Interlaken Switzerland An Unpolluted Paradise

< i>Attracting droves of           spectrum of sensory bliss as you   tourists every year, Europe     skip from one country to the       promises the ancient, the       next, searching for that tiny      diverse, and the completely           unique detail that you will        fascinating. Most travelers           fondly relish for the rest of      scurry past the major sites and       your life.                     cram in as much as possible in                                           order to get through a list of        You've got to wonder where the     'must sees.' Unfortunately, much      Swiss go to relax and unwind as    is overlooked due to lack of time     their entire country is pure       and money while the infinite          heaven. Chocolate, yodeling,       unique treasures sometimes hidden     mocha-colored cows with bells      for the resourceful traveler          that gently sing with each step,   remain undiscovered and               and charming chateaus – all set    unappreciated. Not that visits to     within the mountainous bliss of    the key attractions should be         the Alps. I can't speak for all    dissuaded!                            Swiss, but plenty of them as well                                        as masses of international         On the contrary, I'm simply           visitors migrate to the quiet      inviting the European travelers       town of Interlaken each year.      to dig a little deeper into their                                        destination country and find the      Interlaken's name means 'between   gems that will make them smile as     the lakes' … appropriate, as it    they recall them even decades         sits elbow-to-elbow between the    later. Remember and celebrate the     Thun and Brienz Lakes. Scenery     taste of a fresh German pretzel,      meant for a jigsaw puzzle, this    the sweet smell of the air in a       Swiss Town blends a traditional    Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft     look with modern times. Ice-cold   petals in a colorful field of         alpine waters boisterously rush    Dutch tulips. Savor an entire         through the town. Colored with a   slightly blue-green tinge from        Conversely, those in need of an    the mountain minerals, it             adrenaline rush in the mist of     provides a source of power for        this quaint village can hire the   the area. This water power            services of a local paragliding    ensures an uninterrupted energy       company. Take a deep breath and    supply and residents and visitors     jump with one of many experienced  alike enjoy breathing the             paraglider pilots – let the wind   invigoratingly crisp, fresh air.      gently lift you up and carry you                                         off the side of a mountain, over   A simple walk around town is          hundreds of toothpick-sized pine   enough to excite the sense –          trees. Despite wind-burned         trendy shops, traditional gifts       cheeks, freezing fingers, and the  and books, and restaurants that       deafening hum of the cold wind in  practically drag in a passerby        your ears, a paragliding trip is   with the tantalizing aromas           well worth the unsurpassed         floating out from the kitchen.        birds-eye view of the sparkling    The Metropole Hotel claims the        lakes below.                       best view in town – climb to its                                         rooftop restaurant and take in        (Note to iSnare editor: These      the breathtaking panorama while       articles are reprinted with        enjoying a tasty lunch. Hikers        permission of Vicki Landes,        can continue their strolls up the     author of Europe for the Senses.   peaks of the Jungfrau, Eiger, and     The first two paragraphs are an    Mönch Mountains. Those not            introduction for each article,     wanting to travel vertically can      but the body of each article       instead take a boat ride out on       describes a different location in  one of the crystal clear lakes        Europe. This article is about      that reflect the brilliant blue       Interlaken).                       heavens and towering summits.                                                                                                                     background-color: #F5F7FB;            align="center">                    About the Author: Vicki Landes is the author and photographer of Europe for the Senses, a Photographic Journal. She has been soaking up Europe for the last six years and has visited 42 countries. Learn more at Europe for the Senses Published At: www.Isnare.com