Friday 15 November 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Top Swiss Restaurants

Here at Hamiltons Removals we have been offering a bespoke, high quality removals to Switzerland service for more than two decades now. We understand that you like to move house in style, so we have crafted a removals service that does just that.

If you are organising removals to Switzerland, this article looks at some of the finest restaurants the country has to offer. That way, once your move is complete, you can treat yourselves to a well-deserved gourmet meal.

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Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville
1, rue d’Yverdon
CH-1023 Crissier

Chef Benoît Violier heads up this gastronomic delight and is responsible for its gaining the covetted 3 star Michelin accolade. With vegetarian, lactose free and gluten free menus, you are able to enjoy this fine dining experience, regardless of your dietary requirements. Also, if your new home is located within a 20 mile radius of the hotel and you fancy popping out for a gourmet mid-week lunch, you needn’t worry about driving as the hotel lays on a free chauffeur service.

Schloss Schauenstein
Schlossgasse 1
CH-7414 Fürstenau

“Schloss”, as you may know, means castle and here at Schloss Schauenstein chef Andreas Caminada is King. His influence can be seen throughout the building, from the layout and furnishings in the reception area and sitting room, to the design and décor of the restaurant and bedrooms. The tasting menus are all his own too. They are a delightful mix of colour, texture and flavour that will have your taste buds reeling in celebration.

Restaurant Stucki
Bruderholzallee 42
CH-4059 Basel

If you are moving to Basel, you really must check out Stucki. Since taking over in 2008, husband and wife team Rene and Tanja Grandits have done wonders with the place. For the warmest of greetings meet Rene and for a dining experience worthy of two Michelin stars, enter wife Tanja. Serving A la Carte, taster and business lunches, Tanja and her kitchen team hit the mark every time.

Ecco on Snow
Via Maistra 3
CH-7512 St. Moritz

If you are moving to St Moritz and plan to be there between December 2013 and March 2014, make sure you book a table at Ecco on Snow. Chef Rolf Fliegauf and his team are here during the winter months to delight, tease and stimulate the palate with their gastronomic creations. Whether you opt for the 5-course meal or go the full 8-course line up, interspersed with amuse bouches, your taste buds will be singing. If your scheduled arrival is outside of these dates you can catch him at Restaurante Ecco in The Giardino, Ascona.

Restaurant Bel Etage
Leonhardsgraben 49
CH-4051 Basel

Deemed very good in its category, Bel Etage at Teufelhof Art Hotel combines gourmet dining with a warm and friendly atmosphere. It has a diverse menu, which is thoughtfully matched with wines available by the glass. The restaurant has four interconnecting rooms so it can easily accommodate large parties of up to 80 or be separated for more intimate dining.

Restaurant Matisse
Burgfelderstrasse 188
CH-4055 Basel

Chef Erik Schröter plies his trade here and does it with a passion. His dishes are modelled on seasonal foods, young wild herbs, forgotten vegetables and edible flowers from the forest, and from the restaurant’s own herb garden.  As a result, the menu varies considerably throughout the year, but one thing’s for sure, whether you’re dining in the middle of winter or at the height of summer, your taste buds will thank you for it.

Auberge de la Croix-Blanche

Route de Donatyre 22
CH-1583 Villarepos

Offering an eclectic mix of contemporary Belgian, French and Swiss cuisine, The White Cross Inn takes full advantage of its border location. French and German are spoken in almost equal measure and the staff are well practised in English too. Perfectly prepared appetisers and aperitifs lead to a menu which will not disappoint. Great value for money in a wonderful countryside setting.

Restaurant Talvo by Dalsass
Via Gunels 15
CH-7512 St. Moritz

Chef Martin Dalsass presents Mediterranean cuisine with passion and shares his love of the finest ingredients with you in a very comfortable, informal setting. The sommelier is equally enthusiastic and will gladly show you around the wine cellar, where he stores and cares for 600 different labels. Great food, great wines and great hospitality combined.

Seerestaurant Belvédère
Seestrasse 18
CH-6052 Hergiswil

With breath-taking views over lake Lucerne and the surrounding hills and mountains, Seerestaurant Belvédère is a contemporary delight. From Foie Gras to Veal Steak and Lemon Pie, your feast is prepared and presented beautifully, and the service cannot be faulted. If you’d rather take dinner aboard your own vessel, the restaurant offers a Captain’s Dinner, which can be delivered directly to your boat.

Hostellerie Le Petit Manoir
Avenue Ignace-Paderewski 8
CH-1110 Morges

The Petit Manoir's gourmet restaurant is the home of Chef Julien Retler. His menus are refined, elegant and unashamedly indulgent. Whether you preferrence is for a la carte, vegetarian or seafood dishes, you are in for a real gustatory treat. If you’re going to be there for summer you can look forward to enjoying Chef Retler’s creations in Le Petit Manoir’s beautiful French style gardens.

About Hamiltons
At Hamiltons removals we do all we can to assure you of a trouble free move. We're experts in the field of Domestic, European and International removals and we're looking forward to assisting you with your quality removals to Switzerland.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Removals to Switzerland: The Country’s Best Nature Reserves

Whilst planning your competitively priced move to Switzerland, you will doubtless be looking forward to skiing the snow capped mountains of the Alps, enjoying the après ski, and sampling some of that fine Swiss chocolate.

Nature reserves might not be at the top of your agenda, but if you do love nature and wildlife, the country has some wonderful reserves which are well worth a visit. Once you’ve settled in and your household removals from the UK to Switzerland are complete, take a good look at your surroundings; there is bound to be a reserve near you with flora and fauna of the type that you just don’t get in the UK.

Hamiltons Removals offer high quality removals to Switzerland and to all other destinations throughout Europe and the wider world. We pride ourselves on our high levels of service and this is reflected in our customer satisfaction ratings and the recommendations we receive. When you instruct Hamiltons Removals to help you with your move, you can be assured of a job well done. Click on the link below to access our website for more information about moving to Switzerland.

Quality Removals from UK to Switzerland Contact us now for high quality domestic and commercial moves to Europe.

Great Nature Reserves and Nature Parks in Switzerland

The Swiss National Park – Graubunden

If you are moving to Zuoz in Graubunden, you are just a stone’s throw from the Swiss National Park, the only national park in Switzerland. Its 80 km network of hiking trails is just begging to be explored, but it’s important you stick to the routes marked out. This is a nature reserve in its truest sense: native animals roam free here and have grown accustomed to not being disturbed. Here you might see red deer, chamois and ibex, fox, marmot and mountain hare. If you look skywards, you could catch a glimpse of a bearded vulture, a nutcracker, or even a golden eagle.

The Pierreuse Nature Reserve - Chateau-d’Oex

This is another great place for flora and fauna. Here you might see ibex, chamois, marmots, three-toed woodpeckers, owls, royal eagles (AKA golden eagles), lynx and black grouse. If you do see a lynx though, go easy as it is one of Switzerland’s top 5 predators. The sub-Alpine vegetation and Alpine meadow flora of the region provide the perfect ingredients to cattle, whose milk is used in the production of the rich and floral Etivas cheese. Since 1958, Pro Natura, Switzerland’s largest nature conservation organisation, has been responsible for looking after the area. The organisation also oversees the conservation activities in around 600 other Swiss nature reserves.

La Sauge Nature Centre - Cudrefin

Think La Suage, think RSPB headquarters in Sandy, Bedfordshire. It’s much the same thing, only in Switzerland. At La Suage, on the banks of the Broye Canal, visitors can learn about the organisation’s conservation efforts and see at first-hand how they have created new living habitats. The centre and its surrounding grounds, which includes flower meadows, hedgerows, dry stone walls and ponds, was created on former farmland and now welcomes thousands of visitors every year. There are nature trails and hides (just like in Sandy), so you can get up close to the wild animals and birds without disturbing them, and the centre also offers professionally guided tours.

The Gruyère Pays-d'Enhau Nature Park - Fribourg

The Gruyère Pays-d'Enhau is not just a nature park, it’s an adventure waiting to happen. Situated in the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud, it offers a wide valley basin landscape as well as Alpine pastures, forests, meadows and grasslands, rock faces and fields of scree. As the name suggests, cheese making is central to commerce in the area with Gruyère, L'Etivaz and Vacherin all coming from around here. Modernity has struck, but the slated Alpine barns and stables, historic buildings, the old stone and wooden bridges which still cross the rivers, all tell the story of what life was like in times past.

La Grande Cariçaie - Champ-Pittet

The Grande Cariçaie is a world heritage nature reserve and Switzerland’s natural pride and joy. Stretching along the entire southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, The Grande Cariçaie is actually made up of eight separate nature reserves and is home to around 800 plant and 10,000 animal species. With shallow zones, marshes and large forested areas, it’s little wonder the animals, birdlife and flora love it so much. Here, for them is protection on a grand scale and they make the most of it.

Parc Ela – Graubunden


This nature park, not to be confused with Switzerland’s only National Park also in Graubunden, contains many traditional villages, which very deliberately retain their rustic charm, unaffected by modern human advancement. Parc Ela concerns itself as much with protecting the rural lifestyle enjoyed by its villagers, as it does with the protection of its native wildlife. This is a land of untouched nature and unspoiled lifestyle. Think more, horse and cart than horsepower. The area contains many alpine lakes, old fortresses and castles, and is home to more than 2,000 species of animal and plant life.

The Grangettes Nature Reserve - Noville

This nature reserve, located on the former course of the Rhone is now a twitcher’s delight. The planting of poplars and pines and the creation of artificial lakes has led to it attracting Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Red Crested Pochard, Coot and the Eurasian Reed-Warbler as well as Egret and Kingfisher. The Grangettes is not just about bird watching though; there is also a fabulous but quite strenuous two-hour hike, which takes you along the banks of the Rhone. If you don’t fancy walking, but still want to see the sights, you could always go by boat and train.

About Hamiltons

At Hamiltons Removals, we offer a high quality, bespoke domestic and commercial removals service. We regularly provide removals to Switzerland as well as to other European destinations and the wider world. Our team of polite, uniformed and time served removals experts are waiting to wrap, pack and load your belongings for safe transportation to your new home. Call us today for your free removals quote or click on the link below.

Bespoke Removals to Switzerland

Monday 21 October 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Swiss Landmarks

Having completed your removals to Switzerland, you will soon discover that this is a land of much more than watches, clocks  and chocolate. Your pre-removal research may have already introduced you to such things as Switzerland’s magnificent scenery, its impressive gothic architecture and its penchant for banking. This article aims at digging a little deeper, to highlight some of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks, both natural and man-made.

Removals to Switzerland  - Click here for full information on our range of removal services.

Major Landmarks in Switzerland

Palace of Nations - Geneva

Geneva is known as “the city of peace” and this building is central to all that. It is the second largest United Nations centre in the world with 34 conference rooms and 2,800 offices. It plays host to some 9,000 meetings a year, attracting around 28,000 delegates. Every year, 100,000 or so visitors are invited to take a tour of its halls and public galleries to see, at first hand, where representatives from nations the world over meet to discuss important topics like human rights, discrimination, disarmament and peace keeping. Tours are conducted weekdays from September to March and proof of ID is essential.

Chapel Bridge - Lucerne

The Kapellbrücke dates back to the 14th Century making it possibly the oldest covered wooden footbridge in Switzerland. It is remarkable, not just for its age, but also for the paintings that adorn the underside of its roof. Sadly, in 1993, nearly two thirds of the bridge was destroyed by fire and 85 of the original 110 pictures were destroyed. These have since been replaced by others that were put into safe storage. During the carnival season, which runs from Thursday until Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday, the paintings are removed for their own protection and replaced with modern ones depicting carnival scenes.

St Moritz

St Moritz is one of the world's most famous ski resorts. Right up there with Aspen, Whistler, St Anton, Kitzbühel, Chamonix and Val d'Isère, it's famous for being the playground of the rich and famous and revels in a winter sport history that dates back 150 years. Unlike many other resort locations though, it is not content to survive on past glories. It keeps pace with the times with an ongoing investment in state of the art ski-lifts, safe in the knowledge that those who like to combine skiing and sunshine will always love St Moritz.

Jungfrau

A trip to “The Top of Europe” is a must for all European travellers and if you’re moving to Switzerland, you won’t be far from it. Wrap up warm and take a camera to ensure you capture as much of the breathtaking scenery as possible. A train journey to the top takes in the little stations of Eigerwand and Eismeer, both of which are well worth stopping off at to take in the views. Be prepared for a fairly crowded passage though, it is extremely popular with tourists who come from all over the world to take in the sights.

The Matterhorn

Alongside Mount Everest and K2, The Matterhorn is one of the most recognisable mountains in the world. Far from a colossus, it is only the fifth highest of the Alpine peaks, but it is without doubt the most beautiful. Its classically pyramidal shape and ice-capped summit has attracted tourists and tempted climbers for decades. It is said that the Matterhorn has a character all its own: if the mountain is in good humour, it will display its summit for all to see but if she is angry, she will hide behind a grey sky. Folklore, of course, but a charming story nonetheless.

Chateau de Chillon

The Chateau de Chillon has all the hallmarks of a romantic Swiss castle. Built on a rocky island on the shores of Lake Geneva, it was a strategic location from which to control the passage of goods and people between northern and southern Europe. Over the centuries, the castle has been restored, and now through the use of modern media techniques, it can tell its full story. As well as a wonderful stop on the tourist trail, the chateau now doubles as an exhibition centre, a business, banqueting and concert hall, and also makes for a rather special wedding venue.

About Hamiltons


At Hamiltons Removals we aim to do all we can to ensure that your removals to Switzerland goes as smoothly as possible. Our friendly team provide a full range of services including packing, unpacking and transportation, cleaning, storage and insurance.

Hamiltons Removals Switzerland  – click here for more information on our high quality moving services.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Shopping in Zurich

If you are moving house to Switzerland, you will want to know about all the wonderful things there are to do here once your removals are complete. If you love shopping and are relocating to Zurich, the good news is that you will be spoilt for choice as the city has everything from up-market boutiques to high street names. To steer you in the right direction, this article looks at some of the most popular retail establishments, from designer shops, department stores, to shopping centres.

Removals to Zurich Switzerland  - Click here for full information on our range of removal services.

Designer Shopping

From the catwalks of Milan, to Paris, London, New York and Tokyo, many of the latest designs   can be found here in Zurich, Switzerland. For the very best choice in anything from jewellery to watches, hats, coats, scarves, dresses, suits, casual wear, evening wear and lingerie, pay a visit to Bahnhofstrasse and Dörfli, the older part of Zurich. Also, look out for Niederdorfstrasse and Oberdorfstrasse and the area from Bellevue to Bahnhofbrücke; if you are searching  for something out of the ordinary and don’t mind spending that bit more to get it, you’ll find it all here.

The list of famous names is seemingly endless. Hermès, Gucci, Boss, Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton line up alongside some perhaps lesser known, but still absolutely fabulous names like Freitag, Lyn May Dessous, Acood, Beige, Bogen33 and many others.

If you are looking for something different, you will definitely find it here: Freitag create unique and very stylish handbags using such things as recycled seatbelts and tyre inner tubes; Lyn May Dessous is where you’ll find Evelyne Huber’s exquisitely detailed, custom-fitted lingerie; Acood showcases Anka Lehmann's clothing and bridal collections; Beige links fashion and computers as it  offers clothing designs created with a CAD programme, and Bogen33 offer vintage furniture and home accessories.

Department Store Shopping

Zurich is big on department stores. Chief among them are Jelmoli on Seidengasse, Manor on Bahnhofstrasse and Globus on Schweizergasse. Others include Galaxus AG on Pfingstweidstrasse, Rosenhof on Weingasse and the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS) on Birmensdorferstrasse. 

Jelmoli’s strap line is “The House of Brands” and if its brands you’re after, this is the place for you. Founded more than 150 years ago, it is Switzerland’s largest department store and is something of an institution. Arranged over eight floors, it displays the wares of more than a thousand of the world's leading brands.

Manor is the largest of the department store chains in Switzerland. Its focus is on young, casual fashion mainly selling own brand items. Its separate departments include beauty, sports, household goods and home electronics. With a self-service restaurant on the top floor, you are invited to really make a day of it.

Globus mixes quality own brand with designer labels.  It presents four floors of contemporary shopping, featuring quality own brand items alongside designer labels. The cafe/bar on the ground floor serves as a great pre-shopping meeting place, or for something a little more substantial, head for their  restaurant on the fifth (top) floor.

Shopping Centres

The Einkaufszentrum Glatt is Switzerland’s largest shopping centre and is an experience in itself.  It gets very busy, especially on Saturday afternoons, so best advice is to go early on a weekday. Nearly 100 shops, including two department stores, cater for all kinds of fashionatas and its nine restaurants mean you’ll never go hungry.

If you're into modern architecture, glitz and glamour, you'll love it at Silhcity. The complex, once an old paper mill, is now a shopper‘s paradise with more than 80 stores, restaurants, a hotel and a multiplex cinema.

The Bahnhof Stadelhofen is more than just a railway station. Some twenty or more  shops, including a large grocery store and several boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses occupy the site which  caters for your  travel requirements and provides home essentials.

The Europaallee Passage, located next to the main railway station, might have been designed with the travel adventurer in mind. Aside from a grocery store, it is mainly activity based and has  shops selling outdoor clothing, bikes and cycle equipment, hiking and travel goods.

Arranged over three floors, The Letzipark is located just outside the city centre and has 66 shops including a DIY store and a garden centre. There are three coffee bars, two restaurants and a number of takeaway and fast food outlets.

ShopVille-RailCity is open 365 days a year. It has over 130 shops of all types as well as  several  restaurants, fast food outlets  and takeaways. It is not aimed at highbrow shopping but instead offers products for your everyday  needs.

Bridging the gap between mall and market is Im Viadukt with 30 plus shops and a market hall. Located under the arches of an old railway viaduct, it’s not your typical shopping mall. The emphasis here is on the smaller, edgy trends. Its market hall features more than 30 stalls selling fresh food and cured meats.

About Hamiltons

At Hamiltons Removals we are aware that every move is unique and different in its requirements. That’s why we adopt a flexible approach to your removal. Whatever your needs, whether you require road haulage or shipping or airfreight, we can take care of it for you. For your peace of mind, we are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and we are British Standards BS EN ISO 9001:2000 registered.

Click on the links below to find out more about our services or to get a free removals quotation and let us take care of your removals to Switzerland.

Hamiltons Removals Switzerland –  or click here for your  free removals quote.

Monday 9 September 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Exclusive Spas and Resorts in Switzerland

Once your removals to Switzerland are complete and you have settled in to your new home, you might like to look at taking a short holiday. At this time Switzerland may well be new to you, so there’s no need to go abroad. Instead you could spend the time getting to know your way around some of the country’s most exclusive resorts and spas and give yourself some well deserved rest and relaxation.

If you are looking for an upmarket, relaxing or sporting holiday, then a move to Switzerland has brought you to the right place. There are plenty of places where you will be able to unwind completely, with a view to returning to work fully refreshed and revitalised. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most luxurious holiday destinations Switzerland has to offer.

Hamiltons Removals deliver top quality removals to Switzerland to both domestic and commercial clients. With us, you can rest assured that your belongings will arrive at your new home or business having been moved with the greatest of care and attention to detail.

For domestic or commercial removals to Switzerland– contact us today to find out more about our services.

Meanwhile, read on for some ideas on where to go for sumptuous break if you are planning an indulgent holiday

Exclusive Ski Resorts

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury accommodation, you are spoiled for choice in Switzerland. Here is a selection of the finest hotels the country has to offer:

The Kempinski Grand Hotel - St. Moritz

Offering 5 star accommodation in the heart of St Moritz, all luxury rooms and suites come with state-of-the-art entertainment systems, free internet, 24 hour room service, phone with voice-mail, complimentary daily newspaper, minibar, safe, complimentary bottled water, a laundry and dry-cleaning service and a pillow menu. Dining at the Restaurant Les Saisons is superb and the service offered by everyone from concierge to waiting staff is just as you would expect from this world-class chain.

The Kulm Hotel - St. Moritz

The Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz is another 5 star ski resort situated in the heart of St. Moritz. Offering stunning views over Lake St. Moritz combined with a refined elegance cultivated over many years, The Kulm oozes charm as it effortlessly combines state-of-the-art modernity with classical decor and tradition. Of course, the skiing is superb but for those who don’t get on with skiing, there’s a host of other pastimes including golf, with a nine-hole course on site, hiking, walking, snowshoe hiking and horse-riding.

Badrutts Palace Hotel - St. Moritz


Badrutts Palace Hotel has been described as “La Creme de la Creme of St. Moritz” and with good reason. It often plays host to royalty, to stars of stage and screen, and to sporting personalities. Here, traditional hospitality and discrete service combine to deliver a first class hotel experience and the understandably high expectations of the guests are surpassed with seeming consummate ease. The Badrutt is sophistication itself; it is the champagne lifestyle at high altitude and a place where exclusivity meets style and grace.

Exclusive Spas

Clinique La Prarie - Clarens-Montreux

Clinique La Prarie is a health spa in the true sense of the words. Theirs is a holistic approach to physical and mental well being. They offer everything from full medicals to dentistry. Their beauty spa treatments include face, full body, hand and foot treatments, aromatic baths, floating beds, chromotherm, affusion massage, steam baths and saunas. There are yoga sessions and a very well equipped fitness and personal training area. Currently under refurbishment (2013), the clinic is set to offer still greater levels of comfort alongside its excellent treatment programmes.

Dolder Grand Spa - Zurich

Open daily from 7am to 10pm, the spa at The Dolder Grand is something to write home about. The usual range of relaxing treatments are on offer here: facials, massages, manicures, pedicures etc. but they also offer a detoxing relaxation ritual and a meditation walk. Must tries here are the outdoor Jacuzzi and the stone beds, which are large tubs filled with tiny stones; surprisingly, they make you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. A visit here is a total disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life and a reconnection to that which is important, inner peace and tranquillity.

Lausanne Palace and Spa - Lausanne


The CBE Concept Spa at the Lausanne Palace offers a Spa Suite. This gives you and one other the opportunity to enjoy a totally private spa experience. For 3 hours, two people can have exclusive use of all the facilities on offer including the sauna and hammam, the circular copper bath and relaxation area. You are greeted with a welcome juice drink and can each have a care treatment to either the face or body, and lunch is served afterwards with fresh juice and coffee.

Exclusive Hotels

Gstaad Palace - Gstaad
The Gstaad is exclusive and glamorous. With six different restaurants and bars and rooms and suites that leave you wanting for nothing, it is a hotel experience to rival the best in the world. Like The Lausanne Palace, it too has a wonderful spa. An added attraction at The Gstaad is The Walig Hut, your own private hideaway in the mountains. Built in 1786 and originally a farmers lodge, there are very few of them left now. The Gstaad’s Walig has been sympathetically updated and now provides high-quality mountainside accommodation for a family of four.

Grand Hotel Zermatterhof - Zermatt


Offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn from most of its rooms and suites, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof offers a mix of accommodation from very comfortable single and double rooms to elegant junior and luxury suites. All rooms have been individually decorated and are equipped with telephone, radio, cable TV, DVD, internet access, minibar and safe, and some rooms have a fireplace and a Jacuzzi bath. The Alpine Spa features a large pool, hot tub, sauna, steam bath and an ice-grotto. There are various treatment rooms and a private spa for couples. The staff are almost old-fashioned in their politeness and the service here is, as you would expect, top class.

About Hamiltons

Professional Removals to Switzerland – Hamiltons has provided a high quality removals service to destinations throughout the UK, Europe and the wider world for more than 20 years. If you are looking to source a removals company to take care of your removals to Switzerland, contact us today for your free removals quotation.

Thursday 5 September 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Animals Native to Switzerland

Whatever your reasons for seeking removals to Switzerland, you will benefit on arrival from the country's beautiful scenery, which is home to a wide range of animals and birds including Eurasian Lynxes, Polecats and Wolves. Here we look at some of the animals you are likely to come across in the Swiss countryside, where you’re most likely to see them and what you should do if you meet one.

Hamiltons Removals have been offering removals to Switzerland for over 20 years.  We pride ourselves on our customer service record and our ability to provide a high quality service that takes the stress out of your move.

For your peace of mind and to assure you that your removals to Switzerland could not be in safer hands, we have put the following memberships, accreditations and qualifications in place:

British Association of Removers (BAR) registered
FAIM accredited
Members of The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
BS EN ISO 9001:2000 registered

Click on the following link to find out more about our professional removals to Switzerland service

Meanwhile, read on to find out more about the animals native to Switzerland.

Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris

Red squirrel numbers are declining throughout northern Europe as they are being displaced by greys. For your best chance of seeing one, head off into the woods around Arosa in Grisons to the east of Switzerland or to the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen. You will most likely spot them up in the branches of the evergreen and deciduous trees or foraging for nuts and berries, green shoots, leaves and tree bark. Red Squirrels are not considered dangerous, but as with every wild animal it is best that you observe them from a distance.

Snow Vole - Chionomys nivalis

Snow voles live high up in the mountains of Switzerland, anywhere between 1,000 and 4,000 metres. They live amongst rock crevices and boulders, a difficult terrain which they are able to navigate with ease, keeping them safe from predators. They feast on the roots of various alpine plants, digging tunnels with numerous exits, a nest chamber and storeroom. Snow voles present no danger to humans and since they live at high altitude, and unlike their lowland cousins they are not considered pests.

Brown Long-Eared Bat - Plecotus auritus

The best place to see a brown long-eared bat is on an envelope. In 2012 it was voted Swiss “animal of the year” and it now features on the 100 Ct stamp. In real life though, they are that bit more elusive, operating mainly at night. Their main diet is moths which they catch using echo location as they fly over open areas such as grasslands and alpine meadows.

Eurasian Lynx – Lynx lynx

Europe’s third largest predator, the Lynx, was at one time extinct in Switzerland but successful re-introduction has seen their numbers steadily increase. It has a short body, long legs and large feet with sharp retractile claws, the ideal combination if your days are spent hunting in trees and over rocks. It has been said that lynx are totally harmless to humans but known as the “Tiger of the North” they are still wild cats, so proceed with caution if you should you happen to see one.

Beaver - Castor fiber

Beavers are the second-largest rodent in the world after the capybara, and the Swiss authorities are doing all they can to encourage growth in their numbers. Beavers were once extinct in Switzerland but thanks to conservation efforts by Pro Natura, the country's leading conservation agency, they now number 700-800 and rising. The best places to look for Beavers are in and around Switzerland’s many rivers and waterways.

Grey Wolf - Canis lupus

Previously extinct in Switzerland, the grey wolf is making a bit of a comeback, albeit slowly. In 2009 it was estimated that there were around a dozen wolves in the country so your chances of seeing one in the wild are very slim. If you are moving to Valais in western Switzerland or to Lucerne in the centre, you may be in luck though. If you do see a wolf, do not run, wolves are coursing predators, running will just encourage them to chase.

European Polecat - Mustela putorius

Polecats are widely dispersed in Switzerland, enjoying mixed forest locations. They are usually dark brown in colour with pale under-sides. They are shorter and more compact than their cousins, the mink and weasel, and have a more powerful skull and jaw. Their diet consists of small rodents, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and they have perfected the rather macabre art of crippling their prey before storing it to eat later. They are not known to be dangerous to humans and are for the most part quiet shy creatures.

Mountain Hare - Lepus timidus

Another one to be commemorated on a Swiss stamp, the mountain hare has been given a face value of 50+10 centimes. To see them gambolling on a Swiss mountainside, though, is worth a lot more than that. The mountain hare’s winter coat is spectacularly white allowing it to blend in well in snowy conditions and it has adapted to these conditions in its diet too. They are quire happy grazing on twigs and tree bark when snow and ice cover the ground.

Red Deer - Cervus elaphus

Although red deer were extinct in Switzerland over 100 years ago, they were re-introduced and are now flourishing. One of the largest of the deer species, they can usually be found in lowland forest settings and in herds numbering 30-40 or so. To catch sight of them in numbers, head for the slopes of the Engadine, Val Müstair, and Vinschgau when the rutting season has finished around mid to late October.

Wild Ibex - Capra ibex

The Ibex was hunted to near extinction in parts of Switzerland. Upon re-introduction, they were given protected status and since then have been doing rather well. Pro Natura named the Ibex "animal of the year" in 2006, 100 years after its reintroduction into Switzerland. Back then their numbers were reduced to just a few dozen throughout the world. Nowadays, the result of breeding and conservation projects, there are more than 14,000 in Switzerland alone.

Marmot - Marmota marmota

Found in the Swiss Alps at anywhere between 2500 and 10,000 feet, Marmots use their strong front claws to burrow through frost hardened soil and build their underground hotels. Over time they will create a complex series of tunnels with rooms off to house their growing family. Nine months of the year is spent hibernating in preparation for their mating season which follows immediately afterwards. You will often see them standing guard, watching for predators or on the hunt for grasses, herbs, grain, insects, spiders and worms.

About Hamitons Removals

Hamiltons Removals are an experienced, professional removals company with a reputation for excellent customer service. We treat your belongings with the utmost care, wrapping, packing, storing and transporting them to your new home.  Call us today using the free phone number 0845 003 8259 or click the link below to access our website.

High Quality Removals to Switzerland – click here to find out more about our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Clubs, Hobbies and Night Classes in Switzerland

Moving to a different country means a brand new start and, if you require removals to Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe, it also means making a new circle of friends. If you are moving abroad as a couple and it is your partner - rather than you - who is taking up a job in your host country, it may be harder for you to meet people with a common interest. If you are moving to Switzerland with children, you may get the opportunity to meet other parents when your offspring start school. However, it is generally more difficult to make friends if you work from home, or are a stay at home parent.

There are ways to make settling in easier and one is to take up a new hobby or to join a night class. This will not only help you increase your skills, but you will also have the chance to make new contacts. To help you, this article spotlights on some of the classes that you could take up after organising your European removals.

Hamiltons specialise in high quality removals to Switzerland and we make the whole house moving process easier as we guide you through the first steps of your journey to your new life. We provide everything from full or part load removals, careful packing and unpacking and storage facilities on request. To find out more about what we can do for you, just click on the link below.

Moving to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Learning a New Language – Whichever canton you move to, to get the most out of your stay, it is always worth getting know at least some words or phrases of the language that is most common in your area. As the Swiss speak German, French, Italian and, less commonly, Rumantsch, you will want to learn at least one of these languages to help you put down your roots.

Language schools can be found in all the main cities, and some of the well-known names include The Language School of Alemania, which concentrates mainly on teaching German and runs beginners and intensive classes, the Bénédict-Schule Zürich, the Inlingua language school and the Berlitz Sprachschule, which all teach German, French and Italian.  Of course, there are other organisations in Switzerland that offer language classes and you can find out more about this from adverts in your area, word of mouth, or online. You may also find teachers that organise small, private language classes in your area, or are willing to teach one-on-one. Learning the language in Switzerland is the first step towards making friends with the locals.

Sport – Another way to make new friends is to take up a new sport, and this way you can also get fit and keep active at the same time. There are all sorts of sports on offer in Switzerland, from the more unusual such as Hornussen, which has been described as a cross between golf and cricket, and the more common sports, such as tennis, football, cricket, golf, rugby, mountaineering, ice-hockey, skiing and snowboarding.

The Swiss are keen about sporting activities and as many as a quarter of the Swiss are a committed member of a sports club. Whatever sport you are interested in taking up, it is worth having a look online to find out about sporting clubs or activities in your area and there are expat sites with this information. You can find all sorts of classes including: Scottish dance, square dancing, Morris dancing, yoga and boot camps, all of which are a fun way to meet new people.

Hobbies – Once you have moved to Switzerland, you will find plenty of opportunities to take up a new hobby or join a new class that is of interest to you. Whether you would like to join a women’s group, discover more about the country’s food and wine, join an amateur dramatic group, or take up an art class, such as drawing or photography, this is a great way to hone your skills or learn something new. You never know where this will take you. If you are full of enthusiasm about your new hobby, in time you could even make a living out of it!

About Hamiltons

Hamiltons Removals  are experienced in removals to Europe and we have a friendly and dedicated team of staff who will help you every step of the way.

To find out more, click here for a free European removals quote.

Thursday 4 July 2013

Removals to Switzerland: The Ten Highest Peaks in Switzerland

If you're reading this you will have already started making plans for your removals to Switzerland. You may be looking forward to the prospect of starting a new job and sourcing new schools for the kids and you'll certainly be looking forward to settling in to your new Swiss home. You'll be looking forward to the country's spectacular landscapes and dramatic snow-capped peaks and to the down-time and holidays that will enable you to enjoy them to the full. With so much to think about and plan, it’s good to know that one call to Hamiltons Removals is all it takes to arrange your removals to Switzerland.

Established in 1993, Hamiltons Removals have been successfully moving house for people for over 20 years and we pride ourselves on the reputation we have built up in that time. We are on hand to deal with every aspect of your removals to Switzerland, from the careful wrapping and packing of your belongings, to their loading and safe transportation, and we can even arrange to have the home you're vacating professionally cleaned to save you the time and trouble.

Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

In this blog post we thought we'd take a look at some of the country's highest and most famous mountains, and the sporting facilities they offer. Although Switzerland can’t lay claim to the highest peak in Western Europe – that accolade goes to France and Italy for Mont Blanc - it does have some very impressive ones which offer a variety of activities like hiking, climbing, skiing and snowboarding.

Our Guide to the Swiss Peaks

Monte Rosa is the name given to a group of mountain peaks in the Swiss Alps which cross the Swiss/Italian border, linking the Swiss canton of Valais and the Italian region of Piedmont.

Twenty two of the mountain peaks in this region are over 4,000 metres high, the highest   being Dufourspitze. You'll find that a good number of them are suffixed with the word “spitze” as this means apex or high point in German.

Dufourspitze - 4634m

Dufourspitze was named in honour of Henri Dufour. An army general and the man behind the Dufour map series, he was also a co-founder of the Red Cross. Dufourspitze's usual routes are not rated difficult, at least not on its popular ascents but as with all climbs, preparation and the right equipment is essential. Recommended kit should comprise; an axe, rope, crampons and warm, wind resistant clothing. And you are advised to keep an eye on the weather as high winds and precipitation can turn even the easiest of climbs into something much more challenging.

Ostspitze - 4632m

Climbing, hiking & mountaineering are all encouraged here on Switzerland’s second highest peak, and as with the first, the views are breathtaking. Check the height differential between Ostspitze and Dufourspitze and its easy to see why the first climbers of Ostspitze, thought they'd climbed the highest Alpine peak.

Nordend - 4609m

Translated as “Northend” This peak is the third highest in the Swiss Alpine range, and is as the name suggests, the northernmost peak in the Alps. Once at the top, the other peaks are laid out before you, tantalising you with the thought of just one more climb. After all, what's an extra 25 metres between friends?

Zumsteinspitze - 4563m

Zumsteinspitze rests between the peaks of Dufourspitze and Signalkuppe and on the Swiss/Italian border. As with Dufourspitze, it was named after one of its first climbers but it is fair to say that Mr Zumstein had help. Legend has it that the group of climbers Zumstein  was a part of had agreed to call the mountain by a different name, but that Zumstein used his position as forest inspector and member of the Royal Society of Science in Turin, to ensure that his was the name applied to the rock.

Signalkuppe - 4554m 

This mountain was named Signalkuppe in reference to a large rock spike which originally formed its peak. The spike has since been removed and replaced with - wait for it... a building! This gives Signalkuppe its place in mountaineering lore as it is the site of the highest building in Europe. The Capanna Margherita is open to visitors from mid-June to mid-September and can accommodate up to 70 mountaineers. For the remainder of the year the winter room is open with 12 beds. The building also houses the International Centre for High-Altitude Physiological Research and has the highest-altitude telephone connection in Europe.

Dom - 4545m
Never would there appear to have been a more aptly named mountain. Dom might not be the tallest but it's certainly one of the most impressive. Actually the name Dom doesn't relate to its size at all. It is linked to the German word Dome and refers to a cathedral as the mountain was originally named after Canon Berchtold of Sitten (or Sion) cathedral.

Lyskamm – 4527m

On the border between Switzerland and Italy, Lyskamm actually has two summits, one to the east and one to the west. The eastern Liskamm summit, the higher of the two, is separated from its western apex by a one kilometre ridge, and it is this ridge with its many cornices that has caused the mountain to be known as the man-eater. A cornice is an unstable overhang of ice and snow that could give way at any moment causing an avalanche.

Weisshorn - 4506m

Weisshorn is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Swiss Alps. It is pyramidal in shape and its snow capped peak catches the sun particularly well at sunrise when the whiteness glows a peachy orange. This sight is not at all unusual here in the Alps and there are breathtaking views to be seen daily. Something about this mountain  really captures the imagination.

Matterhorn - 4478m

Located in the Pennine Alps on the border of Switzerland and Italy, the mountain's four steep faces rise above the surrounding glaciers facing north, south, east and west. It was one of the last peaks to be climbed and has claimed the lives of many hundreds of climbers over the years. Perhaps for this reason the Matterhorn has become an icon of the Alps. Oh... and if you thought your move to Switzerland would mean you'd have to leave your clubs behind, think again. You can play golf within sight of the Matterhorn. Don't expect manicured greens and mown fairways though, this is golf Scottish style, complete with rocks, cliffs, uneven playing surfaces and marmot burrows.

Dent Blanche - 4356m

The Dent Blanche is something of a misnomer since for the most part, there is nothing white about it. No skiing or snowboarding here, however, it does make for a good rock climb and this should not be underestimated . The confusion over the naming of the mountain stems from a lack of co-operation or understanding between early cartographers and the mountain folk, which forced the map makers to scribe from a distance.

About Hamiltons

Hamiltons Removals offer a high quality removals to Switzerland service, whatever the size of your move. Whether you require full load (FCL), part load (LCL) or groupage, we can help. We are also experts in the safe removal and transportation of large and valuable items like cars, pianos, farm machinery, and horses. If you are moving to Switzerland, contact us today either via the website, using our quick quote service, or by email or phone. Our friendly team of removals experts are on hand to help with any enquiry.

Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Removals to Switzerland – Extreme Sports in Switzerland

Having completed your removals to Switzerland - with all of the unpacking done and things finally settling into place - the adrenalin enthusiasts among you will be anxious to get out there and discover what your new Swiss surroundings have in store. While long walks, jogging and joining a gym may be enough for some, there are those among you who will be looking to the great outdoors for something more exhilarating.

Your removals to Switzerland could bring you into contact with many extreme sports that previously you only ever saw on television or read about in books or magazines. From BASE jumping to wing suit sky diving, this article covers most of them, but we have deliberately  ignored skiing and ski related sports, on the basis that this is Switzerland and of course you can ski here.

Hamiltons Removals are a specialist removals company which regularly transport to and from all parts of Europe and the wider world. Our team of dedicated removals experts are just a phone call (or email) away and are waiting to help you with your removals to Switzerland.

Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Here is just a taster of some of the extreme sports on offer in Switzerland. We are sure you'll be impressed with what's on offer here, and you may even be tempted to try one or two of them for yourselves.

BASE Jumping/ Wing Suit Diving

Let's start with arguably the most dangerous - but exciting - sports of them all. BASE is the phrase used to represent the four different categories of object, from which the BASE jumper can launch him/herself. They are Building, Antenna, Span and Earth (or in English, Building, Signal Mast, Bridge and Cliff). The Swiss BASE Association has its HQ in Lauterbrunnen and every year, thousands of jumpers flock to the area to experience the thrill of flight.

A wingsuit slows down the rate of freefall experienced in base jumping and sky diving, and allows you to increase the distance covered. This greatly reduces the risk of striking the object you jumped from.

Extreme Canoeing/Rafting

Grindelwald and the Lütschine is the place to head for, for this kind of rush. Beneath the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains, its grey, cold waters thunder downstream, creating powerful waves and rollers, guaranteed to rock your world, let alone your boat.

Extreme Motor Sport


There are two major motor sport venues in Switzerland: Circuit Bremgarten and Circuit des Nations, but since motor sport was banned in Switzerland in 1955 following an accident at Le Mans which killed 80+ spectators, they haven’t seen much action lately. There are moves afoot to bring motor sport back to Switzerland but it is some time away yet.

Freestyle Motocross (FMX)


FMX is very popular here, which given the ban on motor sport is perhaps not surprising. Last year (2012) saw the NIGHT of the JUMPS in Basel. It's the 6th time that the city has hosted this championship event, attracting the world's most skilful and daring FMX riders, and each time the crowds get bigger and the tricks, jumps and stunts, become even more thrilling.

Free Running

When we think of free running we usually imagine groups of fit young men (and women) tearing through housing estates and shopping malls, leaping over cars, shopping trolleys and anything else that gets in the way. Well, now it has come to the rocky banks of the Verzasca River in Switzerland. Saying that, there'd be nothing wrong with free running in Geneva or Basel or any other major Swiss city.

Hang Gliding


It's back to Interlaken if you fancy a spot of hang-gliding. Aficionados of the sport will tell you it's the closest thing to flying like a bird, although we could wager that the wing-suit sky divers and BASE jumpers might disagree. The beauty of hang-gliding is you can go as extreme as you like, a gentle flight to take in the scenery can easily be turned into an adrenalin fuelled thrill ride including dives and wingovers.

Ice Climbing

Ice climbing can be likened to rock climbing in that many similar techniques and tools are used, but over the years these have been modified to tackle ice rather than rock. For the best ice climbs head for Brunnital or Kandersteg. Brunnital takes you to an altitude of between 1080 and 1380m, so it is quite low for an ice climb but it gives you the opportunity to climb in both the sun and shade, and if you fancy it, there's a 1300m ice wall to scale.

Kitesurfing


Kitesurfing was previously limited to just a few areas of some of the lakes in Switzerland and banned completely in most cantons. Legislation is going through the Swiss parliament at the time of writing this blogpost, and it is hoped that come 2014 the restrictions on kitesurfing, or kiteboarding as it is also known, will be lifted throughout Switzerland.

Mountain Biking


Mountain biking can be taken to extreme levels and where better than Switzerland to do it? Extreme mountain biking takes you to new heights, literally. To be labelled extreme a trail should either include a greater than 2000m height gain and/or cover 60km, and there are plenty of places in Switzerland where either or both of these are possible. The extreme label is also attached to technical difficulty and therefore includes trails which feature jumps, drop offs and root sections that require long travel bikes.

Rock Climbing - Mountaineering

For the purposes of this article we have linked these two sports, although true exponents of the arts will tell you that you require a very different skill set for each one. The fundamentals are the same though, hence the link. We can’t think of a better place for either  of these sports. From the peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch near Interlaken, and the Matterhorn near Zermat, to the Jura in the north, you can clamber over granite, limestone and gneiss to your heart's content.

Skateboarding
Ten years of planning have resulted in Zurich’s new skatepark, which opened earlier this year (2013). Its creation was due, at least in part, to the recognised good reputation that the city's skaters had earned for themselves in the area of technical skating ability. In fact, it’s quite possible that Zurich's skaters earned that reputation, entirely because of their lack of a skatepark, resulting in them having to invent for themselves.

Windsurfing

Lake Walensee is a great place to windsurf as the wind gets trapped and funnelled by opposing mountains. It’s one of the larger lakes in Switzerland and attracts a good many windsurfers, even from across the border in Liechtenstein. Silvaplana is also definitely worth a visit; 1800m up in the Alps and right next to St. Moritz, the scenery here is amazing and the winds are good too, although their power is slightly reduced due to the altitude.

About Hamiltons 

At Hamiltons Removals we provide a bespoke removals service to locations worldwide including removals to Switzerland and all other destinations within the EU. We are proud of our reputation for providing high quality removals services at competitive prices. Visit the website or call us today for your free removals quotation.

Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Monday 27 May 2013

Removals to Switzerland – A Guide to the Country’s Top Castles and Historic Buildings

If you require removals to Switzerland and are a lover of castles and historic buildings, as many people are, then regardless of which canton you are moving to, Switzerland will not disappoint.  There are a great many historic buildings that you are able to visit and some that may even be available to purchase. There are fairytale castles, magnificent mansions, and some fine old city buildings, which are bound to catch your eye. Once you have organised your removals to Switzerland and have settled in the country, you may wish to explore the local area and visit some of these wondrous edifices.

If you are looking for an experienced removals team to help with your removals to Switzerland, Hamiltons Removals are the ones to call. We have over 20 years’ experience in the business and regularly move people to and from all parts of Europe. We offer cost effective moving solutions and can tailor our service to your exact requirements. We offer full or part-load removals, we can provide secure storage and do the packing and unpacking for you. We can help you to fill out the customs forms. We can even help with the professional cleaning of the home you have just vacated. We have looked at every aspect of your removal and offer you a workable, affordable solution.

In this article, we have brought together our pick of the TOP 10 Swiss castles and historic buildings but, of course, we understand that any Top 10 is subjective so if you know of any that you feel we should have included, please feel free to add your comments.

Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service.

Our Guide to Some of the Most Interesting Buildings in Switzerland

Abbey Church - Payerne 

This is one of the most significant churches in Switzerland. Built in the 11th-century by the first religious community to be set up in the area, it was constructed in stages over 140 years. It would have stood alone and without protection if it weren’t for its connections with the Abbey in Cluny and the Royal family. Its beauty and charm are well preserved and presented. Sculpted and decorated from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, this is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture to be found anywhere in Switzerland. The building has since lost its religious status, but is used instead to host the most prestigious art exhibitions.

Batiment des Forces Motrices – Banks of the Rhone

The BFM as it is locally and affectionately known is a prime example of how to use and re-use brown belt land. An industrial site since May 1886, it was transformed into an Opera House in September of 1997. Situated as an island in the middle of the Rhone, It began life as a hydraulic power station supplying water under high pressure to the city's fountains, houses and factories. Decommissioned in the 1960’s and classified an historic building in 1988, its cultural future was secured when, in 1994, representatives of the Grand Theatre said they needed another location for their 1997-1998 season. Several phone calls, some construction and refurbishment later, it became the new 1000 seater Grand Theatre.

Benedictine Convent of St John

The Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair features the best examples of Romanesque murals, frescoes and stuccoes to be found anywhere in Switzerland. Situated in the upper valley of the Canton of Grisons, the building underwent some interior remodelling around 1908 and then again, throughout the late 40's and early 50's. It was during these alterations that the removal of a Gothic ceiling and whitewashing revealed scenes from the Old and New Testaments dating back to the Carolingian period AD751- 987. The discovery of this artwork, painted in ochres, reds and browns, led to the site being given UNESCO world cultural heritage status. 

Chenaux Castle

Not far from Payerne with its historic Abbey Church, about eight kilometres to the northwest, is the small medieval town of Estavayer. This is where you'll find the impressive Château de Chenaux. Overlooking Lake Neuchâtel and the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve, this 14th century castle is quite simply splendid. It has been through the wars a bit in its time and just one of its towers still stands but, even so, a walk around the grounds and courtyards will give you all the impression you'll need of the majesty of the place and the views of the surrounding countryside that you get from the turrets is lovely.

Château de Chillon

One of the prettiest châteaux in all of Switzerland, Château de Chillon is easy to get to too. Follow the main road from Lausanne and take the Villeneuve exit, the one after Montreux. Take the road down to the lake then turn right, you'll soon reach a car park and the entrance to the château. Give yourselves a good couple of hours, as there is a lot to see. There is a guided ipod tour available which is very interesting and all the rooms are numbered to correspond with it. After your tour, you might like to take a picnic by the lake; the views and surrounding countryside are very pretty.

Château de Prangins

Now forming part of the Swiss National Museum, Château de Prangins, which dates back to 1730, is very much open for business. It has played host to many famous guests over the years and will doubtless go on doing so for many years to come. The immaculate parks and gardens that surround the house are a joy to walk around, as is the building itself, which has been painstakingly restored to its original glory. The château houses a permanent museum and regularly features special exhibitions detailing Swiss life in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a varied programme of other events reflecting Swiss art, culture and society.

Church San Guerg


There are many St. George’s Basilicas around the world but only one Church San Guerg in Lavin. Many tourists visit the Church all year round and, once there, you'll realise why. They come to see the famous murals dating back to 1500. The reformation of the churches saw them whitewashed, as in the case of the Benedictine Convent of St John, but the renovations of 1956 have bought them back to their former splendour. These, together with countless paintings, ornaments, intricate plasterwork and masonry, make this church well worth a visit. It’s a working church so don’t be surprised to find the place busy if your visit should coincide with Mass.

Ittingen Charterhouse

This 850-year-old building in the municipality of Warth is one of the region’s most important cultural sites. These days it is a training and conference centre with a worldwide reputation for excellence. There's a lot going on here, from its hotel and restaurant complex serving the most wonderful cuisine to its farming estate with cheese making factory and vineyard. There's a residential care home and nursery, workplaces for the disabled and an art museum. Here, people from all over the world and of all religions come to learn, to meditate and to be at one with each other in contemplation and spiritual connectivity.

Tarasp Castle

We have mouthwash to thank for this not-so-little Swiss gem. Karl August Lingner, the man behind the Odol oral hygiene brand, bought the castle as a neglected, run-down shell and completely gutted it. In the ensuing years, he spared no expense in returning the castle to better than former glory. Nothing in the castle is original and yet everything is correct and of the period. The gardens too received an extensive make over and are a joy to walk around. This was a huge restoration job. You should allocate at least half a day when visiting here and there are plenty of lovely restaurants to visit locally.

Museum Castle Kyburg

Overlooking the River Töss, the museum traces Castle Kyburg’s 800-year history giving a real insight into castle life over the centuries. As well as looking around its cellar, attic, torture chamber and kitchens, and for a truly interactive experience, you can take part in a staged court of justice. The castle once belonged to the “Count of Kyburg” Hartmann von Dillingen. The v. Dillingen’s were one of the most important and influential families in the area, after the Habsburgs and the Savoys. Join the club at Schloss Kyburg and you’ll receive free admission, a yearbook with historical information and invites to special events.

About Hamiltons Removals

For over 20 years now, Hamiltons Removals have been offering a tailored, bespoke removals service to all parts of the UK, Europe and beyond. We specialize in low cost, high quality removals and provide a service that is second to none. Our reputation speaks for us. We take pride in our work and in the fact that so many of our clients happily recommend our services to their friends. Peruse our online brochure and call us on 0845 003 8259. We look forward to assisting you with your removals to Switzerland.

Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Removals to Switzerland – Most Picturesque Places to Visit

If you are looking to move to a country with spectacular and dramatic scenery, Switzerland has all of this and more. It is a country with many picturesque places to visit. Just think of the views you will encounter as you take in the awesome Alps, the beautiful lakes and the charming countryside. If you are seeking removals to Switzerland, it’s understandable that you'll want to explore these areas to discover more about this most scenic of countries.

If you are looking for the very best in removals to Switzerland, Hamiltons have the answer. At Hamiltons removals, we have worked hard to build a reputation based on our dedication to quality customer service and keen pricing.  When it comes to domestic removals and commercial relocations, our 20 years plus in the removals industry have taught us the value of these things to both home-owners and business people alike.

Our range of services is as varied and bespoke as you need it to be. We offer full or part load removals, dependant upon the size of your move. We have a highly secure and fully insured storage facility. We offer a full packing and unpacking service should you require it and we even offer a cleaning service to professionally clean the property you have vacated, so you don’t have to. All of this we have put in place to ensure that your removals to Switzerland are as stress free and cost effective as possible

Removals to Switzerland –  click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service.

Here is our TOP 10 of the most scenic places to visit in Switzerland.

Lake Geneva

Where else could we start our tour of Switzerland's finest, if not at Lake Geneva? Often described as the prettiest lake in Europe, it is certainly one of the largest. The hotels and restaurants about its fringes offer some of the finest cuisine and, seen on a good day, the view of the lake with its mountainous backdrop set against a clear blue sky is, quite honestly, breath-taking. Don’t forget to look out for the famous Jet d'Eau, Geneva’s famed water fountain. You'll see it everywhere, on every piece of tourist literature and every book about the city; it’s the logo of the tourist office and Geneva’s prime photo opportunity.

Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn

The term “breath-taking” is overused these days but, when used in connection with Zermatt and The Matterhorn, it is particularly apt. Don’t bring your car unless its electric, the internal combustion engine has been banned. As a result, you can hear nature. In Zermatt, you can hear the birds and the crickets, you can hear the sounds of local children laughing and playing and the church bells as they ring out calling the locals to prayer. The horse and cart is popular here as are bicycles but you must be vigilant in the city as the electric car is virtually silent and taxi drivers forget people don’t have eyes in the back of their heads.

Mürren, Berner Oberland

If it’s mountains you're after, then they don't get much better than here in this tiny little village. Like Zermatt, it is car-free, which is a good thing since it is perched right on the edge of a 3000ft cliff. Surrounded by mountains, everywhere you look there's another awe-inspiring sight and it offers the perfect landscape for hiking. As you may expect, the shopping here is pretty poor and the nightlife even more so, but that is not why people come here, it’s not what they want. Visitors to Mürren come in search of peace and tranquillity. They come to appreciate some of the finest natural landscapes in the world.

Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is situated just across the valley from Mürren. Literally translated as “Many Fountains”, this incredible landscape features 72 waterfalls in all, some of the most impressive and beautiful in Europe. There are many excursions to be had in the area with long walks, hiking and cross country skiing being favoured pastimes. There are lots of interesting places to see in the area, fans of James Bond 007 will love nearby Schilthorn, the 2,970 metre high summit of the Bernese Alps, where OHMSS was filmed. You can even organise a “007” themed wedding in the area, made extra special because this is where it all happened.

St. Moritz

St Moritz is one of the most famous addresses in the world, right up there with Beverley Hills, Monaco and Marbella. Yes the skiing is fantastic but St Moritz is more than just a ski resort: it is THE place to be seen. The rich and famous have been coming here for years, many taking the Glacier Express from Zermatt to arrive in style and cable cars to reach the three closest summits. St Moritz is one of the world's oldest and possibly most famous mountain resorts and there is as much going on off piste as there is on it, with posh hotels, chic restaurants, luxurious spas and as much high end shopping as you could wish for.

Lucerne

The city of Lucerne is best toured on foot and there are many guided tours in operation here. Your tour is sure to include the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, the Jesuit Church, the Mill Bridge, the Lion Monument and the ultra modern KKL culture and convention centre and then, of course, there's the lake. Lake Lucerne is clean and crystal clear. Look over the side of any boat or bridge and you can see the bottom; you can see the fish swimming in amongst the rocks. Take a trip on one of the paddle steamer ferryboats. Lunch and dinner is available and the quality of food and service, not to mention the scenery, is top notch.

Interlaken

If you consider yourselves outdoorsy types, there's no better place than Interlaken. In the summer months, you can go hiking along one of many local trails and you can take part in one of the many adrenaline sports on offer here including: paragliding, sky diving, hang gliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, mountain biking, river rafting and rock climbing. And, in the winter of course, there's skiing, snowboarding, sledging and ice-skating to do. If the thought of doing any of that fills you more with dread than with excitement, you could always take a long leisurely walk along the shores the Thun and the Brienz.

Montreux

Famous for its annual jazz festival, this place rocks in July. Since 1967 it has played host to the likes of jazz legends like Miles Davis and Ray Charles through to contemporary performers like David Bowie and Prince. This year's festival will include sessions from Leonard Cohen, Wyclef Jean, Green Day, ZZ Top, Jake Bugg, Prince, Kraftwerk, Sting, The Hives, George Benson, Joe Cocker and Deep Purple, so you can see, it’s more than just a jazz festival. Montreux has more to offer than just music though, the Riviera is chock full of culinary delights too, with 20 or so Michelin and Gault Millau registered eateries.

Vevey

The picturesque town of Vevey is full of floral displays and public art. One of the most startling and unexpected pieces on display here is a life size statue of Charlie Chaplin stood, part bent on cane, in his usual pose looking out over Lake Geneva. He lived nearby in Corsier-sur-Vevey on a 37-acre estate called Manoir de Ban. Chaplin is not the only artiste to have found inspiration in Vevey; in 1878 the US author Henry James wrote his novella "Daisy Miller" here during a stay at the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes and you can still book a room there today. The town has lost none of its charm over the years; you can still wander the streets and alleys of the old town, visiting fine art collections and markets along the way.

Gruyères

The picturesque village of Gruyères has more restaurants and eateries than any village of its size has any right to. On the main roads and side streets in the village you'll find dozens of them, 34 at the last count and Gruyères is not a big place. Walking around its ancient streets and alleyways, it is inevitable that you will succumb to the temptations of at least one of them on your way to visit the Castle and perhaps another, on the way back. Whichever restaurant you visit, they will all have at least one thing in common: the serving of Gruyère cheese. Everywhere you go around here, you can see the cheese makers hard at work, producing their Gruyère to a recipe that had remained the same for hundreds of years.

About Hamiltons Removals

For more than 20 years now, Hamiltons Removals have been providing removals services to all parts of Europe and beyond. Our cost effective, customer oriented service continues to build on our reputation for excellence, a reputation we are proud of. If you are looking for removals to Switzerland, contact us today for your free, no obligation quote.

Removals to Switzerland –  click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Removals to Switzerland – Spotlight on Lake Geneva, a Guide to Living in the area

If you require removals to Switzerland, wherever you live you will be surrounded by beauty, as the Swiss landscape is so picturesque. However, the area around Lake Geneva is a particularly spectacular, because of its stunning scenery. It's also very prestigious as many celebrities have main residences, or second homes here.

Hamiltons offer top class removals at competitive prices to most European destinations, including removals to Switzerland. We pride ourselves in the service we give our customers and, as well as full and half load domestic and commercial removals to Switzerland, we also provide specialist removals. This is for awkward, or bulky goods and items such as vehicles, motorbikes, musical instruments, antiques and other treasures.

Meanwhile, if you require removals to Switzerland to the area of Lake Geneva, here’s our guide to this magnificent part of the country and some of the activities you can do here once you have settled.

Removals to Switzerland  – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Living near Lake Geneva

Beautiful and tranquil, Lake Geneva is the playground of the rich and famous. The area around the lake is a wonderful place to call home and you will enjoy all that this scenic part of the country has to offer.

Celebrities Living near Lake Geneva

Switzerland has over five thousand celebrities, as well as the super-rich and other high net worth individuals, and many of these people live in the area of Lake Geneva. The lake, also known by the French name, Lac Léman, and the German name, Genfersee, lies within two countries: Switzerland and France. 

However, several celebrities live on the Swiss side, including Canadian country and western singer/songwriter Shania Twain, who has settled here with her husband Lange and son Eja. English singer Phil Collins had a house overlooking the lake and lived there with his wife Orianne Cevey, until their separation in 2006, but still lives in Switzerland. Ex-Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher also has a home overlooking the lake, and the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury had a second home in the area.

Scenery in and Around Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is one of the largest in western Europe and forms the lowest point of the cantons of Vaud and Valais. It has long been praised for its beauty, but the landscape varies according to which side of the lake you are on. The eastern side of the lake has an alpine backdrop with snowy peaks; in the south, the lake is flanked by rugged mountains and in the north, the backdrop features hilly vineyards, castles and villages. Exquisite and peaceful, it is easy to see why it’s such a sought after place to live.

Activities to do on Lake Geneva

For those who enjoy being active and getting out and about in the fresh air, Lake Geneva has it all. There are all sorts of activities to do on the water including water-skiing, windsurfing and yacht racing. Indeed, high performance catamarans have been designed especially to race on the lake. But, if adrenalin fuelled activities are not for you, other sports you can get involved in include rafting, swimming and rowing.

Tourist Attractions near Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva offers plenty for residents and holidaymakers alike, including museums, castles and historic sites.

For those who are fascinated by the Roman era, the Roman Museum in Avenches is housed in a fortified tower and, as well as mosaics and sculptures, you can also see the remains of an amphitheatre, a temple and roman baths.

If you enjoy exploring castles, there are plenty of these in the area including the romantic 13th century Chillon Castle, which lies on the edge of Lake Geneva, near Montreux. Lord Byron was inspired to write ‘The Prisoner of Chillon’ after visiting the castle in the early 19th century. It’s a popular attraction, drawing 300,000 visitors a year.

If you love wine, The Vine and Wine Museum is based at Aigle Castle, and shows a collection of all sorts of wine related tools including corkscrews, decanters, barrels, presses and measuring implements.

Properties near Lake Geneva

From secluded mansions located right on the edge of the lake, to houses and apartments, there are all sorts of properties you can buy here. As you would expect, properties that overlook Lake Geneva are pricey, but you are paying for the views and the exclusivity of the area.

At the time of writing, prices range from £1.5 million for a house containing two apartments (overlooking the lake), to just over £2.5 million for an exclusive apartment with a part view of the lake, and up to several million for a hideaway mansion.

Removals to Switzerland  – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Monday 22 April 2013

Removals to Switzerland – A Guide to the Country’s Best Family-Friendly Attractions

If you are a young family and require removals to Switzerland, one of the things you’ll want to think about is how to keep the little ones amused, especially during the weekends and school holidays. To help you, we’ve compiled a guide to some of the best family-friendly attractions that your children will love.

Hamiltons are specialists in high class removals to Switzerland and are committed to quality and service. We provide tailor made removals and our experienced team do all they can to deliver commercial and household belongings smoothly and promptly to your destination. In addition to our full or part load removals to Switzerland, we also provide specialist removals to Switzerland and are happy to transport vehicles, bulky goods, antiques and other valuables.

For more information on removals to Switzerland, contact our professional staff by telephone, or use the link below.

Removals to Switzerland  – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Meanwhile, to help you adjust to your new surroundings, here’s Hamiltons’ guide to some of the country’s most popular family-friendly attractions – and some of these may be on your doorstep. We are unable to list all the best attractions here, but here’s our pick of what we feel are the most memorable.

Moving to Switzerland: Top Family Friendly Attractions

Ballenburg Open Air Museum – It’s definitely worth setting aside a whole day to see this Brienz museum because you can spend hours here. Your children will love exploring the 100 or so century old buildings, depicting rural life of yesteryear in Switzerland. You will also get the chance to see farm animals at first hand and test the weight of the heavy cow bells. In addition to this are the various displays, including demonstrations of the Alpine Horn and ancient crafts such as rope making and weaving. A top tip is to bring good shoes as you can expect lots of walking.

Basel Zoological Garden (locally known as Zolli) –For those who don’t live nearby, the zoo is well connected, with good transport links, and is near Basel’s main train station. It is worthwhile setting aside at least an afternoon to see this zoo as there’re lots to see. Firm favourites are the apes and the aquarium and you’ll also get the chance to watch the animals being fed. In addition to this, there’s a playground for the youngest of your group. Again, it is a good idea to bring good walking shoes as you will be on your feet a lot.

Conny-Land Zoo – This Lipperswil zoo is ideal for water fanatics and has more than 60 fun-filled attractions. The main attractions include live shows featuring dolphins, sea lions and parrots. And while the youngest ones of your group will enjoy the pony rides, the oldest children can enjoy a ride on Europe’s largest linear roller coaster, the Cobra. Other popular draws are the Voodoo Island log flume, Dino Attack (with moving ‘dinosaurs’), the petting zoo and Kiddies’ Activity area, where your children can splash about in the fountains. It’s a good idea to bring a swimming costume, spare clothing and a towel.

Heidi Village – The novel, Heidi, which depicts the story of an orphaned girl in the Alps, has captured the imagination of millions of children worldwide. You will find this fantastic attraction, dedicated to the main character of the book, in Maienfield. The village takes children back in time to the 19th century, the era when the novel was penned by Johanna Spyri. You can follow the idyllic trail to Heidi’s house and the Heidi Alp and your children will enjoy seeing the farm animals at first hand. You can also send a post card home with a Heidi stamp!

Papiliorama and Nocturama Tropical Gardens - Also known as the Exotic Butterfly Park, you can see more than 1,000 species of butterflies at this attraction in Kerzers.  Other attractions include the Nocturama hall, where you can see night animals in the dark, such as night monkeys, bats and anacondas, and The Jungle Trek where you will find tropical birds and plants. The youngest ones in your group will also enjoy the mini zoo and playground.

Amusement Park and Mini-Zoo – This makes a great day out for kids, especially during the holiday period, and you can find this attraction at Sitterdorf Airport. Some of the most popular attractions are the hamster wheel, cable car, Nautic-Jet and Butterfly. And, if you don’t need to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there’s also a chance to take a leisure flight or a balloon ride at the airport.

Removals to Switzerland  – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Thursday 21 March 2013

Removals to Switzerland – A Guide to Some of the Best Swiss Museums

If you are looking for a company to assist with your removals to Switzerland, you will want to find an experienced firm, dedicated to making your move go smoothly. At Hamiltons, we know that every removal is different and that each one requires specific attention to detail. We offer exactly that: a removals service tailored to your individual needs and requirements, which we closely monitor from door to door.

We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver an efficient and cost effective service, whilst maintaining that all important personal touch. So whether you are moving locally, nationally or internationally, our careful forward planning will ensure that your removals to Switzerland is completed to your satisfaction.

Whatever your reasons for needing removals to Switzerland, whether it is for work, or to be closer to family, we are sure that once there, you will want to learn more about this great country and its history. To that end we have gathered together some information about its most famous museums which we hope will be of interest to you.

Removals to Switzerland - click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Hamiltons Removals’ Top Pick of Museums in Switzerland

The Swiss National Museum in Zurich

Where better to start on our tour of the museums of Switzerland, than The Swiss National Museum in Zurich? Built by Gustav Gull in 1898 and nestled between the city's main train station and Platzspitz Park, it showcases everything from ancient art and crafts, to ordinary everyday objects.

Its permanent exhibitions describe Switzerland's history from as far back as possible, right through to the present day. Split into foursections, it covers the history of migration and settlement, religious and intellectual history, political history and the economic development of the country.

Its Collections Gallery features 20 different displays which are laid out to give an overview of the museum’s 820,000 plus curios - the country's largest cultural history and handicrafts collection.

Another permanent display centres on Swiss homes and furnishings. It features painstakingly reconstructed period rooms, as well as Swiss furniture from the 19th and 20th century. The exhibition illustrates how people’s needs and desires within the home have changed over the years, and how furniture, and rooms, have been adapted to suit.

The Armoury Tower is another permanent display featuring the museum's collection of arms. Arranged by theme, the display features everything from Mediaeval body armour and jousting helmets, to Baroque ceremonial pieces and Swiss Army uniforms of the 19th and 20th centuries. The weaponry, uniforms and equipment are displayed and their usages explained in historical context.

The museum's newest permanent display was installed in April 2012. It's a fully operable television studio where people of all ages can play at being TV presenters and be filmed with a real studio camera. Sat at the presenter's desk, you can change the backdrop to suit whether you're presenting the news, the weather, or a sports item. Visitors can literally create their own TV shows which can be watched live on screen in the auditorium.

The History Museum in Berne

Berne's museum of history is as fascinating to look at on the outside, as it is to look inside. Built in 1894 by André Lambert, it is the second largest historical museum in Switzerland and, like something out of a Swiss fairytale, it's all spires, turrets and arched windows.

There are 11 permanent exhibitions displayed here, covering the Middle Ages and the Ancient Regime, treasure and textiles, the Stone Age, the Celts and the Romans. There are treasures on display from the tombs of Ancient Egypt and artefacts from Asia, the Americas and the Orient.

It’s not all about ancient history and treasures from distant lands though. There's an exhibition entirely dedicated to Albert Einstein and a six room installation entitled Berne and the 20th Century, which brings you right up to date with modern day Berne, its achievements and its place in the world today. It covers a wide range of topics from politics to the economy, society, sport, technology, science, everyday life, and art and design. The exhibition doesn't just champion the great and successful either, in a charmingly self-effacing way, it takes a look at some of Switzerland's less successful inventions too.

The Museum of Art in Zurich


The Kunsthaus in Zurich is THE place to go for big name artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet.  So, when you're done with window-shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse and you've taken enough pictures of Zurich Old Town, if you have the energy and a good two to three hours  spare, head for Heimplatz 1, Zurich 8001. It costs a bit to get in but it’s worth it. This fantastic art museum displays artworks from as far back as the 1600’s and has an especially impressive selection of modern art.

The Kunsthaus regularly features visiting collections and is currently showing pieces by Epaminonda, Chagall, Signac and Hodler, including both versions of Hodler's “The Truth”. Future exhibitions and displays will feature works by Kelly Nipper, Richard Wagner, Lonnie van Brummelen and Edvard Munch with his paintings; ‘The Scream,’ ‘Madonna,’ ‘Melancholy,’ and ‘The Sin,’ taking centre stage.

 Zurich's art museum also has a very impressive line up of “resident” artists including Baselitz, Léger, Giacometti and Fuseli and features photographic works by Max Ernst, Hannah Höch, Marcel Duchamp, Erwin Blumenfeld, Christian Schad, Constantin Brancusi, Robert Frank and Balthasar Burkhard, among many others.

Embracing new technologies and moving with the times is at the heart of the Kunsthaus Zurich and this goes to its video art collection. The Kunsthaus has been a collector of video art since 1979. It is seen as an important creative medium and is given deserved space. The video art collection features works by Vito Acconci, John Baldessari, Joseph Beuys, Sophie Calle, Fischli/Weiss, Dan Graham, Gary Hill, Hubbard / Birchler, Christian Marclay, Bruce Nauman, Nam June Paik, Arnulf Rainer and Dieter Roth, Pipilotti Rist, Richard Serra, Roman Signer, and Bill Viola.

Whilst not being particularly child unfriendly, if you are planning on visiting the museum, it might be best to leave the younger ones at home, especially during the week. However, the museum sometimes runs special programmes for children on Sundays, which is ideal for grandparents to bring their grandchildren to.

For low cost removals to Switzerland,  call Hamiltons Removals. With 20 years of experience in the removals business, we have the ability to deliver your belongings, safely and securely to your new home.

Removals to Switzerland - click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Monday 4 March 2013

Removals to Switzerland: Finest Things to Come Out of Switzerland

Should you require removals to Switzerland, you will already know that the country is known for more than its spectacular and dramatic scenery and as a skiing destination. It is also a country which produces many fine things, chocolate and watches to name a few.

As specialists in removals to Switzerland, we offer high quality European removals for household and business clients. Our removals to Europe are competitively priced and, in addition to removals to Switzerland, we also offer European removals to France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands. Contact us now to find out more about this or any other of our services.

If you are settling in Switzerland and require removals to Switzerland, here is our guide to some of the best things produced in the country.

Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.

Fine Things Made in Switzerland

Watches

Switzerland is famous for its fine watches and has been renowned for its watch making as far back as the 16th century. Some of the world’s leading brands of watches are made in Switzerland including Rolex and Patek Philippe.

If a watch carries the words ‘Swiss Made’ it is the ultimate in quality, and these two words cover the appearance, technical quality, originality of design and craftsmanship. Many people aspire to owning a quality Swiss made watch and prices vary from affordable to the masses, to millions of pounds for an exquisite design. Exports in Swiss watches have continued to rise year after year and now amount to just over $19 billion.

Chocolate

Switzerland is well known for its fine chocolate and many leading brands of Swiss chocolate, such as Lindt and Toblerone, are sold globally. The Swiss are also big consumers of chocolate and consume an average of 23lbs of chocolate per year, per head of population (compared to 17lbs in the UK).

Some of the reasons why Swiss chocolate is so popular is because of the type milk used in the chocolate – from specially bred Swiss cows – only the finest cocoa beans are used, and also the techniques used in making the chocolate (it generally undergoes a much longer folding and rolling process, called conching).

Cheese

Just as chocolate has made a name for itself in Switzerland, so has cheese. Most of the country’s cheese is made with cow’s milk and the remainder are made up of sheep or goat’s milk. The Swiss are estimated to consumer around 47lbs of cheese per year, per head of population.

Some of the most popular names in Swiss cheese are: Emmental (a medium hard cheese which is known to have holes or ‘eyes’ in and is produced in the Bern canton of Switzerland), Gruyère (a hard cheese with Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée status) and Raclette, which is also a Swiss dish as well as a cheese. Both Emmental and Gruyère are used in fondues.

Swiss Army Knife

Swiss Army Knives are known world-wide as small, multi-purpose pocket knives in usually a red casing which house a variety of pull-out options for everyday use from nail files to screwdrivers, bottle openers and scissors.

It has its origins in the latter half of the 19th century after a company producing folding pocket knives gained the contract for the Swiss military. The biggest Swiss Army penknife is The Giant, an 87 multi-functional tool penknife which made its way into the Guinness Book of Records. The most up-to-date and advanced versions include Bluetooth and also a laser pointer.

Musical Boxes

Fine musical boxes have been produced in Sainte-Croix in Switzerland since the early 19th century and a century ago they made up as much as 10 per cent of the country’s exports.

The music box began in the last part of the 18th century when a pocket watchmaker created a musical watch. This caught people’s imagination and Sainte-Croix became the capital of the music box industry. There is even a museum dedicated to musical boxes (including wind up singing birds) in the Canton of Vaud. Swiss music boxes are known for its high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

In addition to musical boxes, Switzerland is also known for creating fine quality musical instruments, laces and carved wooden objects. 

About Hamiltons

Hamiltons offer weekly removals to Switzerland and, in addition to our European removals, we are also experts in the removals of specialist items including antiques and high quality musical instruments.

Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.