Exquisite Magazine Jan 2018

TravelSwitzerland
Clockwise from top right: (Scenes from
Unspunnen) Alphorn players at the parade;
stone throwing; participants dancing in
high spirits despite the rain; inside a food
tent; traditional folk dance at the parade; a
display of traditional costumes and cultures
at the parade.
From top: The two-level street in Thun;
Thun city; Thun Castle.
Unspunnen
Every twelve years Interlaken hosts a celebration of Swiss rural
culture that showcases rural sports, traditional costumes and
cultures. The Unspunnen festival is touted as the world’s largest
traditional gathering, and attracted about 90,000 spectators
in the latest festival held in 2017 between 26 August to 3
September. The first Unspunnen was held in 1805, during a
time of political turmoil in Switzerland, which had been ruled
by the French from 1798 to 1803. Strained relations between
the cities and rural communities in the Bern area led to the
launch of a folk festival to foster good relations between the
city and countryside residents. The festival triggered a tourism
boom in the area due to its popularity though they failed to ease
political tensions. From the 1981 festival onwards, Unspunnen
became a major national event. What is most associated with
Unspunnen is stone throwing, where participants compete to
throw a hefty 83.5kg stone as far as possible. One of the oldest
Swiss sports, stone throwing was originally the method used
by hunters during hunting. Other rural sports on display include
alpine wrestling, alphorn playing, target shooting and Hornussen
(a 17th century indigenous sport akin to golf). On the last day, a
highlight of the festival was a three-hour parade of a stunning
display of traditional clothing and customs from all 26 cantons.
unspunnenfest.ch
Photo credit: Andy Mettler (Unspunnen)
Castle culture
HIke up to Schlossberg hotel and restaurant,
which is nestled in a 700-year-old castle on top
of a hill. Dine on scrumptious gourmet meals or
have a cocktail at the al fresco cocktail terrace.
with a view overlooking the town and Lake Thun
against a backdrop of the Alps. The castle also
offer refurbished, well-appointed rooms if you
want to live out a fairy tale night within medieval
walls but with modern amenities.
THUN
Walk and eat
Thun, a medieval Swiss town sitting along Lake
Thun often takes a backseat for visitors heading
to Bern, Jungfrau and Interlaken. It’s an charming
stopover for its historic restaurants, picturesque
castle and an idyllic retreat for those who are
looking for a restful rejuvenation. Sign up for
a culinary tour, where a guide brings you on a
walk-and-taste tour of Thun. Participants enjoy
a five-course menu where different courses are
served in different restaurants, while the guide
brings you around the town sharing stories
about the town’s history. If you pass by Obere
Hauptgasse, spot the fascinating architecture
of the two-level construction that is a relic of a
fascinating history. The elevated sidewalks are
lined with shops, while the lower street-level is
for vehicles, and pedestrians can cross through
tunnels to the riverfront restaurants.
www.thunersee.ch
www.schlossberg-thun.com
Rest and relax
The Deltapark hotel and spa boasts a modern
alpine feel with its modern glass windows and
wooden floors. Situated on the shores of Lake
Thun, guests can take comfort in the serene view
of the glacial range as the backdrop. Give your
tired feet and aching body some reprieve with a
body massage at the spa, where they also offer
evening fitness classes, pools, and steam rooms.
www.deltapark.ch
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