Travelogues from Switzerland by Mark Sukhija

27th Feb 2008

2007 wasn't a great year for our travels round Switzerland . But I hope to put that right in 2008.

To date in 2008, I've managed to get to the Chienbäse event in Liestal and Fasnacht in Basel. The Basler Fasnacht is one of the most important events of the Basel calendar and, if you're visiting Switzerland during Feburary is an absolute must do. I know getting up at 4am for Morgenstreich is a bit of a struggle for most of us, but the parade of the Lanterns and piccolo players is a wonderful way to see in the day. And to round off you can warm up with some Mehlsuppe (flour soup) before heading back to catch up with some sleep.

We've also managed to visit the White Turf event in St Moritz. White Turf, horse racing on ice, is a show case event for Switzerland and Swiss tourism. The horse racing takes place on the frozen lake of St Moritz which is turned in a race course for three Sundays each Feburary. Being in the Alpine region of Switzerland, the lake is beautifully set and a simply fantastic place to have horse racing.

We've also managed a day trip to the Carthusian Charterhouse in the s small town of Warth near Frauenfeld in eastern Switzerland. This was our first visit to the Chapterhouse and a most pleasant way to spend part of your weekend.

At Sechselaeuten, we saw the procession of the Guilds through the main city of Zürich to Sechselaeutenplatz where, when the bells of St Peters struck 6pm, the Böögg was set alight. The Böögg symbolises Mister Winter and Sechselaeuten is the celebration of the beginning of spring and Mister Winter being banished. The quicker he burns the longer and hotter summer will be. This year, Mister Winter took over 21 minutes to burn. It's gonna be a bad summer.

Later in the year we will probably also visit the Blues n Jazz festival in Rapperswil, Knabenschiessen in Zürich and, possibly, the Fete des Vendanges in Neuchâtel Of course, you will be kept informed of what goes on and I will be issuing various reviews and commentary on this site.

Further reading