some of the most amazing restaurants I visited this year. Continue reading

Posted in Best of 2015, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Scenic Gruyères, Great Tasting Gruyère (Great British Chefs)

One of Europe’s most iconic cheeses, Le Gruyère AOP is produced in a small Swiss town of the same name. Food writer Chris Osburn recently visited the town of Gruyères to discover what makes this cheese so special. Ah Gruyères, … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Great British Chefs, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HR Giger Museum: Creep Fest in the Swiss Alps (OneTravel)

With Halloween looming and long winter nights setting in, now is perhaps an appropriately eerie time to contemplate a visit to the bucolic and lilting countryside around the idyllic medieval village of Gruyeres in southwestern Switzerland. Not for its crisp … Continue reading

Posted in Halloween, Museums, OneTravel, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Mini Grand Tour: Hit the Road to Pure Swiss Bliss!

It was a pleasure getting to explore a few stops along Switzerland Tourism’s Grand Tour self-driving route to see some of the country’s many “must-see” sights and attractions. In all, the 1,000-mile route takes in five Alpine passes, 22 lakes, … Continue reading

Posted in My Mini Grand Tour, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Mini Grand Tour: A Great Stay in Gruyeres

A most memorable part of my recent visit to Switzerland was the time spent in and around Gruyères. In a lot of ways, the area was an ideal stomping grounds for me. Offering access to amazing art, great regional food, … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Chocolate, Food, My Mini Grand Tour, Restaurants, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Mini Grand Tour: Abbaye de Montheron

Set beside the Talent River within the wooded Jorat Valley (and only about a 15 minute drive outside central Lausanne), the Abbaye de Montheron is an ideal venue for special occasions, dynamic dinners paired with long forest walks, and quick rural retreats without having to put too much of a pause on all that urban luxury just up the road in Lausanne. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Luxury, My Mini Grand Tour, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My (Mini) Grand Tour of Switzerland

The Grand Tour of Switzerland – a new 1,000-mile self-driving route – was launched over the summer by Switzerland Tourism to share the best the Swiss have to offer and highlight “must-see” sights and attractions across the country’s four language regions and along its most scenic roads. The route takes in five Alpine passes, 22 lakes, and 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites while steering clear of motorways wherever possible in preference of country roads and rural byways. Continue reading

Posted in My Mini Grand Tour, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

You’ll Love Looking Around Lausanne & Lake Geneva (OneTravel)

Bonjour, hallo, ciao, and hi! I’ve just returned from one of my favourite European destinations, Switzerland. A highlight of my trip was checking out the sights in and around the lovely lakeside city of Lausanne. Now back home (and craving … Continue reading

Posted in OneTravel, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Restaurants (Everywhere Else) – 2014

Have I ever eaten so well in so many different destinations? Nope. If 2014 was one thing for me, it was a fantastic time of great foodie adventures. When coming up with this list of noteworthy restaurants visited the past year (see my list of London’s best here), I realize I did the bulk of the job of making a list of the best restaurants I’ve ever visited in my life. Continue reading

Posted in Basel, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Faroe Islands, Food, Louisiana, Portugal, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Switzerland Celebrates 150 Years of Winter Tourism (OneTravel)

Mention Switzerland and most people immediately dream of skiing in the snowed Alps. And that’s just as many folks from there would like you to think of their beautiful home. Indeed, there’s consensus among the Swiss that their country is … Continue reading

Posted in OneTravel, Sports, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Basel on a Budget (OneTravel)

Coming from London, where the cost of living is high and the local currency is strong, I usually find when I travel that my money gets considerably more mileage than when at home. That wasn’t the case in Switzerland though, … Continue reading

Posted in Basel, Money, OneTravel, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

6 Exceptional Museums in Basel (OneTravel)

For a city of only about 200,000 people, Basel boasts more museums than cities with more than ten times its population. From the Anatomical Museum of the University of Basel (which was founded by Professor Carl Jung – yes, the … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Design, Museums, OneTravel, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

App Helped ‘Make My Switzerland’ Time Super Fun (OneTravel)

As mentioned [on the OneTravel blog] about a month ago, in anticipation of an upcoming visit to Basel I downloaded for free the Make My Switzerland app. Having never been to Switzerland before, I was keen to access the local … Continue reading

Posted in Apps, Basel, Freebies, OneTravel, Switzerland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bis Später Basel

I really had a fantastic time during my city break in Basel. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the highlights of my visit. Continue reading

Posted in Basel, Basel City Break, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

See Basel: A City Artfully Designed to Please

Keen to take a city break that’s chock full of eye candy treats by some of the world’s greatest modern architects, designers, and artists? Go to Basel. I was blown away by all the fascinating stuff I got to behold during my few days there. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Basel, Basel City Break, Design, Germany, Graffiti, Museums, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment