Minatur - Philipp Sidler

I know what I want and I want it now! Culture Beat was so right when they came up with that line back in 1993! And it really made even more sense when I discovered this beautiful book by Philipp Sidler called Miniatur. 

Luckily this book has no connection to the very ugly Swissminiatur in Melide. No, this book uses tiltshift technology to capture one of the most beautiful countries in the world in Miniature.

Versatile Top - Nenad Saljic

I've seen many photos of The Matterhorn in my life, but I've never seen him (or her, is a mountain a boy or a girl???) captured in such a versatile way like Nenad Saljic did. At night, in the morning, in the evening, cloudy, clear... this beauty is a real top model giving its best feature no matter what direction the light coms from.

Goodnight

Bern by Sohei Nishino

Japanese photographer Sohei Nishino documents cities by compiling photos into maps in his series titled Diorama Map.

He walks all across each city he visits, capturing thousands of shots per location. He then constructs photomontages that reflect how he remembers the mapping of each place, based on the most notable sights of the area.

It's an ongoing project, adding more and more cities, but he already captured one of my favourite cities. Swiss capital Bern. And since I know Bern  very well I can tell you that Sohei has some damn good memory! This map is close to perfection.

I Want To Go To There

I blogged about Grevasalvas in the past and I blog about Grevasalvas right now. One of those hidden treasures in the Swiss Alps. One of the latest movies about Heidi was filmed in this village and Peter and I visited it yeeeaaaars ago. Lately France has somehow overruled Switzerland, but I can proudly say that Switzerland is still the only country in the world that has its own tag at Zephyr-Files.

August 1st 2012

Weltneuheit

News from Switzerland! And since it's in the German speaking part of Switzerland I can finally use the word Weltneuheit on my blog.

CabriO is a topless cablecar and the world’s first of this kind. It's located near Lucerne and brings you to the top of the Stanserhorn.

The CabriO is the replacement of the old cablecar from 1975, and before this one was established, the visitors of the Stanserhorn even traveled the steep slope up to the summit with a funicular railway. Today, the funicular is only used to bring passengers from Stans at the valley bottom to the lower station of the CabriO. 

In contrast to normal cable cars, the cabins of the CabriO are not attached on one wire cable to its top, but on two to its sides. Thanks to this, the passengers enjoy an unobstructed 360° view on the 2320 m long ride.

Fun Things to do in Switzerland

Switzerland is a fun country. And a little bit weird. But weird is good, so here's another fun thing to do whenever you're in Switzerland. Every August, people drive their 1940's amphibious vehicles right into Swiss lakes! That looks like a fun way to spend a sunny day surrounded by mountains.

Preparing for Summer

Switzerland is preparing for Summer 2012 to make your visit The Perfect Stay. Love these annual commercials. Clever, funny and sweet. I need to prepare for Summer as well. Less belly, more muscle. But I'm a lazy fag, so it will probably going to be another Summer celebrating the fat on my middle. Score!

Swiss for Beginner #4

Swiss for Beginners #3

Swiss for Beginners #2

Swiss for Beginners #1

PodHotel

Two weeks ago I shared with you those beautiful pictures of the Igloo Village near Zermatt. Now it's time for another great Swiss project. The PodHotel near Flims is an eco-friendly group of vacation cabins. At the moment they're covered in 4 meter of snow, which makes this cute little camp even more magical. Much more info at Designboom. Bookings can be done here.

Swiss Bündner Gerstensuppe

When I think of cold winters I often think about food. And a recipe I never made myself, but keeps popping in my head is Swiss Bündner Gerstensuppe (Barley Soup With Dried Beef). I remember eating this as a child. Probably after a day of skiing in Switzerland and without having eaten it for years I remember the taste very well!

What you need:

• 2 Medium Onion -- Chopped
• 2 Small Leeks -- Chopped
• 3 Medium Carrot -- Chopped
• 1 Small Celeriac -- Chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 6 Ounces Dried Beef -- Chopped
• 1 Cup Barley
• 2 Tablespoons Flour
• 8 Cups Beef Stock
• Salt And Pepper -- To Taste
• 1 Large Egg
• 8 Ounces Cream -- Optional
• Parsley -- Chopped

How to make it:

Saute onions, leeks, carrots and celeriac in oil until soft. Add meat and barley, saute for 5 minutes. Stir in flour and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer for 1 hour. Mix egg and cream into the soup off of the heat. Bring back to a simmer and sprinkle with parsley and serve.

The cold will continue here in The Netherlands, so I am definately gonna make this dish soon!

Igloo Village - Zermatt

Because cold is never cold enough for me, I present you the Igloo Village in Zermatt. Located in the middle of the mountains, this village doesn't only look very good, but it has everything you need for a night in the mountains. From nice wining and dining to beautifully decorated rooms and ofcourse... a hottub. And because you're staying in the middle of nature it's good to know that the complete village is CO2-neutral and sustainable!

Sebastiaan Bremer

New York-based artist Sebastiaan Bremer used vintage photos from his childhood and drops of color to produce images that look sprinkled in kaleidoscopic confetti.

“By drawing on the photographic image I change everything and add the real component of time. My associations, ideas, and changes of direction it all finds its way to the picture.”

The pictures he used remind me very much of my own childhood vacations. And with all the autism I have inside of me I even recognize most mountains in the photos.

Ski Like it's 1899

Sick and tired of skiing in neon-pink ski-pants, the latest equipment and motherfucking beats during après-ski? This is your chance to escape to the past! Skiing during the last week in Kandersteg, a sweet little village in Switzerland with a small ski-area, will take you back to the Belle Epoque. Wooden skis, traditional clothing and food that you wished they still cook on a daily base. More information here.