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Bern, Switzerland Travel Guide

When walking through the old town, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with its relaxed and provincial atmosphere, it is hard to believe that Bern is Switzerland’s capital. Bern surprises and seduces with every step. The museums are excellent, the drinking scene is dynamic and the residents like to switch from their famous dialect to textbooks in High German, French, or English. Some friends of mine who run an Edmonton roofing company back home, couldn’t stop raving about their time in Bern during their Swiss getaway. Here are the top must-see attractions in Bern, Switzerland.

Zentrum Paul Klee
The answer of Bern to the Guggenheim is the 150-meter-long undulating building with bold Renzo Piano architecture. It houses an exhibition space showcasing rotating works from Paul Klee’s surprising and sometimes playful career. Audio guides and interactive computer screens help interpret the work of the Swiss artist. Next door, children can experience hands-on art exhibits at the Creaviva Children’s Museum during the Five Franc Studio weekend program, or create original artwork using study materials. Bus 12 connects Bubenbergplatz directly to the museum.

Berner Altstadt
The medieval center, decorated with Bernese flags, has 6 kilometer of covered arcades, cellars and bars that descend from the streets. Following a 1405 devastating fire, the wooden town was rebuilt in sandstone. The Bern bell tower, Zytglogge is the main focal point. Crowds gather to see their silhouettes rotate 4 minutes before the hour, and then the royal carillon begins. Visitors can enter the tower to catch a glimpse of the clock mechanism.

Zytglogge
The most famous old town in Bern is this richly decorated bell tower that was once part of the western gate of the city. Crowds gather to see the figures turning 4 minutes before the hour. Then the bell begins. From May to October, tours lead to the tower to see the movement of the clock. The bell tower would have helped Albert Einstein improve his special theory of relativity, which he developed as a patent clerk.

Museum für Kommunikation
After a complete expansion and renovation, the Bern Communication Museum reopened in August 2017. On almost 2,000 square meters of exhibition space, there are interactive stations in world-class technology for researching how and why of human communication with a focus on role-playing technology. Expect interactive, high-tech and interactive exhibits, complemented by the fascinating original collection of computers and retro telephones in the museum.

Historisches Museum Bern
Diptychs, tapestries, and other treasures clearly illustrate Bern’s history from the Stone Age to the 20th century in this magnificent castle-like building, the best of a series of museums around Helvetiaplatz. The second floor is the highlight for many; dedicated to an excellent permanent exhibition on Einstein.

Adventure to Innsbruck, Austria

The capital of Tyrol is an unforgettable sight. The jagged rock towers of the Nordkette are so close that in a few minutes you can drive from the heart of the city to more than 2,000 meters above sea level and to the mountain meadows where cowbells ring. Winter and summer activities abound, and it is understandable that some visitors take a look at Innsbruck before heading up the hill.

But that is a shame because Innsbruck is Austria in a microcosm in many ways. The old town from the late Middle Ages is an illustrated book, which is managed by a Baroque cathedral and a large Habsburg castle, while its Olympic ski with excellent mountain views makes a spectacular jump between the outdoors and the urban. Here are the top must-see attractions in Innsbruck, Austria.

Scholes Ambras
This Renaissance mound is located on a hill in the middle of beautiful gardens and was acquired by Archduke Ferdinand II in 1564. Don’t miss the centerpiece of the Spanish Saal, the dazzling collection of armor, and the gallery’s original Velázquez and Van Dyck. The Spanish Saal is a 43-meter long banquet hall with an inlaid wooden ceiling and Tyrolean nobles looking out from the walls. Note also the gray relief around the patio and the sunken bathtub in which the beloved Filipino of Ferdinard bathed.

Hofkirche
Innsbrück’s joy and pride is this Gothic church, one of the most beautiful royal court churches in Europe. It was commissioned by Ferdinand I in 1553, who recruited artists such as Peter Vischer the Elder, Alexander Colin, and Albrecht Dürer. Highlights include Emperor Maximilian I empty sarcophagus (1459-1519), German Renaissance sculpture masterpiece, carefully carved from black marble.

Hofburg
The Hofburg was built in the 15th century for Archduke Sigmund as a castle. It was enlarged in the 16th century by Emperor Maximilian I and Baroque altered in the 18th century by Empress Maria Theresa. The heart of the luxury rococo apartments is the giant 31-meter living room. It is decorated with paintings and frescoes of Maria Theresa and her children (including Marie Antoinette) which seem strangely identical, the artist may have wanted to avoid the royal anger which results from sibling rivalry.

Goldenes Dachl
The golden wonder and the most striking monument of Innsbruck is this Gothic oriel, which was built for the Roman Emperor Maximilian I. it is magnificently decorated with murals and glitters with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. It’s the most impressive from the outside, but the museum is well worth a visit, especially if you have a map of Innsbruck with an audio guide that takes you through history. Watch out for grotesque tournament helmets designed to look like the rival Ottoman Empire Turks.

Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum
This treasure trove of history and art moves from artifacts from the Bronze Age to the original reliefs with which the Goldenes Dachl was designed. In addition to meditating on Dutch Rembrandt masterpieces, the gallery displays an incredible collection of Austrian art, including several paintings by Kokoschka and Klimt, Gothic altarpieces, and some striking Viennese activists.

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Liechtenstein

Most people don’t know where Liechtenstein is in the map, nor spell it rightly. It’s obviously not popular but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer tourists. So where exactly is Liechtenstein? First and foremost, it is not a country but a sovereign principality squeezed in between Austria and Switzerland. It’s so small that it only has 160 square kilometer of land area but most of these are gorgeous Alpine countryside. Let us introduce 5 reasons why you should visit Liechtenstein.

VADUZ & GUTENBERG CASTLES
The quaint capital city of Valduz is home to Vaduz Castle, located in the heart of the city atop a steep hill. This is still a functioning castle and houses the Prince of Liechtenstein and the Royal Family. It’s not open to the public so when you come and visit you have to admire it from afar.

In the south of Liechtenstein lies another majestic castle, Gutenberg Castle, but this castle you can visit and explore for it is remarkably preserved. Strategically erected on top of a hill, and boasts Neolithic treasures, and an exquisite rose garden.

PRINCE’S WAY
For adventurous spirits, immerse in the beautiful Alpine scenery while hiking along the Prince’s Way, one of the many paths through the Ratikon Mountains. It offers a stunning view of the famous Three Sisters Mountains and the lush green valleys of Liechtenstein.

RED HOUSE
This iconic house and tower in Vaduz is painted a vibrant red and is one of the sites that you visit when you ride the Citytrain. Vaduz is quite small so you can ride the train for 30 minutes and get to visit the famous spots of the old downtown and pass by the vineyards and the refreshing countryside.

MALBUN
This little principality is a great place for winter sports especially skiing. Malbun is a classy ski resort village in Liechtenstein and is a magnet for local and international tourists during winter season. High on the 1600-meter Alpine ridges, Malbun is a wonderland for visiting families with three lifts that can haul skiers to a dazzling height of 2,000 meters and a Malbi Park Kinderland for little kids and beginners.

HOFKELLEREI
Enjoy drinking princely wine, beer and whiskey in the Prince of Liechtenstein’s Wine Cellar or locally known as Hofkellerei. Thanks to the superb condition in the Rhine Valley, the vineyards there produces excellent and award-winning wines. The stone cellar and banquet hall is a perfect place to unwind over a glass or two of a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.

5 Cool Places to Visit when in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina was a war-stricken country in the early 1990’s, but more than two decades after the horrifying atrocities, they have rebuilt. No more war zone, crumbling buildings, and hungry survivors, instead, what lies in the city streets are skyscrapers and big shopping centers with billboards of the latest fashion. Tourism had increased each year and if you have plans of visiting the country, read through the 5 cool places to visit when in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BOSNIAN PYRAMID
People might think that only Egypt and Mexico have the claim to ancient pyramids but no one would think that Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to the oldest man made pyramid dating back to 30,000 years ago. It’s still a big controversy up to now because most experts won’t accept the fact that this is the biggest and oldest pyramid in the world dwarfing even the Pyramid of Giza.

TITO’S NUCLEAR BUNKER
This top-secret nuclear bunker carved in the intestines of the adjacent mountain. A seemingly innocent small house is the entrance to this underground bunker that can house 350 officials for up to 6 months. For 26 years, Josip Broz Tito orders the creation of this secret bunker and was completed in 1979. Now an art gallery, walking down its thick hallways will also take you back to Yugoslavia in 1950’s.

STARI MOST
One of the most popular landmark of the country, Stari Most meaning Old Bridge, is a beautiful bridge that was ruined during the war but was now reconstructed. A UNESCO World Heritage, this bridge was built more than 400 years ago but was destroyed during the 1993 war, only in 2004 was it rebuilt. And if you want to see something crazy and adventurous, watch as some daring locals do bridge jumping. Annually there is a big Bridge Diving Competition held here and it’s one big weekend party for locals and tourists.

KRAVICA WATERFALL
A breathtaking masterpiece of nature, the Kravica Waterfall, is the mini version of Argentina’s Iguazu Falls. This 75-meter waterfall is in the heart of the Perucica forest, known to be the last primeval jungle of Europe. Go swimming in its natural water pools and inject some thrill by trying the rope swing.

SARAJEVO ROSES
Wherever you go in this country, you will definitely see war relics and monuments, a proof that no matter how devastating the war was, the people still commemorated it because many of their loved ones have sacrificed their lives. A daily average of 300 shells would bombard the towns and leave craters on the streets of Sarajevo. Many of these battle scars are filled with red paint to mark casualties and these are now called the Sarajevo Roses because of the rose pattern it resembles.

Top 3 Places in New York City That Are Perfect For Dining Alone

It is pretty much safe to say that New York City is one of the most popular business travel destinations in the world. However, when it comes to dining in New York City, it might not be the right place for you if you are seeking a solo seat. The main reason why we said this is because New York City’s most sought-after tables are typically filled by groups of elegant ladies and deal-closing business duos. But, there is absolutely no reason for you to be worried though, because New York City still has some great restaurants where you can enjoy a nice meal, even if you are traveling alone.

That being said, whether you happen to be dining solo by circumstance or by choice, there is absolutely no reason for you to be shy or embarrassed just because you are one of those people who like to eat alone. Manhattan offers some delicious restaurants that are especially made for people who like to eat alone. With this in mind, here are some of the most delicious places in New York City where you can enjoy a nice meal, even if you are traveling alone!

Gramercy Tavern

When it comes to dining in New York City, the Gramercy Tavern is one of the best places that you can visit in this beautiful city.The Gramercy Tavern is a classy American place that is often filled with people who like to celebrate special occasions with their loved ones. However, that doesn’t mean that the Gramercy Tavern is not a place for those who like to eat solo, because it absolutely is.

Casa Mono

Casa Mono is a shoebox-sized Spanish eatery located in New York City. It is a great place for those who like to dine alone. While Casa Mono is usually filled with couples and groups of people that are jockeying for one of the precious few tables, single diners shouldn’t have a problem taking a seat at the counter without making a reservation few days in advance. In fact, you probably won’t have to make a reservation at all.

Ushiwakamaru

Do you like sushi? If you do, then you will absolutely love this place! What sets Ushiwakamaru apart from other sushi restaurants is its superior quality. While the portions at this delicious sushi restaurant are not that large, that shouldn’t be a problem, since you are going to be eating alone, aren’t you?