Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Swiss Countryside photo taken from medieval village Gruyeres. Photo by Nancy D. BrownMy favorite tips and locations for visitors to Gruyere, Switzerland in the canton (district) of Fribourg. Thank you to Laura Braissant of La Gruyere Tourism for assistance with this post.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the "Maison du Gruyere" cheese dairy at the foothill of the medieval village of Gruyeres. There you can discover the secrets of the famous Gruyere AOC cheese and see how it is made. Did I mention that they give samples?

When I crave Gruyere cuisine, I turn to Restaurant Le Chalet and enjoy a typical Swiss lunch of salad, "moitie-moite" cheese fondue (half Gruyere cheese and half Vacherin Fribourgeois cheese.) If you have paced yourself, try the Macaroni de chalet.

Maison du Gruyere Cheese Factory photo by Nancy D. BrownTo escape work you can drive to Moleson mountain. There you can walk to the summit, about a two hour walk with good shoes, or you can take the funicular and cable car. The panorama takes in Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Jura. Of course you have worked up an appetite for fondue at the summit restaurant. If you take the kids, you will discover a fun park and an alp cheese factory, only open in the summer.

If you come to Gruyere, get your picture taken in the medieval village of Gruyeres. Only 100 people live in the traffic-free village. Look around and you will notice the crane ("grue in French.") Take your picture in front of the Jester's House.

Gruyere is my one stop shop for cheese!

Photo opportunties in Gruyere include the Gruyeres Castle, just follow the main street (the only one!) to the top of the small hill. While you are there, be sure to take in the multimedia show, taking you through eight centuries of history and legends. (This is a very well done 18 minute production worth your time.)

HR Giger Museum photo by Nancy D. BrownGruyere's best museum, or should I say, most controversial with the local citizens, is the HR Giger Museum in the Chateau St.-Germain. Have your picture taken in the bar as the furniture from Alien-inspired movie sets come to life.

The most random thing about Gruyere is the Midsummer Day at the Castle. The castle comes to life with a medieval festival on June 19-20, 2010.

In the summer you should attend National day on the 1st of August with Alphorn music and Swiss folk music.

In the winter you should attend "Once upon a time there was...Christmas." During the entire month of December the small village is decorated with a holiday theme.

For a great regional treat, try the fresh raspeberries with double cream.

The best way to see Gruyere is by car or train.

Espresso with Gruyere cream photo by Nancy D. BrownJust 10 minutes by car, outside of Gruyere, you can visit Broc. Maison Cailler is the only milk chocolate factory of Cailler-Nestle in the world. You can see how the good quality of the milk from the La Gruyere region is used in the chocolate. Did I mention that the tour, with plenty of chocolate tasting, is free? The factory is open for tours from April to the end of October. As a confessed-chocoholic, this was my FAVORITE part of the trip.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Myten Big and Small by Nancy D. Brown My favorite tips and locations for visitors to Schwyz, Switzerland. Thank you to Monica Muller of Schwyz Tourism for assistance with this post.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the main square of Schwyz where you can see the beautifully painted historic town hall. Here you can also take in the beauty of the two majestic mountains called Mythen.

When I crave Schwyz cuisine, I turn to the oldest restaurant, Schwyzer Stubli or Wysses Rossli.

To escape work I go to the car free mountain village Stoos. To reach Stoos you'll need to take Europe's steepest cable car and continue on by chairlift. In the winter time you can enjoy all types of winter sports. In the other seasons you can walk around, enjoying more than 10 lakes of central Switzerland.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Muotathal, home to one of the world's largest cave systems called, Hell's Hole.

 If you come to Schwyz, get your picture taken in the main square and on a mountain trip to Mythen, Rigi or Stoos. You can also take a sightseeing tour to Brunnen, located 10 minutes from Schwyz, on the shore of Lake Lucerne. Wysses Rossli Restaurant

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Restaurant Wysses Rossli, get the carpaccio made from Muotathaler calf, marinated with white balsamic vinegar and truffle oil with shaved cheese and tomato basil sorbet.

Schwyz is my one stop shop for Eichhorn accordions, custom made cow bells, Swiss chocolate made by Felchlin and, of course, the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife based here in Schwyz.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to the Mythencenter where Migros and more than 20 other shops are located, including Dany's Fast Food restaurant with a large selection of burgers, pizza and such.

For a huge splurge, I go to Hotel Waldstatterhof in Brunnen by the lake.

Eichhorn Accordion by Nancy D. BrownPhoto opportunities in Schwyz include the Abbey of Einsiedeln and Ital Reding Hofstaff.

The best vantage points are taken by the main square in Schwyz, lakeside in Brunnen and the mountain tops of Mythen, Stoos, Fronalpstock or Rigi.

The most random thing abut Schwyz is the Carnival of Schwyz that takes place in February.

In Schwyz, an active day outdoors involves walking, hiking or biking.

My favorite jogging or walking route is the area of Lake Lauerz.

Schwyz best museum is the Museum of Swiss Charters.

For a night of dancing, go to small bars like Hirschen Pub. In Brunnen, you'll find several bars and music places.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read Bote Der Urschweiz or the Schwyzer Zeitung, but only if you can read German.

Schwyz Cowbell You can tell a lot about Schwyz from visiting the rural valley of Muotathal or Illgau and watching the Swiss Wrestling event on the mountain of Stoos in mid-June.

In the spring you should attend Culinary Swiss Week.

In the summer you should attend the Swiss Wrestling Festival June 10-13, 2010.

In the fall you should visit the Alp Cheese Fair in Muotathal, October 23-24, 2010.

In the winter you should go to the Christmas Market, November 27 - December 10, 2010 in Einsiedeln.

A hidden gem in Schwyz is the monestary at Muotathal.

For a great regional treat, try the Muotatal Alpcheese or the Muotataler Cream Kirsch Cake from the Schelbert Bakery.

 Just outside of Schwyz you can visit Brunnen, Stoos, Rigi, the Mythen region, Sattel-Hockstuckli, Muotatla, Illgau and Einsiedeln.

The best way to see Schwyz is to walk or take the public bus.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Landscape and Animal Park Goldau, the huge playground and jump areas and the summer toboggan run at Sattel Hockstuckli. Also check out the Swiss Holiday Park at Morschach.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Entlebuch, Swiss CowMy favorite tips and locations for first-time visitors to Entlebuch, Switzerland. Thank you to Maurus Stockli of UNESCO Biosphere Tourism for assistance with this post.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the UNESCO biosphere reserve.

To escape work I get on my mountain bike and head out into nature.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the Schrattenfluh, a picturesque mountain near Sorenberg.

If you come to Entlebuch, get your picture taken at Heiligkreuz.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Restaurant Bahnhofi, get the Cordon Bleu.

Entlebuch is my one stop shop for local honey and tea. You'll find a lot of regional products at Wirz Getranke.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to the Restaurant Bahnhof in Schupfheim. Here you get big plates of food for less money.

For a huge splurge, I go to the sorcerer of Entlebuch. Stefan Wiesner and his crew in the Gasthaus Rossli in Escholzmatt are famous for their very special dishes.

Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere TrailPhoto ops in Entlebuch are anywhere along the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere trail.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of the Brienzer Rothorn. You can take the cable railway for easy access.

The most random thing about Entlebuch is the annual event called Alpabfahrt when the cows parade down from the alps to their winter residence.

In Entlebuch, an active day outdoors involves a walking trip from the Marbachegg to Kemmeriboden-Bad. Afterwards, treat yourself to the biggest desserts and "Meringues" in the area.

My favorite walking route is the UNESCO Biosphere moorland trail. A five day tour through the biggest moorland landscape in Switzerland.

Entlebuch's best museum is the museum of local history in Schupfheim.

For a night of dancing, go to Go-In-Club in Sorenberg.

The Hotel Port in Entlebuch is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read the Entlebucher Anzeiger (in German.)

Panning for gold in SwitzerlandYou can tell a lot about Entlebuch from visiting the rural valley like the Romoos and watching a traditional yodel-concert.

In the spring you should attend the Romoos gold panner. You will be rich in memories for the experience.

In the summer you should visit one of the alpine dairymen; producers of excellent cheese.

In the fall you should visit the moorlandscape in Entlebuch and view the multiple colors.

In the winter you should go to Sorenberg, the biggest ski resort in the region. Skiing in Sorenberg, Switzerland

A hidden gem in Entlebuch is the Chessiloch in Fluhli - a marvelous waterfall at the end of the world.

Just outside of Entlebuch you can visit Willisau, have lunch at the Hotel Krone and buy the traditional Willisauer Ringli in the local bakery.

The best way to see Entlebuch is to walk along the Emme river. The river flows from the source in Sorenberg to the end in Emmenbrucke.

If yu have kids, you don't want to miss the adventure playground Zyberliland in Romoos.