ELAINE’S WHEELCHAIR SWITZERLAND JOURNAL # 5
THE GRUYÈRE REGION, BERN, AND THE PAUL KLEE MUSEUM
Our travels continued with Selmon and Max, our guides for a delightful tour through the Gruyère region. Arranged by the Claire and George Foundation (see note below), our excursion began in the beautiful Lavaux wine region, where terraced vineyards stretch across the steep hillsides all the down to Lake Geneva.
We stopped at Lavaux Vinorama for a wine tasting amid the vineyards, surrounded by spectacular views of the lake and mountains. What a lovely setting to enjoy the many’s local Swiss wines!
After a delicious lunch nearby, we continued to the picturesque medieval village of Gruyères, famous for its cheese and charming cobblestone streets. Unfortunately, those cobblestones proved too difficult for my wheelchair to navigate, so we didn’t get very far. What a shame! It would be wonderful if Gruyères could provide a smooth, accessible pathway for wheelchairs and strollers without compromising the historic character of the village.
Our next stop was the Cailler Chocolate Factory, where we enjoyed a fascinating tour and, of course, a chocolate tasting! The tour traced the history of chocolate, beginning with cocoa’s origins in the Americas and its introduction to Europe by the Spanish. Chocolate soon became a fashionable drink among European royalty and aristocracy before evolving into the delicious confection we know today.
Vineyards, chocolate, and, of course, cheese! The Gruyère region certainly knows how to tempt the palate. It was a long but thoroughly delightful day.
That evening, we continued to Bern and checked into the Hotel Kursaal.
THE PAUL KLEE MUSEUM
The following day, we took a taxi to the exquisite Zentrum Paul Klee Museum. What a fascinating experience!
Paul Klee (1879–1940) was an extraordinarily versatile artist whose work reflected many of the artistic movements of his lifetime. He explored elements of realism, Cubism (think Picasso), Impressionism (think Monet), Post-Impressionism (think Cézanne and van Gogh), Surrealism (think Salvador Dalí), Dadaism (think Marcel Duchamp), Fauvism (think Matisse), and Primitivism (think Gauguin).
What impressed me most was Klee’s willingness to experiment. He refused to be confined to a single artistic style. His imagination extended beyond painting and drawing to include handmade puppets and experiments with sculpture and clay. His creativity seemed boundless!
The museum itself is a work of art, with its remarkable wave-shaped architecture blending into the surrounding landscape. It was a memorable visit, especially for someone who appreciates the many ways artists interpret the world.
EXPLORING OLD TOWN BERN
This morning, we enjoyed a guided walking tour of Bern’s historic Old Town with Margaret, our personal guide.
We learned that Bern is Switzerland’s federal capital, the seat of the country’s government. Its beautifully preserved Old Town sits on a peninsula embraced by a sweeping horseshoe bend of the River Aare.
Among the many charming features of Old Town are its historic fountains. Margaret explained that the water is clean, fresh, and perfectly safe to drink. She insisted that I try some, so I filled my cup. It was wonderfully cold, crisp, and delicious!
One of the highlights of our tour was the famous Zytglogge, Bern’s medieval clock tower, with its fascinating mechanical clock and moving figures. It is a remarkable reminder of the city’s long history.
And best of all, no rain today!
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| One of 4 fountains |
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| The Music 🎵 Institute |
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| The Einstein’s apartment |
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| Albert Einstein and wife lived bed in Bern |
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| They wrote his Theory of Relativity here |
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| The Dive of Piece sculpture in alumnus num |
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| The Aare River encircles Old Town |
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| Lutheran now, built first as Catholic Cathedral |
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| Mary and I visit the Bern bear! |
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| The Clock Tower |
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE CLAIRE AND GEORGE FOUNDATION
Back in January, while searching the internet for wheelchair-accessible travel in Switzerland, I happened upon the Claire and George Foundation. What a fortunate discovery!
From my very first contact, Susanne was wonderful. She listened carefully to our wishes, understood my mobility needs, and helped create a personalized Swiss adventure.
Claire and George is based in Bern, where we stayed at the Hotel Kursaal. We were delighted when Susanne came to our hotel to welcome us personally and join us for drinks. After months of correspondence, it was such a pleasure to finally meet her!
Susanne arranged our hotels, chauffeur-driven excursions, guides, and personalized travel experiences. We simply told her where we wanted to go, and she made it happen!
Throughout our journey, she has been extraordinarily supportive, attentive, and available whenever we needed assistance. Traveling with a wheelchair presents challenges that most travelers never have to consider, and having someone who understands those challenges makes an enormous difference.
We are so grateful to Susanne and the Claire and George Foundation for helping make this Swiss adventure possible.
For anyone considering a visit to Switzerland who needs accessible travel arrangements, we enthusiastically recommend Claire and George!