Life after 50 with a dash of Healthy Adventure

Discover Switzerland and find the Gems and Pearls

by MarDeck on Aug.11, 2009, under Travel

Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is home to dramatic landscapes and quaint country settings. With cultural influences, including French, German and Italian. Heritage and culture abound, as well as historic castles and villages. What a greatplace to Discover Swiss “Pearls”  as a new adventure. Switzerland has something special for every traveler, from adventure on the slopes to pampering yourself in luxury.  

 

Here are five “Gems” that I would love to discover on a visit:

 

Sit back and relax

Sit back and relax

1. Ueli Knobel loves stories! Especially all the mysteries and sagas that turn on his venerable Hotel Chesa Rosatsch in Celerina. Once a month  he organizes a story-telling Tavolata around an open fire. Once the cauldron of cheese fondue is bubbling away nicely, he calls on the support of one of the locals and begins to tell his tales.  In no time at all has his audience captivated! This would be fun and interesting. Probably very relaxing to outside the inn and listen to the lore and legends of days gone by. A wonderful way to end the day would be to sit back and reflect on the living history way into the dark.
Medieval ruins and a picturesque chapel

Medieval ruins and a picturesque chapel

 

2. Lake Gruyère is surrounded by the most enchanting countryside. Embark on a one-hour boat trip on the lake and all you have to do is lean back and enjoy – and be astounded, too; at Rossens, for example, where nature herself has carved the head of an elephant in the cliff face, or at the medieval ruins and picturesque chapel on the tiny Île d’Ogoz.

Is this cool or what? To stare an elephant in the face? What a small enchanting island, especially to explore. I would love to spend a few hours wandering here. Don’t think I could get lost either. 

Climbing a 4000-m-high peak

Climbing a 4000-m-high peak

3. Climbing a 4000-m-high peak – perhaps just the first of many? – is an experience many an amateur mountaineer dreams of. Your mountain guide will tell you what to expect the evening before. Then, after a good night’s rest, you will set off early in the morning, climbing from 3454 m to 4027 m in just two to three hours. The ascent of the Allalinhorn is not too long and those who make the effort are rewarded with fantastic panoramic views.
I love hiking in Colorado and Big Bend National Park in Texas, but this would be awesome to do.
Patrolling with the night watchman

Patrolling with the night watchman

4. At nightfall in the old town of Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein, the Middle Ages comes back to life; for this is the hour at which the night watchman begins his rounds. And if you accompany him, you will get to see not only the town’s best beauty spots, but also its best kept secrets. Your guide, moreover, will regale you with tales both instructive and ghoulish, ranging from the town’s brothels and the iron hand of the law to plague epidemics and conflagrations.
Now this is one gem I would really love to do. Partly because I am part of a paranormal group and partley because I recently retired from law enforcement. To walk with history is always a fascinating feeling.
Adventure in a Pistenbully
Adventure in a Pistenbully

 

5.  Imagine what it feels like to have 480 horsepower at your command, nothing but snow as far as the eye can see, a pale moon in the sky and only the hiss and crackle of your colleagues’ radio messages for company. That is the world of the Pistenbully operator. Those who want to experience it live can hitch a lift on one in Zermatt. They will even have a chance to pilot the monster caterpillar and to prepare part of the glacier piste ready for the next day’s skiing.

And you say you enjoy four wheeling? I think this takes adventure riding and driving to a whole new level. Wouldn’t it be fun to pilot this big machine?

Switzerland has many opportunities for fun and adventure. It is an interesing and diverse place with manythings to do. I’ve listed five gems, but there are many more than are waiting to be discovered. Hope a plane, train or boat to make the visit. Grab the link in this post to discover new places to see.

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  • celerina
    March 16th, 2010 on 8:07 am

    [...] for comments on this post. TrackBack URL. Leave a comment. Name (required) Mail (will not be …Discover Switzerland and find the Gems and Pearls – Life …Especially all the mysteries and sagas that turn on his venerable Hotel Chesa Rosatsch in Celerina. [...]

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