SWITZERLAND

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Our destination today seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale! Every corner is worthy of a postcard. The villages are so charming that you'll want to live in one, and the lakes reflect mountains that look like paintings. Have you guessed where we are? You're right: in the incredible Switzerland!

The months we spent there were intense. Our schedule was more packed than an over-exaggerated tourist's suitcase, there was always something new to explore. Seriously, 24 hours was an insult to so many wonderful places to visit.

If there's one thing that makes my eyes shine, it's a country that takes the protection of the environment and animals seriously. And look, Switzerland is a great example. Just to give you an idea, it's the only country that protects animal dignity in its Constitution. In other words, no mistreatment or suffering. Respecting animals isn't just a matter of common sense, it's the law!

And it doesn't stop there! Did you know that in the world of pets, solitude is practically forbidden? Well, in the case of guinea pigs, for example, the rule is clear: no being an only child! These little animals are so sociable that the law requires that they have at least one life partner, or that they live in a real piggy republic. The same logic applies to rabbits and birds. Let's face it, no one is happy alone, not even pets!

Now, get this: until 2016, there was a law that required dog owners to take a theoretical and practical socialization course. Yes, you read that right! A real school to teach owners how to make their dogs well-adapted to the world.

If you're going to leave your pet alone all day while you work, I'm warning you: you'd better rethink your concepts. The law strongly advises against leaving pets unsupervised for long periods of time. The recommended maximum is 4 to 5 hours. If your neighbor decides to report it, there may be periodic inspections. In some cases, those who spend the day away need to prove that they have more than one pet at home or, surprisingly, that they hired a pet sitter.

Cats are no exception to the rule. Many shelters and breeders only allow adoption or sale if you already have another feline in the house. Don't raise a lonely little sovereign, he needs company for his mischief. If the idea was to have only one cat, forget it. People take this rule seriously and are not joking around. The moral of the story is that if you want a pet, you need to be ready to double the fun - because alone, never.

Now, changing the subject from duck to goose, when it comes to nature preservation, Entlebuch is a spectacle in itself. It’s no wonder that it was chosen by UNESCO as the first and only Biosphere Reserve* in the country. Imagine miles of breathtaking landscapes, with seemingly endless shrubs and grasses, all surrounded by the majestic Alps. We spent an entire day exploring, hiking and, of course, having a beautiful picnic in the middle of nowhere – who needs a restaurant when you have a setting like this? Meanwhile, our dog, Scott, enjoyed the freedom, running around happily. Yes!

MORGARTEN

We went to visit the picturesque village of Mürren, where cars are not allowed and you can only get there by cable car – because, you know, they are not content with just having incredible scenery, they also make the journey unforgettable! After a good walk, we came across an unusual minibar in the middle of nowhere filled with cheese, yogurt and butter. Next to it, a wooden box with a price list for you to put your money in. The Swiss self-service system works on the basis of total trust, no cameras or salespeople, just pick up, pay and go.

And that's how, among mountains, lakes and a great sense of honesty, Switzerland won us over once and for all. Who can resist a place where even a snack in the middle of nowhere is an extraordinary experience?

But our adventures in Switzerland were far from over! Everyone knows the country for its cheese, chocolate and freezing cold, but it’s also home to the most popular winter destination for celebrities, Gstaad. Since we went at the end of summer, the city was very quiet, perfect for exploring without bumping into a million skiers.

This is where we had a unique experience with the local culture. After a nice dinner, we left the restaurant and suddenly a deafening noise filled the place! Scott went into panic mode, probably thinking an alien invasion was happening. I left him with my husband and went to investigate.

I discovered that one of the most traditional – and noisy – rituals in Switzerland is the descent of the Alps , or Alpabzug , the great cow parade! Here’s how it works: in the summer, the cows have a VIP vacation in the mountains and spend months grazing peacefully on the greenest and most gourmet grass on the planet. But when September and October arrive, it’s time to go home. Of course, in Switzerland even the cows do it in style!

The city stops and watches the parade. Shepherds in traditional Swiss costumes lead the procession through the streets, while the cows parade in pomp and ceremony, wearing colorful floral headdresses, giant bells and beautifully embroidered blankets. Each jingle of the bells seems to mark the rhythm of the festivities, and tourists – myself included, of course – go crazy with all the tradition and beauty. The event is so grand that the Swiss authorities want to make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And you know what? I totally support it! Because few things in the world are as iconic as a parade of cows dressed for the occasion!

But our time in paradise wasn’t all about breathtaking landscapes. Our base was none other than Geneva, the Capital of Peace , home to countless international organizations that promote global harmony. With so much to see, the days flew by. Our faithful companion, Scott, was always with us – such a Genevan citizen that he even had his own public transport ticket. Fancy, right?

JEWISH PRISONERS OF WORLD WAR II FILES - Red Cross World Headquarters

As a curious person, I couldn't miss visiting the Red Cross headquarters. And what an experience! Walking through corridors full of files cataloging Jewish prisoners of the Holocaust was something that touched my soul. Getting to know the essence of the organization's humanitarian work is simply impressive: it protects refugees and prisoners of war, reunites families separated by conflicts, helps victims of natural disasters... a true breath of humanity in the midst of the chaos of the world.

As for the UN headquarters... well, that was just a wish, because it was closed to visitors. At least now I have a great reason to go back.

Now, if there is a famous postcard there, it is Lake Geneva, with its giant fountain that seems to want to reach the clouds, and despite all the Swiss love for nature, this urban oasis is suffering from the excesses of the so-called human being . The problem is phosphate, that villain hidden in detergents, washing powders and fertilizers that ends up in the water, turning the lake into a feast for algae, which, in turn, consume oxygen and compromise aquatic life. In other words, even the lake is in urgent need of a detox.

Let's face it, if even Switzerland – all neat and organized – is having problems with its lakes, imagine us mortals here in Brazil, right? So, let's think of more ecological solutions! How about swapping those products full of phosphates for more sustainable options? Nowadays, there are tons of them in the supermarkets, and if you want to save even more, the internet is full of super-concentrated versions that we can dilute at home. More cleaning, care for our skin and less impact. Mother Nature thanks you!

And so we continued exploring Switzerland, collecting epic moments and discoveries that would leave any traveler speechless. We walked through the incredible Olympic Museum in Lausanne – we almost convinced ourselves that we still had time to become professional athletes. We visited the house where Einstein lived and tried to absorb a bit of his genius through the air, but without success. Then, we threw ourselves into the world of chocolate at the Nestlé factory – let's be honest, that is an Olympic sport that we have mastered!

But Switzerland is not just about cheese, watches and snow, it is also an invitation to solidarity. We took a break in Lucerne to run a half marathon for UNICEF children. Good deeds are talents that we take seriously.

As expected, we vegans are riding this wave of respect. From cafes to restaurants, the menu is truly amazing and there is no problem finding delicious, cruelty-free food. In the fashion world, things are also on another level: there are so many incredible vegan options that it makes you want to renew your entire wardrobe. If there is one place that makes us feel at home, it is Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Scott**, our honorary Swiss Mountain Dog, was living his best life in Alpine style.

* A biosphere is the region of the Earth where life exists, including living beings, soil, water and air. In short: it is the grouping of all the natural elements that favor and provide conditions for the maintenance of life on the planet.

** Scott came to us when he was 10 years old. His journey was brief but intense. In a short time, he collected stamps in his passport and lived unforgettable adventures. Discover his story in the book Le Voyageur. Access the link here on the website and embark on this journey with him.