logo
'I went to the 'end of the world' where time grinds to a near halt'

'I went to the 'end of the world' where time grinds to a near halt'

Daily Mirror22-06-2025
Striking the right balance between relaxation and exploration can prove a challenge on any trip. The temptation when on the clock in a new place is to rush around ticking off sights, often resulting in blurred memories and fatigue.
My visit to the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland taught me a lesson in how to really take in my surroundings and resist the urge to press on with a hurried stride. Take time to smell the roses, or in my case, the cheeses.
This awakening experience began in the picturesque village of Adelboden, an idyllic chalet village 4,430ft above sea level, with blooming alpine meadows and crystal-clear lakes. Home to only 3,500 inhabitants, versatile Adelboden comes alive during winter with tourists swooping in for its mountain sports on its dream pistes and World Cup race in January.
It actually became the destination for the first winter sports package holiday, ­organised by tourism pioneer Sir Henry Lunn in 1902. In the warmer months, it's ideal for those wanting to gaze at the scenery at their own pace while traversing its walking trails, mountain bike routes, cable cars, or swimming in the lakes.
The village's standout hotel was acquired by Welsh brothers Craig and Grant Maunder in 2009 and renamed The Cambrian – a subtle nod to their home country (Cambria translates as Wales in Latin). This stunning, four-star superior hotel, rebuilt in the Belle Epoque style in the 20th century, is the perfect place to unwind, offering a swanky spa with pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath and outdoor infinity pool, which comes with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.
At the hotel's Bryn Williams restaurant, named after the chef who hails from North Wales, diners can enjoy dishes created with Swiss and Welsh influences. From here, take a short bus journey to nearby mountain village Elsigen where you can ride the gondola to reach an alpine cheese farm hidden away in the peaks.
Welcomed into the home of the Germann's, father-and-on duo Adolf and Peter offered expert insight into their longstanding family tradition of cheesemaking.
After explaining the process of producing cheeses including Alpkase, Mutschli, Raclette and Ziger, which are heated at temperatures ranging from 36-90C, I was able to sit down and sample the freshly made blocks. They were full of flavour, thanks to added extras such as garlic and chilli.
It is not only food production keeping this area ticking nicely over, however, with the natural wonders of the lakes and mountains serving as a major pull. With the sun beating down, I grabbed the chance to take a dip in the crystal-clear water of the Brandsee Lake and could not resist the inflatable slide invitingly positioned only several strokes away.
It's a short drive to Engstilgenalp where you can jump on a cable car and head above the second tallest waterfall in Switzerland, 1,969ft Engstilgenalp Falls.
A trip to the ­neighbouring town of Gstaad was next on the agenda. Famed for its old-world elegance, which has attracted the likes of Princess Diana and Madonna to the region, I enjoyed a taste of the finer things, checking in at the new Mansard Boutique Hotel.
Located centrally, The Mansard boasts the only rooftop bar in Gstaad and was a hit among locals, who were drinking in the views with a few glasses of wine.
Equally as impressive was the food in the ground floor restaurant. I opted for the starter special of mushroom pasta, followed by a main of sole with parsley butter, spinach and mashed potatoes. Finishing on a sweet note, a glass of vanilla ice cream with strawberries and Maraschino liqueur rounded off a memorable meal.
The following morning in Gstaad, I got to experience a great annual celebration, which is loved by tourists and locals.Visitors began to pour into the town during the early hours of the morning, creating an instant buzz. This was the start of the Zuglete, the procession of cattle from the mountains to the heart of the town.
A tradition kept for centuries to signify the return of the herds and herdsmen to the valley, thousands of people line the streets of Gstaad for a glimpse of cows, dressed in colourful floral headdresses, and goats that continually serve the area.
Such a day presents a lucrative opportunity for local businesses. One woman I met had spent 30 years on the Landfrauen Saanenland selling items ranging from cheese to marmalade. 'I will not get rich with what I'm doing,' she insisted.
'I do this out of passion, for the community, because being together is not about having an income, it's out of love.'
Aside from the ­heightened sense of drama created by the Zuglete, Gstaad's relaxation-related motto of 'Comeup, slow down' can't be argued with.
But those seeking a total escape should head to the tiny village of Ablandschen – situated on the edge of the Bernese Oberland and the Freiburg Alps, 4,265ft above sea level. Known locally as Detox Valley and home to only 32 inhabitants, here you can pay a visit to the smallest church in Switzerland and dine at the inviting Berghotel zur Sau.
'Welcome to the end of the world' is the message from owners of the cosy establishment to prospective guests, who can try a range of Swiss dishes. Mushrooms and potatoes that accompanied my main dish of pork were grown just around the corner while the starter salad was made up of handpicked ingredients.
A bottle of the sparkling Blanc de Noirs – a Swiss spin on Champagne due to its mirrored production process – was the perfect accompaniment.
My trip ended by catching the state-of-the-art GoldenPass Express train from Gstaad to Montreux – an 80-minute journey offering panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and valleys plus Lac Leman (Lake Geneva).
This route is included in the Swiss Travel Pass (see information box above right) and seated in prestige class – elevated in terms of height in the carriage and service – I tried out my heated leather seat, capable of rotating 180 degrees, before enjoying a cheese board and coffee.
Gazing out the window as I glided through this breathtaking scenery, I was offered one final reminder of how avoiding well-trodden paths, going out of the main season and taking in the sights at your own pace makes travel so much more satisfying.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK's poshest train with seaside views and £11k cabins suffers major blow
UK's poshest train with seaside views and £11k cabins suffers major blow

Daily Mirror

time8 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

UK's poshest train with seaside views and £11k cabins suffers major blow

A luxury train journey vowing to 'showcase the very best of modern England and Wales' has hit a major snag following a last-minute cancellation, despite passengers forking out thousands on a ticket The country's most luxurious new train which idles past rolling countryside and golden beaches has hit a major snag - for the second time this month. There's no denying the UK's railways are in dire need of significant reform. Riddled with hefty delays and last-minute cancellations - most Brits have endured the commute from hell thanks to unreliable trains and overcrowded carriages. ‌ When you're forking out a staggering £11,000 for a double cabin, you would expect a much better, more efficient, service. However, the acclaimed Belmond has axed its inaugural run of its newest fleet, the Britannic Explorer, once again. ‌ ‌ Featuring an onboard spa, a world-class menu curated by a Michelin-star chef, and sleek rooms that look like they belong in a five-star hotel - the Britannic Explorer is the epitome of elegance. Earlier this year, the sleeper train unveiled it will be taking passengers on an incredible three-night journey to Wales via the west of England and the iconic Cotswolds. Not only do guests get to marvel at stunning stretches of coastline, lush mountain ranges and unspoilt countryside - they can also partake in excursions such as hikes in the Welsh national parks, clay pigeon shooting and a trip to a luxury boozer. The unique experience, does however come with an insane price tag - with a double cabin costing £11,000. ‌ "Highlights on the Wales route include a picnic-style lunch featuring delights like rarebit and leek tart," the company said. "Each dining experience onboard will reflect the landscape outside the train's windows, using the freshest local ingredients to create an immersive culinary journey that celebrates the diverse flavours and stories of England and Wales." The boujee train was due to depart from London Victoria at 3.45pm on Monday, July 21 - but passengers were informed the night before that the journey had been suddenly cancelled. This follows a similar decision to cancel a three-night trip to Cornwall earlier this month (July 4). ‌ Speaking to the Mirror, a Belmond spokesperson said the 'difficult decision' to postpone the inaugural journey of the Britannic Explorer was not 'taken lightly'. "During the routine pre-trip protocol checks over the weekend, we encountered unforeseen technical issues related to the door mechanism," they said. "Despite the dedicated efforts of our engineering team, the issue could not be resolved in time, and as a result, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the trip. As always, guest welfare and reliability of our train operations remain paramount." Belmond confirmed that that every affected guest was offered a full refund, along with a complimentary future journey aboard the Britannic Explorer in 2025 or 2026. "In addition, we are covering any related expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation," the spokesperson added. "Our team worked closely with each guest to arrange immediate alternative accommodation where needed."

Builth Wells Golf Club captain supports Wales Air Ambulance
Builth Wells Golf Club captain supports Wales Air Ambulance

Powys County Times

time10 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Builth Wells Golf Club captain supports Wales Air Ambulance

A grandmother of ten has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as her charity of the year in her role as Lady Captain at Builth Wells Golf Club. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Cathy Yates, 69, has played hockey and canoeed, but discovered her passion for golf 30 years ago. She now plays regularly and recently co-organised a fundraising golf day with Shane Claridge, the club's men's captain. Mrs Yates said: "Many of my friends and family have needed the help of the air ambulance over the years. "My husband was riding his motorcycle a long time ago when he was hit off his bike. "I also used to be a paraglider pilot and some of my friends had accidents in remote locations." Mrs Yates said her professional background and personal interests make this charity even more meaningful. She said: "I've got a real interest in helicopters; I've got a degree in aeronautical engineering and love aircrafts. "As you can imagine, the work of the Wales Air Ambulance really strikes a chord with me and it's something I am keen to support. "I've always done the monthly lottery but having this opportunity as lady captain will enable me to spend the next few months rallying even more support for the cause." Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million it needs each year to operate its fleet of helicopters and response vehicles. The service is designed to bring 'hospital-standard' treatments directly to patients, wherever they are in Wales. Mrs Yates is now looking forward to visiting the air ambulance base in Welshpool during her time as Lady Captain. She said: "It's going to be wonderful to get up close to the helicopter and look inside it. "I cannot wait to meet the team." Originally from Oxfordshire, Mrs Yates moved to Powys seven years ago and is now learning Welsh. She said: "We live in such a beautiful part of Wales; it is very rural and learning the language is really important to me." A former teacher and self-described adventurer, she and her husband Graham travelled across Europe for five years after retiring and spend summers in South Africa. Between them, they have six children and ten grandchildren. She said: "We love keeping active. "And between our family and hobbies there is never a dull moment." Mrs Yates is now looking forward to bringing people together through a full calendar of charity events. She said: "Our golf day was just the start. "It was a fabulous way to kick off our year of fundraisi ng. "We managed to raise £250." Planned events include quiz nights, bingo, and a special night golf evening in October. She said: "We've got a great support network at the club enabling us to do this for Wales Air Ambulance. "People travel miles to come and play at our club because of the amazing course and sweeping views across Builth. "It's quite breathtaking." Kate Thomas, regional fundraising manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said said: "We'd like to extend our congratulations to Cathy and Shane on their captaincies. "We are hugely grateful to them both for nominating us as their charity of the year. "Our fundraisers are at the heart of everything we do. "They enable our teams to be able to attend patients wherever and whenever they need us.

TUI launches ‘extreme day trips' to Lapland from 11 UK airports – including first-time regional base
TUI launches ‘extreme day trips' to Lapland from 11 UK airports – including first-time regional base

Scottish Sun

time14 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

TUI launches ‘extreme day trips' to Lapland from 11 UK airports – including first-time regional base

Plus, The Sun checks out what LaplandUK is like Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TUI has launched a new 'extreme day trip' to Lapland for winter 2026. Flying from 11 airports, families can head to Lapland and back with TUI in just a day. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 TUI has launched an 'extreme day trip' to Lapland Credit: Getty 4 Throughout the day, families get to go on sleigh rides and meet Santa Credit: Getty 4 Then on the plane back they even get a Christmas dinner Credit: Getty There will be flights from Cardiff for the first time to Kittila, Finland, and day trips from Bournemouth airport will be returning for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic. The 'Search for Santa' day trip will see families fly to Kittila, with a traditional cooked English breakfast served to you on the flight. After landing at midday, you'll grab your snowsuit and boots before heading to the Snow Village. At the Snow Village you will be able to see an ice hotel with igloo-inspired rooms, an ice bar, ice chapel and numerous ice sculptures. Families will then hop onto a sleigh ride led by Rudolph. After this, you'll head off on another animal-based adventure with a husky-led sleigh ride. And if those rides weren't enough, you'll then be able to explore the snow wonderland more by learning to drive your own snowmobile. Away from the different 'rides', you'll get to meet one of the Lapland locals and listen to stories and legends about the area. For kids, there are some arts and crafts too. Then the big moment of the day arrives with a magical journey through a snow-covered woodland to meet Santa. My trip to Lapland with TUI Once you have met with Santa and his elves, you'll head back into the snow where you will have some time to build a snowman, ride a sleigh or even start a snowball fight. A little chilly? Well, there is a campfire to heat you up with hot berry juice available. At the end of your 'extreme day trip', you will then be delivered back to the airport by Santa's elves and once airbourne, you will have a Christmas dinner in the sky as you fly home. Flights will run between December 5 and 23, 2026 with departures from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff and Dublin. Tickets to see Mr Christmas himself don't come cheap though, starting at £750 per person. But every child does get a gift and the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. What is LaplandUK like? The Sun's Caroline Iggulden headed to LaplandUK last Christmas - here's what she thought... LaplandUK promises to transport children on a magical Christmas adventure without need of a plane or even flying sleigh. Nestled in Whitmoor Forest near Ascot, Berkshire, even the walk through the car park manages to be exciting with lights twinkling in the trees as you approach the cluster of Finnish-style cabins at this magical destination in the woods. It is the fine details that really set this woodland wonderland apart. From the miniature doorways, just for 'small folk' to use, to the beautifully fashioned individualised costumes worn by all the elves- and the big man himself-details are styled to perfection. And the experience of meeting Father Christmas is a far cry from a quick grip and grin at the shopping centre. It was pure joy to watch their jaws drop when Santa started congratulating them on recent achievements and quoting small details about them, thanks to an online form you fill in about each child before you go. Whilst LaplandUK is not a cheap day out, it certainly comprises many activities which would add up considerably for a family of five if you did them separately over the holidays. We enjoyed a top-notch theatre show experience, crafting, skating, a grotto visit and the children came away with two beautiful toys and a lot of amazing memories. There is also a bucket list Christmas family holiday with a surprisingly affordable price tag. Plus, why you should have a Christmas holiday in your caravan this year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store