Author: switzerlandtimes.ch
Recently published data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that Switzerland’s total population passed the 9 million mark at the end of June 2023, reported RTS. At the end of June 2023, 9,006,664 people were living in Switzerland. 8,902,308 were permanent residents and a further 104,356 were present on visas lasting no longer than a year, a group made up mainly of asylum seekers (11,000), EU and EFTA nationals on short term visas (54,000) and Ukrainian refugees. Around 73% of residents were Swiss nationals. Most of those who weren’t hold a passport from an EU or EFTA nation. Switzerland’s…
This week, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprised many investors by leaving its benchmark interest rate on hold at 1.75%. The decision to hold mirrors decisions this week by the US Fed and Bank of England not to raise rates. By contrast Norway and Sweden lifted rates this week. In addition, like central bankers in the US and England, the SNB refused to rule out future hikes. And like Sweden the SNB signalled that it would continue to support the currency by selling its stock of foreign currency. The SNB has used a strong currency, partly the result of foreign…
There is far more to Switzerland than cheese and chocolate. Switzerland has watches too! Home to global watch brands such as Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre, La Vallée de Joux, is one of Switzerland’s most renowned watch making regions. Watchmaking is woven into the valley’s past. Farming has always been a challenge, given the region’s high altitude and long winters, so the locals were always on the look out for additional ways to make a living. Clocks, which became an important element of church design in the 12th century, were installed in local church turrets by clock makers from France and…
Solitary, pensive figures. Deserted streets or a luminous gas station in twilight. A night diner seen from outside. These are the static, atmospheric scenes we usually connect with Edward Hopper’s paintings. A uniquely American artist, who lived from 1882 to 1967. The famed Beyeler museum in Basel has chosen to exhibit a few of these, but also the early works that depict landscapes in the areas where he grew up, in northeastern United States. There are sea views and bright sailboats in New England, studies of rugged coastlines or a lighthouse, and a roomful of small, superb drawings that show…
In April 2020, when Covid-19 was spreading across Europe, Paléo announced it was cancelling its 2020 summer music festival. Today, it announced it is cancelling its 2021 festival. In an announcement Paléo said: “the whole organising team kept their hopes alive until the very end. They stacked all the odds in their favour, fiddling with concepts in every way possible. Starting with a blank sheet of paper, they had imagined the 45e Parallèle, a wonderful event brimming with bold discoveries that they were eager to present. But the Paléo team must unfortunately face the facts. A festival, even a scaled-down…
That small window where the hillsides turn white with narcissus (often referred to in English as a white daffodil) is upon us again. Narcissus in Blonay One of the best places to see these stunning flowers is at Les Pleiades above Vevey. The region takes the flower very seriously. There is an association for the preservation of the narcissus, the Association pour la sauvegarde et la promotion des narcisses de la Riviera. The name of this flower comes from the narcissistic youth of Greek mythology, Narkissos. This poisonous plant can be used to make medicine for whooping cough, colds, and asthma. It is…
Michelin-starred restaurants are synonymous with high cost. However, there is a wide price range and some offer meals for 30 Euros or less. Prices for a three-course meal at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe go as high as 595 Euros at the Ciel Bleu in Amsterdam while descending as low as 20 Euros at the L’Antic Molí in Ulldecona in Spain. This week, Ioana Neamt put together a list of the most expensive and least expensive Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and set them out on the two maps below. Affordable ones closest to Switzerland are Le France (1 star) near Le…
Granted UNESCO world heritage status in July 2016, Villa “Le Lac” in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2023. A number of celebrations are planned until October. The Villa, on the outskirts of Vevey, is open to the public during the following hours: 1st April – 25th June, Saturday and Sunday 2pm–5pm – no booking required. 30th June – 27th August, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am–5pm – no booking required. 2nd September – 29th October, Saturday and Sunday 2pm–5pm - no booking required. In addition, group visits from 12 people by appointment can be…
Most people float down the Aare River in Bern just for fun. For Evelyn Schneider-Reyes, it was her summertime commute home. “I only had like 30 seconds walking from my office to the river,” she recalls. “I had an ‘Aare Bag’, where I put all my clothes, my smartphone, wallet and shoes. I put on my bathing suit and swam home. I would leave the Aare at Lorrainebad, then I walked up the hill for 8 minutes and was already home. From my office to the Lorrainebad it usually took me about 15 minutes in the water. Lovely!” Copyright Bern…
Mention skiing in November and it is likely to draw blank expressions, or comments like: “It’s too early, there will be no snow”. While this is true for some resorts not all ski domains were created equal. © Pro777 | Dreamstime A recent study shows that in 2015, snow came to the Swiss Alps 12 days later and melted 26 days earlier than it did in 1970. This has made it harder to book a ski holiday and be sure there will be enough snow when you get there. In addition, it has brought stiffer competition for accommodation in February, the…