Exploring the Quirky Side of Switzerland with Crai Bower
Spotify Switzerland is famous for precision watches, world-class skiing, and secretive banking—but there's a stranger, more fascinating side to this small, landlocked country that most travelers overlook.
This episode digs into the Switzerland that doesn't make it into the guidebooks—like a carnival where crowds are rewarded with root vegetables, and a train called "Express" that takes its time on purpose.
Host Angie Orth is joined by award-winning travel writer Crai Bower, who recently covered the country for Westways and AAA Explorer magazines. This journalist's eye for the offbeat will have you looking at Switzerland in a new way.
You'll hear how Switzerland's four official languages and cultural influences shape each city's personality, why the country is more budget-friendly than its reputation suggests, and which experiences make it worth visiting year-round.
What You’ll Learn:
05:53 The Swiss museums worth adding to your itinerary
09:03 What makes the Glacier Express one of the world's great train journeys
12:23 The folklore and mythology rooted in Switzerland's Alpine landscape
20:31 Inside Basel Fasnacht: a three-day carnival unlike anything else in Europe
26:43 Why Switzerland is one of the easiest countries to navigate without a car
Connect with Crai Bower:
What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve experienced in Switzerland? Tell us in the comments!
Connect with AAA:
Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa