Category: Switzerland

Café in Lausanne: 3rd edition of the café crawl

Lausanne Switzerland Vaud

Café in Lausanne: 3rd edition of the café crawl

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As you’re beginning to know, I have a passion as an intrepid explorer for unearthing the caffeine gems of Lausanne. And this year, 2024, my coffee radar went into overdrive with several addresses in my sights, having spent a few months in German-speaking Switzerland.

So I got my faithful sidekick on board to participate in the third edition of our now famous caféthon. Fuelled by the prospect of discovering new havens in Lausanne, we immersed ourselves in the bustle of the capital’s streets on a sunny Saturday in February.

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Café in Lausanne: 2nd edition of the café crawl

Lausanne Switzerland Vaud

Café in Lausanne: 2nd edition of the café crawl

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Ah, coffee! That aromatic beverage awakens our senses and gives us the boost we need to face the day. My favourite drink. In all its guises. In Lausanne, coffee (and the café) is more than just a morning drink/place; it’s a way of life, an experience in its own right.

Imagine strolling along the old town’s cobbled streets, with only the alluring aroma of freshly brewed coffee for company. You stop in front of a little café on the corner, drawn by the murmur of lively conversation and the clinking of cups. It’s enough almost to make me leave my beloved Vevey to experience this passion for coffee daily.

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Discover a panoramic trail just around Lucerne

Lucerne Schwytz Switzerland

Discover a panoramic trail just around Lucerne

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If you’re planning to spend a few days in Lucerne, I’ve put together an itinerary that will allow you to hike while relaxing in the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. Although I didn’t have the chance to do the whole itinerary when I lived in Lucerne, as a keen hiker I think the one I’ve put together is suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. However, to make the most of your time and avoid too many trips in a single day, it’s best to have accommodation in Lucerne (or Zurich or Zug).

To sum up, I’ll be taking you on a magnificent panoramic walk offering breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne, then exploring the lake directly back to Lucerne by boat.

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Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

Admont Around the world Austria Bavaria Brazil Dublin England Europe Finland Germany Ireland Italy Kosovo Netherlands North America Schwytz South America Spain St. Gallen Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States

Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

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” I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library” has once declared Jorge Luis Borges, the famous Argentinian writer.

Enclosing secrets as old as the world, mysterious and intriguing, these temples of knowledge offer much more than literary choices. They present marvellous architectures symbolising the developments and ideas of history and dazzle with such cachet.

From the oldest to the most futuristic, these spaces dedicated to reading were all built with the aim of being able to amaze, charm and above all inspire visitors. Well, mostly to charm and inspire me. And make me travel to unusual places.

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5 hidden Cafés in Lausanne

Lausanne Switzerland Vaud

5 hidden Cafés in Lausanne

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In Lausanne, whether it’s in the sub-station district, in unusual alleys or nestled in public monuments, if you’re looking for a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So much so, that over the years, I have developed quite a long list of cafés that I recommend. At the end of this article, you will find an interactive map of the best cafés in Lausanne.

Shall we go for a coffee?

Whether it is a consensual social habit, a sacred ritual or a need for caffeine to wake up, the café (whether it is the drink in French – coffee, or the place – café) is a gathering place. A stimulating environment in terms of architecture, the art of living and atmosphere, but also a place to relax in a friendly setting.

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6 places off the beaten track in Ticino

Switzerland Ticino

6 places off the beaten track in Ticino

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Ticino, land of water. There’s nothing wrong with this, as the Italian-speaking Swiss canton is full of beaches, rivers, gorges and waterfalls. It is enough to develop a cascade of memories in Ticino.

With its two lakes (Lugano and Maggiore) and its many valleys, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is a canton to be discovered and a favourite place to get away for German-speaking city dwellers. A place which for them does not seem so out of place, as the Swiss-German language has become common in Ticino (which is a pity, as Italian is much more melodious).

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A daring hike to the Limmernsee

Glarus Switzerland

A daring hike to the Limmernsee

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Switzerland is full of breathtaking hiking trails that lead to stunning destinations. Most of them are already well known (Grosse Mythen, Augstmatthorn, etc), but there are still some real hidden treasures (such as la Tine de Conflens). The Limmernsee hike I am presenting to you today is one of them, hidden in the canton of Glarus.

It’s a canton that is still unknown but worth visiting, especially because it has majestic mountains called the Glarner Alps. And where nuggets emerge, such as the Limmernsee hike, which I’ve been eyeing for some time (thanks Instagram!).

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Mont Miné Glacier: Autumn walk in a lunar scenery

Switzerland Valais

Mont Miné Glacier: Autumn walk in a lunar scenery

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Looking for new walks to recharge my batteries, one place had been catching my eye for a while: the Val d’Hérens and more particularly Mont Miné Glacier, which is at the far end of a Valais valley.

I will take you for a simple but wild hike in a mountain setting that will turn into a timeless, lunar landscape.

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Lake Brienz: Iseltwald and Giessbach, peaceful Bernese hideaways

Bern Switzerland

Lake Brienz: Iseltwald and Giessbach, peaceful Bernese hideaways

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Give me a lake and mountains and I would feel at home. I didn’t think I’d get such a familiar impression when I first went to Iseltwald and Lake Brienz, and throughout my visits, it has become my favourite place in Switzerland. A place for which, one day, I could perhaps leave my beloved Riviera.

Situated in the Bernese Oberland, this corner of Switzerland is certainly the perfect postcard and shows the diversity of landscapes that Helvetia enjoys. Colourful lakes, majestic mountains, enchanting villages and lush green fields – no more clichés than that. And this is probably its charm!

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