How the pandemic influenced my travel life & blog:

It has been a year since Corona emerged in western Europa, and it seems to be a good opportunity to look back and forward. Since my last update end of September 2020, I have been able to do some domestic travel in Switzerland one time or the other – despite the pandemic. I also did some cornerstone content about Switzerland, my home country. Then I published six posts about my last big trip before the virus took a stranglehold on the world. This was a truly memorable Japanese journey back in 2019. And finally, I also have a travel idea for the time to come.

Travel in Switzerland in Corona times

Lucky me, I live in Switzerland where domestic travel was still possible in large parts of the Corona year of 2020 and later. After the end of the first lockdown on May 11, it was possible to travel again, domestically and even internationally to some extent.

When the second surge arose mid October, local travel was still possible yet less desirable. As from December 22, the second lockdown came into effect. Restaurants had to close, but hotels could stay open. The same was true for hotel restaurants – and ski slopes.

Towards the end of 2020 and at the beginning of 2021, some parts of Switzerland turned into hotspots of foreign travelers. This was due to the somewhat lax Corona regime with fewer restrictions that in many neighboring countries. This changed mid January 2021 when traveling to Switzerland from abroad became more difficult. However, for Swiss people domestic travel was always an option. While it was not exactly encouraged by the Swiss government, there were no obstacles in the way of doing so.

Lots of domestic travel in Switzerland since my last big trip

I almost always traveled domestically during the first three quarters of 2020 (see my last travel update). My last big trip took place in November 2019 and went to Japan. I have recently published on my blog the last five of six posts in total about my Japanese journey. The topics included luxury hotels, find and reserve (Michelin) restaurants, our choice of gourmet dining-spots, luxury ryokan experience and two off the beaten path destinations.

As it was my first Japanese journey ever, I did the so-called “Golden Triangle of Japan” (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka) with three extensions (Hakone, Takayama & Kanazawa). This route also goes under the name of “The Second Golden Triangle of Japan”. And to get a taste of rural Japan too, I even went beyond, and this to Kiso Valley and to Yakushima Island (itinerary).

More domestic travel in the last quarter of 2020 

My last vacation in 2020, together with my husband, was in November. Originally, we had wanted to go to west Australia. But of course we had to cancel our arrangements. As a long-haul journey end of 2020 did not seem appropriate, we instead contented ourselves with yet another local trip.

Gourmet delights at three-star Michelin chef in southeastern Switzerland

We checked out the weather forecasts and the Corona situation and headed to the southeast of Switzerland. We were lucky and could get a reservation at one of the three Michelin three star restaurants in my home country. And this was a last minute offer for staying and dining at Schauenstein Castle in Fuerstenau in the southeastern pre-Alps. Here Andreas Caminada, probably Switzerland’s most famous chef, performs his magic (my post).

Mediterranean feelings in South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost province

Then we continued to go east, and left Switzerland in the direction of the South Tyrol. This is Italy’s northernmost province – adjacent to Switzerland. Here they speak German (and Italian) and you find everything from Alpine peaks (the Dolomites) to Mediterranean areas (Merano). My husband and I felt like going to warmer climes and settled therefore for the latter.

We had a great three-day stay at the Hotel Villa Eden in Merano (my post about two great luxury here) and wanted to add another two days at the Hotel The Terra – The Magic Place – , situated a bit higher up in the mountains. I had been looking forward very much to our stay here. The hotel features a remote setting, views of the Dolomites and a two-star Michelin restaurant. But then the Governor of South Tyrol shut down the province to tourists because of Corona. And so we went back to Switzerland.

Yet more Mediterranean vibes in Ticino, Switzerland’s south

After a short-stay in the Lower Engadine (Scuol, Hotel Guarda Val), we proceeded on to the south of Switzerland, Ticino, once again. In late summer we had spent a week in Ascona. Now we opted for Lugano, and this at the fabulous Hotel Splendide Royal. After three days here we even prolonged our stay for two more days (my post)!

As to details to hotels, restaurants and activities of 2020, I am unfortunately behind schedule, sorry for that! Hopefully, I will be able to deliver correspondent blogposts in the time to come!

Ski vacations end of 2020 & beginning of 2021

While my husband and I wanted to spend the time over New Year with friends in Davos at their vacation home in the first place, we canceled this arrangement. Restaurants were closed at the time and the ski resort had already filled up with masses of tourists before Christmas. And it was to be feared that going into town and shop would be a nightmare.

Skiing & winter hiking in Arosa in the southeastern Swiss Alps

As we did not want to stay at home during these holidays, we looked around for an alternative. Usually, my husband and I are hesitant about booking a stay at a ski resort over New Year as the rates are far too high. But given the Corona situation coming along with lots of cancelled trips, we decided to make an exception.

After thinking long and hard, we went for a five-day stay at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa in the southeastern Swiss Alps. We already knew its sister hotel Eden Roc (my post) in Ascona and we were familiar with the ski resort, too. As we booked short-term, we could make sure that we went for the ideal place in terms of the weather situation. And it turned out well – both the weather and the hotel!

Skiing & winter hiking in Zuoz/Upper Engadine in the Swiss Alps

Back from Arosa it was already time to give the subject of the annual ski vacation some thoughts!

Normally, we book them well in advance, but not this time, due to Corona. My husband and I were not eager to plunge into the fray alongside tons of other skiers. And we went on a search for the ideal place. Conditions to be fulfilled were: favorable weather forecasts, quiet location, opportunities for skiing (ski-in/ski-out if possible) and winter hiking, reasonable pricing (as we had overspent over New Year).

And we did make a find! We chose Hotel Castell in Zuoz in the Upper Engadine, again in the southeastern Swiss Alps. While the ski area of Zuoz is small and ideal for families, the slopes were perfect (also for advanced skiers) and empty! And the hotel was a real find!

Soon on my blog you will find more information on these two hotels, which are both suitable not only for winter vacations but for other seasons, too.

Where do I go next? More domestic travel?

That is the big question! Originally, we had booked a Bhutan trip for April 2021 – actually already for April 2020, and we had payed it in advance 🙁 And of course, we had to postpone it one more time! And now my husband and I are faced with the question of what to do instead. The Corona situation presents itself unstable. There are simply too  many questions marks. We do not feel confident enough to book an air trip. And the near abroad does not seem to be a great option either.

The situation, as it is today, makes us opting for just another “Swisscation”. Switzerland has definitely much to offer as a travel destination. Yet, I have already experienced quite a lot of recent staycations. And I feel like crying out for a real change – not for more of the same.

Having said that, we need to be realistic, and that means more domestic travel in Switzerland. Actually, there are still regions in my home country that I want to travel a bit deeper. In this context, I especially think of the western part of Switzerland, the French speaking one. Let us see what comes out of it!

What is going on my blog?

Cornerstone content Switzerland

After so many Switzerland trips, I thought that it was high time to dive a bit deeper into travel opportunities in my home country. And so I created some cornerstone content for Switzerland. What is this about? This is supposed to be content of enduring value. It is intended as help for (luxury) travelers wanting to make the best out of their Swiss journey.

My evergreen content for Switzerland, which I will update regularly, covers following topics. First, there is a guide how to visit this Alpine country. I suggest one basic tour that you can complement with five modular tours as you please. All together goes under the name of “Grand Tour Switzerland”.

Second, you will find advice on which luxury hotels to choose along the route described (part one and two). Third, I did the same for (Michelin) fine dining when traveling the “Grand Tour Switzerland” (part one and two). And finally, I highlighted premium destinations that have a certain “sexiness”.

What is next on my blog?

My next step will be to write about the two hotels in the Swiss Alps where I have been recently (Hotel Castell Zuoz and Hotel Tschuggen Arosa). Then I want to point out two great luxury hotels in the South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost province. I also would like to go into where to stay & dine in style in Lugano, Switzerland’s south. And I want to report on how it is staying and dining at Restaurant Schauenstein in Fuerstenau in the Swiss pre-Alps. This is Andreas Caminada’s place, one of Switzerland’s best chefs.

Sometime in between, I will publish a post (already finished) about lunching and hiking in Switzerland’s most beautiful wine region, the Lavaux. And there are quite a few restaurants and the one or the other hotel still waiting to be reported on. You see that I am not running out of work, despite Corona!

The post My travel update after a year of Corona regime first appeared on Swiss Traveler