Christmas is around the corner. In Switzerland, Christmas markets and events are as much a part of the holiday tradition as chocolates, cookie baking and family gatherings. Here is a sampling of festivities that vary in scope from the month-long markets in St. Gallen to weekend events in villages like Bad Ragaz, yet all share the basics: Christmas ornaments, gifts, local specialties, plenty of traditional Swiss atmosphere and snow.
Handmade products of Switzerland and local treats bring visitors from around the globe.Swiss Christmas Markets combine holiday festivities and historic locations.Switzerland sparkles at Christmas.
Since 2013 when Air Berlin began flying from Chicago to Berlin, I’ve wanted to see what the service was like, because in Chicago at least, Air Berlin is a new airline. Those traveling to Germany from Chicago have a choice of several good airlines to choose from.
My flight from Chicago started with spending some time in the American Airlines lounge at O’Hare International Airport, admission to which is offered to Air Berlin business class passengers because the two airlines have a code share/partnership agreement.
Needless to say if you’ve flown in first or business class before, spending time before the flight in the lounge is a whole lot better than sitting in the noisy gate area. Plus, you have the convenience of close washrooms, complimentary coffee, snacks and soft drinks, a bar, and magazines and newspapers to read.
SERVICE BEGINS ASAP Once on board, Air Berlin’s service begins immediately after you find your seat in Business Class (Air Berlin calls their first class section Business Class).
To begin my journey, I was offered a glass of champagne and a small dish of mixed nuts, and spent the time before take-off learning how my seat operated. I could leave it in the upright position, place it in a “relaxed” position or bring it all the way down for a completely flat bed if I wanted. I just had to make sure my legs were then propped up above the chair/bed as it automatically moved to a flat position.
A small folding table was positioned in front of me to the right for meals, and I received large headphones to plug in for television and music listening, a black bag filled with earplugs, moisturizer, toothpaste and toothbrush, eye covers, slippers, and a pair of knit socks.
I later noticed that the economy passengers had found their seats in the rear of the plane, but the usual commotion of this completely passed me by, as only 20 Business Class seats were available, and the 18 passengers in this section on this trip were very quiet. The pilot announced it would be a smooth flight as large, comfy blankets were passed out if needed by the flight attendant, as were magazines (in both English and German), and we were on our way.
I was gratified that the three attendants in my section were very attentive in the beginning, because riding in a business class section can prompt questions if you’re not used to the gadgetry and the luxurious routine. Later, they understood how much attention I needed/wanted, and were helpful to not disturb me when I was reading, intent on watching a movie, or sleeping. They must teach this style of service in flight attendant school.
LIGHTS ARE DIMMED FOR SLEEPING When dinner time came, I had to do a bit of studying, as there was a broad selection of appetizers, hot dishes, desserts, a cold meal available and snacks, as well as beverages. A printed menu with all the choices was given to me upon boarding.
I chose fresh seasonal salad with Italian dressing, and Rillette of Shrimp with Mango and Chili. For the main menu, I had the grilled chicken breast in a Tuscan tomato sauce and roasted vegetables and potatoes. Dessert? I chose the blueberry tart with vanilla sauce (this was very tasty).
The wine selection consisted of three whites and four reds, champagne, a long list of spirits, beer, soft drinks and hot beverages. I chose the white wine from Italy, 2012 Anselmi Canole Veneta Bianco, made from Garganega grapes.
For about four to five hours of the 7-hour flight the overhead lights were dimmed in the Business Class section so passengers could sleep, but a flight attendant was always “on duty” if needed.
After a restful sleep (I can never sleep on planes, but I actually did on this flight), I could smell coffee brewing, and along with several cups of that and orange juice, enjoyed a breakfast of fruit yogurt, fresh fruit plate, a croissant, butter, cream cheese and jam.
The selection of in-flight entertainment was enough to keep me from sleeping, had I not wanted to. There were numerous movies—first-run plus classic ones—plus a music channel, news, a channel on Air Berlin information, and games such as solitaire, sudoku, backgammon, brain teasers for kids, and others.
SMOOTH FLIGHT How about the flight itself? It was a very smooth flight, we arrived at the gate on time, and the experience was refreshing.
The airline recently refurbished its Business Class section on its long haul fleet and they now feature FullFlat seats with a massage function, USB port, personal entertainment system featuring a 15-inch monitor and gourmet culinary selections. And as a member of Oneworld, Air Berlin passengers can accrue and redeem miles on any Oneworld partner airline in addition to Air Berlin.
Air Berlin flies to three continents. The Air Berlin mileage award program is called topbonus. Air Berlin flies direct to Germany (Dusseldorf and Berlin) from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Myers and Miami.
Daruvar in Hungarian means Crane town (daru=crane, var=town).
HISTORY On February 28, 1765 Maria Theresa, Queen of Habsburg dominions, granted Count Jankovich the title “de Daruvar” because of the crane in his family’s coat of arms. When Antun Jankovich built the Daruvar Castle between 1771 and 1777 the town was forever known as Daruvar (in Hungarian “Daruvar” means Crane town or Crane’s castle).
The crane’s pose on the coat of arms, turned to the right side with its leg raised, represents constant alert on the watch. Since Antun Jankovich was the founder of the town, the symbol on the town’s coat of arms is also a crane.
MOST DECORATED SMALL TOWN OF CONTINENTAL CROATIA The combination of greenery and urban architecture, cultural diversity and fertile vineyards, entices travelers to visit Daruvar.
Famous as a spa town with the tradition of health tourism for more than 2,000 years, the town boasts an enriched combination of greenery, new and historic buildings and a rich selection of touristic and recreational facilities.
WINE ROAD The Daruvar Wine Road and recreational areas which are located within the newly-opened thermal water park “Aquae Balissae” make the town an interesting place to visit for many local and foreign visitors. Two large decorated parks and the Roman forest in the town center discreetly blend with the town’s architecture, making the town one of the greenest urban areas in Croatia.
Austria is a magnificent country that offers plenty of tourist attractions. One popular attraction is located in Werfen, Austria which is home to “Eisriesenwelt,” German for “world of the ice giants.”
Eisriesenwelt was discovered in 1879 by a scientist named Anton Posselt and is located inside of the Tennengebirge section of the Alps. Prior to Posselt’s discovery in 1879, hunters and poachers knew of its existence, but had never entered the cave. Although Posselt only explored 1/8 of a mile inside the cave, he published a report of his discovery a year later. It wasn’t until 1921 that Eisriesenwelt saw a large increase in the number of visitors to the cave.
Lamps are distributed to visitors who explore these breathtaking caves for a 75 minute tour. Visitors experience Posselt Hall, which holds the Posselt Tower stalagmite; the Great Ice Embankment, a formation towering over 75 feet; and the Ice Organ, created by the stalactites in Hymir’s Castle. The ice formations are sometimes highlighted with magnesium lighting for an added effect.
The Eisriesenwelt caves are open from May 1 to October 26, and during peak season tours are held every six minutes.
Innsbruck’s beautiful medieval Old Town, set against the backdrop of majestic peaks, is everything you picture a quintessential Alpine town to be. Yet its quaint appearance can be deceiving: a one-day tour will reveal a rich and varied side of Tirol’s capital underneath layers of ancient history and cherished tradition.
MORNING Before you do anything else, purchase a 24-hour Innsbruck Card either at your hotel or at the Innsbruck Information Office in the Old Town. This grants you access to all museums, public transportation, one roundtrip on any of Innsbruck’s lifts and cable cars and guided tours. Armed with the card, you are now set to start your day with a tour of the historic city center. You’ll love the colorful medieval buildings, vaulted walkways and stuccoed facades.
Golden Roof
Innsbruck’s landmark, the Golden Roof, is famously covered with exactly 2,657 gilded tiles and overlooks the main square. In the 15th century, the Habsburg family ruled their empire from Innsbruck’s Hofburg Imperial Palace.
See the Imperial Apartments and exhibitions at the palace, then stop at the adjacent Hofkirche Court Church, where one of the most important cultural monuments in Tyrol is on display: 28 larger-than-life bronze figures surround the 16th century tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, representing his heroes of antiquity and his ancestors. The quaint alleys of the Old Town also house many small boutique stores offering handcrafted Tyrolean products that make for excellent souvenirs.
AFTERNOON For lunch with a view, head past the Hofburg Imperial Palace to the Nordkettenbahnen Cable Cars. The funicular stations were designed by star-architect Zaha Hadid, and their sleek modern design contrasts beautifully with the surrounding landscape and historic architecture of the city.
Only 20 minutes later you’ll find yourself at 6,500 feet, near the top of the Nordkette Mountain range. Head to the restaurant at the Alpenlounge Seegrube and enjoy the breathtaking views over Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps. If you want to continue your mountain experience, head to the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo. Europe’s highest zoo features more than 2,000 animals including bears, wolves, eagles and many other species native to the region. To get there, simply take the Nordkettenbahnen back down the mountain and get off at the Alpenzoo Station. Otherwise, head straight back to the city in the early afternoon. It’s time to explore Innsbruck’s excellent shopping street, the Maria-Theresien-Strasse. Within view of the Golden Roof, the grand boulevard is located in a pedestrian area and—among many smaller shops and boutiques—houses two shopping centers: the ultra-modern Kaufhaus Tyrol designed by David Chipperfield and the Rathaus Galerien with boutique stores featuring well-known luxury brands. Don’t miss the Swarovski Flagship Store in the Old Town.
Maria Theresien
Another option for outdoor enthusiasts is to spend the afternoon taking part in Innsbruck’s fabulous summer hiking program. Visitors to Innsbruck and its 25 holiday villages can use the hiker’s bus with their Guest Card and explore the region with a free mountain guide. Even the equipment rental is free of charge with your Guest Card. Simply make a reservation through your hotel the day before.
EVENING You don’t really know a destination until you have sampled its food. Tyrol is famous for its hearty fare, such as Tiroler Gröstl (meat, potatoes, and onions topped with a fried egg) and a large variety of sweet and savory dumplings. The famous Café Sacher, a traditional Viennese coffee house and restaurant, as well as the Ottoburg, the Weisses Rössl or the Goldener Adler in the Old Town all feature excellent authentic cuisine. After dinner, head to the newly-opened Adlers hotel, housed in one of the city’s tallest buildings and enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop terrace, ending the day with a stunning view of Innsbruck by night.
European Traveler 