Cultural event is window on glassmaking
Switzerland is marking European Heritage Days this year by highlighting glass and stained glass through the ages.
On September 13 and 14, the public will be granted access to over 100 cultural monuments and learn about glass in its various forms.
The aim of this year’s event is to highlight the history of glass, production methods and use in architecture, arts and crafts.
Among the 100 sites are Bern’s cathedral whose stain glass windows are fine examples of the art form in the late Middle Ages, a glass restoration workshop in canton Zurich and a Geneva gallery where glass works by celebrated architects will be on display.
One of the stated goals of European Heritage Days, which is organised under the auspices of the Council of Europe, is to bring Europeans closer to their cultural heritage.
18 holes of history
The Hotel Orselina in the southern town of Locarno is hosting a nostalgic golf tournament on September 21.
Interested golfers signing up for the Belle Epoque Golf Trophy event will be issued with authentic period clubs (dating from 1900-1920).
They will also be kitted out in old fashioned dress made especially for the event by a local tailor.
According to the organisers, the Victorian spirit will be more important than the score.
Railway buffs steam to Brienz
The Bernese Oberland resort of Brienz is hosting the first “World Convention on Steam and Tourist Railways” from October 5 to 8.
Railway experts from around the world will lead the discussions (in English, see related site) on heritage railways and included in the programme are outings on the region’s steam trains and steam boats.
The event is being held at the Belle Epoque hotel Giessbach on the shore of Lake Brienz.
Raising a glass to Swiss wine
Switzerland Tourism, the country’s main marketing organisation, has launched a new theme route highlighting Switzerland’s diverse wine regions.
“Gastronomy and Wine” unites the picturesque vineyards on the slopes above Lake Geneva with the sun spoilt wine growing region of Ticino and the little known areas in the north of the country.
An accompanying 100-page guide (free of charge – see link) describes the diverse wine growing areas, and lists participating restaurants and hotels where the best local wines and regional cuisine can be tasted.
The brochure also provides plenty of information on special wine trails, wine festivals, museums dedicated to the history of viticulture as well as travelling details.
Package tours can be booked through Switzerland Tourism or any of its partner agencies, but the guide is also a handy source of information for individual travellers interested in discovering Swiss wines.
Following on from “Luxury and Design”, the wine and dine tour is the second theme route Switzerland Tourism has launched this year.
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