Swiss Stories

San Bernardino © Andrea Furger - Destination Italian-speaking Switzerland: Photograph of the San Bernardino from the canton of Grisons by photographer Andrea Furger from Mesocco. The San Bernardino route is an alternative to the Gotthard pass to reach Ticino from eastern Switzerland.

Next stop, Italian-speaking Switzerland: one national language, two cantons, multiple identities

Society
Suitcase in hand, let's go! Next stop, Italian-speaking Switzerland. The itinerary first takes you to two Swiss cantons - Ticino and Grisons - and then opens up to the whole country. The soundtrack for our trip: the Italian language, jazzed up with some dialectical riffs and unmistakable Helvetisms. Travel note: after this tour of Italian-speaking Switzerland, you'll need more than one suitcase to bring back all the sounds and culture that you'll pick up from Switzerland's third national language.
Parc Ela

Switzerland on Instagram

Society
We have put a few questions to the charming Martina, better known as kitkat_ch, a photographer that pays tribute to Switzerland and its mountains.
'SCT Monte Rosa'

The Swiss merchant navy

History
The Swiss merchant navy was established at the height of the Second War World to ensure the supply of essential resources to Switzerland, which at the time stood alone in the middle of devastated Europe. The fleet continues to sail the high seas three quarters of a century later.

by Olivier Grivat

Cow 'Chou-Fleur' © Mavachamoi

Swiss cows and goats seek sponsors

Society
Ever thought of adopting a cow or a goat to help support Swiss farmers? The idea is catching on in our cities and is proving popular with the farmers too.

by Tatiana Tissot

portrait sarah marquis

Sarah Marquis, always on the move

Environment
Books, lectures, and of course expeditions: Swiss explorer Sarah Marquis never stops. We caught up with her before she hit the road again.
Le violon à l’honneur à Genève

Violins take centre stage in Geneva

Society
For the first time in its history, the world's leading international competition for young violinists will be held in Switzerland. The Menuhin Competition, known as the 'Olympics of the Violin' will see the 44 top young violinists worldwide compete in Geneva from 12–22 April. This year two Swiss artists – Sumina Studer and Anatol János Toth – have made the competition, selected from over 300 young violinists from all over the world.
Creux du Van, a natural rock arena in the Jura mountains

The Switzerlands of the world

Society
The image of a small landlocked country with a stable economy, growing service sector, and scenic views of roaring rivers, glacier-fed lakes and snow-covered peaks is so associated with Switzerland that it is often used to describe other places.

by Jessica Davis Pluess