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The Cashless Future in Switzerland

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Are Small Businesses Ready? Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           March 31, 2026, Jessy Thür Switzerland has traditionally been considered a cash-based society, but this reality is changing rapidly. While coins and banknotes dominated just a few years ago, there is now a clear trend toward digital payment methods. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this raises a key question: Are they ready for an increasingly cashless future? A look at current figures illustrates the shift. As recently as 2017, over 70% of all transactions were conducted in cash. By 2025, however, cash accounted for around 30% of in-person transactions, while cards and digital payment solutions had clearly overtaken cash. At the same time, the use of mobile payments is steadily increasing, for example through apps like Apple Pay or Twint , which enable fast and contactless payments. Between Progress and Tradition Despite this trend, Switzerland is far ...
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The SBB Railway Clock: The Icon of Swiss Precision and Punctuality

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The Icon That Defines Swiss Punctuality Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             March 26, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer If there is one object that perfectly captures the Swiss national character, it is not a bank vault, a bar of chocolate, or even a pocket knife. It is a clock. For eighty years, the official Swiss railway clock, known as the  SBB Bahnhofsuhr , has been the undisputed symbol of Swiss precision, reliability, and minimalist design. Hanging in over 800 train stations across the country, it is the silent conductor of daily life, ensuring that the nation’s famously punctual trains depart exactly on time. Its face is a study in functional simplicity: a clean white dial, bold black batons marking each minute, and no numerals, just an effortlessly readable surface designed for a traveler rushing to catch a connection  . But it is the clock’s most distinctive element, a slender red second hand shaped like...
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Location: Brückfeldstrasse 16, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Springtime on the balcony: urban gardening ideas for Swiss cities

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Planting your balcony in spring - urban gardening tips Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:           March 24, 2026, Jessy Thür Spring is the perfect time to transform your balcony into a green oasis. Urban gardening is becoming increasingly popular, especially in cities: even in small spaces, herbs, vegetables, and flowers can be grown. Balcony boxes, pots, or small raised beds allow even people without gardens to grow their own plants and harvest fresh ingredients right outside their front door. This trend has grown significantly in Switzerland in recent years. Many city dwellers use balconies or roof terraces to create their own little garden world - not only for culinary reasons but also to bring more nature into their everyday lives.  Why urban gardening on the balcony makes sense A balcony with plants offers more than just beautiful decoration. Gardening in the city has numerous advantages: Fresh food: Home-grown herbs or tomat...
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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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The Surprising Story of Swiss Yodeling

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More Than Just a Mountain Call Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             March 19, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer For many, the sound of yodeling is the soundtrack of the Alps, a cliché of lederhosen and mountain peaks. But to dismiss it as mere tourist entertainment is to miss the soul of a tradition that is as complex, ancient, and living as Switzerland itself. In December 2025, this unique vocal art received its due when UNESCO added it to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Far from being a relic, yodeling is a vibrant form of expression that has evolved from a practical tool into a modern art form. From Herding Calls to Folk Songs The origins of yodeling are purely practical. It is believed to date back to the Stone Age, but in the Swiss Alps, it developed as a form of long-distance communication for herders. They needed to call their cattle across vast valleys or signal to each other from one mountain pasture to a...
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Location: Scarneraweg 8, 7074 Malix, Switzerland
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Discovering Switzerland’s Fourth Language

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The Hidden Voice of the Alps Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication :           March 17, 2025, Jonathan Schönholzer When people think of Switzerland, they typically think of three languages: the precise, guttural sound of Swiss German, the romantic lilt of French in the west, and the melodic rhythm of Italian in the south. But tucked away in the mountainous canton of Grisons (Graubünden) , there is a fourth, lesser-known national language. It is a language that sounds like a ghost of the Roman Empire, echoing through valleys that time forgot. Its name is Romansh, and it is one of Switzerland’s most precious cultural secrets. While it is spoken by only about 40,000 to 60,000 people, less than 1% of the Swiss population, Romansh holds a special place in the Swiss identity. It is a living relic, a testament to the country’s incredible diversity and its commitment to preserving its smallest voices. A Latin Island in a Germanic Sea To hear ...
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Location: S-chanf, Switzerland
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Pets in the city: Veterinarians in Zurich and dog parks in Lausanne

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Veterinarian Zurich and Dog Park Lausanne – Proper care for pets in the city Reading Time:      4 Min. Publication:           March 12, 2026, Jessy Thür For many people, pets are members of the family. In cities in particular, the number of dogs and cats has been rising steadily for years. According to Swiss Animal Protection (STS)  and Identitas, there are over half a million dogs registered in Switzerland and the trend remains stable. With growing urbanization, the needs of pet owners are also changing: good veterinary care, professional grooming services, and sufficient space are crucial for a species-appropriate life in the city. Veterinarians in Zurich The City of Zurich offers a dense veterinary infrastructure, from neighborhood practices to specialized clinics. Particularly important for city dwellers: short distances, flexible appointments, and emergency services. A key player is the Zurich Animal Hospital, which belongs to the ...
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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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Swiss Technology That Changed the World

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Small Country, Big Innovations Reading Time:        4 Min. Publication:             March 10, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer Switzerland is often associated with alpine landscapes, chocolate, and political neutrality. Yet behind this serene image lies a powerhouse of technological innovation. For a country of modest size, Switzerland has produced an astonishing number of inventions and breakthroughs that have shaped modern life. From everyday tools to life-saving science, Swiss ingenuity has quietly influenced the world in profound ways. Precision in Your Pocket: The Swiss Army Knife Few inventions symbolize Swiss practicality better than the Swiss Army Knife . First produced in the late 19th century for the Swiss military, this compact multi-tool was designed to help soldiers maintain their rifles and open canned rations. Over time, it evolved into a global icon of clever engineering. Manufactured primarily by Victorinox and Wenger (n...
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Location: Espl. des Particules 1, 1217 Meyrin, Switzerland
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