Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura: the new Magazine des Itinéraires culturels (Cultural Routes Magazine) covering Western Switzerland has just come out! For this issue the ViaStoria team presented, on the 24th of November 2009 in Yverdon, the cultural routes in the four French-speaking cantons.

A few interesting ideas, following historic routes, to avoid walking around « aimlessly ». And there are quite a few to choose from: you can choose to stroll alongside Caesar by taking the « ViaRomana » from Geneva to Avenches, going through Nyon, Orbe and Yverdon. If you prefer travelling along a « short » stretch of the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle route, choose the « Via Jacobi » and its string of churches, inns and vineyards from Lausanne to Geneva through Rolle, Nyon and Coppet. Are you fascinated by the history of salt? The « Via Salina » will take you from Salins-les-Bains in France to Yverdon-les-Bains in Switzerland! As for the « Via Jura », it is intimately linked to the history of the Basel diocese and will offer you romantic scenery from Basel to Bienne. And finally, let's not forget the « ViaCook », drawn from Geneva to Neuchâtel in honour of Thomas Cook, the « inventor » of the package tour in the 19th century. All these routes to follow will enable you to delve into the local history, culture, heritage and products.

These roads were all catalogued by ViaStoria from 1984 to 2003 on behalf of the Confederation. This work resulted in a tourist development project which started in 2007 and has more to offer every year. It is now possible to reserve a complete package which includes accommodation, meals, museum visits and even luggage transport! You no longer have any excuse not take to the road!

For more information:
www.viastoria.ch
Photo Heinz Dieter Finck © ViaStoria

Since the summer of 2009, the panoramic revolving restaurant in Leysin, the 'Kuklos', rotates thanks to the power of solar energy.  

Twelve panels located below the terrace supply enough energy to enable the Kuklos - which means « circle » in Greek - to complete a rotation in one and a half hours. You can now, during the time it takes you to have lunch, watch the Mont-Blanc, the Eiger, the Tour d-Aï and the Dents-du-Midi slowly unfold before your eyes through the large picture windows of this restaurant, located at more than 2000 meters above sea level.

A « green » initiative by the Association Leysin Energie that doesn't intend to stop just yet. In addition to a didactic pathway presenting renewable energies through the use of 11 panels, the association is also responsible for a Finnish vertical-axis windmill, unique in Switzerland, and plans to equip the restaurant with a wood pellet stove and thermal panels in order to drastically reduce its energy bill. Ideas worth following!

Contact and information : www.teleleysin.ch

Télé-Leysin S.A.
Place Large
1854 Leysin
Tél. +41 (0)24 494 16 35
Photo: Télé-Leysin S.A. 

All new and shiny!  The website for the Tourism Office of the Canton de Vaud has undergone a thorough facelift.

Planning holidays, a week-end or an outing? It's only a few clicks away! Hotel reservations can be made directly on-line, where you can also find « all-inclusive » holiday offers to spend a few days in the area hassle-free.

This project is complex, as it will consist of individual accommodations suspended from a canopy - resembling aerial cabins - as well as earthbound  buildings . This miniature city, created as a tribute to writing, plans to welcome its first guests in 2011, five of whom will be resident writers. Rid of all material contingencies, they will be able to devote themselves entirely to their art. 

The place will be far from monastic: an exhibition space, a library and an auditorium - open to all on certain occasions - are also planned. A substantial project drawn by the architect Vincent Mangeat and financed by the Jan Michalski Foundation. Created by the editor Vera Michalski as a tribute to her husband, who passed away before his time, the foundation has its roots in the Montricher ground where the couple had always resided. Jan and Vera Michalski, founders of several editing houses, published in Poland - Jan's country of origin - the works of Henry Miller, Blaise Cendrars and even Nicolas Bouvier. A commitment to promote cross-cultural exchange that continues now with the creation of the Maison de l'Ecriture.  A beautiful story to be continued...

Photo: the future Maison de l'Ecriture