Hello Switzerland Issue 2/2016

issue 2 / 2016

SUMMER BLISS DISCOVER TICINO

FINDING BALANCE PILATES SUP THE HOTTEST ART EXHIBITIONS

r one e b nd num The ledge a rce ­know tion sou d’s n ira insp witzerla al for S rnation inte munity com

HELLO SWITZERLAND DEALS

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4 IN THIS ISSUE

20 10

WHAT’S SUP IN ZURICH

SUMMER ART EXHIBITIONS

L A DOLCE VITA IN TICINO

46

33

PARAGLIDING FOR BEGINNERS

Front cover: © Erik Reis/Dollar Photo Club Photos: (top left) © Huw Evans; (top right) © Brigitta Garcia Lopez_FlengelDreamflight/Gewerbemuseum Winterthur; (bottom left) © Christof Sonderegger /Ticino Turism; (bottom right) © Peter Greis

WELCOME TO SWITZERLAND Letter from the editor Community wall Creative loafing The last word with with Peter Greis

6 8 45

Discover Switzerland La dolce vita in Ticino Top speed through the Alps

46

Swiss culture A plate a day

33

38

42

Cross-border taxes

Top prenatal care

Youth banking services

Insuring household valuables Sleek home design

Rental property tips The ideal mobile plans

22 23 24 26 27 28 30

WHAT'S ON May

June

July

Summer's best art shows

14 16 18 20

FEATURES Expat Entrepreneur What’s SUP in Zurich

10

EXPERT ADVICE

6 LET TER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers, A bit of childhood nostalgia always resurfaces this time of year — slow summer days scurrying up oak trees and endless games of Marco Polo in the pool.

And while I can no longer swing through the trees or coax friends into a game of blind tag, barbeques and hiking excursions have become a way to recapture carefree days.

To help you loosen up and get ready for summer, in this edition of Hello Switzerland you’ll discover Ticino’s hidden gems and uncover great discounts throughout the country. Danielle Satya Parla also introduces you to an expat who has opened a Pilates paddle boarding school in Zurich, and Natalia Hedges reminisces about her introduction to the healthy Swiss lifestyle.

International life calls for practical solutions. In this issue, our Featured Partners cover the essentials of moving home, the latest changes to bank secrecy and the best Swiss bank account for youths. We’re also proud that Hello Switzerland’s own Relocation Helpline is going strong and now offering free advice to the international community on a daily basis.

So get ready for some fun and let’s welcome summer together.

Ashley Roque Editor-in-Chief ashley.roque@helloswitzerland.ch

Publisher, COO Mike Tomsett Editor-in-chief Ashley Roque Production manager Saskia Geraldine Petz Graphic designer Randall Barriga Project officer Lorena Gross Community and account manager Lukas Hayoz Contributors Peter Gilbert, Anitra Green, Natalia Hedges, Martin Hirsch, Marina Moeller and Danielle Satya Parla

CONTACT Advertising and sales Lukas Hayoz +41 58 356 16 27 partners@helloswitzerland.ch Distribution 21,000 copies throughout Switzerland

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS www.helloswitzerland.ch/hello-switzerlandmagazine Telephone & helpline +41 58 356 17 77 Web www.helloswitzerland.ch Email info@helloswitzerland.ch Twitter @helloswitzmag Facebook.com/HelloSwitzerland Writer contribution enquiries to ashley.roque@helloswitzerland.ch Disclaimer Content published by Hello Switzerland Ltd. may not be copied or reproduced in any form without prior permission of Hello Switzerland Ltd. or the author. Hello Switzerland Ltd. accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions expressed by its writers. Our full terms and conditions can be found on our website.

SWISS HISTORY

HIKING

BIKING

BE INSPIRED BY THE STUNNING REGION OF SCHWYZ Get your free copy of the English SCHWYZ SUMMER MAGAZINE: www.schwyz-tourismus.ch/mag, order it by info@schwyz-tourismus.ch or call 041 855 59 50

FAMILY FUN

8 COMMUNIT Y WALL

30 YEARS AT CENTER STAGE Interested in getting involved with Switzerland’s English-speaking Interested in getting in Switzerland’s English-speaking theater scene?

Peterinvolved Gilbert, president of the English Theatre Group of theater scene?

Peter Gilbert, a member of the English Theatre Zug, takes a look back at the group’s 30 year history and previews its Group of Zug, takes a look back at the group’s 30 year history and upcoming performance of Chess. previews its upcoming performance of Chess.

Chess is a musical with a fantastic range of music genres from rock to pop to sweeping symphonic dance pieces via a dash of comic operetta. The two well-known songs One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well were chart topping hits in their own right. This show provides ETGZ with the perfect opportunity to display the talents of their group, with a large chorus, pop choir, gritty principal characters, as well as a mix of dance styles.

The story itself, set in the Cold War era, involves a politically driven chess tournament between two very charismatic men — an American

grandmaster and a Soviet grandmaster — who are fighting to win the championship, and over a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. This is no standard musical. It’s a love triangle that combines chess, politics and romance.

The ETGZ show team is led by local co-directors Cari and Hanns Zöllner, who have produced many successful shows in the past including last year’s production of Assassins. Alongside them, ETGZ is equally privileged to work with Musical Director Andrew Dunscombe who is known for his work at the Musical Conservatoire in Luzern and who has successfully conducted two of the groups previous productions — Oliver! and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

A LOOK BACK Back in the early 1980’s, Zug was an up and coming centre for commodity trading and a tax haven that became home to many well-known multinational companies. This brought with it an interesting mix of international families and working singles into a Swiss-German speaking

Photo: © English Theatre Group of Zug

This year, the English Theatre Group of Zug, or ETGZ, celebrates its 30th anniversary and has been lucky enough to gain the performance license for the rock opera/musical Chess by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with lyrics by Tim Rice.

Coincidentally, it has also been 30 years since Chess first premiered in London. To celebrate both, ETGZ is planning a large scale and spectacular production to be performed at the relatively new Aegerihalle in Unteraegeri between the 16 - 25 September.

issue 2 / 2016

canton. Then, as is the case today, the common language for the international crowd was English.

So, an interest and need for theatre in English was born.

To fill the gap, a group of pioneering expats and locals got together in 1986 and formed what was later labeled The English Theatre Group of Zug, or ETGZ, which has been producing musicals, plays, concerts and British pantomimes in the original English language they were written to be performed in.

After ETGZ‘s humble beginnings, and with support from the City and Canton of Zug and other generous donors, ETGZ has been able to build on its successes. For example, the team has produced some of the most memorable shows in the area including Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Kiss Me, Kate, Into the Woods, Oliver! and The Sound of Music. As ETGZ’s membership grew over the years, so has its loyal audience, thus developing into a broad mix of culturally interested people from all walks of life, differing nationalities and age groups.

Currently, membership is just over 100 people from nearly 20 different nationalities, and around half of which are local Swiss citizens.

Photos: © English Theatre Group of Zug

Last year, ETGZ’s production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins showed what a collaboration of professional-amateur performers and a production team of similar caliber can achieve. The actor-singers were pushed and stretched to their vocal and emotional limits, bringing tears of joy and fear to the audience’s eyes. The ensemble piece, staged around a limbolike disused fairground, was also a technical challenge for the group since they had audience members on both sides of the action, whilst the performers remained on and around the stage throughout the two-hour single act. The darkly witty and touching dissection of the “American Dream” was accompanied by a professional orchestra, making the production a truly marvelous theatre experience in the Chollerhalle, Zug.

The Sound of Music

Milkmaid

LEARN MORE For tickets and information visit www.etgz.ch.

Also, check out Hello Switzerland's guide to English language theatre groups across the country at www.helloswitzerland.ch/-/taking-

centre-stage-english-live-shows

Assassins

10 EXPAT ENTREPRENEUR

EXPAT ENTREPRENEUR 11

issue 2 / 2016

WHAT’S SUP IN ZURICH Feeling bored with your gym routine, desperate to tone up before the summer bikini season hits or simply wanting to enjoy the Swiss outdoors?

Danielle Satya Parla visits Lake Zurich to find out more about Sophie Evans’ road to Pilates paddle boarding.

Without a doubt, the Swiss are fit and nature-loving people, and at first you could be fooled into believing that Sophie Evans has anything other than the pulse of Switzerland in her blood. A passionate skier, Sophie arrived in Switzerland over 12 years ago after taking a year's sabbatical from her work in London’s financial sector to spend a full season in the Swiss Alps. Her joy for skiing evolved into a passion to teach others, and soon one season quickly turned into another as she dedicated herself to becoming a fully qualified ski instructor.

Competitive, athletic and sociable by nature, it was only a matter of time before she started racing in one of the major ski clubs and eventually became the women's race captain. To complement ski teaching, Sophie studied personal training, sports massage and Pilates in the UK. She credits Pilates as an excellent practice to build core strength — a key to advanced skiing, as well as many other sports and activities.

While sailing in the Caribbean with her husband, Sophie would get fresh bread every morning with a stand up paddleboard (SUP). She was already enjoying the natural challenge that the sway of the yacht brought to her Pilates training, when one morning she took it one step further and decided to move her workout on the paddleboard.

“It was amazing!” she exclaims. “By balancing on the board I got a better level of training without thinking about it, and it was so much fun!”

Photo: © Huw Evans

In this ‘aha’ moment Sophie knew that the paddleboard would be a perfect extension for many of her Pilates clients.

“Switzerland is full of lakes which are lovely and warm all summer long, and doing Pilates on a paddleboard while the sun sets over the Alps is a totally magical experience,” she shares.

After a bit of research, she discovered that yoga SUP was already offered, however there didn’t seem to be

anyone else doing Pilates and so she launched her own company, Aqualetica, to pioneer this new activity.

Kicking off her second season, Sophie is sharing Pilate’s SUP with those looking for serious fun and a challenge. She has discovered that Pilates is a key part of many of her clients' lives, and the opportunity to do what they love while floating on a lake provides a wonderful extra dimension. Some of her clients are completely new to Pilates, but immediately see the fun of getting out on the water for a workout.

Many clients who work during the day prefer early morning sunrise sessions while others with more flexible schedules are equally happy to get out on the lake before or after lunch.

Aqualetica currently operates from the shores of Lake Zurich, however she has a larger vision to expand and deliver Aqualetica across the many lakes of Switzerland, and ultimately to where warm waters and paddleboard meet around the world.

BUSINESS SENSE Sophie says that her experience opening her fitness business in Switzerland was relatively straightforward. Information is readily available and she found the authorities were highly supportive.

One main difference from her native UK was that you need CHF 20,000 in capital before launching a limited liability company in Switzerland.

“The other key thing to get right is the social security,” she explains.

With her husband planning to take an extended sabbatical from his profession, Sophie is clear that the business must work both financially and personally.

Another consideration when starting an outdoor fitness company is that by its very nature, paddleboard Pilates is seasonal — from May to September. With a complementary skill set for the mountains,

12 EXPAT ENTREPRENEUR

She is candid in sharing what it is like when you start a business that is a natural extension of what you already enjoy doing in your personal time. Like when she became a ski instructor, any hobby that turns into a profession will throw you days “By balancing on the where you need to remind yourself board I got a better why you combined your work and passion. Sophie has found that one level of training key to this is to continue learning without thinking and mixing things up — take what you love and try it in different styles. about it, and it was Last season she was reminded that so much fun!” some skiing is still just for her when she went heliskiing in Alaska.

And of course, every company needs online presence.

Without wanting to deplete her funds by hiring someone to set up her website, Sophie invested time and did her research to find a good website template provider so she could set up Aqualetica’s website herself. In the process, she learned a valuable new skill and is really happy with the result.

Sophie also discovered the importance of knowing your market and clientele, and not assuming that the fitness industry is the same in Switzerland as it is back home. She acknowledges that it has been essential to embrace the locals and the fitness industry itself because the gym concept in Switzerland is far behind that in the US and UK — although these opportunities are being exploited as well.

The Swiss naturally gravitate towards the many opportunities available for outdoor sports — cycling, hiking, running, CrossFit, skiing, swimming — the list is endless. For this reason, she feels it is good to offer fitness that supports other sports activities in order to encourage people to try your offerings.

As a final tip, Sophie suggests taking as many classes as you can in your canton — not only to figure out the competition, but also the needs of potential clients. This networking has proven useful in developing allies in the personal training industry for when she needs someone to step in and take over classes if the need arises.

READY TO TRY SUP PIL ATES? You can learn more about Sophie’s classes and Aqualetica at aqualetica.com

Photos: © Huw Evans

Sophie can take the Pilates indoors during the off season or when the weather is bad, and also teach skiing in Verbier during the winter.

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22.12.2015 16:59:41

14 WHAT’S ON WWW.HELLOSWITZERL AND.CH /EVENTS

MAY 2016 01 May

01 to 08 May

06 to 09 May

14 May

Maibär Festival

National Horse Fair

Jazzfestival

Open wine cellars

Bad Ragaz

Bern

Schaffhausen

Canton Vaud

Chase away the winter spirits and welcome spring with different activities.

Meet up with professionals and celebrities from the horse world.

Tap along and enjoy Swiss jazz beats in the old city of Schaffhausen.

More than 300 cellars throughout the canton open their doors on this weekend.

www.maibaer.ch

www.pferd-messe.ch

www.jazzfestival.ch

www.vins-vaudois.com/agenda

01 May

01 to 22 May

08 May

13 to 16 May

Cheese Festival

Musical — Cats

Harlem Globetrotters

Zurich dances

Gruyère FR

Basel

Zurich

Zurich

Enjoy the market festival in the medieval castle town of Gruyères.

Head to Basel to enjoy the famous musical “Cats” in style.

Book now!

Take part in the basketball team’s anniversary tour and enjoy a spectacular show.

From tango to Bollywood dance, during these days Zurich has dance fever!

www.gruyeres.ch

www.musical.ch/de/cats

bit.ly/HelloHGlobe

bit.ly/HelloDance

01 May

05 May

08 May

13 to 15 May

Geneva book and press fair

Ascension Day Procession

Soapbox competition

Open wine cellars

Geneva

Beromünster LU

Thurgau

Vully FR

At the 30th Geneva Book and Press Fair find out the latest from the book and press world.

During this Ascension Day celebration, costumed riders are on horseback.

Get ready for this colorful spectacle where you can design your own soapbox.

Visit one of the smallest but most famous vineyards in Switzerland!

www.salondulivre.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloBeromünster

www.flossrennen.ch

www.vully.ch

08 to 10 May

15 May

Dance

Concert of alphorns

Whole Switzerland

Gruyere FR

This dance party takes place not only in the capital but all over Switzerland.

Join this alphorn concert surrounded by a picturesque, typical Swiss landscape.

www.reso.ch

www.gruyeres.ch

09 May

16 May

Hans Zimmer

Muse

Zurich

Zurich

The successful film composer is on tour with a band, orchestra and choir.

Get ready for the famous rock band from London and this extraordinary show.

bit.ly/HelloHansZimmer

bit.ly/HelloMuse

10 to 12 May

18 May to 02 Jul

Vitafoods Europe

Helvetic Revolution (theater)

Geneva

Murten FR

Take part in Europe’s leading dietary event and discover new products.

Plunge into Swiss history and enjoy the spectacular show of the Helvetic Revolution of 1798.

www.vitafoods.eu.com

www.helvetische-revolution.ch

13 to 16 May International Streets Art Festival

RECOMMENDED

Ascona Pantomimes, stage plays, dance performers, tightrope walkers, fire eaters, musicians and clowns attract spectators during four days on the streets of Ascona.

www.artistidistrada.ch

Photo: © Sara Paganetti

Cats, jazz and alphorns

WHAT’S ON 15

issue 2 / 2016

22 May to 05 June 27 to 29 May

Take a walk with a view

CRITICS'CHOICE

Lausanne

Lausanne’s location overlooking beautiful Lake Geneva deserves to be marveled at. Luckily, there are numerous places from which to do so. Combine a stunning view with a stroll in the park by heading to Lausanne’s Musée et Jardins Botaniques Cantonaux on the Montriond Ridge, a hillock formed by a long-gone glacial moraine sitting adjacent to the leafy Milan park. Wind your way up through the terraces to the top for a gorgeous view over the lake and mountains. Alternatively, head up to the protected forest of Sauvabelin for an even more far-reaching view from the summit of its wooden tower.

Lastly, you’ll appreciate just how pretty the Swiss countryside is on a stroll through the Lavaux vineyards which sit on the sloped lakeside between Lausanne and Montreux.

Photo: © Marino Trotta

www.timeout.com/switzerland

21 May

21 May

International Circus Festival

Flavors of spring market

Basel

Aigle

Enjoy breathtaking shows at this unique circus festival.

Perfect for the entire family!

Discover the yearly market in Aigle with fresh fruits and vegetables.

bit.ly/HelloCFestival

bit.ly/HelloAigle

21 May

21 May

International culture meeting

Museums’ night

Arbon

Fribourg

Get ready for a cultural explosion during this international exchange.

Check out Fribourg’s many museums during this annual event.

www.ika-arbon.ch

www.ndm-fribourg.ch

21 May

22 May

Music Show Scotland

Family concert — Thaïs Diarra

Zurich

Bern

Enjoy one of the largest show productions of Scottish music and traditional dance!

Thaïs Diarra takes the stage performing reggae, r&b and modern soul.

bit.ly/HelloScotland

bit.ly/Familyconcert

Gymnastics Championships

Rowing World Cup

Bern

Lucerne

Excitement is guaranteed when Europe’s elite show off their athletics skills.

Watch the best oarsmen and women compete at the World Cup Finals.

www.em-bern2016.ch/en

bit.ly/Hellorowing

26 to 29 May

28 to 29 May

Swiss Theater Encounter

Swiss Classic World

Geneva

Lucerne

Enjoy various plays from the Swiss theater scene. There's something for everyone.

At this fair you’ll discover authentic, classic beloved vintage cars.

rencontre-theatre-suisse.ch/en

www.swissclassicworld.ch

26 to 29 May

29 May

Art map

The Little Prince

Winterthur

Zug

Art map is a guide to art and the artist’s workshop, as well as their masterpieces.

Enjoy a musical for young and old. It’s the perfect family event for german speaker!

www.art-map.ch

bit.ly/HelloPrince

27 to 28 May

29 May

Musical rocks!

AC/DC

Zurich

Bern

Enjoy a concert of the most popular songs from Grease to Dirty Dancing.

The Australian hard rock band is back in Switzerland during their world tour.

www.goodnews.ch

bit.ly/HelloACDC

16 WHAT’S ON WWW.HELLOSWITZERL AND.CH /EVENTS

JUNE 2016 Music, watches and hiking 01 June

02 to 04 June

05 June

06 June

Mika

Stars of Sounds

Slow Up Valais

Mountain bike race

Geneva

Murten

Sierre

Fribourg

See this top English singer, songwriter and composer live on stage in Geneva!

Listen to top acts like Roxette, Hurts, Fritz Kalkbrenner and 77 Bombay Street.

Take part in an event where everyone cycles through the Canton of Valais.

Don’t miss this mountain bike race from Fribourg to Bulle during this fast-paced event.

bit.ly/HelloMika

www.starsofsounds.ch

www.slowupvalais.ch

www.bergbike.ch

01 to 05 June

02 to 05 June

06 June

07 June

Caribana Festival

Longines CSIO

Breaking Benjamins

Zurich

Nyon

St. Gallen

Zurich

Shellac

Start the summer with music from artists including James Bay and Lost Frequencies.

Root for your favorite horse rider at the Longines jumping show, an event for all

For their comeback, the USA rock band presents their new album “Dark Before Down.”

See this US band and dance to noise-rock and post-hardcore rhythms.

www.caribana-festival.ch

www.csio.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloBbenjamin

bit.ly/Helloshellac

01 to 05 June

03 June

Garden Festival

Il Divo

Riehen BS

Zurich

Enjoy contemporary garden culture at the park that is inspired by the English garden.

The Italian group touches millions of hearts with their opera pop music mix.

bit.ly/HelloBSgarden

bit.ly/HelloDivo

01 to 05 June

03 to 04 June

Montreux Volley Masters

Openair Oberrieden

Every year the world’s best volleyball players show off their skills near Lake Geneva.

www.volleymasters.ch/en

Oberrieden ZH Feel the beat at this little open-air with an amazing atmosphere!

www.openair-oberrieden.ch

02 June

03 to 05 June

Track cycling race

UCI Urban Cycling Festival

Aigle

Lausanne

Watch a spectacle where riders from all categories compete against each other.

Admire the best athletes from the bicycle scene or why not just participate?

www.velodromes.ch

bit.ly/HelloUCI

02 June

03 to 05 June

Bryan Adams

Weather Phenomena Project

Zurich

Bern

Get ready for a night of music when the Canadian rock-star hits the stage!

Learn about daily life and exceptional circumstances during this theater production.

bit.ly/HelloBrya

bit.ly/HelloPhenomena

Hike on Geneva’s local mountain

CRITICS'CHOICE

Geneva One great thing about Geneva is how easy it is to escape the clutches of the city and disappear into the hills.

Frankenstein’s monster thought so too. The creature in Mary Shelley’s thriller fled to the Salève mountain and was seen hanging off its cliff-face in chapter seven. It’s an understandable move, as the Salève is a peaceful retreat just a short bus ride away from the city center — so close in fact that it’s known as Geneva’s local mountain even though it’s actually just over the border in France. From the cable car base station at Verger it’s a short ride up to 1,379m for a superlative view of the city and lake — the jet d'eau looks pretty small from up here.

www.timeout.com/switzerland

Photo: © Olivier Miche/Genève Tourisme

Montreux

WHAT’S ON 17

issue 2 / 2016

08 to 11 June

11 June to 18 Sep

Greenfield Festival

Manifesta — contemporary art

Interlaken

Zurich

Join this year’s biggest rock festival with acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billy Talent.

Discover new art under the slogan "What People Do For Money: Some Joint Ventures.”

www.greenfieldfestival.ch

www.manifesta11.org/en

08 to 12 June

13 June

Béjart Ballet Lausanne

Romeo and Juliet

Lausanne Recall your dancing days and admire the masters of the ballet stage!

Bern Watch the most famous love story of all time — Romeo and Juliet.

bit.ly/HelloBBL

bit.ly/HelloRandJ

09 to 12 June

14 June

23 to 26 June

Festi'Neuch

Athletics meeting

Burning Mountain Festival

Neuchâtel

Lucerne

Zernez GR

Enjoy summer and the selected beats at Lake Neuchâtel.

World-class athletes perform in different areas — running, jumping and throwing.

Plunge into a friendly atmosphere at the festival of love, peace and art, surrounded by Swiss mountains.

www.festineuch.ch

www.buring-mountain.ch

www.spitzenleichtathletik.ch

10 June

15 June

18 June

23 June to 02 July

Mafia dinner

Black Sabbath

Dance ship

Belluard Bollwerk International

Port of Romanshorn

Fribourg

Break out your dancing shoes for this boat ride complete with snacks and drinks.

Enjoy theater, dance, music, visual arts and art in this public space.

bit.ly/HelloBlackS

bit.ly/HelloDanceship

www.belluard.ch

16 to 18 June

19 June

25 June

Thurgau Plunge back into time of Al Capone with a German show and three-course menu on a ship.

bit.ly/HelloDinnerEvent

11 to 12 June Coldplay

Zurich Be there when the band presents their tour “A Head Full Of Dreams.”

bit.ly/HelloColdplay

Zurich Are you a fan of heavy metal?

The English band is on tour for “The End.”

Gourmet Trail

Summer Music Festival

Luzern

Saas Fee VS

Dielsdorf

Enjoy non-commercial music of various genres during this summer event.

It’s hiking season and for foodies this is a big 'must' to enjoy.

Get ready for a variety of performances for the young and old alike.

bit.ly/HelloTrail

bit.ly/HelloSummerM

21 June

25 to 26 June

Music Festival

FestiKids Openair

B-Sides Festival

www.b-sides.ch

Fribourg

Thun

It’s time to take to the streets and enjoy a variety of music styles.

Your kid will have loads of fun at this event especially for children.

www.fete-musique.ch

www.kinder-land.ch

23 to 26 June

30 June to 03 July

Blues’n’jazz Photo: © Mysticalpics

RECOMMENDED

Openair St. Gallen

Rapperswil

St. Gallen

The festival on the lakeside promenade offers about 25 concerts on three stages.

Enjoy top acts like Radiohead, Mumford & Sons, Bastian Baker and Years & Years!

www.bluesnjazz.ch

www.openairsg.ch

18 WHAT’S ON WWW.HELLOSWITZERL AND.CH /EVENTS

JULY 2016 30 June to 23 July 01 to 03 July

01 July to 21 Aug 06 July to 11 Aug

Culture festival

Engadin Bike Giro

Cinema Transat

Openair cinema

St. Gallen

St. Moritz

Geneva

Murten FR

It’s a meeting point for music and culture lovers in Eastern Switzerland.

Get ready for a three-day mountain bike race with professional riders.

Watch a movie under the stars while enjoying Lake Geneva's shoreline.

Enjoy various and exciting movies outside of the old city wall of Murten.

www.kulturfestival.ch

www.engadin-bike-giro.ch

wwww.cinetransat.ch

www.openairkino-murten.ch

01 to 02 July

01 to 08 July

02 July

07 to 09 July

Open air cinema Blausee

Le Cid opera

Zermatt Marathon

Open air Frauenfeld

Kandersteg BE

St. Gallen

St. Niklaus VS

Frauenfeld

Enjoy a three-course menu while watching movies at the beautiful Lake Blausee.

Visit the abbey courtyard when it becomes a backdrop for the French opera “Le Cid.”

It’s time to start training for a race from St. Niklaus via Zermatt to Riffelberg.

Join Europe’s biggest hip-hop festival with Major Lazer, Wiz Khalifa and more.

bit.ly/Helloblausee

bit.ly/HelloAbbey

www.zermattmarathon.ch

www.openair-frauenfeld.ch

01 to 03 July

01 to 16 July

02 July

07 to 10 July

Zurich City Festival

Montreux Jazz Festival

Boat party

Wake’n’Jam

Zurich

Montreux

Lake Zug

Murten

From culinary food stands to dance shows, you can’t miss this city party and fireworks show.

Visit this music festival with international top artists. A hot event the city is famous for.

This exclusive event guarantees great shows with live vocal acts.

Have a relaxing evening and listen to international artists in front of Lake Murten.

www.zuerifaescht.ch

www.montreuxjazzfestival.com

bit.ly/HelloBoatParty

www.wakeandjam.ch

02 to 03 July

07 to 15 July

Swiss Car Event

Avenches Opera

Geneva

Avenches VD

Customized and modified vehicles will be exhibited with various demonstrations.

Watch G. Puccini's great opera, “Madama Butterfly” in the Roman amphitheater.

www.swisscarevent.ch/en

www.avenchesopera.ch

02 to 03 July

07 to 17 July

Festival of sacred music

Moon and Stars

Fribourg

Locarno

You shouldn’t miss one of the most important classical music events in Switzerland!

Listen to international beats at the Piazza Grande in this southern Swiss city!

www.fims-friboug.ch

www.moonandstars.ch

05 to 10 July

08 to 09 July

Lausanne City Festival

Rock & Blues

Lausanne

Gossau

Discover Lausanne by listening to music, watching theater and dancing.

Local and regional rock, and blues bands give their best on stage!

www.festivalcite.ch

www.blues-night.ch

20 to 30 July Basel Tattoo

RECOMMENDED

Basel It’s time to head to Basel for this annual military and marching music event complete with dance shows, fantastic bands and singers from all over the world.

www.baseltattoo.ch

Photo: © Basel Tattoo

Movies, bike races and blue balls

WHAT’S ON 19

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Take a break from city life at Gurten

CRITICS'CHOICE

Bern A short ride from Bern city center by tram and the funicular Gurtenbahn sits this low mountain, whose summit was developed by the capital in 1999 as an outdoor leisure area. At 858 m, the Gurten sports fabulous views over Bern on a clear day, and makes for a welcome getaway from the city. The leafy offering includes a viewing tower, several restaurants, children’s play area, plus hiking and mountain biking trails.

www.timeout.com/switzerland

10 July

16 to 24 July

Wrestling and Alpine Fest

Swiss Open Gstaad

Rigi LU

Gstaad

Enjoy the oldest traditional event with alphorn blowers, wrestlers and yodelers.

Grab a seat for the high class tennis world. Who are you cheering for?

bit.ly/HelloRigi

bit.ly/HelloOpen

11 to 17 July

19 to 29 July

New Orleans jazz festival

Paléo Festival

Klosters, Davos

Nyon

Get ready for a great jazz event including 75 concerts, jazz train and much more.

Enjoy one of Switzerland’s top festivals with a variety of international artists.

www.davos-sounds-good.ch

yeah.paleo.ch/en

Photo: © Bern Tourismus/Terence du Fresne

13 July to 27 Aug 22 to 24 July Summer musical on the lake

International Alphorn Festival

Thun

Nendaz VS

Dive into an unforgettable event with a stage on the lake and a spectacular view.

Join the traditional Alphorn competition and listen to concerts by Swiss folk groups.

www.thunerseespiele.ch

www.nendazcordesalpes.ch/en

14 to 17 July

22 to 30 July

Gurten Festival

Blue Balls Festival

Bern

Lucerne

Head above the capital city for one of Switzerland’s most iconic festivals.

More than 100 acts from blues, soul, funk, rock and pop take center stage.

www.gurtenfestival.ch

www.blueballs.ch

22 to 07 August

30 July

Verbier Festival

Swissalpine Marathon

Verbier VS

Davos

Get ready for days filled with classical music played by world-renowned artists.

Run various routes through the beautiful alpine landscape of Grison.

www.verbierfestival.com

www.swissalpine.ch

24 July

31 July

National Costume Festival

Big Bang Festival

Grindelwald BE

Biel/Bienne BE

Authentic and unforgettable — you’ll enjoy typical national dresses from all regions.

Enjoy fireworks, live music and delicious food at the lake promenade.

bit.ly/HelloCostume

www.bielerseefest.ch

30 July

31 July

Best of Lake

Rhine Falls Festival

Lucerne

Rhine Falls, Neuhausen

Explore the place of origin of the Swiss Confederation on a steamship.

Europe's largest waterfall provides a dramatic backdrop for this giant firework festival.

bit.ly/HelloLucerne

bit.ly/HelloFirework

20 WHAT'S ON

SUMMER'S BEST ART SHOWS

Destination Rio

Plot in Plastilin

Olympic Museum Lausanne

Gewerbemuseum Winterthur

Until 25 September

Until 18 September

Lausanne is called the Olympic Games capital since it is the home of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum.

And as the world gears up for the 2016 Olympics, Lausanne’s Olympic Museum is hosting a special exhibition — Destination Rio. The main theme not only revolves around sports and athletes but also around the culture and flavor of Rio. Visitors will discover Rio’s beautiful beaches, the famous Samba dance and the city’s music. All the exhibitions and events are designed to showcase the diversity of Brazilian culture. For this special event, Brazilian artists have been chosen to present their masterpieces.

Winterthur’s museum of trade hosts an array of temporary exhibitions, events and workshops around culture, art and design to provide insight into current issues. This year, the museum dives into the world of Plasticine — a brand of modeling clay — with a special exhibition. The material is not just for children but has been used for animation, contemporary art and design. During this exhibition you will enjoy animated films such as Wallace & Gromit while experiencing new experimental short productions and advertising films, music videos, and artistic works.

www.olympic.org/museum/interactive-documentary/destination-rio

www.gewerbemuseum.ch

Art Basel

Messe Basel 16 to 19 June

Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (MEG)

Art Basel is the ‘can’t miss’ event for the art world. Each June, famous artists and art lovers converge on Basel to check out works from great masters and emerging stars. Covering a variety of artistic mediums from videos and photography to paintings and live performances, the show is the hot ticket in town each summer. Will you be there?

20 May to 8 January 2017

www.artbasel.com/basel

Amazonie

Interested in learning more about people and culture? Then it’s time to check out Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (MEG) — a museum with one of the finest ethnographic collections including books, videos, music, artwork and temporary exhibitions. This year, the museum unveils a collection about the Amazon, its various populations of flora and fauna, and its cultural and regional diversities. It’s a great opportunity to learn about this outdoor paradise.

www.ville-ge.ch/meg/index.php

Photos: (left) © Ivo Gonzalez/Olympic Museum; (top right) © Brigitta Garcia Lopez_Flengel Dreamflight/Gewerbemuseum Winterthur; (bottom right) © Art Basel

Interested in checking out Switzerland’s top art shows and museum exhibitions this summer? Then Lorena Gross has your guide for navigating this season’s art scene.

WHAT'S ON 21

issue 2 / 2016

Modern Masters

Chinese Whispers

Kunstmuseum Bern

Kunstmuseum Bern and Zentrum Paul Klee (Bern)

Until 21 August

Until 19 June

This museum is one of the most important museums of cultural history in Switzerland. It houses archaeology, history and ethnography collections containing more than 500,000 objects from Stone Age through modern times. This year, the museum presents an exhibition centered on modern masters' collections.

Many items from the collection are from private collectors and institutions who have donated artwork as a gift or as a permanent loan. Masterpieces include work by Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Franz Marc and Pablo Picasso.

The Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern is one of Switzerland's spectacular and breathtaking museums. While the collection of works by artist Paul Klee are front and center, there are also temporary exhibitions, music events, theater productions, readings, guided tours and even a museum for children. This year, though, nearly 150 pieces from Swiss collector Uli Sigg’s “Chinese Whispers” collection will be exhibited before they are donated to Hong Kong. The works reflect modern China and are a great opportunity to learn more about the country to the east.

www.museums.ch

www.zpk.org Collectionneurs

Kunstmuseum Lucerne Until 27 November With international exhibitions, the Kunstmuseum Lucerne is one of the most important Swiss art museums. The institution focuses on Swiss art from the Renaissance to modern times and the collection is constantly growing. This year, the museum is playing host to a collection of work donated by a Genevan couple specializing in Swiss art. Their collection focuses on artists from the Romandy including works by John Armleder, Philippe Decrauzat, Sylvie Fleury, Alain Huck and Carmen Perrin.

www.kunstmuseumluzern.ch Dada 100

Cabaret Voltaire Zurich Photos: (top left) © August_Macke_Gartenrestaurant/Kunstmuseum Bern; (bottom left) © Café Voltaire; (bottom right) © Walter Grab/Kunstmuseum Lucerne

Until 18 July For the 100th anniversary of Cabaret Voltaire, 165 Dadaists come together to celebrate their grand master Dada. Dadaism was a literary and artistic movement in the early 20th century.

For this special occasion, the birthplace of Dada is celebrating with 165 days of festivities which will run until July. On each day, one of the 165 Dadaists is portrayed in the permanent exhibition “Dada in Nuce.” The days have different events including Dadalogy, academy, art and specials making this a unique event for learning about the birth of Cabaret Voltaire.

www.cabaretvoltaire.ch

WANT MORE? Check out more fun things to do at

www.helloswitzerland.ch/summer

FEATURED PARTNER: TAX CONSULTING

22 FINANCIAL ADVICE

PREVENTING CROSS-BORDER TAX EVASION In the wake of the financial crisis, combating tax evasion on a global basis has become an important topic. As a consequence in July 2014, the OECD Council adopted the new global standard for the automatic exchange of information in tax matters (AEoI). PwC explains what you need to know.

1) What is AEoI? The AEoI is the systematic and periodic transmission of information by financial institutions (i.e. banks, insurance companies and certain investment companies) concerning customers with a tax domicile in a different country than the bank. The term customer includes both individuals, as well as companies.

This means, for example, that based on the AEoI standard, a Swiss bank will have to collect and remit information with regard to the bank accounts of an individual domiciled in Australia to the Swiss Federal Tax Authorities, which pass them on to the respective authorities in Australia.

The goal of this new global standard is to prevent cross-border tax evasion. Up to today, approximately 100 states have agreed to implement the new standard, including all important financial centers.

2) When will the automatic exchange of information be introduced?

Around 50 so-called “Early Adopter” States (EU member states, as well as other countries such as Liechtenstein, Argentina and Mexico) will exchange the relevant information starting in 2017 relating to data from 2016. Switzerland is scheduled to start automatically passing on tax information with selected countries in 2018 relating to data from 2017.

Switzerland has to date signed respective agreements with the European Union, Australia and Canada. Furthermore, the respective legal basis for the implementation was adopted by the Swiss parliament in the 2015 winter session.

3) What information will be exchanged under the AEoI? Under the AEoI standard, financial institutions are obliged to pass on the information listed below with regard to bank accounts, and certain life insurance policies of their foreign domiciled customers: • Account number; • Tax ID number; • Name, address and date of birth of the accountholder; • All types of income (interest, dividends, etc.); and • The balance of the account.

For purposes of determining whether and where the information is to be submitted, the actual beneficial owners of the account must be identified. This means that passive structures such

as trusts, foundations or domicile companies will be treated transparently under the AEoI.

4) How will Switzerland use data received on Swiss taxpayers with accounts abroad?

The use of the information received from abroad can be determined by the individual countries. As the responsibility for the tax assessments in Switzerland lies with the cantonal and/or communal tax authorities, the Federal Tax Administration will forward the information received from abroad to the respective assessment authorities. They will use it for the application and enforcement of Swiss tax law.

It is to be noted that contrary to this international sharing of information, in a Swiss domestic context the relatively strict client confidentiality (banking secrecy) will remain in force, i.e. a Swiss domestic bank will not pass on any information with regard to their Swiss resident customers to the Swiss tax authorities. It is currently not foreseeable how long this differentiation between Swiss domestic and international context may be upheld.

5) What actions are to be taken before the introduction of the AEoI? In view of the upcoming adoption of the AEoI and thus the increasing global transparency in tax matters, regularisation of untaxed assets prior to the introduction of the AEoI is highly recommended, if not the only possibility to prevent criminal prosecution.

There are various possibilities for this kind of regularisation. For example, Germany and France offer the possibility of voluntary disclosure. In the UK and Austria, tax payers were able to regularise their tax matters by means of a flat withholding tax. In case of voluntary disclosure, the taxpayer has to pay the tax on the undeclared funds (plus potentially supplementary taxes, fines, etc.), but is exempt from criminal prosecution.

For more information, simply get in touch:

Simone Heinrich Tax & Legal Services 058 792 42 65 simone.heinrich@ch.pwc.com

www.pwc.ch

I F YOU’RE EXPECTING A BUNDLE OF JOY, YOU NEED SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST. Every birth is different. That’s why we take a highly individualised approach at Hirslanden and provide numerous resources that are perfectly tailored to your needs. During the antenatal classes, you can familiarise yourself with our facilities and options and decide for yourself what you need. In Hirslanden’s calm surrounds, you’ll have a professional team by your side – from the moment you first arrive, until you head home with your new baby. www.hirslandenbaby.ch

EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST.

HIRSLANDEN A MEDICLINIC INTERNATIONAL COMPANY

e Fre n of re hil d li e nt s c r c fo v i va B on

Viva. The banking package for young people and students.

Viva opens the door to exclusive experiences for your kids. Viva Movie Days offer cut-price cinema every week. What’s more, Viva regularly gives away concert tickets, VIP packages, and meet & greets with cool bands and stars.

Open a package now, and discover more benefits.

credit-suisse.com/viva credit-suisse.com/viva

FINANCIAL ADVICE  25

issue 2 / 2016

With Viva Banking Packages, your children will receive all important Swiss banking services from a single source during their youth and studies. At the same time, having a bank account with Credit Suisse will also give your children access to a world of experiences with discounted movie and concert tickets, as well as many additional extras.

Nowadays, it is never too early to teach your children personal responsibility. The quicker you instill independence in your offspring, the more successful they will be in managing their own lives later on. This is particularly true with regard to managing their personal finances, which is why the long-established Swiss bank Credit Suisse offers young people attractive and comprehensive banking services through its Viva packages. In addition to financial freedom and personal responsibility, Viva gives young people access to many exclusive extras.

VIVA YOUNG AND VIVA STUDENT The Viva Young Package enables students, apprentices, and young professionals between the ages of 12 and 23 to independently manage their money when they first start earning. The second Credit Suisse package, called Viva Student, is aimed at students aged 18 and over. This attractive banking package provides additional financial freedom and flexibility during their studies, up to the age of 30.

Both banking packages include a private account and a savings account. The Viva savings account currently (as of February 2016) offers an attractive interest rate of 1% on balances both big and small. This gives your children certainty that their money will grow despite interest rates being low worldwide. The Viva private account and Viva savings account are easily managed with a few clicks online or through the Viva app. Both packages also include a Maestro card. This debit card enables young Viva clients to make free cash withdrawals in Swiss francs or euros around the clock at any ATM in Switzerland. The Viva credit or prepaid card lets your son or daughter make secure cashless purchases. In Switzerland, abroad, or online.

FUN, FESTIVALS, AND FRIENDSHIPS Both Viva Banking Packages give your children access to exclusive events and discounts in Swiss cinemas. During the weekly Viva Movie Days, Viva clients and a guest can go to the movies for only CHF 13 per person (3-D movies for CHF 15). They'll also receive a complimentary bag of popcorn and a soft drink each. Viva clients also get the chance to receive free tickets to exclusive music events such as the Swiss Music Awards. In doing so, a Viva Banking Package can help your children easily integrate in Switzerland and quickly get in touch with other young people.

ARE YOU ALREADY A CREDIT SUISSE CLIENT? The Swiss bank offers a free Viva package to all children of Bonviva clients. Contact your client advisor for more information. You will find an overview of our Bonviva offers at

www.credit-suisse.com/bonviva Would you like to encourage financial freedom for your son or daughter, even if you are not yet a CS client? No problem, you will find all the advantages of both Viva Packages at

www.credit-suisse.com/viva

Legal Notice: The reader acknowledges that the information provided in this publication is only intended for distribution and use by persons who are residents of Switzerland. In particular, it is not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by or for the offer or solicitation of any products or services directed to, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability, use, offer or solicitation would be contrary to applicable law or regulation or which would subject Credit Suisse to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction.

Credit Suisse will not treat readers of this publication as its clients by virtue of them accessing it. Readers of this publication should seek the advice of their independent financial advisor prior to taking any investment decision on the basis of any information contained herein and no information herein constitutes general or specific investment, legal, tax or accounting advice of any kind.

FEATURED PARTNER: BANKING SERVICES

CLEVER BANKING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, PLUS ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

PROPER INSURANCE AGAINST BICYCLE THEFT Riding a bike is popular in Switzerland — whether to explore your surroundings or for longer bike trips. But you shouldn't forget the right insurance in case of theft. Helvetia explains.

The Brown family has lived in Switzerland for almost a year. In order to get to know the country and its people better, Mr and Mrs Brown buy touring bikes for themselves and their two children in the spring. They initially plan to explore the area in which they live and then, in a second step, to go on weekend cycling trips throughout Switzerland.

But they don't get that far. A few weeks after they buy the bikes, their garage is broken into and the brand-new bicycles are stolen. They are very angry. But they are even more relieved that the financial loss will be limited. After moving to Switzerland, Mr and Mrs Brown took out household contents insurance. If your house is burgled and bicycles or other objects are stolen, the household contents insurance will pay the replacement value of the stolen objects.

CHECK THE SUM INSURED

WHAT IS "SIMPLE THEFT OFF PREMISES"?

However, the insurance will only pay the full purchase price if the sum insured of the household contents insurance corresponds to at least the total value of the household contents. If the value of the furniture, clothes, electronic devices, bicycles etc. is higher than the insured value, this amounts to under-insurance. In this case, the insurance company can reduce the sum to be paid out accordingly. For example, if the total value of the household contents of a family of four is CHF 200,000 and the sum insured is only CHF 150,000, the insurance company is only required to pay 75% of the loss incurred in the event of a break-in. In this example, if objects worth CHF 5,000 are stolen, the victim will only receive CHF 3,750. In order to avoid underinsurance, it is a good idea to regularly check the sum insured together with your insurance advisor and to adjust it if necessary. This is particularly important after major purchases, such as a new sofa or bicycles for the whole family.

If the Brown family's bicycles had been stolen while they were on a trip — for example if the family was in a restaurant enjoying a snack — they would have needed a supplementary clause stating "simple theft off-premises" in their household contents insurance in order for the insurance company to cover the loss. Many policyholders have included a clause of this type. The amount of cover should be chosen in line with the value of the bicycles. We recommend checking your individual policy with your insurance advisor in order to find the ideal solution.

Find additional information at:

www.helvetia.ch/helloswitzerland Photo: © Helvetia

FEATURED PARTNER: INSURANCE

26 FINANCIAL ADVICE

We make sure you love being at home.

At Pfister, making your home beautiful is easy. Visit us in one of our 20 stores or on our website. Be inspired by our wide range and many brands. Order custom-made furniture. And enjoy free consultation – even available in your own home. Following your purchase we deliver your furniture to your home and assemble it expertly. pfister.ch

ARE YOU RELOCATING TO SWITZERLAND? CALL +41 58 356 17 77 Speak to your personal advisor to receive free relocation guidance on all Swiss cities.

« ‘Glocal’ expertise enables

us to tailor solutions to each individual transferee’s needs.

»

Stuart Holmes Packimpex Destination Services Relocation Consultant

Design your own relocation package starting at CHF 199 Whether you are moving to or leaving Switzerland, you can tailor your own relocation support package to suit your requirements. Before you purchase anything, you are entitled to a free web-based orientation tour of any town or city in Switzerland, including a telephone consultation with a relocation specialist. Our relocation services for private clients are offered as modules in the Hello Switzerland Relocation Store. This innovative approach lets you combine the steps you’d prefer to handle by yourself with a wide range of service modules from us and other Hello Switzerland partners. We’re redefining relocation — find out more at www.helloswitzerland.ch/store or email helpline@helloswitzerland.ch

GLOBAL MOBILIT Y 29

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RENTAL PROPERTY ADVICE

BY STUART HOLMES

Moving is stressful, with a tremendous amount of information to be processed in a very short time. After finally finding the right property but before signing anything, you need to be very clear on your rights and obligations as a tenant to avoid pitfalls and remove any grey areas. Tenancy law in Switzerland is very complicated.

Anyone who is not aware of the laws can inadvertently run into trouble, sometimes with financial consequences which may arise years later once you reach the end of your tenancy.

Whether you are signing a lease contract and moving to a new property or looking for assistance and support during key handover, our professional team of housing experts at Packimpex can make this transition for you a whole lot easier. Listed below are our modular services that can provide you with peace of mind.

TAKING OVER A RENTAL PROPERT Y It is so important to know exactly what you are walking into. Packimpex assists with every imaginable type of property in Switzerland, these range from setting up the rental contract and assisting clients with translations, through to attending the property handover with the real estate agency or property owner. Our housing team is qualified to guide you step by step. We will ensure that you are clear with lease terms and conditions, including cancellation terms. If we are present at the entrance inspection, we will prepare a property protocol with photos (listing all visible damages left from a previous tenant) and liaise with the estate agency to point out and organise repair of any existing damage noted at the handover or during your initial 10 day move-in period. You will then be able to enter the tenancy with full awareness of your rights and responsibilities, and you will be protected from any oversights on the part of the estate agent or private owner.

TERMINATING YOUR LEASE CONTRACT Terminating your lease may prove expensive. This is because you must honour the contract until the contractual termination date or continue to pay monthly rent until a new tenant has formally applied for the property.

At Packimpex, we will help you to best plan your lease termination and to formulate the lease cancellation letter to the real estate agent or landlord. If necessary, we will help you to find a new tenant through advertising, preparing the apartment for viewing as well as by establishing the application form for your prospective replacement. In preparation for your departure, we will also assist in cancelling or transferring your utilities and other personal contracts to your new address in a timely manner, ensuring that you are free from any liability from your departure date onward.

HANDING BACK A PROPERTY AT THE END OF YOUR TENANCY Focusing your efforts where it makes the most sense is the key to a successful departure. We will advise you of the exact condition you should be returning the property and what you should consider first when it comes to cleaning based on legal regulations and what has been stipulated in your contract. We offer support and advice on what you can expect with regards to repair cost, sparing you unnecessary energy and avoidable expenses. Our presence at the exit inspection will help you negotiate any remaining items, giving you the peace of mind you need to move on to your future location.

We’re redefining relocation — find out more at

www.packimpex.ch/myrelocation

DISAGREEMENTS WITH L ANDLORDS In every canton there are cantonal, regional or communal conciliation authorities. They provide advice to both tenants and landlords. In case of disputes regarding a rental contract or issues arising during the tenancy, the conciliation authorities attempt to facilitate an amicable settlement. Being aware of your rights and obligations is crucial and our housing team is in the best position to help you to prepare for such an event.

Packimpex Ltd. Kate Davey Director of Sales +41 58 356 15 22 kate.davey@packimpex.ch

FEATURED PARTNER: RELOCATION

Renting a house or apartment? Swiss tenancy laws can be complicated.

Packimpex has some top tips for navigating the Swiss housing market with ease.

Test winner for customer service hotline. Best rating in the ÂŤmobile telephonyÂť category in the network test.

GET CONNECTED 31

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Thanks to Sunrise’s partnership with WhatsApp, messages sent via WhatsApp from within Switzerland will be included in all “Freedom” rate plans. Another great deal from Switzerland’s leading private telecom operator.

The messaging service WhatsApp recently announced that it now serves over 1 billion users worldwide. Sixty-two percent of Swiss mobile telephone customers use WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family.

WhatsApp has now become a standard app on most smartphones and is currently the third most downloaded app in Switzerland.

MTVMOBILE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE In partnership with MTV, Sunrise offers a price plan for young people called MTVmobile. It offers ideal telecom products for young people up to the age of 30, and is the only youth-specific telecommunication brand in the Swiss market.

WhatsApp messaging data has been included in these subscriptions since spring 2014.

Sunrise Freedom is the only mobile phone offer with no minimum contract duration and the option to change subscriptions at any time to adapt to a customer’s current needs.

This makes it the ideal mobile rate plan for international professionals and expats in Switzerland.

Since 1 March, all Sunrise Freedom subscriptions have included the use of the WhatsApp Messaging within Switzerland without deducting any of a customer’s highspeed data volume. This means that all Sunrise Freedom customers will be able to browse the web at 100 Mbps for even longer — regardless of how many messages, images or videos they send on WhatsApp. This enhancement makes the Sunrise product portfolio an even better fit for the needs of all customers. All subscriptions will continue to include flat rates with no restriction on use for phone calls, SMS/MMS and web browsing in Switzerland.

NO FIXED MOBILE CONTRACT TERM WITH SUNRISE Sunrise was the first mobile network operator to launch the concept of separate service and mobile device plans, both without a fixed contract term. The Sunrise Freedom rate plan, launched in April 2014, fully supports the three Sunrise values of transparency, fairness and customer orientation.

www.sunrise.ch

FEATURED PARTNER: TV, TELECOM & INTERNET

SUNRISE AND WHATSAPP FORM PARTNERSHIP

32 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND

WELCOME TO THE ADRENALIN MECCA Looking for a bit of adventure? Then it’s time to head to Interlaken — the top destination for adventure sports.

PROVIDED BY INTERL AKEN TOURISM

Interlaken quickens the pulse rate of all adrenalin junkies and adventuresport addicts. The offers in the Interlaken region are limitless, with an activity to match all “thrill levels.”

Dive from a helicopter or plane with your guide and hurtle through the air at an incredible speed. After about 40 seconds of free fall, your parachute opens and you float gently down to Interlaken.

LEVEL 1: JET BOAT TOUR Take a seat in Switzerland's first commercially run jet boat for a spectacular ride over Lake Brienz. Forty unforgettable kilometres sprinkled with impressive scenery and action-packed 360-degree spins on the lake are waiting. Not physically demanding but a thrilling adventure!

LEVEL 2: HANG-GLIDING Get a bird’s eye view of Interlaken's lake and mountain world. Go with the wind and float gently over Interlaken with a hang-glider steered by a professional pilot who will take you down safely from Beatenberg to Interlaken.

Whether in the air, on water or on the earth, every element has its own way of accelerating your pulse. Welcome to the adrenalin mecca.

For more information please email info@interlakenadventure.com or visit interlaken-

adventure.com

The short sprint at the start is rewarded with an unforgettably scenic flight.

LEVEL 3: SKYDIVING Skydiving in the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountain landscape — 40 seconds of free-fall at speeds of up to 200 km/h!

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DISCOVER SWITZERL AND 33

issue 2 / 2016

LA DOLCE VITA Sometimes in life you just want it all. Blue water. Awe-inspiring hiking trails. A nice bottle of wine. Luckily, Switzerland’s answer to the perfect holiday is nestled in the south — Ticino. Ashley Roque took a break to uncover its hidden charms.

Church Madonna del Sasso

Morning jogs along the villa cladded shores of Locarno’s Lago Maggiore marked my introduction to Ticino several years ago. Palm trees in Switzerland?

Yes, please. Rural grottos serving creamy polenta and grilled meats? Point the way.

Photo: © Christof Sonderegger/Ticino Turism

Since my first visit, each time I’ve been seduced a bit more by hidden (and not so hidden) gems throughout the region. And while any season is a great excuse to explore Ticino, long summer days are ideal for soaking up the Swiss-Italian culture by renting a house in a quaint village or for a weekend city retreat.

If you’re looking for ideas to explore the area, here are some of the top tips I’ve gleaned over the years.

Theyll have you wishing summer would never end.

SLOWING DOWN IN CENTOVALLI From wooded hiking trails dotted with blue pools of mountain water to candlelit dinners off the tourist trail, if you’re looking for rustic charm, Centovalli has it. Centovalli, or hundred valleys, was named for the hundred streams rushing down the mountains to create deep gorges. So get ready for some windy roads with steep cliffs that pave the way between stone villages and hiking trails.

For a four-day weekend escape, my husband and I packed our two sheepdogs into the car and made our way to a rental house in the sleepy town of Verdasio. It’s a town forgotten in time with grey stone houses, winding staircases and only 20 permanent residents. It’s quiet, sans the clock tower, which means this is not a getaway for you if you need shopping at your doorstep or a five-star hotel.

However, the town is home to Al Pentolino — a 14 Gault Millau point restaurant. When the weather is nice, book a stone table on the terrace. The view of the valley below, combined with a modern twist on traditional fare, is a great way to kick-start a long weekend getaway.

In addition to the tasty, local restaurant, Verdasio is the perfect launch point for mountain bikers and hikers. For us, it was straight to the hiking trails. In Verdasio you can simply hop on the 11.7 km Centovalli Camendo-Verdasio-Intragna trail that is given a medium difficulty level. If you’re not up for a long hike, the town’s location is perfect to jump on the trail for a light walk — as we did with two tired dogs.

For a longer day on the trails, we headed down the road to the Monte Comino area. We caught a small cable car up the mountain and hiked for hours

34 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND

Café Al Borgo

enjoying the great views of the Centovalli on relatively flat paths under a canopy of trees. While there, you can visit the small Madonna della Segna church or stop for a bite to eat at the grotto Alla Capanna.

By day three, we’d worked up an appetite from all the hiking and it was time to hop in the car and explore the region’s grottos. Heading out on Via Cantonale (or Canton Street) alongside the bluegreen hues of the Melezza River, we veered onto side roads to explore the villages and hidden grottos dishing up hearty fare including creamy risottos and homemade pastas.

With full bellies, it was time to put on our bathing suits and head down to the Melezza River’s rocky bank for some afternoon sun and a dip in the glacier water. There are numerous spots along the road to pull over and enjoy, including in Golino or Tegna. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your final hours in the area.

As for restaurants in Locarno, it’s worth taking a stroll along the lake to find a spot with a view. Away from the lake and the main plaza, though, there are two great choices. The first is the tiny Osteria Borghese offering a retreat from the tourist traps and serving mouth-watering fresh pastas and for carnivores, tender steaks. As a side note, it is best to make reservations in advance and be warned; the owner will not take a table of one (as I sadly learned when I tried to return on a solo trip).

For seafood and a livelier environment (yes they accept solo travelers), book a table at Cittadella.

The spaghetti alle vongole was al dente and delicious, while the classic tiramisu was worth returning for.

Each summer Locarno hosts Moon and Stars (7-17 July 2016), a 20-day music event in the Piazza Grande. If you’re interested, book your rooms and tickets early.

IS THAT DIZZY GILLESPIE? Next door to Locarno, Ascona’s narrow alleys are filled with boutiques and cafés that weave down to

Don’t have a car but still want to enjoy the region’s scenery? You can hop on the Centovalli Railway departing from Locarno to Domodossola (nearly 2 hours each way) to catch views of tumbling waterfalls and mountains.

A TASTE OF LOCARNO If you’re not into hiking and need a bit more excitement than Centovalli, or are simply looking for some day trip ideas, Locarno’s shores could be a perfect fit.

Perched on Lago Maggiore (‘Great Lake’), it’s a better bet for those looking for a leisurely bike ride (there are even electric bike rentals available at the tourist office) or afternoon shopping. And of course there are cafés.

Lago Maggiore

Photos: (top right) © Al Borgo; (bottom left)© Edmondo Viselli/Ticino Tourism

One of my favorites, Al Borgo (also called Casa Borgo) is off the main plaza so people watching is limited.

However, this historic house dates back to the 1500’s and boasts an enchanting courtyard perfect for enjoying a cappuccino or Aperol Spritz. Take heed, the inside sitting rooms may lure you to cuddle up with a book and forget the city outside. On my first visit to the café, I was a bit too enchanted and returned several months later to stay in the B&B portion of the house, a decision I highly recommend if you do not mind sharing a bathroom.

DISCOVER SWITZERL AND 35

issue 2 / 2016

the lakeshore. Here, you will find Piazza G. Motta’s stretch of brightly colored restaurant fronts. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy an evening or weekend. And if you enjoy jazz, each summer (this year from 25 June through 4 July) the city hosts a 10-day jazz festival along the waterfront. During the event, various stages dot the piazza’s lakefront with bands playing New Orleans jazz, swing and blues.

Ponte Romano Agosto

If you’re interested in enjoying the music, tickets are free Monday through Thursday, and CHF 20 for adults Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As a sidenote, you will need tickets to enter the Piazza G. Motta during these two weekend evenings.

Photos: (top left) © Paola Valchera/Ticino Tourism; (top right) Glauco Cugini/Ticino Tourism; (bottom) © Remo Arni

To make the most of the night, or any night really, just head to the piazza early and grab a coveted outdoor table at Osteria Nostrana for a crisp pizza and delicious beef carpaccio. Vegetarians fear not. There are many options for you including the rich gnocchi with mascarpone, tomatoes, basil and grana padano cheese.

So now that your appetite is whet, it’s time to explore Ticino’s hidden gems and uncover some of your own.

Buon viaggio!

FIND OUT MORE Centovalli and Verdasio To book a table at Al Pentolino or to find a chalet visit

www.verdasio.ch For information on hiking in Centovalli visit

www.procentovalli.ch To explore the Monte Comino area visit

www.montecomino.ch

National Park Locarno

Locarno Casa Borgo www.casaborgo.ch Osteria Borghese is located at Via Borghese 20, 6600 Locarno Cittadella www2.cittadella.ch Moon and Stars www.moonandstars.ch For general information on the area visit

www.ascona-locarno.com www.ticino.ch

Ashley Roque and her two dogs on the Monte Camino trails

Ascona From Locarno, Ascona can be reached in 11 minutes on bus number 1 in the direction of Ascona, Posta JazzAscona www.jazzascona.ch Osteria Nostrana www.ristoranti-ff.ch/nostranaen.htm

Festival del film Locarno, Piazza Grande

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7-17.7 • Moon and Stars Locarno 8.7-4.8 • Vallemaggia Magic Blues 15-17.7 • Polo Cup Ascona 21-24.7 • CSI Ascona 22-24.7 • Luci e ombre – fireworks show Locarno/Muralto

3-13.8 • Festival del film Locarno 6.8 • Verzasca Country Festival Sonogno 26-28.8 • Rombo Days – Harley Davidson Meeting Locarno 3-4.9 o • Triathlon Locarn 5.9-14.10 li • Settimane Musica di Ascona – Classical Music Festival Ascona/Locarno 13.9-23.10 n • Culinary Autum Weeks Lago Maggiore e Valli 25.9 • Walking Day o & Ladies Run Ticin Locarno 1.10/8.10 • Chestnut and Autumn Festival Ascona 16.10 • Ascona-Locarno Marathon 24.11.2016-6.1.2017 • Locarno on Ice

38 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND

TOP SPEED THROUGH THE ALPS To discover speedier railway travel, Anitra Green takes a peek behind Switzerland’s CHF 11.2 billion New Rail Link through the Alps.

NRLA is a long-term plan to provide a flat railway through the Alps without endless climbs up steep Alpine valleys. This means building long tunnels that start at low altitudes and have no inclines, so trains can run at up to 250 km per hour. The idea of doing this was first mooted in 1947 but began to gain steam in the 1990s when the Swiss voted “yes” to new railway tunnels on the Gotthard and Lötschberg routes.

While part of the goal is to provide tourists and businesspeople with faster travel routes, another involves environmental protection of the Alps from modern civilization. One of the key pollutants is freight transport of vast amounts of goods from the Far East — electronic equipment, car parts, cheap textiles, plastic goods and more — that are transported across the Alps to industrial centres in Italy. However, only a fraction can go by road. If the Swiss have their way, in the future there’ll be even fewer trucks on the Gotthard motorway and instead most of the freight will go by rail, thanks to the NRLA.

GOT THARD BASE TUNNEL This is the biggest project of the lot. The Gotthard Base Tunnel at 57 km from Erstfeld

to Bodio is the longest railway tunnel in world, beating the Seikan tunnel in Japan (53.9 km).

The grand opening is on 1 June and it’ll be quite a party, with bigwigs from all over the world coming to this unique event. There’ll be open days for the public on 4 and 5 June with festivities at both ends of the tunnel and a full programme of events. However, the tunnel will only fully come into use when the new timetable is introduced in mid-December (the Swiss do this every year).

But even then, the fast route to Milan won’t be complete till the Ceneri Base Tunnel is finished in 2020. At only 15.4 km long, this also is an essential part of the NRLA. Then you’ll be able to get from the centre of Zurich to the centre of Milan in just three hours. It takes four at the moment.

THE LÖTSCHBERG This 34.6 km tunnel between Frutigen and Visp was the first NRLA project to be built, opening in 2007 but not fully completed at the time because of financial constraints. So though the twin tunnels have both been bored, only one is fully equipped which limits the number of trains that can use it. However, work will resume this year so both tunnels can be used from 2025 onward.

The NRLA, which by the way is costing a cool CHF 11.2 billion, also includes further minor projects to improve connections with other parts of the country. And what about the existing lines on the Gotthard and Lötschberg routes? Well, they certainly won’t be closed.

The Gotthard mountain line, as they call it, will be used for regional traffic and tourist trains since it’s a very scenic route. And the Lötschberg route is already an extremely useful and efficient car-shuttle service between Kandersteg, Canton Bern and the Rhone Valley, especially in winter.

Photos and map: © AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Warmer months are here and that means Switzerland’s highways will start filling with local and foreign cars heading on holiday. With the increased traffic, you can’t say the Swiss aren’t good neighbours. In the centre of Europe and surrounded by EU countries, they’re spending money on a huge project to make life easier for anyone who wants to get themselves or anything else across the Alps in the shortest possible time. Of course you can fly, drive or take the train on one of the scenic, curvy routes but Switzerland is about to cut the ribbon on its New Rail Link through the Alps, or NRLA, and the future belongs to a faster train.

issue 2 / 2016

DISCOVER SWITZERL AND 39

Breakthrough of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

Aeration tube installation Train test run

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DISCOVER SWITZERL AND 41

issue 2 / 2016

A CULTURAL EXPLOSION IN EMMENTAL Looking for a bit of Swiss culture? Then it’s time to head to Emmental to explore the world of Kambly — Switzerland’s most popular premium biscuit brand — and to see how Switzerland's legendary cheese is made.

BY BERN TOURISM

TASTE THE SWEET KAMBLY EXPERIENCE

“MAKE YOUR OWN BISCUIT”WORKSHOP

Nestled in the midst of the idyllic Emmental Valley in Trubschachen, you'll discover the world of Kambly and its origins. The Kambly Experience, at Kambly’s visitor centre, is a great day out for the whole family. Look over the master confectioner‘s shoulders to discover the secrets of the art of fine biscuit making, and take your pick of over 100 varieties of biscuits. You will find a great selection of exclusive and seasonal Kambly specialities suitable for any occasion.

During this biscuit baking workshop, children and adults can create their own masterpieces assisted by the Kambly Master Confectioners.

Make a reservation at www.kambly.ch/workshop

KAMBLY BRETZELI FESTIVAL 21 — 22 MAY 2016

GET TING THERE AND AWAY

In 1906, the young Oscar Kambly set off on foot with a well-stocked sample case to introduce his Bretzeli, baked according to his grandmother’s recipe, to customers throughout Switzerland.

His vision was simple — to make the Bretzeli Switzerland’s favourite biscuit — and it wasn't long before his dream came true. Today, Bretzeli are among the most popular biscuits in Switzerland. And 110 years later, Kambly invites you to celebrate the anniversary of the famous Bretzeli at the Bretzeli Festival in Trubschachen.

The Kambly Experience in Trubschachen, located in the Emmental Valley, can easily be reached by train or car from Interlaken (60 min), Bern (35 min) or Lucerne (45 min). It is open seven days a week and entry is free.

www.kambly.ch/festival

www.kambly.ch

For further information visit

EMMENTAL SHOW DAIRY

Photos: © Bern Tourism

Discover all the new attractions that the Show Dairy has to offer. Fresh cheese is made every day at 14:00, the perfect chance for you to find out first-hand how milk is transformed into cheese. Alternatively, you can discover the four maturities of cheese with an audio guide tour. And every day at 15:15, you can taste various Emmental cheeses that are at different levels of maturity.

The day’s highlight is at 16:00 when an Emmentaler AOP is pulled from the pail by hand, accompanied by a live commentary.

In addition to learning about Emmental cheeses, there is plenty for younger guests to discover including a new playground and a petting zoo. Plus, there is a new addition — the Detective Trail. During the adventure, the entire family will discover that the key to the cheese cellar has gone missing and set out to find it with a booklet and detective box. This is a fun way for all detectives to learn the process of creating Emmental cheese by completing various tasks with the help of a magnifying glass and tape measure.

SPECIAL OFFER Family raclette!

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42 SWISS CULTURE

A PLATE A DAY Adapting to Switzerland’s health conscious and active lifestyle isn’t always easy. Natalia Hedges recalls her introduction to SwissGerman cuisine, table manners and discovering that there is more than hiking in this beautiful country.

To this day I can still vividly recall the stages I went through in an attempt to adapt to the “brave new world” of the Swiss eating culture. Breaking old habits and trying out something new is always going to be a challenge. If you find yourself swimming in the deep end and slightly out of your comfort zone, there’s really no other alternative than to adopt an open and embracing attitude, knuckle down and find out what works for you.

In general the Swiss are extremely health conscious, in a kind of carpe diem almost contagious way. It’s hard not to want to give it a go yourself. Being used to leisurely weekend lie-ins, fry-ups or visits to the pub for Sunday lunch, I couldn’t quite envision myself getting up at first light and heading out for a sergeant majorlike hike in the hills and mountains in full hiking attire.

All I kept on thinking of was John Cleese in Monty Python and his Ministry of Silly Walks. I obviously still had to master the concept of getting a head start to the day.

However, being in my teens at the time, fanatic, early morning mountain walks was something I felt I would save for later on in life.

Whilst on one of these hikes, the Swiss are partial to one of their national dishes for lunch — the fitness teller (German for fitness plate). This is a dish you’ll find in most restaurants in the German speaking part of the country. For those of you that haven’t yet become acquainted with this dish, it’s best described as a fancy and lean looking fillet of meat or steak on an even fancier looking bed of salad. Put in simple terms, it is steak and salad but more importantly, this is a plate of food that is completely void of anything remotely

The joys of

Photo: © Benis Arapovic/Dollar Photo Club

cervelat sausage

SWISS CULTURE 43

issue 2 / 2016

unhealthy (excluding the herb butter). As the name implies, it will make you burn ‘carbs’ just by looking at it — so in the name of fitness it’s definitely worth trying!

Admittedly, for a short period of time, I did find myself swaying towards this newly discovered lifestyle of self-discipline and excessively healthy eating, as if I had stumbled across a new form of religious belief. In an attempt to keep up with the Müllers and Meiers, and to attain the optimal level of fitness I saw peers and others striving for all around me, I went from eating all and sundry to omitting bread and other carbohydrates from my diet. At the time, I resolved that this was the way to a happier, healthier me. Some time later, I had to conclude: healthier, yes but happier, no.

As far as table manners are concerned, I soon became mercilessly embroiled in the rules of Swiss table etiquette. I distinctly recall being criticised for having the audacity to eat the entirety of my lunch off one plate instead of sticking to the strict demarcation of a main and side dish. I had to live with sniggers and smirks and the occasional remark: “Oh she can’t help it, that’s just how they eat over on the island.”

Photos: (top) Kaspars Grinvalds/Dollar Photo Club; (bottom) © Darius Dzinnik/ Dollar Photo Club

Thinking about it now makes me realise they probably had a point, considering how English cuisine is more commonly known for its ‘practical kitchen,’ with traditional dishes such as shepherd’s pie best made following the stringent recipe of using up all the leftovers you have in your larder and then adding mash on top. Ironically, after observing my Swiss peers at lunchtime, I had to conclude that their table etiquette was by no means flawless. Their main penchant being the infrequent use of knives, which I could only fathom as being some people’s preference for chasing food around their plates, armed with nothing but a fork and a great deal of perseverance.

“Admittedly, for a short period of time, I did find myself swaying towards this newly discovered lifestyle of self-discipline and excessively healthy eating, as if I had stumbled across a new form of religious belief.”

Doesn't eat cervelat sausage

The famous fitness plate

All that said, it wasn’t long before I took up a multitude of new hobbies — snowboarding, Pilates and inline-skating, just to name a few.

Occasional mountain hikes also found their way onto the agenda. There’s nothing like retreat into a hillside barbeque spot and grilling cervelat (pork sausage) whilst letting the day go by, table manners go out of the window and the Alpine scenery take your breath away.

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Get involved! www.helloswitzerland.ch/events

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CREATIVE LOAFING 45

issue 2 / 2016

A SWISS HOME? Hello Switzerland community writers Natalia Hedges and Martin Hirsch explore the world of travel and the joys of new discovery through poetry.

Two cities in mind

She Wants to See the World (Lisa @ 56)

BY NATALIA HEDGES

BY MARTIN HIRSCH

Zurich or London Who knows the score?

Two peas in a pod — Or are the cities at odds?

She wants to go to Budapest She wants to go to Prague She loves the taste of caviar In an ice-cold Vodka fog She steers our ship across the sea With its rainbow flag unfurled Her compass guides us everywhere She wants to see the world

Nearing from the skies, From dizzying heights Both seem but a canvas Of dazzling lights.

Yet once on foot, Histories flow: From Marble Arch to Bürkliplatz.

Both nodal points That draw together, As did Cromwell to Zwingli, A singularity of thought.

And those who venture further Will undoubtedly discover Little worlds undercover Waiting to unfold: Brick Lane’s Bagels, Or Langstrasse’s market tables!

Memories, Waiting to be owned.

Illustration: © Randall Barriga

Our senses in a frenzy, These walls speak of the unknown Of a thousand stories That have not yet Been told.

She wants to go to Marrakesh She wants to go to Nome She's been to Greece and Italy The cosmos is her home We've often dined along the Seine And toured Amalfi's coast She loves our home and garden view But she loves traveling the most

She craves a trip to Burgundy To taste another wine She longs to hike in Switzerland With her soft hands held in mine She yearns to swim in warm Phuket Ride elephants in Chang Mai She adores the sun in Southern Spain And the silk art in Shanghai We marveled at the pure white clouds That poured down Table Mountain Just like a cotton waterfall A cumulonimbus fountain She misses our South Africa And its sandstone masterworks We’re lucky we got out alive Having tread where danger lurks She wants to go to Singapore And on to parts unknown She wants to see Japan again And wander through Gion She seeks the Buddha’s tranquil gaze His features carved in gold Our memories are souvenirs We’ll cherish when we’re old She eyes a trip to Kathmandu And a journey through Nepal She imagines teeming India And the majestic Taj Mahal She wants to conquer Cheng Du too The next time we’re in Asia

46 THE L AST WORD

MEET PETER GREIS INTRODUCTION TO PARAGLIDING IN SWITZERLAND

American born and a Swiss qualified tandem paragliding pilot, Peter Greis has nearly 2,000 flights and 900 flight hours under his belt. He kindly agreed to explain the basics of paragliding in Switzerland.

BY MARINA MOELLER

Peter, you have been flying solo and tandem flights in Switzerland and the US for almost 20 years and have taken numerous novices on their first tandem journey. You even take your young kids to fly with you. Does it mean paragliding is safe?

It is very safe. While not without risk, the training that Swiss pilots, including tandem pilots, receive is the most extensive that I have come across. But when in doubt, always feel free to ask David Moran your prospective pilot when and where they qualified, how many flights and how many flight hours they have. And yes, my two boys flew with me on the tandem when they were three and four years old (there are harnesses custom-built for young passengers).

Who can do it? What can we expect on our first flight?

Nearly anyone can tr y paragliding. You need to be able to run a short distance (while launching). The only exception to this is flying in winter, when it is often possible to start on skis. Your pilot should take you through a briefing of the launch and landing.

Important from our perspective is that the passenger continues to run through the entire launch and not stop when they feel the harness lifting them. And remember, it's your flight, feel free to ask anything. Once in the air, please give your pilot feedback.

If your stomach is not agreeing with the experience we can generally find calmer air to fly in.

pricing between CHF 120 and 200 per flight (CHF 170 is the norm for Davos/Klosters). If you like, you can also bring a camera along for photos during the flight.

How do newbies usually react to their maiden flight?

First timers are, for the most part, stuck with a permagrin after they fly. A few go on to take lessons and qualify in Switzerland. It would be worth mentioning that the alternative to a tandem flight is a "Schnuppertag." This is a one day course where you transition from pedestrian to flying alone (albeit very close to the ground) under radio instruction. The instruction received that day is the same as normal students get when they start to paraglide.

You are an IT manager who worked for major banks in Zurich, a qualified massage therapist from a top massage school in London, a musician and a busy father of two. Why do you need paragliding?

What do you feel while airborne?

This is the ultimate freedom. It also goes without saying that Switzerland from the air is spectacular. And each flight is different — some are technical, and others are for pure relaxation. For me it's self-time where I can unwind from my work in computer science and project management. At the same time, paragliding as well as skiing, strength training and several other sports I enjoy regularly help me to better understand injury prevention and soft tissue rehabilitation techniques I focus on in my massage practice.

Wear long pants and sturdy hiking boots. Even in summer, a light jacket is recommended. It goes without saying, in winter just bundle up. There are, quite literally, hundreds of places to try a tandem flight in Switzerland. I myself am preferential to Hoch Ybrig and Klosters, but there are too many launches for me to mention here. Costs vary based upon location. I have seen

SHARE YOUR STORY Get in touch if you'd like to be featured on this page.

info@helloswitzerland.ch

Photos: Š Peter Greis

What should one wear? Where would you recommend going for the first experience? And what are the costs?

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