If you’ve been unable to travel to Switzerland recently, what do you miss most?
Travel restrictions introduced during the coronavirus pandemic, many of which are still in place, have severely limited the number of visitors able to come to Switzerland from abroad.
From the article Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
From the article How Swiss staycationers are scouting out your next Alpine getaway
My parents have had to cancel their annual trip to visit me in Switzerland. And I'm not allowed to visit them. Not an easy time as both are in their 70s and have had to isolate for many months now. But, as long as you avoid people here, wear a mask if using public transport, the lakes, mountains, forests and rivers are still open, even if you have to take your own food in case local restaurants and shops are not.
My fiancee could not return from Serbia because of the restrictions. She was about to start a contract as a doctor, which was now postponed and I also work as a doctor.It has been a really bad experience. Even though I have worked here for 7 years after getting my degree in Switzerland. Now we're looking into both of us moving to Germany. Switzerland is too unwelcoming with these restrictions, while Germany is happy to get all the qualified doctors they can get.
What I miss most...A run in the vineyards of Corseaux...A walk by lake Léman in Vevey...The best pain au chocolat in Vevey at the Boulangerie Jotterand...The best kebab in Vevey at City Burger...The best fondue, macaron au gruyere and meringue double crème at Le Tsalè...A beautiful hike at the local Dent de Jaman...A nice climb on the via ferrata Roche de Naye...And so many more...
Sue D. T.,I'm copying your post and including it with my "things to do do when I finally get to Switzerland," list.I hope you get to enjoy all of the things that you're missing, soon.
That's quite a list! I wonder if the fondue and kebab (most interesting combination!) taste better after the endorphin-high of a run or climb.
Seeing my family
I miss my daughter, her husband and my two, fast growing up, grandchildren. Every year for 15 years I’ve been travelling from New Zealand to have precious times with them. This year’s booked trip has been postponed to next May, but I’m doubtful if flights will be available for me then.
We miss you too!! We are both lucky to be living in amazing countries and comfortable, safe surroundings. It is such a shame they are on opposite sides of the world! I am sure we will still manage to get together next year - thank goodness technology means we can still have a virtual coffee together! Xx
I miss the fresh air and the mist above the lake in Iseltwald in the early morning and the sounds of different cow bells ringing as the herd ambles to the lower pasture. I miss sitting down in a first class train carriage and no one else is there for a stop or two. A bunch of other stuff that I found in the largest second hand shop in Interlaken is looking reproachful at me ...saying why did you bring us here. We want to go home please!
Thanks for sharing Pat. I'm curious as to what keepsakes in that second-hand shop struck your fancy. Were they typical Swiss souvenirs or atypical?
I miss my parents, they are in Russia and although I legally can travel there and back there is no means of transport which can take me to them or to take them to me but for reasons that tourism visa does not work anymore, waisted time and money to make a visa (
For almost 20 years my wife and I have spent three weeks every summer in Brienz and used it as a base for day-hiking in the Berner Oberland. We miss the setting evening sun that paints the local mountains rose-red; the antique steam-powered Loetschberg and the other boats that bring you from town to town along the Brienzersee (and the nearby Thunersee); the white-red-white marked trails up in the mountains; the secret joy of the jewel-like Hinterburg Seeli and the trail of carved tree stumps that brings you there from Axalp; inns at the end of every hike; the good friends we have both in Bern and in Brienz, including the wonderful Werro family who run the Seehotel Baeren right on the Brienzersee lakeshore quay. And of course the cows in their summer alpine pastures.
Thanks David. You've got to know a truly magical part of the Bernese Oberland. I too am a fan of the inns and paddle steamers. I had the good fortune of seeing the Lötschberg in dry dock during its restoration in 2001, and interviewing the responsible architect. He said he learned how women would place ripe plums on the boiler in the engine room. One turn around the lake was enough to turn them into prunes.
I miss my new granddaughter! She holds a Swiss and American passport so luckily she and her mom and dad have been to visit twice in the USA - but I cannot get to Switzerland to visit them. I am thankful for FaceTime, but I miss them immensely.
We holiday in Switzerland every year, however our flights have been cancelled this year and we were unable to make other arrangements. We will miss the wonderful scenery, good food and the people. we are hoping to return next year.
Well, not that I missed anything. Just instead of the approx. 24 hours that I used to travel from Lombok via Singapore to Switzerland it took me six days this time. Lombok Singapore flights cancelled, Singapore 'closed' for transit passenger. I had to purchase a new ticket, got a reasonable price from Turkish Airways ex Bali. Had to travel Lombok - Bali - Jakarta - Istanbul - Zurich. When I reached Bali Turkish Airways informed that their flight was delayed, and again. Had to stay in a hotel in Bali for four days and one night in Jakarta and another night in Istanbul. (Only the Istanbul night was paid by Turkish Airlines). Bali? Well, a bit depressing! Restaurants closed. Streets and beaches empty. Felt sorry for all the unemployed staff. And on top of it all: In all flights only sandwiches in paper bags. One Sandwich Lombok - Bali, another one Bali - Jakarta. As the flight from Jakarta to Istanbul took 11 hours : two sandwiches. And another sandwich Istanbul - Zurich. Lousy food in Istanbul hotel, as it was free. Ah, well, I reached to Zurich. Weggli and Gipfeli it is.
Switzerland is my heritage and I try to get back every few years to visit. Prior to COVID we actually had a few weeks trip booked to visit with family. What I miss most is the connection I feel when traveling around the beautiful country. The memories it brings back from visiting there as a young child, seeing my grossmama and grosspapa.
Thanks for sharing, Tyler. Are your childhood memories of a specific place? What do you see in your mind's eye when you recall those times? It would be interesting to hear from other readers too what they exactly picture when they think back to their time spent in Switzerland.
Planned river cruise from Paris to Zurich in the fall. I worked in Zurich from 1999-2003. I visit every couple of years. I will miss seeing friends I have made. Hope to reschedule cruise and make a planned date in fall of 2021 at The Lion Pub. The cruise was with 5 people I have kknown for close to 70 years. They were looking forward to seeing Zurich and the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Maybe next year.
That's quite a contrast Bill, and possibly the best of both worlds: the biggest Swiss city and a picturesque mountain valley. I sincerely hope you can get back soon and see them again.
The endless beauty, the inspiration of the mountains, the peaceful peace and quiet, I haven't been in Switzerland for more than a year and I miss it very much
stroll by the lake, dinner at a restaurant over looking the lake, aroma of bakery early in the morning, amazement with cleanliness...I have travelled all over the major cities of Switzerland and they are wonderful in their own right but I have decided that zurich gives me the right balance of vacation...
Hi Stewart, I hope to do all of those things and more when I finally make it to Switzerland. I have a friend who lives in Lausanne and I'm looking forward to seeing that city, as well.
I'd been excited to finally take a 'bucket list' trip to Geneva (preceded by 10 days in London). I started booking flights and making Airbnb reservations in early January for travel in June.I've since pushed my dates out one month at a time, still holding onto hope of getting to Europe before the end of September. Sadly, unless the United States (I live in Arizona) makes a dramatic turnaround in the next few weeks, I may as well regroup and set my sights on Summer 2021. To say this is disappointing is a massive understatement...
I would suggest postponing your dream trip to Geneva. I don't think you would be able to fully appreciate it with all the virus restrictions and mentality at the current time. Why not wait for a more carefree atmosphere, which we all hope to experience next year this time! Good luck with your dream holiday.
Hi Rhonda, good thing you never have to remove anything from your bucket list! That's what they're made for. I see it as a 'glass half full situation - you have more time to plan, and consider taking time to get out of the city and visit the amazing villages and countryside around Geneva.
Hi Dale,This trip has been on the list for 20 years, so I guess one more year won't make much difference. I'll definitely look into expanding my Swiss horizons when the time comes. :-)
Thanks so much for the encouraging words! You're right that vacations (life in general) for all of us will be much sweeter once we overcome this huge obstacle.
Sorry about your trip - but please be aware Geneva is not the drop dead gorgeous alpine scenery that you may expect of Switzerland.
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