Sparenmoos my new favourite place

When my bestie - who has tons of energy and knows the area well - starts sending messages suggesting a variety of activities, I duly take note. They can only be worth checking out. I especially love the ones with names you cannot pronounce unless you're Swiss. 

Turns out we needed to cross the "Heimchueweid" to reach "Sparenmoss", a sun-drenched high plateau above Zweisimmen boasting magical vistas of the Bernese Alps, the Simmental and Saanenland. Its peace and tranquillity is a source of strength, plus the vistas are simply good for the soul. I could not be further removed from Paris in spirit and in body. 

Picture perfect

Sparenmoos enchants with a fantastic view from Stockhorn to Les Diablerets

It is a magnificent snow-clad fairytale landscape...

... and no one in sight.

The mountains are calling

Happy to be back

The mountain restaurant is open for take-away. The menu is simple but delicious.

The "Site Alp" serve their own farm produce and offer authentic home-cooked food.

Busy in the mountains

Swiss stories

The House of Switzerland is a Swiss hospitality centre, meeting point, and social hub. It is part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which aims is to promote Swiss interests.

Switzerland’s image is closely related to the people and things that create it, such as Swiss brands, athletes and products. It is with such icons - and sometimes clichés - that House of Switzerland work. Their role is to showcase them in the best possible light and explain what makes them specifically Swiss and how that impacts Switzerland’s image. 

Check out their Swiss stories... there are over 260 stories to discover up to date... Happy reading!

A Ticino success story

Did you know that the ski poles used by Olympic champions are made in the Blenio Valley, under the close watch of the Adula and the Sosto? There are over 30 km of cross-country skiing trails around the new sports centre and lodge in Campra, while the unspoilt natural setting makes it worth a visit all year round.

Discover the story of Tauf Khamitov, athlete, coach and KVplus founder who  spent half his life in Russia and half in Ticino, where he feels at home. Born in Omsk, in south-western Siberia, he has always loved sport. He set up his business over 20 years ago, never thinking that he would end up supplying ski poles to the likes of Dario Cologna.

As a young man he was involved in sport alongside his studies, while as an adult it took him from competition to competition, ultimately bringing him to Campra, where he took part in a Continental Cup in 1992. He returned again the following year, when it also brought him love; it was in Campra that the Siberian athlete met Valentina, whom he went on to marry. The rest is history... as they say...

From Siberia for love: https://www.ticino.ch/inspirations/stories

Swiss citizens living abroad

Figures published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that more than 770,000 Swiss citizens lived abroad on 31 December 2019, that is more than 1 in 10 Swiss nationals.

About 182,000 Swiss citizens living abroad are registered on an electoral roll. This corresponds to the number of eligible voters in the canton of Neuchâtel. 

Almost two thirds lived in Europe, notably in France (25,9%). Their number continued to increase, both among the young and old. Overall, the share of women remained greater than that of men, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the FSO.

But did you know that three quarters of Swiss abroad have one or more additional citizenships. This proportion varies according to the country of residence.

Friendly neighbours

Living in Paris and travelling back to my home country regularly, I was curious about the importance of the relationship between France and Switzerland! For those curious, or if you just love numbers and charts, following is the link to the 2021 edition of the brochure "Switzerland-France: an economic partnership of excellence" published by the Swiss Embassy in France, including supporting figures and  lots of infographics. 

France is Switzerland's 4th largest trading partner, thanks in particular to exchanges between border regions. Investments on both sides of the border contribute to cultural exchange, the sharing of good practices, as well as the creation of jobs. In 2018, Swiss investments in France generated more than 3,300 jobs, thus contributing to economic development.

Bonne lecture. Click here!

Vivi il tuo Ticino

Have you wondered how to support your local gastronomy sector? By choosing to take home a delicious dish cooked by the chefs of Ticino restaurants. Discover restaurants that offer take-away service thanks to "Vivi il tuo Ticino". Order. Pick-up. Enjoy! Easy peasy.

"Vivi il tuo Ticino" has created a platform that is as simple as it is useful: restaurateurs offering take-away services can register their details to be contacted directly. The choice is yours… see if you can find your favourite spot or discover some new places throughout the canton. Click here!

This year's Swiss president 2021

After a difficult year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, Switzerland’s new president, Guy Parmelin, has called for national unity to help overcome the many uncertainties ahead. The French-speaking economics minister assumed the rotating Swiss presidency for the first time on January 1st.

In his online address, Parmelin recalled the important work being carried out by health workers in nursing homes and hospitals. He also expressed support for people currently on short-time work and others who have lost their jobs due to the virus. “The pandemic has changed our lives by putting people out of work, destroying traditional businesses and putting our education and health systems to the test,” he said.

Realism prevented him from making “overly enthusiastic wishes” for 2021, the former farmer from canton Vaud declared. He ended his speech with a call for national unity.

The Federal Council photo for 2021 shows the seven cabinet members and the Federal Chancellor as a unit. The parliament building in Bern can be seen in the background.

Happy New Year 2021

The Royal Chefs' Gingerbread House

So, it might be a little late but given we are stuck at home during Covid times this seems like a fantastic afternoon activity with the kids.

How could I resist taking a go at the Royal Chefs' Gingerbread House? I cannot... therefore I thought I'd share the Royal kitchen's recipe for making the perfect Gingerbread House with you. Have fun and let me know how you fair.

Gingerbread Dough

Ingredients:

• 1000gr - Plain Strong Flour
• 14gr - Bicarbonate of Soda
• 28gr - Ground Ginger
• 14gr - Ground Cinnamon
• 355gr - Butter, unsalted
• 500gr - Light Brown Sugar
• 140gr - Egg
• 175gr - Golden Syrup

Method:

1. Mix flour, bicarbonate and spices together
2. Add cold diced butter and continue mixing until crumb stage is reached
3. Add sugar and briefly combine
4. Then add eggs and syrup and mix until dough is formed
5. Divide into 2 blocks, knead together by hand and flatten
6. Wrap and chill for a few hours before rolling to approx. 5mm thickness for the house parts and approx. 3mm for smaller decorative parts
7. Cut gingerbread house shapes using template Gingerbread House template
8. Place on baking trays and chill again before baking
9. For windows, crush boiled sweets into the spaces you have cut

Baking:

• Fan oven 165c
• 18+ min for house pieces
• 12+ min for smaller pieces

Royal Icing: 

Ingredients:

• 1500gr - Icing Sugar
• 200gr - Egg White
• 50gr - Lemon Juice

Method:

1. Sieve icing sugar and combine with egg white and lemon juice by hand first before placing into mixer
2. Paddle together on low speed for about 2min, then scrape sides and paddle well
3. Continue mixing on low speed for approx. another 5min, until a creamy hard peak consistency is reached
4. For piping, decoration works loosen icing with some water
5. To assemble gingerbread house use hard peak icing