Today I’ve got a post from Anna Timbrook from Expert World Travel about the weird arse and strange things to do and see in Switzerland. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
There’s more to Switzerland than chocolate and cheese! Check it out below.
Things to do and see in Switzerland – the offbeat version!
Switzerland is a gorgeous country, known for its tall peaks and enchanting lakes. As if the wonderful nature wasn’t enough, the Swiss went out of their way to create an abundance of unique experiences for all the people who visit.
Luckily for us, they succeeded! The country is full of unusual and unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else in the world, making it perfect for travellers who enjoy things that are out of the ordinary. From getting your whole naked body covered with chocolate to bungee jumping from a cable car – here are the best unique and unusual things to do in Switzerland!
Mount Stanserhorn Cabrio Car
It doesn’t get more unique and unusual than an experience you can only have in one place in the entire world. And that’s the Stanserhorn cabrio cable car – a double decker gondola with an open upper deck where you can enjoy the fresh air and the spectacular views.
The entire experience is sort of like riding in a convertible, if we forget about the whole being suspended in the air thing. It’s a unique, thrilling experience that you should definitely do if you get the opportunity. But not if you’re afraid of heights – it will still be an unforgettable experience, but more in a nightmarish sort of way.
Spend The Night In A Bubble Tent
Switzerland is one of very few places in a world where you can spend the night in a bubble hotel. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a massive transparent bubble that pretty much serves as a mosquito shield. You will be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by gorgeous nature and spending the night under a starry sky – it’s like a small slice of heaven right there in Switzerland.
Bubble hotels are perfect for people who want to feel at one in nature and who don’t mind giving up on standard commodities. Don’t expect an en-suite and WiFi in your bubble – you get a bed, a nightstand and some battery powered lamps and that’s it.
Piz Gloria Revolving Restaurant
If you’re a 007 fan you’re probably aware of this restaurant – it was featured in the ‘69 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and since then it has become an oasis for James Bond fans. The revolving restaurant is on top of the Schilthorn summit, and it’s definitely a place to go if you’re looking for unique experiences in Switzerland.
The view from Piz Gloria is astounding, but it’s not just about enjoying the scenery. There’s a James Bond museum below the restaurant, where you can really have some fun. An interactive exhibit includes a replica helicopter from the movie, which you can actually attempt to pilot – it’s a simulation of course, but nonetheless quite a thrilling experience.
Berggasthaus Aescher
There are a lot of unique places where you can stay in Switzerland and one of the best ones is the guesthouse in Aescher. It is built into the side of a cliff, far away from civilisation. Which doesn’t mean you wouldn’t encounter other people here – hikers and climbers often stop by. Some spend the night in this unique house, but most people come to recharge their batteries at the restaurant.
A cable car can take you to Ebenalp, and from there it’s only a short walk to this wonderful guesthouse. The effort is without a doubt worth it, considering you’ll be rewarded with excellent food and some mind blowing views.
Child Eater Of Bern
There are a lot of weird things in Switzerland, but a statue in Bern is by far the weirdest thing you’ll ever see. It’s a statue of a man eating a sack of babies that’s been around for more than 500 years, and nobody knows what it’s supposed to mean.
Seriously – there are numerous theories about the point and meaning of the statue, but they range from it being an anti-semitic message to the statue depicting a Greek God. It’s a bit disturbing, but also extremely unusual and unique – definitely go check it out before the Swiss decide to replace it with a more pleasant sight!
Jungfraujoch Ice Palace
Jungfraujoch is best known for Top of Europe – the highest railway station on the continent. But there are lots of other great things to enjoy there, like the observation deck that offers panoramic views of the majestic mountains and the Ice Palace that’s full of beautiful sculptures.
The Ice Palace is perfect for people who want to explore unique Swiss sights. You get the opportunity to walk through a literal cave made from ice and then see some rather unique sculptures that are melting even though it’s freezing inside the cave.
Chocolate Body Massage
One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Switzerland is chocolate – or at least it should be. The Swiss export more than half the chocolate they produce each year, which is measured in hundreds of thousands of tonnes. And what’s more unusually Swiss than getting naked and having your entire body covered with chocolate?
Chocolate massages are pretty popular in the country, even though they are as stick and messy as they sound. There’s a whole list of ways the cocoa goodness is beneficial for your body, but hardly anyone needs convincing – why would you say no to being covered head to toe in the world’s most delicious dessert.
Lots of spas will offer this type of massage, especially the ones in up-scale hotels. The Gruyere Baths in particular offer an assortment of weird spa treatments, from the coveted chocolate massage to a sea shell scrub.
Bungee Jump From A Gondola
Switzerland is home to one of the most unusual bungee jumps in the world. And if you want an adrenaline rush, there’s no better – or weirder – place in the country for it.
Head to Stockhorn where a mountain gondola will take you 134 meters up, from where you will plunge yourself into the air. No big deal – there’s just a massive lake below you, so if things go south you’ll probably survive anyway.
Jokes aside, this is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience all adrenaline junkies should have at least once in their life. The best part is that once you’re done with the jump, they just hoist you back into the gondola so you can continue to enjoy the spectacular views.
For more weird Switzerland, check out Barack Obama in the phone booth.
I have read a lot of good posts about Switzerland and it’s beautiful places. But this post covered some very unique things about Switzerland, which is interesting indeed. The man-eating babies statue is probably the weirdest thing I have ever seen. I need to know the mystery behind this statue.