Welcome.
switzerland.com We are looking forward to the UEFA EURO 2008™ and its fans.
Neutrality. Swiss football fans
switzerland.com We are neutral – except when it comes to our own national squad. In a country that brings together so many different cultures, languages and religions, Switzerland’s neutrality is also a source of cohesion. Few other countries are able to reconcile its inherent contrasts as peacefully as we do. Our neutrality is immutable and is of our own choosing – which means it has popular backing, too. Make our plus your plus!
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Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs
UEFA EURO 2008™
“EURO 2008 – a unique opportunity for Switzerland!”
I
n June 2008, something that is “just” a
as well as to show off its beautiful landscapes
game will take centre stage: football will
and tourist attractions. As the football stadi-
take over the world, and Switzerland – as
ums are for the players, so EURO 2008 will be
co-host of the European football champi-
for the whole of Switzerland: a stage on which
onships with Austria – will be the focus of
we can present ourselves in the best way to
world opinion. Switzerland’s aim is both to be
the world – with Swiss quality.
a perfect host and to organize a festival of
On these pages I would like to offer a first
sport that brings the people of Europe togeth-
taste of Switzerland’s variety, of the forthcom-
er. We will be welcoming, punctual, reliable,
ing football spectacle and our three-dimen-
well-organized, enthusiastic and open to every-
sional national flag in the form of a container
body both in and around the stadiums, and
icon. Take a look, experience the passion and
thereby show Switzerland at its best. We look forward to wel-
discover the plus – the strengths of Switzerland.
coming our guests, and aim to impress with our warmth and professionalism. “Switzerland. Discover the plus.” With this slogan, Switzerland will present itself both before and during EURO 2008 as an outstanding hub for business, education and research,
Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor
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1 Basel 2 Bern 3 Geneva 4 Zürich 3
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Host cities
Feast of football Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zürich: in these four Swiss cities, Europe’s footballers will play 15 of the championship’s 31 games. The first match is on June 7 in Basel; the final, on June 29, 2008 in Vienna. or 23 days in June 2008 the
2007, with a signposted “fan walk”
Useful websites:
host countries will fall under
leading from the main rail station.
Host city Basel – what Basel has to offer
the spell of football. In
The heart of the fan zone is at
fans: www.euro08.basel.ch
Switzerland, the stadiums are
Bellevue, on Lake Zürich; a platform
Host city Bern – events, excursions and
ready, the “fan zones” in prepara-
on the lake is also planned.
F
stories about Bern: www.euro08-bern.ch
At the Stade de Suisse in Bern,
tion. The largest Swiss stadium,
Host city Geneva – admire the Jet d’eau
in Basel, can accommodate 40,000
30,000 spectators will come to
fountain, visit the Old Town cafés:
and will stage six games. A “fan
watch each of three games, while
www.geneve.ch/euro2008
boulevard” will stretch for 3.2 km
city-centre fan zones will be set
Host city Zürich – Switzerland’s
through the city centre; at its heart
up in front of the Bundeshaus, the
financial hub goes football mad:
will be three fan zones with giant
federal parliament building.
www.zuerich.ch/euro2008
The Stade de Genève, hosting
screens, and entertainment and
UBS ARENAS – 16 locations around
three games, also accommodates
Switzerland: www.ubs-arena.ch
In Zürich the Letzigrund stadi-
30,000, with a fan zone on the cen-
Timetable information – how to travel to
um, accommodating over 30,000,
tral Plaine de Plainpalais hosting up
your nearest UBS ARENA: www.rail.ch
has been ready since September
to 60,000.
catering to match.
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UEFA EURO 2008TM – match schedule
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City
1st match days Sat
Sun
Mon
2nd match days Tue
Wed
Thu
3rd match days Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Quarter-finals Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Semi-finals Sat
Sun
07.06. 08.06. 09.06. 10.06. 11.06. 12.06. 13.06. 14.06. 15.06. 16.06. 17.06. 18.06. 19.06. 20.06. 21.06. 22.06. Basel St. Jakob Park
40 000
Bern Stade de Suisse
30 000
Genève Stade de Genève
30 000
Zürich Letzigrund
30 000
Match 1 18:00 SUI–CZE
Match10 20:45 SUI–TUR Match 6 20:45 NED–ITA
Match 2 20:45 POR–TUR
Match17 20:45 SUI–POR Match 14 20:45 NED–FRA
Match 9 18:00 CZE–POR Match 5 18:00 ROU–FRA
Match 25 20:45 1A–2B Match21 20:45 NED–ROU
Match18 20:45 TUR–CZE Match 13 18:00 ITA–ROU
Match22 20:45 FRA–ITA
Match27 20:45 1C–2D
Wed 25.06. Match 29 20:45 W25 –W26
In focus During EURO 2008, fans with a match ticket enjoy free travel for 36 hours on trains, buses, trams and boats. Fans without match tickets also get great fares with
UBS ARENA – the fifth stadium of Switzerland
Giant screens Spectator arenas in 16 cities will show all the matches: Switzerland’s fifth EURO 2008 stadium is the whole country.
a UEFA EURO 2008™ ‘General Abonnement’ or a UEFA EURO 2008™ half-fare travelcard. For further information, call the
T
he EURO football party is
arena will have up to 1,200 covered
taking place not only in the
grandstand seats, for which tickets
host cities of Basel, Bern,
will be sold. Standing places will be free.
international tollfree number
Geneva and Zürich, but throughout
00800 100 200 30, or visit any
Switzerland. EURO 2008 matches
Swiss rail station.
will be shown at UBS ARENA in
in, you will be close to an arena
www.rail.ch/euro08
16 towns and cities: two in Ticino,
where you can join in the football
four in French-speaking Switzerland
spirit in a stadium-like atmosphere.
and ten in German-speaking areas.
To claim that EURO 2008 takes
UEFA has brought in around
Some can hold as many as 10,200
place on everyone’s doorstep would
2,500 volunteers to help with
fans. This comprehensive network
be exaggerating; but it would not be
the hosting of EURO 2008 in
of giant screens is a first in the his-
overshooting the mark to say that
Switzerland. A further 2,700 vol-
tory of football. From Nyon to Chur,
Switzerland’s fifth EURO 2008 stadi-
unteers will be on hand in the
from Kreuzlingen to Lugano, each
um is the entire country!
Whichever Swiss region you are
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host cities to make sure that visitors from all over the world feel safe and welcome here, mainly by providing information and by helping in the fan zones and on public transport. All volunteers
Host cities UBS ARENA
Basel Aarau
receive special host training. www.switzerland.com
Biel
what you want on the accommo-
Solothurn Zug
Bern
to sleep, you’ll most likely find Nyon
Glarus
SWITZERLAND
sleeping arrangements at the
Chur
Thun
Lausanne
dation section of our website. Here there is information about
St. Gallen Buchs
La Chaux-de-Fonds
If you are looking for a place
Kreuzlingen
Zürich
Locarno Sion
Genève
Lugano
“fan camps”, tips for finding free beds in and around the host cities, as well as details of B&Bs. You might find the most appeal-
Distances and travel times by train Basel
ing option is to book one of
Bern
Genève
Zürich
98 km
255 km
85 km
157 km
128 km
the many rooms being offered
Basel
in Swiss homes, where lively
Bern
0:58 h
Genève
2:42 h
1:46 h
Zürich
1:06 h
0:58 h
match debates over a cold beer are included! www.switzerland.com
280 km 2:42 h
Discover the plus
Switzerland shows its flag – its plus Switzerland is the only country whose flag contains a plus sign. We think there has to be a reason – so here we would like to suggest Switzerland’s seven pluses. They are part of an international campaign with the theme “Switzerland shows its flag – its plus”.
S
witzerland has one of the
about schools, roads and taxation
has made for stability. This guar-
most beautiful natural
rates – by hand, or in writing.
antees both a safe future and a
landscapes in Europe – the
high quality of life. International
When everyone participates,
Alps. Such is their beauty that they
disagreements can be dealt with
organizations such as the Red
feature in many literary works –
before they escalate. For decades
Cross and the UN, foreign compa-
most famously, perhaps, Johanna
our political and economic system
nies and international gatherings
Spyri’s book “Heidi”. But Heidi
such as the World Economic
isn’t the only one who feels at
Forum all value Switzerland as
home here: also international
a stable base. They in turn
VIPs value the tranquillity and
make our country an interna-
the idyllic landscapes of this
tional hub.
alpine land.
For Switzerland lies at the
In such a beautiful setting, who would have thought that
of a small country, we are in
VIP.
constant contact with our
switzerland.com
cause farmers rose up against the authorities? That was long ago, but we are still passionate
Heidi and her friend Peter the goatherd
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Switzerland came about be-
heart of Europe. As inhabitants
neighbours, along transport connections that have long linked us with other peoples,
about political participation.
cultures and new economic
So it is little surprise that our
areas. Once mule paths were
regions and local authorities
the main routes across
enjoy a high level of self-deter-
the Alps; now, with our new
mination. In Switzerland,
transalpine rail links, we are
people eligible to vote in their
building the cornerstone
municipality make decisions
of Europe’s future transport
www.switzerland.com
network. As we construct the
search institutes are among the
surprise that our educational system
longest rail tunnel in the world,
best in the world – including the
ranks among the world’s finest – an
we are also ensuring that the
Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI)
advantage, too, for anyone choos-
alpine region remains a cultural
at the University of Basel, the
ing to live or do business here.
and economic powerhouse
federal institutes of technology in
The high expectations of the
within Europe.
Zürich and Lausanne and the Paul
Swiss are based in day-to-day life.
Scherrer Institute in Baden.
Even inexpensive chocolate is of
But Switzerland does not want to rely on its central location to be
The basis for this excellence is,
outstanding quality. Our love of de-
noticed. To do that, it has to prove
paradoxically, a national shortage.
tail and precision has a long tradi-
its greatness – which it achieves,
We Swiss lack raw materials, so we
tion: our goal is always to improve,
not least thanks to great precision
have long been accustomed to
to do everything that little bit
when it comes to the tiniest de-
creating wealth with our brains and
better – from watch mechanisms
tails. That is why many Swiss re-
through manual precision. It’s no
to pralines! For us, this is an art. ■
Design. ICON
switzerland.com Switzerland, the country of architects and designers. Our buildings and designs stand out for their sophisticated functionality, unadorned design, timeless elegance and a touch of modesty. Just like the Swiss Cross. Reason enough to employ it to promote Switzerland as the UEFA EURO 2008™ venue. That’s why our Swiss Cross is going on tour in Europe: constructed of walk-in shipping containers, in it we present Switzerland in all its diversity. Come and visit our plus for yourself.
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1 “ICON” at the America’s Cup in Valencia 2 Setting up the “ICON” 3 On the road in France
“ICON”
The plus hits the road The “ICON” is on the move, touring major European cities. Its mission: to showcase Switzerland as an attractive base for companies, researchers, tourists – and football fans! ven before the first guests
Bern, Geneva and Zürich. The
in the world. The choice of location
travel to Switzerland for the
“ICON” will also document Switzer-
was deliberate, since researchers
opening of UEFA EURO
land’s cultural diversity. The first tour
from the Federal Institute of Technol-
of the “ICON” was a success: during
ogy in Lausanne (EPFL) directly con-
E
2008™ in June, they can experience Switzerland at home. The “ICON”, a three-dimensional walk-in Swiss cross made from five red-and-white shipping containers, is on tour
“The ‘ICON’ documents Switzerland’s cultural and linguistic variety.”
throughout Europe since June 2007, to show off Switzerland’s many
the America’s Cup 2007 in Valencia,
tributed to Alinghi’s success. The
attractions. The “ICON” is part of an
the red-and-white plus stood imme-
Alinghi team stands for internatio-
international promotional campaign
diately next to the Alinghi base, while
nalism, perfection, a spirit of innova-
with the slogan “Switzerland.
the Swiss yacht was successfully
tion and sporting commitment –
Discover the plus.” that will culmi-
defending the oldest sporting trophy
just like our plus.
nate just before the European football championships. The concept is this: Switzerland is the only coun-
“ICON” Roadshow
try in the world with a plus on its
June 7, 2007 June 22-July 2, 2007 December 2, 2007 March 4-6, 2008 March 10-12, 2008 March 17-19, 2008 April 2-4, 2008 April 21-23, 2008 May 20-22, 2008 June 2008
flag – symbolizing our country’s added value and strengths. These will be presented in major European cities during a roadshow lasting several months. Themes include Switzerland as a place for companies to do business, the high standard of Swiss educational and research institutions and the beauty of the alpine regions, as well as football in the four host cities of Basel,
Interlaken Valencia Lucerne Berlin Düsseldorf Frankfurt Amsterdam Paris Milan Vienna
One year to go America’s Cup The draw for the finals Potsdamer Platz Burgplatz Rossmarkt Dam Place du Palais Royal Piazza del Duomo Strandbar Herrmann
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1 St. Jakob Park football stadium © Keystone
2 Exhibition Centre 3 Town Hall 4 Mittlere Brücke (“Middle Bridge”) 1
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Basel and its region
Lifestyle city First-timers are bound to get lost in Basel’s winding alleys! All the better: everywhere you look you find enticing art, architecture, boutiques, markets and charming squares. Basel is a delight to explore, as well as a leading centre for the life sciences and a world-famous exhibition city with an enviable lifestyle.
www.switzerland.com
Map of the region
A sport close to nature
Basel
Hiking is the Swiss national pastime. You can join in on the city’s doorstep – in the pretty Oberbaselbiet region, for example, or the picturesque Jura. Energetic walkers can try the wonderfully scenic 50km trail from Porrentruy to Basel, following a refreshing river along the French border, crossing rolling hills through five cantons (regions). Impressive stretches of city wall greet walkers at the medieval town of Laufen; meanwhile, a stone’s throw away is Kleinlützel, where the Stich company
T
he Basel Region is home to
produces hiking poles – just in case you need them.
Novartis and Roche, two of the most successful pharma-
ceutical firms in the world. As a result, Basel has evolved into Europe’s leading centre for life sciences. With numerous spin-offs and new enterprises, this area, along with neighbouring parts of Germany and France just over the border, is known as BioValley: 40 per cent of the world’s pharmaceutical industry is based between Basel and Strasbourg. Along with these – and major banks and insurance companies – the region is also home to successful smaller companies, such as Ricola, a famous manufacturer of herbal sweets, in Laufen. The attraction of the city is en-
tains are a sea of cherry blossom. A host of hiking trails criss-cross the gentle “Baselbiet” hills, while close to the city lie picturesque and
© Liestal
ings. In spring, Basel’s Jura moun-
© Augusta Raurica
hanced by its enchanting surround-
historic towns such as Liestal. The
A glimpse of ancient Rome
A picturesque old town
gently flowing Rhine is not only the
Just outside Basel lies the
Liestal, capital of the canton (re-
soul of Basel, but also the home
extensive Roman site of Augusta
gion) of Basel Country, is full of
port of Switzerland’s naval fleet –
Raurica. Highlight of this former
medieval charm, blessed with an
as well as of various cruise lines
garrison town is the well-restored
Old Town dating back 900 years.
that offer river trips. Floating along
theatre, which can still seat
At its heart stands the historic
the Rhine is of course wonderfully
8,000 people. With a little imagi-
town gate, Liestal’s emblem; the
romantic, but for the people of the
nation you can conjure up the
surrounding streets and alley-
Basel region the gateway to the
thrills of the Circus Maximus and
ways, with their restaurants and
world has long been the city’s air-
the glory of imperial Rome.
boutiques, are a delight to ex-
www.baselland.ch
plore. www.liestal.ch
port.
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Tinguely Fountain, Basel
Basel
City of hearts and minds Basel may be a world-renowned centre for life sciences, but this charming and cultured city also knows all about art as well – as visitors quickly discover. he Rhine’s gift to Basel is a
best characteristics of neighbour-
on the market square, accompa-
cosmopolitan outlook: the
ing France and Germany, the city’s
nied by drummers and pipers:
river has always been a link
charms are very much its own.
carnival has begun! The city lets
between the city, the sea and the
Creativity and commerce go hand
its hair down with a vengeance.
wider world. It is no surprise, then,
in hand, and have made Basel
There’s only one other thing Baslers
that Basel became a stronghold
a cultural capital – and shopping
love as much as carnival: their
centuries ago of humanism and,
heaven. But once a year everything
highly successful football club,
later, the sciences. Uniting the
changes. Bright lanterns appear
FC Basel.
Beatrice Weder di Mauro: “The variety!”
tural variety – all in a remarkably
Swiss-born Beatrice Weder di
of the Old Town. It isn’t surprising
Mauro was named a Young Global
that on sunny summer days you see
Leader at the World Economic
so many locals taking a dip in the
Forum in Davos in 2005.
Rhine. The view of the Old Town is
What is Switzerland’s biggest
terrific, and to swim along with the
plus? For me it’s the variety. You
current now and again is really nice.
can experience chic cities, the soli-
EURO 2008 kicks off very soon.
tude of the high Alps, traditional
What are you looking forward to
country life, leading international
most? Good games and an even
companies, four languages and cul-
better atmosphere!
T
small area. What is your insider’s tip for visiting Basel? Get a duck’s eye view
Beatrice Weder di Mauro She completed her studies at the University of Basel, and since 2001 has been Professor of Economics at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. She is a member of the German Council of Economic Experts.
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© Roche
Planned office tower, Basel
Vision and Business
© Fondation Beyeler
The visionary tower of Basel Basel is famous for contemporary architecture, thanks to its many outstanding buildings by internationally famous architects – financed also by the thriving local economy.
Fondation Beyeler The Fondation Beyeler lies in an idyllic landscaped garden on the
T
he newest example is
mark on the city: Mario Botta, with
Roche’s biotechnology pro-
a well-regarded bank building, and
duction centre – an eight-
Morger & Degelo, whose 105-metre-
storey building with a glass façade
high Messeturm (Basel Free Trade
light-filled museum is the work
that opened in May 2007, designed
Tower) is currently the tallest build-
of the celebrated Italian archi-
by the world-famous Basel archi-
ing in Switzerland.
tect Renzo Piano. Typical Basel:
tects Herzog & de Meuron. Bigger
a modern architectural master-
still are the same architects’ plans
Novartis is creating a “campus
piece housing a first-class art
for Roche’s new corporate head-
of innovation, knowledge and en-
edge of Basel. The modern,
Meanwhile Roche’s competitor
collection. Ernst Beyeler, the son of a railway worker, cannot have dreamt 60 years ago that one day he would
“Basel builds on its reputation as the home of life sciences.”
run a world-class museum. It was
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more or less by chance that in the
quarters: an office tower and
counter” on the banks of the Rhine.
late 1940s he took over what is
research centre 154 metres high,
As different as the projects of these
now the Galerie Beyeler in Basel.
costing more than 550 million
two pharmaceutical giants are,
This remains a place of pilgrimage
Swiss francs, which is scheduled
they have one thing in common:
for lovers of classic modern art,
for completion by 2012. Linking
they are both adding to Basel’s
while the Fondation Beyeler is
commerce and architecture in the
reputation as the home of life sci-
home to the private collection he
best Basel tradition, the tower is
ences, and building towards the
built up over the years – a tribute
likely to be another resounding hit
future of the city and the region as
to his passion, commitment and
for Herzog & de Meuron on home
a whole.
expertise.
soil. Other celebrated Swiss archi-
www.roche.com
www.beyeler.com
tects have also left their indelible
www.novartis.com
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1 Stade de Suisse © Keystone
2 Zytglogge Clock Tower 3 Paul Klee Centre 4 Old city of Bern with the Aare 1
2
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Bern and region
Culture and innovation When Germany achieved its legendary victory in the 1954 World Cup, Bern was the centre of the football world – and the “Miracle of Bern” was born. The city (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site), the celebrated peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and innovative entrepreneurs and researchers make the region an attractive destination for visitors and companies.
www.switzerland.com
Map of the region
Stellar moments in Bern Scientists from the Institute of Physics at the University of Bern are working on a project to develop and build extremely precise measuring
Bern
instruments, under the supervision of the European Space Agency (ESA) and with the collaboration of researchers from Germany, Belgium, France and the USA. The team is studying the composition and origin of comets, and to this end launched the probe Rosetta into space in 2004. The spacecraft will rendezvous with the comet
B
Churyomov-Garasimenko in 2014.
ern’s medical technology tradition is world renowned. In 1960, the world-famous
orthopaedic surgeon of the 20th century, Maurice E. Müller of Biel, developed the artificial hip joint with his team in Bern. This invention led to the establishment of companies such as Mathys, Straumann or Sulzer Medica. “I want to give something have managed to discover thanks to my excellent state education”, said Müller. This is the spirit in which the Müller foundations were founded, such as the Maurice E. Müller Foundation for the promotion of or-
© Raumsonde Rosetta
back to society in return for what I
thopaedic surgery in 1974 or the Maurice E. and Martha Müller foundation for an arts centre dedicated to Paul Klee in Bern in 1998. The Bernese people are natural researchers. Scientists, representatives of clinics and industrial companies come together in a newly established Competence Center for Medical Technology in Bern, link in-
Emmental – cheese star
An international star from Bern
formation carriers with one another
Making cheese is the oldest way
Ursula Andress, the world-famous
and develop networks. The “Medical
of making milk keep. The demon-
Hollywood star, comes from
Cluster” brings together 100 Swiss
stration cheese factory Affoltern in
Ostermundigen near Bern, where
companies. The education sector
Emmental enables visitors to find
her family ran a market garden.
has established new training cours-
out first hand how real Swiss Em-
She has now been made an hon-
es in medical technology. This
mental cheese is made from fresh
orar citizen of her former home-
know-how transfer promotes inno-
milk. By appointment, visitors can
town. Her role in the James
vative ideas and further strengthens
try the cheese for themselves in
Bond film “Dr. No” in 1962 made
the already excellent Swiss medical
front of an open fire.
her a star worldwide.
technology.
www.showdairy.ch
www.euro08-bern.ch
www.medizinal-cluster.ch
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The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
Bernese Oberland – Bern
Top of Europe From the Parliament building terrace you have a fine view of the mighty Bernese Alps. The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau seem so close that Bern is known as the Gateway to the Alps. iger, Mönch and Jungfrau:
tains are used time and again as a
capital, is home to one of the finest
the mountain trio is world-
dramatic backdrop: Indian Bolly-
medieval city centres in Europe, a
famous. “Anyone who has not
wood films, for example, are regular-
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
seen the scenery of the Jungfrau
ly shot there. The top station, at
Site. With its arcades and boutiques,
region does not know Switzerland”,
3,454 metres, is the Jungfraujoch;
the city exudes Bernese “Gemütlich-
wrote Felix Mendelssohn to his
the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn
keit” – cheerfulness, warmth and
mother. As well as offering visitors a
area is a UNESCO World Natural
unhurriedness – and always seduces
unique alpine experience, the moun-
Heritage Site. Bern, Switzerland’s
visitors with its leisurely pace.
Tanja Frieden: “Switzerland celebrates!”
What is your insider’s tip for
Tanja Frieden was the 2006 Olympic
the old town; and the Gurten,
snowboard cross champion. With
our local mountain, with its view
her natural manner, she won the
of the mighty peaks of the Ober-
hearts of her fans.
land.
What is Switzerland’s biggest
EURO 2008 kicks off very
plus? I love the hugely varied land-
soon. What are you looking for-
scape in a small space. What
ward to most? Joining our neigh-
might be considered small-minded
bouring countries in a festival of
in many places are the things I
sports and people, and emotional
love after my travels: stability and
times in red and white with my
peace.
friends at home or in the stadiums!
E
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visiting Bern? The early-morning view from the Rosengarten over
Tanja Frieden The Olympic snowboard cross champion 2006, World Cup winner in the Sierra Nevada 2006 and Swiss Sportswoman of the Year 2006 was originally a teacher. When she’s in Switzerland, she lives in Thun in the Canton of Bern.
www.switzerland.com
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Albert Einstein, 1941
Pioneering spirit and precision The Canton of Bern is the centre of the global watch-making industry. Swiss watches such as Swatch, Omega, Longines, Rado and Rolex are produced here.
© Sonnenkraftwerk, BKW
Swiss watches
lbert Einstein was living in
ed themselves with this attitude
Bern when he devised
and this body of thought. Pioneers
Solar power and football
the famous E=mc2 formula
and visionaries such as Albert
The largest stadium-integrated
and turned our preconceptions of
Einstein (E=mc2 formula), Theodor
solar power station in the world
space and time on their heads
Tobler (Toblerone) or Max Morgen-
has been installed on the roof of
with his theory of relativity in 1905.
thaler (Nescafé) made their discov-
the Stade de Suisse.
The Swatch – the provocative
eries in Bern. Bern promotes
The demand for solar power trig-
A
gered the construction of the solar power station. The construction
“Bern promotes innovations and a pioneering spirit.”
cost 10 million Swiss francs. Annual production with optimum sunlight is approx. 1.2 million Kilowatt
Swiss watch – was invented in the
innovations, entrepreneurship and
hours which is the annual con-
Canton of Bern in 1983. The Swatch
a pioneering spirit. That is still the
sumption of 400 households. The
revolutionized not only the actual
case today. Visit the world’s first
Bernese love their beautiful scenery
product, but also the production
ever Albert Einstein museum. More
and live in an environmentally con-
process: a Swatch is made
than 200 lavishly displayed origi-
scious way. Researchers from the
up of only 51 components, whereas
nals, writings and film documents
University of Bern’s Department of
a traditional watch has more than
tell of Einstein’s life in a 1,200 m2
Climate and Environmental Physics
100 parts.
exhibition at the Historic Museum
and Institute of Geography were
in Bern. The jubilee exhibition
involved in the UN Committee on
precision – these characteristics are
has already welcomed more than
Climate Change (IPCC) and, thus,
deeply rooted in the people living
350,000 visitors in 2005/06
also in the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
here. Many newcomers from all
alone.
over the world have also acquaint-
www.bhm.ch
Pioneering spirit, innovation and
for Al Gore. ■
www.unibe.ch
1 Stade de Genève © Keystone
2 Red Cross Museum 3 Solar Impulse 4 Geneva with Jet d’eau 1
3
© Solar Impulse
2
4
20 21
Geneva and its region
A metropolis of the mind A city with style, history and French flair. A haven for refugees such as the reformers Calvin and John Knox. Home of luxury boutiques, student cafés, picturesque lakeside landscapes and a bastion of human rights and research: Geneva is all this and more.
www.switzerland.com
Map of the region
Land of wine and watches Both wine and watches are created here in stunning settings: such as the terraced vineyards of Lavaux above Lake Geneva, which UNESCO named a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2007. For centuries, painters such as Ferdinand Hodler have celebrated the beauty of the vineyards –
Genève
built on gradients as steep as 43% – and the pretty winegrowing villages. While Lavaux lies east of Geneva, to the north is the enchantingly beautiful landscape of the Jura, where more than three-quarters of Swiss
T
watchmakers work, constantly creating new trends in the industry.
he pilot lowers his right arm, the plane curves to the right. He moves his arm for-
wards, and the plane begins to dive… One of the few people who will soon steer a plane with body movements is the Swiss balloonist and solar pioneer Bertrand Piccard. In 2010 he plans to board a solar plane, climb to 13,000 metres (42,000 feet) and fly around the world. The hightech plane “Solar Impulse” is powered entirely by solar energy; its wings, with the wingspan of an Airbus A380 “superjumbo”, are covered with solar cells. Among developments making the adventure possible is a new kind of interaction between human
and machine, the work of researchers at the Federal Institute of
a child’s game, but one that is providing a huge challenge to the EPFL team. Others include minimiz-
© Logitech
The pilot moves, the plane reacts –
© Watch Valley
Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).
ing the plane’s weight and storing
The mighty mouse of Morges
The watchmaking route
energy efficiently. But the EPFL al-
The most famous mice come
The tallest clock in the world,
ready has extensive experience
from the Morges region. In 1984
the clock with the longest sec-
with ultra-light, resistant materials:
computer mice manufactured
ond hand, the first chronometer:
more than 50 EPFL researchers
by Logitech conquered the world
all come from Switzerland’s
worked on the technology behind
market; today the company is
Watch Valley. Plan a journey to
Alinghi, the yacht that twice won
a world leader in the design,
the cradle of time, with the
the America’s Cup. Together with
production and sale of computer
“Watchmaking Route” brochure
CERN – the world’s largest particle
peripherals that give users
and our motto: we have the
physics laboratory – EPFL is mak-
easier access to the digital world.
watches, you have the time.
www.logitech.ch
www.watchvalley.ch
ing the Geneva region a hotbed of innovative research.
■
Lavaux, UNESCO World heritage site, Lake Geneva Region
Can’t wait for the French. switzerland.com
22 23
Place du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva
Geneva
Joie-de-vivre in Geneva It’s said that the Romands – or French-speaking Swiss – are more easygoing than their Germanspeaking neighbours. Perhaps it’s because Geneva is almost entirely surrounded by France.
C
osmopolitan, charming,
va, long a haven for refugees, is
French territory for 103km, but the
intellectual – as the city
the international city par excel-
rest of Switzerland for just 4.5km.
of the UN and the Interna-
lence: witness the dozens of inter-
Attractions, in addition to the
tional Red Cross, Geneva can
national organizations based here,
celebrated Jet d’eau fountain,
claim to be the smallest metropolis
as well as some 180 NGOs and
include the beautiful Old Town with
in the world. Here the politics of
150 diplomatic missions. Geneva’s
its winding alleys, boutiques, cafés
East and West, North and South
openness to the world is partly a
and parks – Geneva puts the joy in
come together in dialogue. Gene-
result of geography: it borders
joie-de-vivre.
Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele: “Nature is a plus.”
What is your insider’s tip for visiting Geneva? The Auberge de Presinge, a place full of charm and warmth with a charismatic
Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele studied
“patronne” who makes guests feel
at the International School of Gene-
wonderfully looked after. One for
va. She is now co-president of
the heart as well as the stomach!
Chopard.
EURO 2008 kicks off very soon.
What is Switzerland’s biggest
What are you looking forward to
plus? The unspoilt nature and the
most? As well as the great atmos-
variety of glorious landscapes that
phere, an unforgettable final – one
uplift your soul time and again with
that could go down as a new “Mira-
their colours or the way the light
cle of Bern” in the annals of foot-
plays on them.
ball.
Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele She is co-president and creative director of Chopard, an independent family business producing timepieces and jewellery at facilities in Geneva, Fleurier and Pforzheim.
■
The UN’s European headquarters, Geneva
United Nations, Geneva
© Patek Philippe
The united world meets here The European seat of the United Nations in Geneva may be smaller than the headquarters in New York, but it is responsible for 8,500 staff, 2,000 offices and 50,000 publications a year.
Watches for eternity While Queen Victoria appreciated the beauty of her Patek
A
ll documents published
with an official guide.) Since 1966
here are translated into
the Palais des Nations has been
the six official UN lan-
the European headquarters of the
Philippe watch back in the 19th
guages: Spanish, French, Chinese,
United Nations, and is the biggest
century, for her the most impor-
English, Russian and Arabic. The
UN centre after the headquarters
tant thing was its quality. And
various UN buildings make up their
in New York. The 4,700 individual
that’s what still distinguishes the
own, international quarter in Gene-
treaties of the Geneva Convention
work of Switzerland’s most
va, where visitors on guided tours
are also kept here – dating as far
famous watch manufacturer. Geneva’s 1,000 or so Patek Philippe watchmakers assemble around 40,000 watches a year.
“Switzerland has been a UN member state since 2002.”
Compared to rivals, the number
24 25
is low. But the precise workman-
encounter white-robed emissaries
back as the days of Henri Dunant,
ship and the painstaking con-
from Arab countries, Africans in
the founder of the Red Cross,
struction pay off: for the style and
brightly coloured garb and other
they are seen as milestones in the
brilliance of a Patek Philippe,
diplomats from all over the world.
history of human rights.
watch collectors are happy to dig
Behind the mighty gate of the
deep into their pockets. The
UN, flying the flags of all the mem-
2002 Switzerland became the
world record is held by a platinum
ber nations, is the façade of the
190th member state of the United
World Time watch, 1415 HU, for
Palais des Nations, the stronghold
Nations. Switzerland had already
which a collector from Asia paid
of human rights. Numerous pea-
been active in many UN institu-
6.6 million Swiss francs in 2002 –
cocks, protected by law, strut
tions before this date.
making it instantly world famous.
around the grounds. (Visitors can
www.patek-philippe.ch
enter the Palais and the park only
Following a referendum, in
www.unog.ch
■
1 Letzigrund Stadium © Keystone
2 Google 3 Street Parade 4 Zürich lakefront 1
2
26 27
4
3
Zürich and its region
Creative, cool and trendy With its hip bars and clubs, temples to high finance, its opera house and cooperative cafés, Zürich is the smallest world city. Contrasting lifestyles exist cheek-by-jowl, new trends are born: the city is dynamic, exciting and endlessly fascinating.
www.switzerland.com
Map of the region
The land of children and giraffes
Zürich
It’s a guaranteed hit with kids: a visit to Knie’s Children’s Zoo in Rapperswil-Jona, the zoo of the traditional Swiss circus Knie. Braver visitors can scratch a tame rhino behind the ears, feed and stroke domestic animals, maybe even ride an elephant – and children will all want to see the sealion show. Located on Lake Zürich, Rapperswil is one of Switzerland’s most appealing towns. In summer, people flock to the cafés and restaurants by the boat jetties, and there’s an almost Mediterranean
E
very time you Google, you
atmosphere around Rapperswil Castle.
are in Zürich. If you try on a fine silk tie, you could well
be wearing a little piece of Zürich. And if you withdraw cash to pay for it, you’re only a step away from the Swiss banking system. While visitors quickly discover what makes Zürich tick, companies from all over the world increasingly value the city as a place to do business – and appreciate its high quality of life. Google, the world’s leading internet search engine, is massively expanding its base in Zürich. Key considerations in the decision include the outstanding quality of Zürich’s educational establishments, its central location and its proximity to relevant markets. known is the fact that this international financial centre and business hub is also active in textiles and fashion. One name that couturiers
© Textilmuseum
These are no secret; less well
and designers all over Europe
Trip to eastern Switzerland
A most moving view
know is that of Andy Stutz and his
The client list of the luxury
The Titlis is the highest moun-
company Fabric Frontline. The
embroidery manufacturers in the
tain in central Switzerland.
trademark of the innovative “silk
St. Gallen region reads like a
From Engelberg, cable cars
baron of Zürich” is his range of ul-
who’s who of Europe’s top
take visitors up to the Kleintitlis
tra-luxurious, single-colour silks.
lingerie houses. Learn all about
(3,020m). On the final stretch
Another Swiss fashion label with
textiles, see the finest lace
to the summit, the floor of the
an international reputation is
and the first sewing machine
cable car rotates slowly, to
based further east in St. Gallen:
of cult fashion house Akris –
reveal a stunning – even breath-
Akris, whose exclusive, high-
all in St. Gallen.
taking – panorama.
www.textilmuseum.ch
www.titlis.ch
quality women’s clothing is produced in Switzerland.
■
Hechtplatz, Zürich
Zürich
A unique quality of life The people of Zürich are seen as self-confident and proud. With good reason: Zürich, Switzerland’s downtown, has the highest quality of life of any city in the world.
I
28 29
f skies are blue and you head
better world. Café owners put out
free Old Town, or shop on the fa-
down to Lake Zürich or the
tables and chairs, and the usual
mous Bahnhofstrasse.
banks of the River Limmat to
city rush seems to have melted
Zürich is a fashion, nightlife and
sunbathe, you’ll sense a holiday at-
away. Adding to the festive feeling
entertainment centre all in one, a fact
mosphere. The ice-cream man is
is an engaging cultural life, every-
backed by Mercer Human Resource
close by, and in the background a
where from the opera house to al-
Consulting in its annual worldwide
backpacker strums on a guitar,
ternative music venues. Visitors
survey of quality of living: once again
dreaming with John Lennon of a
stroll through the historic, traffic-
Zürich came out in first place.
Tilla Theus: “Switzerland is innovative.”
and education it is always at the
Tilla Theus designed the headquar-
What is your insider’s tip for
ters of FIFA, football’s international
visiting Zürich? The Peterhofstatt.
governing body, in Zürich. Her most
It’s an idyllic square with a living
challenging project to date has
history, surrounded by a buzzing
been the conversion of eight old
modern city.
town houses in Zürich into the
EURO 2008 kicks off very soon.
five-star Hotel Widder: a feat of
What are you looking forward to
architectural bravura.
most? To people coming from all
What is Switzerland’s biggest
over Europe to celebrate the joys of
plus? Switzerland is innovative.
football peacefully in a festival of
In science, the economy, culture
fair play.
leading edge of progress. Switzerland is full of surprises.
Tilla Theus She is a renowned professional architect certified from ETH/SIA/BSA, Zürich and Graubünden. Her practice specializes in designing structures that are sensitive to their context, conversions of listed buildings and interior design.
www.switzerland.com
■
Montage: ETH Zürich
The planned Science City, Zürich
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH)
Thinking zone by the forest At the edge of Zürich, Science City is coming to life – confirming ETH Zürich as one of the world’s top higher education facilities. The ETH vice president explains further. n 2010 the Science City campus
I
ty, are unique – we are going a lot
A mountain rush
should be ready to receive 1,000
further than the Americans.
Andy Tanner from Zürich has been
students. Gerhard Schmitt,
What will be open to the public?
a snowboarder since the sport’s
vice president of the Swiss Federal
Everything. Even lab tours are
early days. In 2000, he created a
Institute of Technology (ETH), has
planned.
line of snowboarding clothing –
high ambitions.
Is a campus necessary in our time
now the cult label Alprausch.
What is special about Science City?
of information technology? Of
“This is the story of a unique Swiss
It’s a meeting point for science,
course you can communicate
subculture. One that has discov-
the economy and the community.
remotely, for example by computer.
ered how to interpret its history, culture and the beauty of its moun-
“A top university needs human interaction as well as high technology.”
tain world in its own contemporary language on the street and on snow.” These words from Andy Tanner, Alprausch’s founder
Along with teaching and research fa-
Our experience with ETH World, the
and designer, refer to the skate-
cilities it will have student accommo-
virtual university, has shown that
board and snowboard scene
dation, a learning and conference
it is the combination of high tech-
to which he has belonged since
centre, restaurants, sports facilities
nology with real human interaction
he was very young. He opened a
and business support units.
that makes a top university.
snowboard shop in 1985, and in
So are you following the British
The Swiss Federal Institute of Tech-
2000 launched his own street and
or American model? With our inte-
nology in Lausanne is also planning
snow wear collection, Alprausch.
grated sustainable development
a campus. Do you fear the competi-
His inspiration: “Every day we see
we will halve our CO2 emissions in
tion? On the contrary! We have an
the alpine peaks in front of us,
the next ten years. This, and the
intensive research collaboration with
intensive dialogue with the communi-
them. www.sciencecity.ethz.ch
■
and get a rush from thinking about all the thrills.” www.alprausch.ch
Gandria, Lake Lugano
Information Presence Switzerland: A federal organization with the job of presenting Switzerland abroad in all its diversity. www.presence.ch Osec: Osec Business Network Switzerland helps Swiss companies gain a foothold abroad. www.osec.ch Location Switzerland: Shows
Add-on packages
Holidaying in Switzerland One moment you’re at the foot of the Eiger, the next you could be drinking coffee in Bern. Nowhere else do nature, city life, culture, wellness and sport come so close together.
foreign companies Switzerland’s strengths and advantages as a place to do business. www.locationswitzerland.com
O
ften you find the finest
self to a massage in the stunning
wellness and hotel facilities
wellness area. Whether in Flims or
just steps from breath-
anywhere else in Switzerland, what-
taking nature. In Flims, for example,
ever you fancy doing, you’re guar-
innovation promotion agency
check into the Park Hotel Wald-
anteed to arrive in less than a day.
supports the transfer of knowl-
haus, and enjoy walks to attractions
This small alpine country, with all
edge and technology between
such as the Flimserstein and Mar-
its glorious variety, is waiting to be
businesses and universities.
tinsloch rock formations or the
explored.
www.bbt.admin.ch/kti
Rhine gorge – before treating your-
CTI: The Swiss Confederation’s
■
Information: 00800 100 200 30 Basel
5
Zürich SBB: “Discover Switzerland” is
30 31
a collection of day trips that SBB, Swiss Railways, has gath-
Bern
1
ered in a brochure. Using public transport, they offer an easy
4
and environmentally friendly way to experience the country’s highlights. www.sbb.ch/euro08 Credits: Concept, design and publication: Switzerland Tourism, Zürich Printing: Farbendruck Weber SA Photos: Switzerland Tourism, holiday regions Circulation: 1,770,000 copies
Genève
2 3
Unless stated otherwise, package prices are per person in a standard room. Price and date information supplied by the providers; no liability can be assumed. Prices are converted at the rate of CHF 1 = EUR 0.61; payment is in CHF at the exchange rate of the day. All offers subject to availability; prices may be changed without notice.
Add-on package in Graubünden:
Add-on package in Valais:
1
2
Wellness.
Alpine summer.
Add-on package in Ticino: 3
City break.
2 nights in a double room in the
Golf fans: discover the wonder-
2 nights in a double room in the
4-star Park Hotel Waldhaus in
ful golfing region in the heart
3-star Hotel Delfino in Lugano,
Flims, including luxury Waldhaus
of the Valais. Play at four differ-
1 gala dinner with wine, 1 ticket
breakfast buffet, 1 gourmet din-
ent venues in 4 days: the
for a Gulf of Lugano lake cruise
ner at the Ristorante La Cena
18-hole courses in Sion, Crans-
per person, breakfast buffet.
(16 GaultMillau points), 1 choice
Montana and Leuk, and the
of dinner (‘dine around’), 1
9-hole course in Sierre.
choice of partial body massage (25mins). Package price per person, from:
Package price per person:
Package price per person:
Valid May 1 to October 31, 2008
Valid May 1 to October 31, 2008
Valid March 1 to October 31, 2008
Room, breakfast, dinner, partial body massage
4 nights in a 3or 4-star hotel inc. 4 green fees from
Room, breakfast, dinner, boat cruise
CHF 705.– EUR 430,–
CHF 829.–
CHF 285.– EUR 174,–
EUR 505,–
MySwitzerland.com
MySwitzerland.com
MySwitzerland.com
Add-on package in the Lavaux:
Add-on package in Eastern Switzerland:
Discover Switzerland with the
4
5
Gourmet travel.
2 nights B&B in a 3- or 4-star
Switzerland Mobility.
Swiss Pass.
With a Swiss Pass, visitors from
hotel in Lausanne, Montreux
Explore the charming area by
abroad can enjoy unlimited trav-
or Vevey inc. 3 lunches, 2 gour-
the Untersee – part of Lake
el on Switzerland’s rail, postal
met dinners, plus visits to the
Constance – by bike. 2 nights
bus and boat network at highly
Alimentarium Museum, Château
in the Hotel Feldbach, use of
attractive prices. Swiss Passes
d’Aigle, wine museum, tasting,
city bikes, welcome drink,
are valid for periods of three
Lavaux vineyards (UNESCO
1 gourmet dinner by candlelight,
days up to one month. Passes
World Heritage), Wine Train and
breakfast, and goodnight drink
also include travel on the scenic
Belle Époque cruise.
in the fireplace bar.
routes and on public transport
Package price per person, from:
Package price per person:
in 38 towns and cities, 50% disValid May 1 to October 31, 2008
Valid throughout 2008
Double room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, visits
Double room, city CHF 380.– bikes, breakfast, lunch bag, 1 gourmet EUR 232,– dinner
MySwitzerland.com
CHF 898.– EUR 548,–
MySwitzerland.com
count on many cable cars and funiculars, and free entry to around 450 museums throughout Switzerland. www.swisstravelsystem.ch
Our kick-off.
Beatenberg, Bernese Oberland
MySwitzerland.com Prolong the UEFA European Football ChampionshipTM 2008 with a holiday in Switzerland. Once out of the stadium, you could discover Switzerland’s unspoiled countryside: by staying on a farm, for example, or by setting off at break of day on a long hike through the alpine foothills. For more on where to find this, the natural side of Switzerland, please go to: www.MySwitzerland.com. It is our pleasure to help plan your holiday. Call us: 00800 100 200 30 (freephone).