A week back home in Switzerland

Every year we religiously drive back to Switzerland for a week's skiing. This year the Gods were smiling down on us and we arrived to catch the first rays of sun after several snowy days. In other words: perfect skiing conditions!

The saying "Feeling on top of the World" takes on a whole new meaning when you get to spend a glorious week of skiing with your childhood friends and everybody's family gets to join the fun!

Where to start?

Skiing, eating or suntanning?

A feeling of Swiss nostalgia

Weather forecast a week before we left

The view on our first day of skiing

My skis might be vintage but they still get me up and down the mountain just fine

 A close encounter

 Chässchnitte uf de Alphütte

Teatime treat after skiing: Vermicelle at Charly's

Adelboden, a new discovery!

Anybody home?

The snow is melting rapidly after 6 days of sunshine

We could always try sledging down the mountain?

I am born to suntan!

I am intrigued!

 The village of Rougemont 

When teenagers are left without WIFI!!!

Happy Holidays

Magic Reindeer food

In order for Santa to find your house easier, how about sprinkling the lawn with a little Magical Reindeer food.

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe:
- 1/4 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- handful of green sugar sprinkles

You can add this poem to the outside of the bag or jar:

Make a wish and close your eyes tight,

Then sprinkle on your lawn at night.

As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,

This food will guide them to your home.

For your gift to the reindeer, and Rudolph, too,

Your wish may be real,

your dreams may come true!

Christmas market at St. Edward's Church

Get ready for some Christmas spirit in the festive setting of Casa Benson these next two Sundays. Coffee and light snacks will be on sale after the service since the St Edward’s Church community love to socialise.

Enjoy a glass of mulled wine in a Christmas atmosphere whilst browsing amongst a selection of stalls with homemade traditional specialities such as cakes, puddings and preserves.

Venue: Christmas market of The Anglican Church of St. Edward
Where: Casa, Benson, Via Clemente Maraini 6, 6900 Lugano
When: Sunday 20th and 27th November
Time: 12:00 to 15:00
All proceeds go to the ministry of St. Edward’s Church

For more Information visit: www.stedwards.ch

Lily and the Snowman

It's not always easy to hang on to the Christmas spirit in between last-minute shopping and hosting holiday parties.

But "Lily and the Snowman" is here to bring you back down to Earth.

Every winter, a magical snowman puts on a show for a little girl. But over time, life pulls them apart. Will she remember to take the time for what she loved?

Lily and the Snowman is an adorable animation short film. A very cute and touching little story to celebrate the imagination, childhood and the magic of winter! It is very similar to "The Snowman," a 1982 animated film that was adapted from Raymond Briggs' book of the same name. Do you remember that book?

FaMigros Ski Day at Bosco Gurin

Ready for a family ski race or a snowboarding competition? On March 8th, Migros is organising a family day at Bosco Gurin. After registering online, you can collect your race number between 09.00 to 10.00 at the "Village". The starting area will be at the Rossboda chairlift.

Whether on skis or snowboard, from three to five family members can participate. The process is very simple: there must be at least one parent-/ grandmother / grandfather, aunt / uncle or a godmother / godfather, a maximum of two adults and a child born in 2001 or younger, competing together. The time stops when the last team member crosses the finish line.

This fantastic experience on the snow only costs 110.00 CHF per family, for members of the "Famigros" and the "Swiss Ski" only 85.00 CHF. Daypass, race, lunch, medal and gift included.

Information and registration on www.famigros-ski-day.ch or directly at the counter of Vallemaggia Turismo, tel 091 753 18 85; info@vallemaggia.ch.

Venue: FaMigros Ski Day
Where: Bosco Gurin
When: Sunday, March 8th, 2015
Time: 9:00 collect race numbers, 10:30 race begins
Click here for the programme: http://www.famigros-ski-day.ch/Programma

Switzerland's favourite winter sports

Following yesterday's infographic I came across one with Switzerland's favourite winter sports. I love infographics, especially when they are about my home country. Since Switzerland is not part of the EU, unfortunately, it often gets left out on the European information charts.

Did you know that "only" 46% of Swiss state skiing is their favourite winter sport. I would have thought it were considerably more?! An astonishing 11% declare snowshoeing their favourite activity of the season, whereas 10% prefer tobogganing. 7% are avid snowboarders.  6% of the Swiss population each claim cross-country skiing and ice skating as their favourite winter pastime. However, 14% of Swiss don't like winter sports. Are you one of them?

It's Fondue season

No matter if you are off skiing or not these holidays, the season is perfect for fondue. How better to end a day than with a fondue shared with family or friends? Fondue is not just a meal it is a social gathering. It is fun and it warms your soul as well as your tummy.

There are different kinds of fondue: Cheese fondue, Fondue chinoise (where you dip meat into bubbling broth), Fondue bourguignonne (when you dip meat into boiling oil). Both of the latter versions come with an array of yummy sauces such as curry, tartar, mustard mousse, cocktail sauce, just to name a few.

Switzerland was and always will be a Fondue country. 42% of Swiss believe Fondue is the most typical  Swiss dish. Followed by Rösti which is a sort of hashbrown just better and Raclette which consists of slices of melted cheese eaten with new potatoes.

In Swiss tradition if a nugget of bread is lost in the cheese either the person offers the next bottle of white wine (because you drink white wine or hot tea only with cheese fondue) or the other rule is, should you lose your piece of bread you need to kiss everybody of the opposite sex around the table. Enjoy your company and your meal!

Check out my recipe blog for a Fondue recipes here: Expat with Kids recipes

Bon appétit!

Celebrating 150 years of winter tourism

Switzerland is the original winter destination, thanks to a business minded hotelier in St. Moritz who wanted to attract more guests to his hotel in the Alps back in 1864.

Once people became captivated by this country's beauty during the winter, the birth of winter tourism in Switzerland had begun and there was no turning back!

Today, Swiss Tourism is celebrating "150 years of Winter" with their interactive “Swiss Winter Resort” finder.

Click here to take the test and see which resort is right for you. Based on your ‘winter profile’ responses, Swiss Tourism has some incredible destinations that will provide everything you are looking for in a resort destination!

Natale a Breganzona

"At Christmas I no more desire a rose

Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth;

But like of each thing that in season grows."

William Shakespeare

There will indeed not be any roses but rather poinsettias and as for the snow, it is too early to say, but even the snow will be welcomed to render the atmosphere even more magical.

Christmas in Breganzona is ready to welcome you with its charming Christmas spirit. You'll find over 50 exhibitors selling their arts and crafts as well as gastronomic delicacies. This is a celebration for those of you who love Christmas genuine, generous and festive.

Venue: Natale a Breganzona

Where: Campetto Rosso, Scuole Elementari, 6932 Breganzona

When: Saturday, Dec 6th from 15:00 and Sunday, Dec 7th, 2014 from 10:00

Click here for the programme.

Don't miss it!

Swiss Olympic vintage

Have you not been hit by the Olympic spirit yet? Or are you glued to the TV since Friday night? Either way, did you know that Switzerland hosted the Winter Olympics on two occasions? In 1928 and 1948, both times the games were held in St.Moritz. At the time there were 464 and 669 participants respectively.

This is what it looked like:

The U.S. women's ski team shows off their stylish uniforms

at the '48 Games in snowy St. Moritz.

Judges hold up scorecards at the 1948 Winter Olympics,

the first Winter Olympics to be held in the wake of World War II.



The 1928 Winter Olympics featured two demonstration sports:
skijoring and military patrol

Alpine skiing was not an event yet!

In 1948 two rival American Olympic Hockey teams showed up, confused organizers allowed one to play and the other to march in the opening ceremonies.

Advent market in Lugano

Today, the first Advent Calendar window has been opened and therefore the countdown towards Christmas has officially begun.

To celebrate the first of Advent, head down to Piazza Riforma at 17:00 this afternoon to see Lugano's official Christmas tree. Accompanied by music, Julie Arlin will host the lighting of the city's tallest Christmas tree. A really exciting event, especially for children.

After, also check out the Advent market starting today. During all of Advent, Riforma Square will be populated by charming wooden houses, where you can find all sorts of Christmas specialties, decorations and original gift ideas.

A magical world for children, which even adults love to partake in. The joy of being together, without necessarily having to stay in one's home living room. The pleasure of buying presents at the market or in boutiques. This is the kind of Christmas that the city of Lugano proposes and which will feature 37 very special days in the streets of the city centre so that the Christmas season can reach out to everyone.

Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Sunday 1.12.13 at 5.00 p.m.
Riforma Square

Advent Market
Sunday 1.12.13 at 5.30 p.m.
Every day until Monday 23.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Tuesday 24.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Swiss Winter Wonderland

Maybe we should forget about time this season? Eventhough the calendar marks mid-March, the temperatures are still low and the Swiss Alps continue to resemble a lovely winter wonderland. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.



The land of watches makes you forget time very easily -- during holidays in the snow, on beautiful winter hiking trails with stunning Alpine panoramas, in comfy ski huts and wonderful wellness hotels. Welcome to winter wonderland: http://www.myswitzerland.com/winter