Transformational Travel: Embracing Age-old Activities in Switzerland
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Across the globe, in recent years, there seems to be an ever-increasing sense of national pride. As we’ve seen, this comes with both positives and negatives. The Swiss have taken a different approach; however, and it is quite refreshing to see this movement being spurred by the youth. A younger generation that openly welcomes partaking in age-old activities in Switzerland. Amidst our technological advancements of the current era, they have embraced many traditions and pastimes passed on by their forefathers.
How??? You ask? By igniting a competitive spirit in engaging in simplistic activities that bring them together through both comradery and history.
Embracing age-old activities in Switzerland
Hole in one!! Wait…wrong sport
Bowling
My dad loves bowling. He goes several times per week and I, embarrassingly, admit that it’s one of the few sports he can actually defeat me in. Modern-day bowling allies offer everything from fancy footwear to accessories to Rock N Roll glow in the dark bowling. In Switzerland; however, I was able to experience this activity as never before—in its natural state, high in the mountains, on grass with wooden pins. No multiple lanes, no electronic scoreboard, just brute strength and peaceful surroundings.
Music
“Don’t call it a comeback.” –LL Cool J
With Pop, Hip-Hop, and more contemporary musical genres dominating the airwaves, many Swiss youth have turned back the clocks. They have come together to resurrect the lost art of the yodel. On a warm, summer day in Switzerland, there is nothing more serene than the sound of a beautiful voice naturally amplified by nature as it echoes across the Swiss hills and valleys.
Bring it from the belly
Sport
“Can you SMELLLLLLLL what the rock is cooking!” –The Rock
While the Japanese have Sumo and Americans have WWE, the Swiss also have their own original form of wrestling. Schwingen, also locally known as Hoselupf, is a folk wrestling style native to Switzerland that dates back as far as the 13th century. Grips and throws dominate the techniques of this event as it pits two men against one another where the first to land on his back is the loser. Originally a pastime of herdsmen, the sport has emerged into an elite competition in recent years and features several national tournaments.
Embracing a foreign culture
There are various other age-old activities in Switzerland that can be enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike. The list above; however, represents just a small sample size of these activities. One of the many delights of travel is gaining the knowledge of a new culture. Nothing against the all-inclusive experience of a resort but, personally, my travels have been more transformational when I allow myself to get out and explore amongst the natives. Stepping beyond the comfort zone, venturing down an unbeaten path, and joining in on some original, authentic activities.
Go ahead and take a shot at something new…what are you waiting for!
In the comments below, whether foreign or domestic, share some original activities you’ve participated in during your travels!
49 Comments
Bowling is pretty cool. I go out with friends and family all the time. This however seems more interesting.
I wanted to go to Switzerland and I hope soon
I learned some interesting things in this post. I never heard of the Swiss wrestling style. I’ve always wanted to try to yodel. It’s definitely on my list of places to visit.
That looks so cool. Participating in those kinds of activities seems fun. You must have really enjoyed your visit.
Wow. Giant bowling. Im sure your dad had fun. In most of my travel with the family, i often babysit. Hihi. But when with friends, i swim, zipline, and had fun. So happy you had fun.
I love your posts about Switzerland although they are making me desperate to visit! It looks like such a peaceful place to go to!
When I think of Switzerland all that comes to my mind is greenery and hiking when we were there. Nice to know there’s more to it.
These activities are so much fun and interesting activities.It is true to say that Switzerland is a beautiful country.Recently we had a weekend getaway in a resort.So my husband loved bowling and kid loves to spend his time at the swimming pool.Sports and games are always great to spend time.But,for me I love to spend time in relaxing activities.:) Because,this is something I cant find in day to day life…. 🙂
Interesting little known details of Switzerland. I was never aware of their form of wrestling.
The bowling too looks fun and interesting. Hopefully I can travel there again to see this.
What a great idea for a post! I would love the opportunity of yodeling on top of my lungs! I love that we’re able to still get in touch with the days of old:)
One of the most original activities I’ve participated in during my travels has to be learning how to make Moroccan mint tea from a local. Another great experience has to be taking a free walking guide as you discover the city and meet new people
We swam with stingrays in the Cayman Islands. It was amazing and scary at the same time.
These activities look like a lot of fun! Bowling is always my go to, but I would love to learn the proper way to yodel.
I am going to visit Switzerland one. I hear it is a very beautiful place and would love to experience some of their old age activities.
I wanted to go to Switzerland and I hope soon. When I saw the bowling wooden pins, I was like, “Wow, that’s so cool!” they are so big, and it will be impossible to miss a pin on that one, haha. Really great experience for you to try those age old activities 🙂
this looks like so much fun ! really I wish I was there to participate ! Switzerland is one of my favorite countries to visit
even I love to explore amongst the natives, exploring local culture is the best of all.
That looks so fun! I agree that the best experience is hanging out with the natives 🙂 I would love to hear yodeling in person!
Nothing compare to an age old activities. I find it physically engaging, which is really great. I haven’t been to Switzerland and would love to go here and experience all what it has to offer. I love all your photos it reminds me of a provincial life in my country. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I truly love reading your blog post.
Switzerland reminds me of snow and designer watches. The scenery looks spectacular.
The traditional way of bowling looks like a lot of fun. I suspect it is not as easy as it looks.
Looks amazing. A country that is on my bucket list to visit. Someday soon I hope
Oh my God. I went on line once looking up tutorials on how to yodel. So cool. I like that. I also love the bowling outside idea. That seems really fun.
Switzerland look like a fun place to be. You really did embrace the culture there and you gave some great tips.
What a great way for youth to connect with their elders! I have always wanted to go to Switzerland, and I will make it happen one day!
I would love to visit Switzerland. I heard the view was amazing!!
Switzerland looks like A LOT of fun and I can;t wait to visit. When I travel to Europe next, that’s where I am going. I love exploring when I travel with my family. Learning the culture Etc
I think all these activities look great. They make a good chance and they are outdoors so even better! I would love to stay in Switzerland for a weekend or so. But i’d probably be keener on visiting basel and geneva! xx corinne
Switzerland is such an amazing looking country. It is somewhere I would love to go one day, it seems to have some amazing sights to see as well as interesting things to get involved in.
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I think embracing another culture while traveling is what’s its truly all about. See how they live their lives and always do as the locals do!
I think I will be enjoying the traditional way of playing bowling instead of the modern bowling alley. I feel like I will have a greater chance of winning against my husband hahaha but I could be wrong! The ball looks very heavy.
I believe that each country has a different activity that is incomparable to other places. It was nice to discover those activities that they do in Switzerland. Here in the PH, we also have those different kind of activities like Palo Sebo where you have to reach the top of a bamboo with some oil on its body. It makes reachong hard and that is the challenge on it. i think it is better to experience that kind of activities personally.
I think that taking part in a yodeling class must be so much fun. Even just hearing the professionals yodeling, surrounded by the magnificent scenery, must make you think of Heidi. 🙂
Nothing beats old school activities! I think it’s awesome that Switzerland is sticking to their old traditions! I’d love to go there someday. I’m sure the music is amazing and very calming.
I love that despite the ever changing world, they’re able to stick to their old activities! I appreciate that very much! It would be nice to witness these or experience some of them personally! Switzerland is a beautiful place!
When I think of Switzerland, I think of snow and mountains. I love learning that there is more than snow there,
These look like really fun activities! The last major activity I did was when I went horseback riding up and down a mountain in Trinidad, Cuba, and we went on a mini-hike during the ride. It was truly an authentic experience.
My husband went to Switzerland and brought back beautiful photographs of the Swiss Alps. I love that your trip was so engaging with different activities.
I went to Lucerne, Switzerland 14 years ago. Too bad I didn’t do any old school activities. But I enjoyed lots of jazz in the streets and delicious foods there.
Exploring amongst the natives is the best thing you can do when traveling. Instead of getting the tainted tourist perspective in tourist only areas and activities, you get a real look into the life and culture of the people.
Switzerland is an interesting country. I would love to hear yodeling live.
Ah yodeling. I would love to hear that in person. Switzerland looks beautiful. Definitely on my list for overseas travel.
I would say receiving a massage by a monk in a temple in Bangkok, Thailand!
That sounds pretty awesome! I’ve gotten plenty of massages but none by a monk.
It looks like they are a great with these activities. I love bowling. It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy together no matter the age. Switzerland is on my bucket list.
I love bowling as well…family bowling gatherings used to be the best.
I love that what is old is new again. I would love to experience bowling like they do in Switzerland. I love bowling with the family.
It was quite the experience…be forewarned though, those wooden balls are heavy!
Great tips and it looks like fun! I have a long layover in Switzerland later this year so I will refer back to this!
My husband and I ate Mc Donald’s in Mexico, lol!