Don - Raclette in a Caves
7th December St Beatus-Hohlen Cave
This occurs on the first Friday of every month, but, December in Switzerland and raclette is a combination you can’t deny.
Eating Raclette in December in Switzerland gives you all the warm and fuzzies. Well, you’ve never done it in this setting.
The St. Beatus Caves on Lake Thun, about 45 minutes south east of Bern, are one of the largest natural wonders in the Bernese Oberland. Since 1904 guests from all over the world have flocked to see these caves.
On Friday from 6-9 p.m. not only can you experience these caves but experience while eating that hot, melty cheese. A welcome drink greets you at the entrance of the cave where more than than 100 candles are lit among the tables and chairs, like you’d find in a restaurant.
Drinks, like tea, water wine and coffee along with raclette and a sweet surprise highlight the menu.
This will cost you. Adults are CHF 89.- and children are CHF 55.- You do get three to four hours in the cave along with a guided tour.
The cave extends for more than a kilometre where a well-lit walkway allowed you to discover the, stalactites and stalagmites that have been formed by nature for over millions of years. It is truly an indescribable atmosphere deep underground.
This occurs on the first Friday of every month
Up until 1,900 years ago a terrifying dragon is said to have been up to mischief in a large cave at Lake Thun. Only the wandering Irish monk Beatus succeeded in driving away the dragon. Today the marvellous grotto world can be entered without risk.
The St. Beatus Caves, which are located on the northeastern shore of Lake Thun, near Interlaken, lead deep into the interior of the immense Niederhorn Massif. Electrically lighted, easily hiked trails that delve up to 1000 meters into the depths, lead past roaring subterranean waterfalls, through narrow passages and to grottos with stalactite and stalagmite formations.
A prehistoric settlement as well as the cell of St. Beatus can also be viewed in the caves.
Suzi - Harley Niggi Naggi
8th December Basel
Each Harley will have a rider dressed as Santa, and each Harley is decorated for Christmas. Maybe you’ll see an angel or Rudolph riding with santa, but you will definitely see bikes decorated with lights, trees, toys, music, and ornaments.
The route is a quick ride through town, first down claraplatz, then around Petersgraben, off towards Barfusserplatz, then around Spalenberg finally finishing in Marktplatz. The full tour lasts about 15-25 mins, and spectators can stand on any road side on the route.
The fun continues when the motors are switched off at Marktplatz. This is where you need to be if you would like to receive a Niggi Naggi Sackli. A saggli is a hessian bag filled with St Nicks christmas goodies - mandarins, peanuts in the shells, traditional lebkuchen and chocolate coins. Lebkucken is a glazed spiced cake like biscuit made with spices and honey with a distinctive image on the front - usually St. Nick.
Riders will greet children, hand out the saggli and take pictures with you - if you’re a bike enthusiast you might be able to squeeze a question or two in about their bike but don't count on it.
There will be Christmas stalls with gluhwein and punch, for the adults.
At Marktplatz you can make a donation to support the chosen charity:
The charity that is supported by this event is Foundation Theodora, which provides Giggle Doctors in children's hospitals with the aim of easing the pain through fun and laughter. In 2013 58 Giggle Doctors visited 90,000 children in 34 hospitals and specialised departments throughout Switzerland.
They don't just have Giggle Doctors, they also have the Mr & Mrs Dream program, which provides help, fun and laughter for those children who are not sick but live with disabilities.
Last year this event raided 38,000 CHF for the charity.
