Activities for the Autumn

Where to, from here?

The days are getting shorter, the sun is out but it just isn't that warm any more but the holidays aren't quite over yet.
For October and November there are decidedly less activities available than there were over the summer, logical really, it's between seasons now, that brief lull in time before winter and the skiers take over the hills. So here is a short round up for the months of October and November.

BEATENBERG
October 1st - the last entertainment of the summer for us, the last of a long summer for the farmers, and  a last long walk for the cows. Alpabzug, Beatenberg, from 2pm at Hotel Regina. The cows come home in style, wearing wonderfully decorated head dresses and escorted by their owners. The Alpabzug is one of the great traditions of Switzerland.
From Interlaken West (railway station) post buses depart hourly in direction of Beatenberg (Waldegg Hohwald). That journey takes approximately 20 min.

15.10: The Cow Show - choose the prettiest of them all, 10am, at "Wydi".

 INTERLAKEN

Not to be outdone by the Alpabzug, Interlaken has it's own traditions on offer.

October

08.10: Cabbage Market, Zentrum Artos, 10am to 4pm. And you thought cabbages were all green? Think again... Annual cabbage market, with Swiss accordion music. 

15.10: Although they probably won't serve cabbage soup, they might just kill with colanders. It is dinner crime night at the Hotel Metropole, "Auch Senioren Morden", four course dinner with wine, and thrilling theatre accompaniment. CHF 135.- per person, more information and reservations at: www.metropole-interlaken.ch.

November

18.11.: Market Day. 80 market stands, selling everything you might want, or don't know you want, yet...wood carvings, leather goods and textiles, plus a wide variety of alpine cheese, honey and preserves. 

20.11.: Alstadt Unterseen Advent Market: the first of many early Christmas markets in the Oberland, invitingly pretty in the old town centre, this market holds interesting treasures and is certainly worth exploring!

Daily and Weekly Events, Interlaken, October and November 

The Flying Wheels e-bike guided tours will continue until the end of October , daily from 5.30pm-7pm: 

Explore Interlaken

Aperitif tour to the Lake of Thun

Sunset dinner tour to "Burgseeli". 

Contact Flying Wheels at Höheweg 133, Interlaken for more information and reservations.

The Schuh Chocolate Show continues regardless of the weather or the season, if you haven't seen it, then you probably should. Grand Restaurant Schuh, Höheweg 56, Interlaken, at 5pm and at 6pm, costs CHF 14.80 which includes a CHF 10.- chocolate voucher.

WILDERSWIL

This little town which everyone passes through going to the mountains, or changes trains at, to go to Schynige Platte, deserves more than the few minutes tourists give to it. The fall weather is perfect for exploring this very Swiss village and there is no lack of things to do.

Daily Activities, October and November:

Visit a Barn: Over 200 farms in Switzerland have opened their doors to visitors, and the farm of Alice and Hans Pfäffli (Rugenstrasse 29, Wilderswil) is one of them. Visit them at milking time around 5.15pm and see what it takes to run a farm!

The Art of Old Handicraft: In the Atelier Holzkristall (Bärenplatz, Wilderswil) you can try your hand at this interesting, old handicraft. You can create your own necklace or grind one of the stones you found while out walking, and see what it reveals. www.holzkristall.ch can tell you more. 

At the railway station in Wilderswil pick up one of the walking tour brochures - don't miss the lovely water mill at the heart of the old town, the picturesque town square or the beautiful wooden bridge and medieval church.

BÖNIGEN

Another town saddled on to the end of Interlaken, it is also worth a visit, mainly for it's interesting village museum. The theme this year is "Wood" with an emphasis on wood carving and crafts. 

Interlakenstrasse 2, Bönigen, open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 5pm, additional opening hours on Thursday from 7pm to 9pm and on Sunday the 2nd and the 23rd of October, from 2pm to 5pm.

Every Tuesday there is a guided village walk of Bönigen, learn about the beautiful carved wooden houses, the historical buildings, the town traditions and the history of this 16th century town. 

Meeting point is Tourist Information Bönigen, 9.30am. Free of charge.

The tour is also possible in November, but only by prior reservation.

BRIENZ

October:

The Fekkers Market continues in Brienz until the 2nd of October, highlighting the culture of the Travellers. An unusual market and certainly worth a visit.

For the boys in all of us, what better way to enjoy the Swiss Alps than two days of Army shooting and Air Force shows at Axalp? October 12th and 13th, Axalp-Ebenfluh.Take a look at: 

http://www.sentiero.ch/en72_axalp_swiss-air-force.htm for more information.

November:

5.11. Night of Art in Brienz. 2pm, Depot Brienz Rothorn Bahn, cinema Brienz and Ed.Jobin.AG. A platform to promote local artists of Brienz and the region, festivities and exhibitions continue until midnight.

9.11-10.11.: A tradition since 1626, the village festival and market days.

16.11.-27.11.: Brienzer Christmas Market: the focus is more on hand made articles and is worth the visit!

She came home...cow with head dress,  Wilderswil

As soon as the snow falls, I shall be back....

It's Raining...again

Just out of curiousity, I began to look around for events and those elusive "things to do" when it's raining. Afterall, fall is right around corner and the rain has been greeting us with a vengeance the last couple of days. To help out those who happen to be here, soaking up the rain, here's a few ideas on how to spend the time.

Take Bus #21 direction Thun from Interlaken West and you can stop along the way at a few rainy day places.

The first stop is the St. Beatus Caves.

According to a legend, St. Beatus was an Irish monk who arrived here in the 6th century AD - he is said to have killed a dragon that lived in the caves, freeing the surrounding villages from a fire-breathing menace! Although there is no evidence to support that part of the tale, St. Beatus did actually live here, hermit-like, for many years. Archaelogists also found evidence of a prehistoric settlement.

The caves themselves lead for 1 km into the Niederhorn Massif and are only accessable on a guided tour - however it is truly mpressive to walk beneath the ground through gorges, see massive stone halls fit for a king marvel at ancient stalactites and above all  the beautiful underground waterfall, rumbling and roaring its way through the dark Not that the tour is in the dark - the path is well lit with electric lights!

The caves are open daily from 9.30am to 5pm and tours start every 30 minutes.
Prices:
CHF 18.- for adults, CHF 6.- for children (aged 6-16).
The caves are not wheelchair or pram accessable.




Bus 21stops along the way at 2 little lake side towns - Oberhofen and Hilterfingen, both homes to two unique castles.

Castle Oberhofen

Castle Oberhofen from the lake

Sporting a keep and turret, construction of the castle was started in the 13th century. The Habsburgs laid their claim to the grounds in the 14th century but they did not remain long - after the Battle of Sempach, Bernese troops took over the castle and it began its long and varied history, changing hands through several noble families,starting with  the Scharnachtal dynasty and ending, in the middle of the 19th century with the Counts of Pourtalés, who undertook several interior and exterior transformations of the building. Their reign has not lasted forever and the building is now run by an independent museum foundation.
Today, the interior of the castle hosts a fine furniture collection and is a tribute to the changing lifestyles of the  nobility from the 16th to the 19th centuries, showing off a bewildering array of furniture and decor, ranging from Gothic to Historism, all tastefully displayed in the now silent halls and rooms.
The castle is set in a beautifully landscaped 6 acre park which in itself is a tribute to time - laid out orig and inally in 1840, it has been continually changed and modified to reflect the fashions of the day and the various influences can still be seen today. Castle Oberhofen is open from the 15th of May to the 16th of October, Mondays from 2pm until 5pm, and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. The garden is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Prices:
Adults: CHF 10.-
Children (6-16years) - CHF 2.-



Castle Hünegg


Less imposing but no less interesting is Castle Hünegg. Built in the Historism Style between 1861 and 1863, this was never really a castle as such, but the home of Baron Albert Emil Otto von Parpart - an officer in the service of the king of Prussia. He modelled the building on the form of other Renaissance castles found on the Loire - the Blois, Chenonceau and Azay-Le Rideau.  The castle was bought at the turn of the century by the Lemke-Schuckert family who remodelled the interior to reflect the Art Nouveau style and the castle has remained unchanged since 1900. It is truely a testament to it's times and must see for all Art Nouveau fans.

Castle Hünegg

It is open from mid- May until October, daily from 2pm until 5pm and Sundays from 11am until 5pm.
Prices:
Adults: CHF 9.-
Children (6-16 years): CHF 3.-





Bus 21 ends in Thun - and it is certainly a worthwhile stop as this is the home to most famous castle in the Bernese Oberland, Castle Thun.

Castle of Thun

View from the castle tower

This imposing, fairy-tale structure with four turrets was built between 1190 and 1200 by the dukes of Zähringen, the same family responsible for establishing the cities of Bern and Fribourg. Within it's walls are five large halls, the most imposing of which is the Knights Hall which includes a huge stone fireplace and a massive wood-beamed ceiling. There are plenty of displays to look at, and the towers are accessable, giving a fantastic view of the city below. As these towers were also used a jail cells, the walls are covered in graffitti - not left behind by careless tourists, but by mournful inmates who left engravings of their sad histories.
The castle is accessable by foot from the city below and is open daily from April until October, 10am to 5pm.
Prices:
Adults: CHF 8.-
Children (6-16years): CHF 2.-, under the age of 6, free.
Family card (2 adults and 3 children): CHF: 16.-

Thunersee Museum Pass
It is possible to save yourself some costs, especially if you plan to visit a few more castles and museums by getting yourself the Thunersee Museum Pass. http://www.thunersee.ch/en/experiences/places-of-interest/museum-pass.html
Valid for the whole season, the pass allows you unlimited access to 12 museums on the Lake of Thun:

• Art Museum Thun
• Art Collection Hans & Marlis Suter, Oberhofen
• Museum for Timekeepers and Mechanical Musical Instruments, Oberhofen 
• Hünegg Castle, Hilterfingen
• Oberhofen Castle
• Spiez Castle
• Castle Museum Thun 
• Swiss Gastronomy Museum, Thun
• Toy Museum Thun
• Tourism Museum, Unterseen
• Wocher-Panorama Thun
• Touristik-Museum Unterseen
• Tin Figures Museum, Interlaken

September Rolls In...

Although no Swiss has ever been heard to say, "it's time to bring in the edelweiss," September gives everyone the feeling the year is nearing an end. Interlaken still looks crowded and the trains to the Jungfrau Joch are booked out days in advance, but there is certain impatience in the air - the town is looking forward to a little piece and quiet.
Yet, fear not! There is still plenty to do.
Ballenberg Museum is getting ready for the end of year and have two traditional events lined up in September:
from the 8th to the 16th, they  waking up the lime kilm and burning lime. Before the advent of cement, this was the way to go. 
The 24th and the 25th of September is the annual Autumn Market and the Mule and Donkey Parade. Market stalls are set up around the Restaurant Degen, with displays of Ballenberg products - garden produce, items from the Ballenberg course centre and from the historical pharmacy. There are demonstrations of handicraft making throughout the museum and the cider press is brought to life. 
The mules and donkeys are not only those who live in Ballenberg, but many who travel to Ballenberg to take part in the annual parade. It's also a weekend to meet the animals as their keepers give special talks on their care and the talents of the animals are brought to light in a special show. Of course there will be mule rides for children and for brave adults, but it's the lovely parade you really should wait to see.


Besides these two events, Ballenberg is hosting a very special event this September - the After Dark Tour, into the world of the rare horseshoe bat only on the 9th of September.  

9 September 2011 | 7 pm - 9 pm

After-dark tours: Bats – silent through the night

We meet at the Ballenberg west entrance at 7 pm. The tour ends at 9 pm. Admission for adults, CHF 10 (children free). Wear good shoes, dress according to weather conditions, and bring a torch (flashlight) or headlamp. In search of the rare horseshoe bat. An evening stroll through the museum with bat expert Peter Zingg. Listen to the nighttime sounds and experience a sense of having gone back to a time without lights or electricity. You’ll also be observing lime burners at their fiery work and learn how stone is brought to white-hot temperatures. http://ballenberg.ch/en/Events

The 6th annual Lumberjack Days in Brienz fall this year on the 9th to the 11th of September. Lumberjacks show off their skills in a variety of competitions and if  there is something you didn't know about wood...well, here will be the place to ask!

www.brienzholzfaellertage.ch The national Vaulting Competition takes place in Interlaken this year from the 10th to the 11th of September at the horse sport center in Matten (Pferdesportcenter, Feldgässli 100), - never heard of vaulting? Simply put, it's gymnastics performed on a moving horses back and if you have never seen this sport performed before, here's your chance and certainly an event not to be missed.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrian_vaulting Also on the 10th of September is annual the Chäs-Chilbi, or Cheese Market in Lehn, Unterseen. Buy alpine cheese from Habkertal and from the Iselten and Sefinen alps, hear some authentic yodelling and dance to the music of the accordions of the Oergelifründe from Sumiswald. 20th of September: September is also the month, when quite literally, the cows come home. Having  marched their way up to the mountains in July, its time to head back down. Although many places will have a market or a festival day to mark the occaision, not all of them will be listed - be sure to ask at the local tourism office for "Alpabzug".  Otherwise, be in Suldtal, in Aeschi bei Speiz on the 20th of September. Although it's an all day event, with a market, cheese selling and other attractions, be there by 2pm to see the procession of  cows and their herdsmen. Failing that, the Sichlete Festival or Harvest Festival in the city of Bern on the 12th of September.

http://www.berninfo.com/en/page.cfm/Sichlete

When the cows left home...

To end this month, Brienz is hosting the 3rd Fekker Chilbi on the 30th of September til the 2nd of October. This unusual festival celebrates the arts and crafts, traditions and culture of the wandering peoples of Europe,also called the Jenische or Yeniche People. 

WEEKLY EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER Tuesdays: Carve your own cow - Fuchs Hozschnitzkurse, Hofstetten. From 6pm to 7pm. Contact Brienz Tourism for reservations. 033 952 8080 Tuesday Market, 8am -5pm, Jungfraustrasse, Interlaken Wedensdays: Guided tour of the violin makers school, Brienz. 5pm. Contact Brienz Tourism, for reservations and details - 033 952  80 80. The last tour for this season will be on the 21st of September. Guided tour of the village of Brienz. 9.30am, in Brienz, meeting point is at the railway station. An interesting walk through this lovely lakeside village, not to be missed. Contact Brienz Tourism for details and reservations. 033 952 80 80