Watch the cows come down from the mountains
Photo: Caroline Bishop
One truly Swiss sign that the long, hot summer is coming to an end is the sight of cows trooping through mountain villages on their way back to the valley farms for the winter.
Called the désalpe/alp descentit’s cause for celebration: after all, the cows have spent a successful summer living on the alpine pastures and producing flavour-rich milk which their herdsmen and women turn into delicious cheese.
On the day of the descent the cows are decorated with floral headdresses and large bells before parading through the village. Locals and visitors from miles around gather to watch them, scoff alpine cheese and drink Swiss wine. Bell-ringers, alphorn players and cheese-making demonstrations add to the entertainment.
There are cattle descents all over the Swiss Alps; one of the most popular is in Charmey in the Fribourg prealps.
Alternatively, head to Leukerbad for a sheep descent instead.
Enjoy the Bénichon in Bulle
Centre to the party is eating: visitors are served a special Bénichon menu, which traditionally comprises cuchaule – a plaited bread served with mustard – before cabbage soup, then smoked ham and potatoes, rounded off with meringues and cream. Entertainment comprises folk music, alphorn playing and flag-throwing.
Celebrate the start of the wine harvest in Neuchâtel
Photo: Harvest Festival
For three days the city centre gets into the festival spirit. A series of parades feature kids in fancy dress, huge floats covered in elaborate floral decorations, Guggenmusik bands, and carts loaded with grape-growers’ tools and equipment. A fireworks display will be held over the lake on the Saturday night.
Try chestnut jam in Ticino
Chestnuts. Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash
Other local food including polenta, mortadella cheese and Merlot wine is also on the menu. Music and a market add to the festivities.
Go truffle-hunting in Bonvillars
Photo: Bonvillars truffle market
As well as enjoying the market and sampling truffle-based dishes in local restaurants (fondue with truffle, anyone?), visitors can find out more on organized truffle-hunting walks, demonstrations and cooking workshops. This year’s event is on October 29th.
Ride the carousel at Basel Herbstmesse
Held in seven venues in the city, the fair comprises tons of fairground rides, hundreds of stalls selling artisan crafts and food, plus installations and street entertainment. Scoff flammküchen, raclette or bratwurst at Barfüsserplatz, ride the bumper cars in Münsterplatz or freak yourself out on the ghost train at Kaserne.
Scoff sausages at St Martin’s Fair
Photo: David Pursehouse
See beetroots turned into incredible lanterns
Photo: Micha L Rieser/Wikimedia Commons
Much as many of us like to create a pumpkin lantern at Halloween, the town of Richterswil on lake Zurich has its own variation on the theme.
A tradition since the 1920s, the event also includes a market earlier in the day where you can pick up a bite to eat and enjoy musical entertainment. Some 20,000 spectators are expected this year.
Eat onion soup and drink Glühwein at 5am
Photo: Caroline Bishop
Before the Christmas markets kick off, head to Bern on the fourth Monday in November (this year, the 28th) for the Zibelemarit (onion market), when veg growers from the region come into town to sell 50 tons of onions and garlic presented in pretty braided strings.
Dating back to the 15th century, this festival has become an excuse to eat, drink and be merry – all with an onion theme. It starts at 5am, so get up early and join the locals by tucking into onion soup and onion tart, drinking Glühwein and throwing confetti at each other.