Episode 16: The Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland
Interview with Kevin Quattropani, President, Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland association
Kevin Quattropani is the President of Les Plus Beaux Villages de Suisse (the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland), an association set up to recognise the beauty and significance of villages that have a particular charm and retain their historic architecture and culture.
He joins me in this episode to share more about the member villages, and the association’s aim to help preserve the villages for future generations.
In this episode Kevin talks about:
- How the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland association started
- The criteria villages have to meet in order to be considered for membership
- Interesting facts about some of the villages and their history including ‘the Robin Hood of Switzerland’, a village which manufactured a silk rug for the Oval Office, and a village where you can look out your window and see Switzerland, Austria and Italy
- Some of the different characteristics that make the member villages so special
Click the green arrow below to listen:
Show Notes
Below you’ll find a quick summary of some of the places mentioned in this episode, :
>> Saillon – thermal waters, wines and its authenticity are what draw visitors to Saillon today. It also has a museum dedicated to Farinet, the ‘Robin Hood of Switzerland’.
>> Bosco Gurin – a charming village that sits in a side valley of the Valle Maggia, less than one hour from Ascona. It is the only German-speaking village in the canton of Ticino.
>> Gersau – Located on a sunny plateau above Lake Lucerne, Gersau is often referred to as the ‘Riviera of Switzerland’. It was once the world’s smallest republic.
>> Tschlin – a well-preserved traditional Graubunden village with an interesting history. Be sure to enjoy a glass of beer from Tschlin’s own alpine brewery.
Useful Resources
You can find out more about the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland (Borghi Svizzera) on the association’s website. There’s also a free app you can download (here’s the link) – when you start the download it will give you the option to select English language.
The association’s Instagram page is the place to visit for stunning photos of the villages. > Check it out here.
You can also browse the this article on Holidays to Switzerland in which we cover fifteen member villages – one from each canton represented as well as Liechtenstein.
Share the Swiss travel love
Never miss an episode! Make sure you follow the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast to get notified each time a new episode is published.
If you enjoy the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast and find it helpful, please leave us a 5 star rating or review. This will enable us to reach and help more travellers who are planning their own trip to Switzerland. Thanks for your support.
>> To see a list of all the podcast episodes, click here.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 21 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide.
🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭
