The traditional craftsmanship bucket list

The Alpabzug, when farmers return to the valley with their cattle after four months on the alp, is a cultural highlight and a long-standing tradition. The farmers are greeted with a big celebration, the spectators wave and smile at them and show their respect for their work. The animals are adorned with colourful floral decorations – designing and weaving them is a centuries-old craft and takes practise: the lavish wreaths and flower crowns have must be tied tightly so that they hold up well and look beautiful even after the long march. This living tradition takes place on a weekend in September, depending on the region and weather conditions.

Wasen im Emmental is a quaint village, typical of the region, and surrounded by gentle rolling hills.Over the centuries, an incredible variety of traditional crafts has been preserved here. The Handwerkerweg Wasen (Wasen artisans trail) sees tradespeople ranging from the «Örgelibauer» (accordion maker) to the master saddler to the tailor for traditional costumes give an insight into their work. If you’re eager to learn even more, treat yourself to a fascinating guided tour with background information from the pros.

In the flower village of Huttwil in the Oberaargau region, you’ll find what’s probably the country’s leading wool business. For over 40 years, the Grädel family has been dedicated to the art of processing wool – a treat for anyone who loves the material and all its uses. The 1,000-m2 store space has just about everything you could possibly need for your wool project, from spinning wheels to looms as well as many wonderful wool products. Plus, there are lots of (live) sheep, alpacas and camels to see. And we haven’t even mentioned the different workshops!

Who knew it was this easy to travel to the Arctic Circle! A trip to the Museum Cerny will have you find yourself amidst contemporary pieces made from whale bones, walrus tusks, stone, and mammoth tusks. The exhibits were made by the peoples of the far north, mostly from Siberia as well as by the Inuit in Canada. You’ll see the themes of animals, people, communities, hunting, spirituality, the colonial past, and current challenges such as climate change reflected in the handicrafts again and again in one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in the world.

Holz Art is exactly what its name, «wood art», suggests: art made out of wood. From fox and rabbit (in soft fur coats!) to little Blumen-Marie to the hunter and, of course, the legendary Christmas figurines: everything that is sold at 36 Münstergasse in Bern’s old town is handmade and hand-painted. The artists behind HolzArt are three women who have fulfilled their dream of running their own shop and at the same time created a place that celebrates shared values such as creativity, a great love of detail, and friendship.

“Züpfe” (plait), sourdough rolls, multi-grain bread, “Gipfeli” (croissants) – our mouth is watering just thinking about all that goodness. If you don’t only want to enjoy them during a break at work with your colleagues but are also interested to learn more about the history of baked goods and the Bernese bread scene, we recommend the “Tour de Pain” with Bernese bread sommelier Patrick Bohnenblust from Bread à Porter. It is a culinary stroll that introduces participants to the craft of baking, lets them taste different products paired with drinks, and provides exciting historical facts about Bern’s old town – leaving you and your colleagues equipped with lots of interesting bits of information to bring up at your next get-together.

What is a restaurant other than a place where you eat? “Essort” means “eating place”, and the philosophy behind this eatery is just as simple as its name: the dishes are not attributed to a specific cuisine but rather celebrate the “art of simplicity”. The ingenious, refined combinations are inspired by the Mediterranean, the Middle East and everywhere in between. Authentic and simple. The menu changes daily and varies depending on the season. What they do have year-round are their homemade ice creams and sorbets. How about a scoop of almond sorbet? Or some baked apple ice cream? Or would you prefer a refreshing elderflower sorbet?

“The World’s Unique Jazz Hotel” welcomes its guests into an elegant setting with a special ambiance, offering 26 themed rooms inspired by the music of the south of the USA. Have you spotted the picture of Lionel Hampton? The heart of this Bernese jazz gem is the world-famous Marians Jazzroom where, from September to May, there are two jazz, gospel, blues or soul concerts every evening from Tuesday to Saturday.