KEE@FSWMAG.COM
SWISS CHRISTMAS MARKETS RULE!
The world famous Christmas market in Montreux best exemplifies Yuletide in Switzerland!
Christmas markets are a mostly Germanic and eastern
European tradition and even the traditional Christmas tree was not a Dickensian
invention but introduced into England by Prince Albert, consort of Queen
Victoria. The German prince hankered for his childhood Christmas tree decorated
by him and brother Prince Ernst and recreated one for his children in England.
In 1848 The London Illustrated News published
pictures of the Royal Family in Windsor Castle next to their gaily decorated
tree. The aristocracy and middle classes were enamoured and quickly emulated
this new fangled custom. This was followed by the novel notion of gift giving
to children and exchanging presents between adults.
A mere 2 hours train ride from German-speaking
Zurich is French-speaking Montreux, home to another celebrated Christmas
market. Located in the great outdoors by Lake Geneva (or Lake Leman or Lake
Lausanne depending on who you ask!), Montreux Tourist Office will have you know
the region enjoys a mild, Mediterranean type micro-climate that allows palm
trees to grow, hence their moniker Swiss Riviera.
Micro or maxi-climate, I failed to tell the
difference and wore the same fur coat as I did in Zurich. Montreux’s Christmas
market lines the bank of Lake Geneva (Geneva is an hour by train) and opens at
11 am till 8 pm which is the same as Zurich.
The setting is more romantic since the shimmery
waters form a picturesque, postcard perfect backdrop.
“Since tourism started over a century ago, Montreux
was viewed as a summer resort and winter was very quiet. So we decided to do
something about it,” said Yves Cornaro, director of Montreux Noel which
oversees the Christmas market. “We visited the Christmas markets in Austria and
Germany and saw how successful they were so we created our own. That was 19
years ago and now we have around 150 illuminated chalets by lakeside and also
lining the main road. Several restaurants, cafes and an indoor market are built
only for the market.”
Sixty percent of all goods are locally made or
produced in Switzerland, like sweets, chocolates, cheeses, handicrafts,
clothes, accessories and glassworks. “Asian tourists may find a few stalls
selling things from their part of the world but to us locals, these are exotic
goods so there is a good mix.”
Those with time should take the train to visit
Santa Claus House inside a grotto perched atop the 2,024 metre atop Rochers de
Naye with a panoramic view of Montreux. The kids will love telling Santa what
they want for Christmas and pose for photos.
On the way down, visit the Christmas Village (not
to be confused with market!) at Caux filled with traditional buildings inside the
forest and glade.
Swiss Christmas marts are ideal and idyllic
getaways!
SWISS CHRISTMAS MARKETS START ON 25
NOVEMBER AND ENDS ON CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY!
THESE LOOK LIKE LOUSY, RUSTY, UNWANTED AND UNLOVED OLD PADLOCKS TO BE THROWN AWAY...BUT THESE ARE CHOCOLATES! AMAZING! I ALMOST FAINTED FROM SURPRISE! IMAGINE EATING THESE PADLOCKS IN PUBLIC AND IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILY!
THESE RUSTY PLIERS ARE ALSO MADE ENTIRE OF 100% CHOCOLATE! PRETEND YOU ARE TRYING TO UNSCREW SOMETHING AND FAIL SO YOU THROW A TANTRUM AND ANNOUNCE TO YOUR FAMILY YOU WILL EAT THE PLIER INSTEAD IN ANGER! AND THEN DO SO AS YOUR PARENTS PASS OUT!
THESE ARE THE CHOCOLATE MAKERS! THEY MAKE CHOCOLATES THAT RESEMBLE REAL STUFF!
THE DIRECTOR OF MONTREUX CHRISTMAS MARKET---YVES CORNARO
MULLED WINE IS THE ANSWER
INSIDE A CAFE WARM AND COSY
LIKE THE CEILING
HERE IS HOW THE NATIVES KEEP WARM
COSY
PURPOSE BUILT CHALET
HAWKER STALL SWISS STYLE
NICE
MY GUIDE AND YVES CORNARO PLUS SANTA CLAUS!
KEE HUA CHEE IS ALL WARM, TOASTY AND FURRY WITH YVES CORNARO, FOUNDER OF MONTREUX CHRISTMAS MARKET SOME 19 YEARS AGO!
BLING THINGS
WARM DRINKS
CHOCS A BLOCK!
MERRY XMAS 2014!
YVES CORNARO
CHOCS GALORE
YUMMY
WHICH TO BUY
BUY ALL
SANTA CLAUS
WHITE SANTA
TOO DELICIOUS
TEMPTING!
SWEET HEAVEN
EDIBLES ALL
EYE CANDIES
SMURFS CAME AVISITING
RESIN WOODLAND CREATURES
CUTE
FUNKY DECOR
LOOKS LIKE WULU
THESE ARE HAND CARVED WOODEN CONTAINERS
CARVED IN SWITZERLAND
PRECIOUS SOUVENIR
HAND BLOWN GLASS
GORGEOUS
SWISS TOP GLASS BLOWER SHOWS HOW IT IS DONE
FIRE IS NEEDED
SO IS SKILL
CAREFUL
I WOULD NOT DARE DO THIS
PLAYING WITH FIRE
WOW
FANCY
DEXTERITY!
FLAMING TALENT
HERE WE GO AGAIN
TAKING SHAPE
ALMOST THERE
KEE HUA CHEE AND GLASS BLOWER
HE GAVE ME THE GLASS
KEEPING WARM
CUTE
CANDLES
CANDLES
NICE
COOL
RM 25 EACH
I LOVE THESE BOOKMARKS!
BRILLIANT
BOOKMARKS TO MARK YOUR LIFE
THEY LOOK LIKE TREASURES!
SUPER COOL BOOK MARKS!
HE MAKES THEM HIMSELF!
ALL HIS HANDIWORK
DRAGON AND BUDDHA FOR THE CHINESE
BUDDHISTS LOVE THESE BOOK MARKS
BUY THEM BY THE DOZEN AND DECORATE YOUR BOOKS!
PERFECT FOR YOUR LIBRARY
I BOUGHT 20!
I HAD DINNER HERE
THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO COOK CHESTNUTS!
WINE HOLDERS CAN YOU BELIEVE?
SO COOL
WINE LOVERS DROOL!
FANCY WINE HOLDERS
HAVE CAR WILL HOLD WINE
FOR GOLFERS
FOR GARDENERS
NOT EXPENSIVE
COOL
VINTAGE CAR FOR VINTAGE WINE
TOUCH THEM
PUT EACH IN A MICRO WAVE OVEN AND THEY KEEP YOU WARM FOR 3 HOURS!
FREDDIE MERCURY DIED HERE IN HIS BELOVED MONTREUX
WE LOVE YOU FREDDIE
LIFESIZED FOR SOMEONE LARGER THAN LIFE
FREDDIE IS IT!
NICE LIGHTS
LIGHTS FLOAT WITH SWAN
BACK TO FREDDIE MERCURY
SEE THE FLOWERS THAT CONTINUE TO PILE YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH
IN EVERLASTING MEMORY
I LOVE THE FERRIS WHEEL
HOT PHONE BOX
IN HONOUR OF FOUNDER OF MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
THAT'S THE FOUNDER OF MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
NICE TREE
BIG WHEEL KEEPS TURNING
INDOOR MARKET
SWISS MEN CAN BE VERY VERY TALL...
HI THERE
SANTARINAS DANCED FOR ME
KEE HUA CHEE ALMOST HAD A HEAT STROKE
BLUE SANTA
INDOOR MARKET
ST BERNARD
SAINT KEE AND SAINT BERNARD
2 SAINTS
YULETIDE MOOD
STARRY STARRY NIGHT
CHESTNUTS BEING ROASTSED
A RESTAURANT NOT A SPACE SHIP
INSIDE MY RESTAURANT SERVINGF SWISS FONDUE
DARLING DOGGIE
I ATE 2 BOWLS OF THIS DELICIOUS SOUP!
ALL 3 SO ADORABLE
EVERYONE LOVES A DOG
MERINGUE!
The first image is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI could appreciate a beautiful living room like that, when it's snowing outside. :)