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The traditional ways to travel between the UK and Switzerland are plane, train and car. 2022 turned out to be the year we used the channel tunnel to make the trip for the first time. We drove from Bern to England and then back a few weeks later. It was an experience to remember! And one that’s worth talking about and sharing with you.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

• Why did we end up driving by car? What is the advantage?
• Which route did we take, how long is the journey and how are the stops on the way?
• Which route to take, how long is the journey and how are the stops on the way?
•  Recommendations in our Facebook Group.
• The Channel Tunnel video on YouTube.

Learning Swiss German

Our word(s) in this episode: 'Plapperä' and 'Plapperi'.

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It took around two years, but the moment has finally come. Ten months after the final interview a confirmation letter arrived in the post: Jo is Swiss! Now that's worth talking about.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

What happened so far: Check out our other episodes on 'How to become Swiss'. What happened since the interview What changes after becoming Swiss What's next?

Learning Swiss German

Our word in this episode is: 'Gschtabi'.

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The BEA is open! This annual traditional Swiss fair is a must-see for anyone living in or around Bern and it's open until May 8 this year. From donkey displays to fairground rides and the chance to sample local beers and a staggering range of cheese, there is so much to see for children and adults. 

We recorded while out on a day trip in Switzerland, so there's not one, but two recommendations of places to visit in this episode. One of them is an insider tip about a slightly hidden place.

 Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

• The BEA website with prices, opening hours and tickets
• The map to find your way around the event
• A hidden place for you to check out in Switzerland: Schwarzsee (Black Lake): find two on our website.

Learning Swiss German

Our word in this episode is: 'Zuckerwatte'.

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Snow, a frozen lake and beautiful mountains: there aren't many more things you need to complete the perfect Swiss winter destination. When we headed to St. Moritz in January 2022 we had high expectations for this famous ski resort with a glitzy reputation. And it absolutely lived up to them! With breathtaking winter scenery and vintage Winter Olympics sights, there is lots to do here even if you're not skiing. 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

• Reasons to go (there's more to see than the ski slopes!)
• How to get there
• Where to stay
• What to do while you're there

Learning Swiss German

This episode's word is: Iischzapfä. Hint: you'll see a lot of these in Switzerland in the winter!

Don't forget to visit our website for photos.

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What is it really like to move to Switzerland? In the second of two episodes looking back at when Jo first relocated from the UK, we delve into some of the unexpected sides to setting up a new life among the Swiss. In this episode we cover:

• Differences in lifestyle between England and Switzerland
• The surprises that come with renting a flat
• Working in Switzerland and finding a job

Previous episodes we refer to in the show:

• How to find an apartment in Switzerland as an expat
• How to find a job in Switzerland as an expat

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Jo moved to Switzerland just over a decade ago, so it seemed to be about time to talk about her experience, the highlights, and what she would do differently if she would do it all over again.

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If you have a British-Swiss child and live in Switzerland, like we do, how do you go about getting their first passports? In this episode we'll explain everything from organising all of the documents to taking a suitable picture of your little one. 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

• Organising the Swiss passport: where to get it, what you need and how to take a picture.
• The British passport: The long list of documents, how to organise them and roughly how long it takes. Start with the online form.

Learning Swiss German

This week's word is: 'Schoggijob'

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It's the big moment in the Swiss citizenship process: finally you will meet someone face-to-face who will decide whether all the paperwork you have collected, all the forms you have filled out and all the studying you have done is enough to make you a viable candidate for becoming Swiss.

My moment finally came when I was invited to the office that handles citizenship applications in Bern. I've read so many reports in the media about the difficult questions posed at these interviews and heard numerous horror stories about people being grilled on matters of Swiss society and history, or being asked highly personal questions. What actually happened was something quite different.

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Vines, food and splendid views: if you're looking for a short and easy walk to do by yourself or when you have visitors in town, this is an episode for you! We talk about a scenic, circular walk in canton Bern that will take you from the village of Twann to Ligerz, via the vineyards and back along the lakeside to Twann. 
To get to Twann, you can go by train or park your car at the train station.

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Once you have fulfilled all of the criteria to apply to become Swiss (take a look at our previous episodes in this mini-series if want to know more about this), you will be faced with filling out "the form". This is where you provide all of your personal details including your entire education history and certificates, Swiss employment history, references and more. In this episode, I explain exactly which documents I had to gather as part of the more than 50 pages I had to put together.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

• How long is the form?
• Where do you get the form from?
• What kind of information do you need to fill in?
• Who can be a reference?
• Do you need to order extra documents or certificates?
• What else is important to remember when filling out the form?
• How long does it take and when can you start?
• What happens when you have finished the form?

Learning Swiss German

This episode's word is: Häbel. We explain what it means, its other forms and when to use it.

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