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.
Thursday, 25 April 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Removals to Switzerland: Swiss Watch Making
If you require removals to Switzerland, you will already know that the country is renowned for its fine watch-making. For many people, owning a Swiss watch is something to aspire to and, whatever your budget, there are many different types of fine Swiss watches, from affordable ones to time pieces worth several millions.
Before you move to Switzerland, you will need a company to rely on for the safe removals of your possessions to Switzerland. Hamiltons is dedicated to customer service and, whether you require commercial or household moves, you can depend on us for prompt and efficient European removals including removals to Switzerland.
Our removals to Switzerland service is specifically designed to suit the customer and, whether you want storage, transportation, packing, unpacking, the supply of boxes, cleaning or the removal of specialist items, we can help.
Meanwhile, if you require removals to Switzerland and love fine watches, see below to find a brief history of watch-making and some of the leading names who produce these important time-pieces.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
History of Watch Making in Switzerland
Geneva has been at the centre of Swiss watch making from the 16th century thanks to the various restrictions put in place during the Protestant Reformation. Influential pastor Jean Calvin banned people wearing jewels which meant jewellers put their skills into another form of craft – watch making.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the Genevan watchmakers won critical acclaim for their fine quality craftsmanship and the Watchmakers’ Guild of Geneva was founded at the start of the 17th century. A hundred years later, thousands of watches were being exported from Switzerland.
The Swiss brought about a number of innovations including the first wrist watch and the first water-proof watch. Now Swiss watches are sold all over the globe from the colourful fashion accessories to jewelled watches worth hundreds of thousands of Euros. The Swiss export billions of pounds worth of watches a year. And watches that carry the mark ‘Swiss Made’ are seen as the ultimate in quality, beauty and originality of design.
Some Leading Names in Watch Making in Switzerland
If you require removals to Switzerland and want to invest in a Swiss timepiece, there are numerous brands to choose from. We have been unable to include all the leading names here as there are other fantastic Swiss brands that you may also want to consider. So here are our top pick of just some of the best known names.
Rolex – Rolex is the largest luxury watch brand and many people aspire to owning one. The company was founded in England just over a century ago but moved its base to Geneva in 1919. Some £190 billion of Rolex watches are produced a year and it was the first ever company to produce a water resistant wrist watch. Rolexes have played an important part in certain historic events – the organiser of the Great Escape ordered one while he was still a prisoner of war! His Rolex was to play an important timekeeping role in the escape.
Swatch – The Swatch Group is the largest watch company in the world. The brand was developed in the 1980’s and is known for its brightly coloured line of watches worn as a fashion statement. Swatch watches have less components than other watches and are reasonably priced. Swatch have five product lines.
Omega – This brand has made history as an Omega watch was the first watch that made its way to the moon in 1969! An Omega watch has also been worn by James Bond in films since the mid 1990’s. Omega is owned by the Swatch Group.
Tag Heuer – Tag Heuer watches have been worn by a host of celebrities from Steve McQueen to Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt and Barrack Obama. The company can trace its roots to the 1860’s and is based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Tissot – The brand was founded in the mid 19th century and is part of the Swatch Group. It produces high quality time pieces at reasonable prices and the watches are sold in about 160 countries world-wide.
Longines – This company was founded in 1832 and is also part of the Swatch Group. It is known for its ‘Aviator’ watches which American aviator Charles Lindberg helped design. A Longines watch was also used in an expedition to the North Pole in 1899.
Chopard – This luxury watch brand was founded in 1860 and initially specialised in developing highly accurate pocket watches. In the mid 20th century it was seen as a benchmark in precision luxury watches.
Zenith - This company specialises in high end watches and these timepieces are well known for their precision and quality. Zenith is a subsidiary of LVMH (Moët Hennessy. Louis Vuitton).
Breitling – Breitling was founded in 1884. In addition to its other product lines, it has an Emergency line of watches designed for pilots who encounter difficulties. In 2003, two British helicopter pilots who crashed in Antarctica were rescued after activating the emergency transmitter on their Breitling Emergency watches.
Baume et Mercia – This company was founded in 1830 and is sold in 75 countries world-wide, with the principal market in Europe. It is known as a manufacturer of sports related chronographs (watches combined with stopwatches).
Patek Philippe – Patek Philippe produces some of the most complicated and expensive watches in the world and some have been auctioned for millions. The company makes its own components and, in the mid 19th century, it supplied watches to Queen Victoria.
Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.
Before you move to Switzerland, you will need a company to rely on for the safe removals of your possessions to Switzerland. Hamiltons is dedicated to customer service and, whether you require commercial or household moves, you can depend on us for prompt and efficient European removals including removals to Switzerland.
Our removals to Switzerland service is specifically designed to suit the customer and, whether you want storage, transportation, packing, unpacking, the supply of boxes, cleaning or the removal of specialist items, we can help.
Meanwhile, if you require removals to Switzerland and love fine watches, see below to find a brief history of watch-making and some of the leading names who produce these important time-pieces.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
History of Watch Making in Switzerland
Geneva has been at the centre of Swiss watch making from the 16th century thanks to the various restrictions put in place during the Protestant Reformation. Influential pastor Jean Calvin banned people wearing jewels which meant jewellers put their skills into another form of craft – watch making.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the Genevan watchmakers won critical acclaim for their fine quality craftsmanship and the Watchmakers’ Guild of Geneva was founded at the start of the 17th century. A hundred years later, thousands of watches were being exported from Switzerland.
The Swiss brought about a number of innovations including the first wrist watch and the first water-proof watch. Now Swiss watches are sold all over the globe from the colourful fashion accessories to jewelled watches worth hundreds of thousands of Euros. The Swiss export billions of pounds worth of watches a year. And watches that carry the mark ‘Swiss Made’ are seen as the ultimate in quality, beauty and originality of design.
Some Leading Names in Watch Making in Switzerland
If you require removals to Switzerland and want to invest in a Swiss timepiece, there are numerous brands to choose from. We have been unable to include all the leading names here as there are other fantastic Swiss brands that you may also want to consider. So here are our top pick of just some of the best known names.
Rolex – Rolex is the largest luxury watch brand and many people aspire to owning one. The company was founded in England just over a century ago but moved its base to Geneva in 1919. Some £190 billion of Rolex watches are produced a year and it was the first ever company to produce a water resistant wrist watch. Rolexes have played an important part in certain historic events – the organiser of the Great Escape ordered one while he was still a prisoner of war! His Rolex was to play an important timekeeping role in the escape.
Swatch – The Swatch Group is the largest watch company in the world. The brand was developed in the 1980’s and is known for its brightly coloured line of watches worn as a fashion statement. Swatch watches have less components than other watches and are reasonably priced. Swatch have five product lines.
Omega – This brand has made history as an Omega watch was the first watch that made its way to the moon in 1969! An Omega watch has also been worn by James Bond in films since the mid 1990’s. Omega is owned by the Swatch Group.
Tag Heuer – Tag Heuer watches have been worn by a host of celebrities from Steve McQueen to Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt and Barrack Obama. The company can trace its roots to the 1860’s and is based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Tissot – The brand was founded in the mid 19th century and is part of the Swatch Group. It produces high quality time pieces at reasonable prices and the watches are sold in about 160 countries world-wide.
Longines – This company was founded in 1832 and is also part of the Swatch Group. It is known for its ‘Aviator’ watches which American aviator Charles Lindberg helped design. A Longines watch was also used in an expedition to the North Pole in 1899.
Chopard – This luxury watch brand was founded in 1860 and initially specialised in developing highly accurate pocket watches. In the mid 20th century it was seen as a benchmark in precision luxury watches.
Zenith - This company specialises in high end watches and these timepieces are well known for their precision and quality. Zenith is a subsidiary of LVMH (Moët Hennessy. Louis Vuitton).
Breitling – Breitling was founded in 1884. In addition to its other product lines, it has an Emergency line of watches designed for pilots who encounter difficulties. In 2003, two British helicopter pilots who crashed in Antarctica were rescued after activating the emergency transmitter on their Breitling Emergency watches.
Baume et Mercia – This company was founded in 1830 and is sold in 75 countries world-wide, with the principal market in Europe. It is known as a manufacturer of sports related chronographs (watches combined with stopwatches).
Patek Philippe – Patek Philippe produces some of the most complicated and expensive watches in the world and some have been auctioned for millions. The company makes its own components and, in the mid 19th century, it supplied watches to Queen Victoria.
Removals to Switzerland – click here for full information on our removals to Switzerland service or click here for a free European removals quote.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Removals to Switzerland: A Brief Guide to Swiss Crafts
If you are looking for high quality removals to Switzerland, Hamiltons are specialists in European removals and moving to Switzerland. In the 20 years since the company was founded, we have provided many successful removals to Switzerland and are proud of our track record.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
If you are moving to Switzerland, once you have settled in the country, you may want to stock up on handmade items so you have beautiful gifts for when you visit friends and family back in the UK. The Swiss are known for their high standard of workmanship and attention to detail, so you are bound to find something of interest when you have moved here. You can also see artisans at work at the various museums in and around the country, so you can find out how some items are made.
If you require removals to Switzerland and want to know more about Swiss crafts, here’s our brief guide to the gems you can expect to see. We won’t be able to list all of these here, but see below to discover our pick of the best.
A Guide to Crafts in Switzerland
Lace Making
Lace making is a craft that stems from the 15th and 16th centuries and you can find some beautiful lace gifts from Switzerland such as superb hand-made table cloths and smaller table items, such as doilies and lace-trims for garments.
If you want to find out more about this intricate craft, visit the Lace-Making Museum in Lauterbrunnen, where you can see the lace-makers at work.
Clock Making
Swiss time-pieces have a world-wide reputation for their precision, accuracy and fine craftsmanship. Clock and watch making in Switzerland started in Geneva in the mid 1500’s and there are some wonderful time-pieces to buy from designer brands of watches, small carriage clocks to grandfather clocks.
You can also discover more about horology in Switzerland by visiting the world’s largest clock museum at La Chaux-des-Fonds, which has around 4,500 exhibits of clocks and watches.
One word of note: while it is possible to buy Cuckoo Clocks in Switzerland, they don’t originate from the country and instead were invented in Black Forest area of Germany in the 17th century.
Musical Instruments
The alphorn is considered the Swiss national musical instrument and is made from a single block of wood cut in half lengthways, carved out, and put together again. It is a traditional herdsman instrument and was first used by Celtic tribes in the northern part of the Alps some 2,000 years ago.
The alphorn is still made in Switzerland today using skills that have been passed down through generations. Alphorns are personalised and feature stunning painted works of art on each horn.
Although, you may find it a bit tricky to take to relatives back home (they are 9 ft long!), you can find out more about this instrument by visiting the country’s oldest alphorn manufacture in Bern.
Attention to detail has meant that the Swiss are also known for producing a number of other musical instruments, such as violins. There is even a Swiss school of Violin Making in Brienz.
Wood Carvings
Swiss wood carvings have a reputation for their fine detailing and all sorts of wonderful wooden creations are made in Switzerland, from sculptures to furniture and musical instruments.
The School of Wood Carving is based in Brienz (next to the School of Musical Instrument Making) and contains a museum which houses a fantastic collection of antique wood carvings from the last 200 years. You can browse the exhibits and see the wood carvers at work.
Glass Making
Glass objects have been made in the north of the Alps (now Switzerland) since ancient times. Today you can buy various wonderful hand-blown glass objects made in Switzerland and this can include anything from glass bowls to vases.
The oldest glassmaking factory in Switzerland is based in Hergiswil village, near Lucerne. If you would like to find out more about glass-blowing, you can take a guided tour of the premises to see it at first hand. The factory has been operating since the early 1800’s and receives about 200,000 visitors a year.
Jewellery
An article about Swiss crafts shouldn’t go without mentioning fine jewellery. Jewellery-making in Switzerland took a back seat in the 16th century, thanks to restrictions during the Protestant Reformation, so many jewellery makers decided to turn their hand to watch making.
However, jewellery making is still very much alive in Switzerland. In fact, one of the leading brands of luxury jewellery and watches is Chopard, whose stunning tailor made creations are often seen on the red carpet.
About Hamiltons
For excellent standards in domestic and corporate removals to Switzerland, at competitive rates, contact Hamiltons today.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
If you are moving to Switzerland, once you have settled in the country, you may want to stock up on handmade items so you have beautiful gifts for when you visit friends and family back in the UK. The Swiss are known for their high standard of workmanship and attention to detail, so you are bound to find something of interest when you have moved here. You can also see artisans at work at the various museums in and around the country, so you can find out how some items are made.
If you require removals to Switzerland and want to know more about Swiss crafts, here’s our brief guide to the gems you can expect to see. We won’t be able to list all of these here, but see below to discover our pick of the best.
A Guide to Crafts in Switzerland
Lace Making
Lace making is a craft that stems from the 15th and 16th centuries and you can find some beautiful lace gifts from Switzerland such as superb hand-made table cloths and smaller table items, such as doilies and lace-trims for garments.
If you want to find out more about this intricate craft, visit the Lace-Making Museum in Lauterbrunnen, where you can see the lace-makers at work.
Clock Making
Swiss time-pieces have a world-wide reputation for their precision, accuracy and fine craftsmanship. Clock and watch making in Switzerland started in Geneva in the mid 1500’s and there are some wonderful time-pieces to buy from designer brands of watches, small carriage clocks to grandfather clocks.
You can also discover more about horology in Switzerland by visiting the world’s largest clock museum at La Chaux-des-Fonds, which has around 4,500 exhibits of clocks and watches.
One word of note: while it is possible to buy Cuckoo Clocks in Switzerland, they don’t originate from the country and instead were invented in Black Forest area of Germany in the 17th century.
Musical Instruments
The alphorn is considered the Swiss national musical instrument and is made from a single block of wood cut in half lengthways, carved out, and put together again. It is a traditional herdsman instrument and was first used by Celtic tribes in the northern part of the Alps some 2,000 years ago.
The alphorn is still made in Switzerland today using skills that have been passed down through generations. Alphorns are personalised and feature stunning painted works of art on each horn.
Although, you may find it a bit tricky to take to relatives back home (they are 9 ft long!), you can find out more about this instrument by visiting the country’s oldest alphorn manufacture in Bern.
Attention to detail has meant that the Swiss are also known for producing a number of other musical instruments, such as violins. There is even a Swiss school of Violin Making in Brienz.
Wood Carvings
Swiss wood carvings have a reputation for their fine detailing and all sorts of wonderful wooden creations are made in Switzerland, from sculptures to furniture and musical instruments.
The School of Wood Carving is based in Brienz (next to the School of Musical Instrument Making) and contains a museum which houses a fantastic collection of antique wood carvings from the last 200 years. You can browse the exhibits and see the wood carvers at work.
Glass Making
Glass objects have been made in the north of the Alps (now Switzerland) since ancient times. Today you can buy various wonderful hand-blown glass objects made in Switzerland and this can include anything from glass bowls to vases.
The oldest glassmaking factory in Switzerland is based in Hergiswil village, near Lucerne. If you would like to find out more about glass-blowing, you can take a guided tour of the premises to see it at first hand. The factory has been operating since the early 1800’s and receives about 200,000 visitors a year.
Jewellery
An article about Swiss crafts shouldn’t go without mentioning fine jewellery. Jewellery-making in Switzerland took a back seat in the 16th century, thanks to restrictions during the Protestant Reformation, so many jewellery makers decided to turn their hand to watch making.
However, jewellery making is still very much alive in Switzerland. In fact, one of the leading brands of luxury jewellery and watches is Chopard, whose stunning tailor made creations are often seen on the red carpet.
About Hamiltons
For excellent standards in domestic and corporate removals to Switzerland, at competitive rates, contact Hamiltons today.
Removals to Switzerland – click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Removals to Switzerland - A Guide to Swiss Lakes
If you are moving to Switzerland, although the country is landlocked, there are plenty of beautiful lakes that provide a wonderful environment for sporting activities. The fact that the Swiss do well in many yachting competitions is proof that you don’t need a coastline to take up this or any other water-based activity when you move here.
In the time leading up to your move, you will want a professional company who can assist you in all aspects of your removals to Switzerland. Whether you want help with packing or unpacking, assistance with customs paperwork, part or full load removals, and/or insurance, we can help.
Hamiltons has 20 years experience in professional removals to Switzerland and other European and world-wide destinations - as well as destinations within the UK - and our team of experts is on hand to provide a high quality service tailored to your needs.
In fact, there are hundreds of lakes of all sizes in Switzerland which together make up 587 square miles of water. Here’s our guide to some of the biggest and the best and the activities you can do here.
Removals to Switzerland - click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
Our Guide to Some of the Well Known Large Lakes in Switzerland
Did you know that there are 40 shipwrecks, and six railway cars that date from the 1880’s in Lake Geneva? This is just one of the many fascinating facts about lakes in Switzerland. If you require removals to Switzerland, read on to find more facts and information on the biggest lakes near you.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and it is roughly 50 miles long and 10 miles across (at its widest stretch). It is known locally in Switzerland as Lac Léman.
In the 1960’s, the lake was so polluted it was considered too risky to swim in certain areas. Fortunately, this has changed and swimming is among the many pastimes here. You can also take up sailing, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, or wind surfing. Yacht racing is popular on Lake Geneva and high-spec catamarans have been designed and built especially for use on the lake.
Another fact about the lake is that, in the early part of the 19th century, Lake Geneva made history as it was selected by French mathematician Jacques Charles Francois Sturm and Swiss physicist Daniel Collodon to measure the speed of sound in natural water using exploding gunpowder.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is in the canton of Ticino, on the southern side of the Alps and lies in both Italy and Switzerland. The entire lake (including the Italian side) is about 70 km long although 13 km of this is on the Swiss side.
Some interesting facts about this lake is that a 1925 Buggatti roadster belonging to an architect was deliberately sunk in the lake in the 1930’s as part of a tax dodge. He never recovered it from the lake and it was found by a local diver in 1967. In 2009 the wreck was finally pulled out of Lake Maggiore and sold at a classic car exhibition in Paris for just over a quarter of a million euros.
Apart from diving, one of the activities you can do in Lake Maggiore is to take a cable car at the town of Locarno. You can also enjoy pleasure boating along the river or take advantage of the year long mild climate and enjoy one of the beautiful walks along the Gambarogno Riviera (on the opposite side of the river to Locarno).
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano, also called Lago di Lugano, is a ‘K’ shaped glacial lake which takes its name from the town of Lugano. It is in Italy and Switzerland and one of the interesting facts about the lake is that the Italian side of the water is regarded as a duty free area.
Overlooking the lake between Switzerland and Italy is Monte San Giorgio, a wooded mountain area and world heritage site. Fossils have been discovered in this area that date back 220 million years.
Meanwhile, if you want to take up one of the sports on the lake, you can find all sorts of activities to do here including canoeing and kayaking, diving, windsurfing, rowing, wake boarding, sailing and paddling.
Lake Constance
Lake Constance covers the largest area of any other lake in Switzerland and is shared with France, Germany and Austria.
It lies on the Rhine on the northern base of the Alps and is used as a source of drinking water for South West Germany. If you love getting out in the fresh air, some of the activities you can do here are take a beautiful lakeside walk, go sailing, or if you want a fun-filled activity, pedalo riding.
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, also called Vierwaldstättersee, is a beautiful lake within the town of Lucerne. It is an important tourist destination where you can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river and enjoy the impressive mountain backdrop.
You can swim in the lake or, if you would like to take a trip back in time, why not take a historic boat ride on a paddle wheel steamer?
Lake Zurich
The lake’s water is extremely clean and purified water from the lake is used as a water source in Zurich. The lake can get very warm too, reaching temperatures of 20°C and above so it is a great place to swim. It is an incredibly peaceful area and, as well as swimming, there are trails around the lake which offer a wonderful opportunity for hiking.
Lac de Neuchâtel
This is the largest lake that is entirely in Switzerland and lies at the southern base of the Jura mountains. Although most of the lake is in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel, it also lies in the cantons of Bern, Vaud and Fribourg.
It is an attractive region with snow-topped mountains and lush greenery. At the northern end of the lake the landscape is dotted with vineyards and there is a large marshland to the south. Some of the activities you can do here are swimming, fishing, sailing, surging, rowing and boating.
About Hamiltons
Hamiltons offers weekly removals to Switzerland, although we also provide a special service, for your convenience, where you can specify the collection and delivery dates for 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.
In the time leading up to your move, you will want a professional company who can assist you in all aspects of your removals to Switzerland. Whether you want help with packing or unpacking, assistance with customs paperwork, part or full load removals, and/or insurance, we can help.
Hamiltons has 20 years experience in professional removals to Switzerland and other European and world-wide destinations - as well as destinations within the UK - and our team of experts is on hand to provide a high quality service tailored to your needs.
In fact, there are hundreds of lakes of all sizes in Switzerland which together make up 587 square miles of water. Here’s our guide to some of the biggest and the best and the activities you can do here.
Removals to Switzerland - click here to read more about our removals to Switzerland service.
Our Guide to Some of the Well Known Large Lakes in Switzerland
Did you know that there are 40 shipwrecks, and six railway cars that date from the 1880’s in Lake Geneva? This is just one of the many fascinating facts about lakes in Switzerland. If you require removals to Switzerland, read on to find more facts and information on the biggest lakes near you.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and it is roughly 50 miles long and 10 miles across (at its widest stretch). It is known locally in Switzerland as Lac Léman.
In the 1960’s, the lake was so polluted it was considered too risky to swim in certain areas. Fortunately, this has changed and swimming is among the many pastimes here. You can also take up sailing, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, or wind surfing. Yacht racing is popular on Lake Geneva and high-spec catamarans have been designed and built especially for use on the lake.
Another fact about the lake is that, in the early part of the 19th century, Lake Geneva made history as it was selected by French mathematician Jacques Charles Francois Sturm and Swiss physicist Daniel Collodon to measure the speed of sound in natural water using exploding gunpowder.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is in the canton of Ticino, on the southern side of the Alps and lies in both Italy and Switzerland. The entire lake (including the Italian side) is about 70 km long although 13 km of this is on the Swiss side.
Some interesting facts about this lake is that a 1925 Buggatti roadster belonging to an architect was deliberately sunk in the lake in the 1930’s as part of a tax dodge. He never recovered it from the lake and it was found by a local diver in 1967. In 2009 the wreck was finally pulled out of Lake Maggiore and sold at a classic car exhibition in Paris for just over a quarter of a million euros.
Apart from diving, one of the activities you can do in Lake Maggiore is to take a cable car at the town of Locarno. You can also enjoy pleasure boating along the river or take advantage of the year long mild climate and enjoy one of the beautiful walks along the Gambarogno Riviera (on the opposite side of the river to Locarno).
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano, also called Lago di Lugano, is a ‘K’ shaped glacial lake which takes its name from the town of Lugano. It is in Italy and Switzerland and one of the interesting facts about the lake is that the Italian side of the water is regarded as a duty free area.
Overlooking the lake between Switzerland and Italy is Monte San Giorgio, a wooded mountain area and world heritage site. Fossils have been discovered in this area that date back 220 million years.
Meanwhile, if you want to take up one of the sports on the lake, you can find all sorts of activities to do here including canoeing and kayaking, diving, windsurfing, rowing, wake boarding, sailing and paddling.
Lake Constance
Lake Constance covers the largest area of any other lake in Switzerland and is shared with France, Germany and Austria.
It lies on the Rhine on the northern base of the Alps and is used as a source of drinking water for South West Germany. If you love getting out in the fresh air, some of the activities you can do here are take a beautiful lakeside walk, go sailing, or if you want a fun-filled activity, pedalo riding.
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, also called Vierwaldstättersee, is a beautiful lake within the town of Lucerne. It is an important tourist destination where you can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river and enjoy the impressive mountain backdrop.
You can swim in the lake or, if you would like to take a trip back in time, why not take a historic boat ride on a paddle wheel steamer?
Lake Zurich
The lake’s water is extremely clean and purified water from the lake is used as a water source in Zurich. The lake can get very warm too, reaching temperatures of 20°C and above so it is a great place to swim. It is an incredibly peaceful area and, as well as swimming, there are trails around the lake which offer a wonderful opportunity for hiking.
Lac de Neuchâtel
This is the largest lake that is entirely in Switzerland and lies at the southern base of the Jura mountains. Although most of the lake is in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel, it also lies in the cantons of Bern, Vaud and Fribourg.
It is an attractive region with snow-topped mountains and lush greenery. At the northern end of the lake the landscape is dotted with vineyards and there is a large marshland to the south. Some of the activities you can do here are swimming, fishing, sailing, surging, rowing and boating.
About Hamiltons
Hamiltons offers weekly removals to Switzerland, although we also provide a special service, for your convenience, where you can specify the collection and delivery dates for 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.
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