When the Frenchmen had left, I went for a photographic tour around the country. In four days I wanted to visit as many of the 26 cantons as possible, finally exploring Switzerland on my own. I’m a sunset junkie, just because the light during that  “golden hour” just before and “blue hour” just after the sun has set gives an incredible boost to the photography. Finding good spots to be in was going to be important. Traveling with as little baggage as possible I left Zürich on Thursday the 18th with a light backpack, tripod bag and some camera equipment.

The first stop was the Canton of Jura, the youngest canton in the Swiss federation. (For an interesting piece of contemporary history, check out the “les Béliers” Jurassic separatist movement.)
The little city of St. Ursanne was just what I was looking for; a picturesque walled city with an old stone bridge. Being on the countryside of the French-speaking region, I had to revive my school French to be able to strike up even the simplest of conversations. Everything in the city here was made out of stone, and while the streets were almost empty, the few people I met were most friendly and always greeted me with “Bonjour, Monsieur”.

Progressing deeper into French-speaking territory I then made my way to Neuchâtel to arrive just in time for the beloved blue hour.

I was lucky that day, for the skies were clear and displayed the most beautiful shade of cyan for a few precious minutes. The weather wasn’t going to be that good the coming days. I spent the night in Lausanne, after meeting “ze Frenchmen” again. I woke up late (eight) and decided that I still had time to visit Geneva before going back to more familiar Alemannian regions. The entire day was plagued with heavy fog and rainfall; no good day for photography. After a very brief visit to Geneva and Montreux (of jazz festival fame!) I took the GoldenPass train to Interlaken and Grindelwald. Both Grindelwald and Interlaken were very disappointing, just filled with tourists and dense, impenetrable snowfall. Instead I made myself on the way to Valais, crossing both that Canton as well as the Lötschberg basistunnel off my checklist.

The tradition of Fasnacht continues to this day, and while different regions celebrate this on different weeks of February I was able to see the final day of the “Bärner Fasnacht” taking place in the capital, Berne, on Saturday.

Looking for a good place to watch the sunset, I went on a hunch, boarded the express ICN train to Romanshorn and Lake Constance in the northeastern part of Switzerland. Again, it was just in time for beautiful, blue light.

February is still skiing season, and so I couldn’t find a hostel room for the night; they were all full. There was nothing else to do than go home to Zürich and stay in my own room. Not optimal, but cheap!

The entire final day of the trip was spent south of the alps, in the wonderful town of Lugano. I found a great panoramic view (on a rooftop, actually) with a view over the lake, Monte Bré and the city. Waiting for more than an hour for the perfect light was rewarding, there was only minimal haze in the air, and the deep blue sky contrasting the yellow sodium lamps gave nice photos this time as well.

With this being the final day before the new semester, I celebrated the last day of freedom by going out to eat in a nice Lugano restaurant.

Then I took the train home with myself.

All and all, in four short days and an unlimited train ticket I visited every corner of the country but the easternmost one. Eight new cantons added to the list, I seem to have a good chance of visiting all 26 before this year runs out.

Swiss challenge
Zürich, Bern, Luzern, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel Stadt, Basel Land, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Sankt Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Genève, Jura