Experience and enjoy, be out and about and stop for a bite to eat - it is not without reason that Switzerland is one of the most popular vacation destinations for Germans. Here, people live the modern age and preserve the traditions of the centuries. The majestic mountains invite you to go hiking and skiing, while excellent restaurants delight families and gourmets alike. It is no wonder that the world owes not only the pocket knife and zipper to the Swiss, but also the garlic press, potato peeler, Bircher muesli and fondue.

A cheese without equal

Now there are inventions, trademarks - and legends. The latter include Swiss cheese and, in particular, Le Gruyère AOP. Once tasted, it stays in the memory forever. So it makes sense to pay a visit to the home of this aromatic hard cheese. The wheels are stored here on spruce shelves for up to 24 months before being sliced and packaged for delivery all over the world. Their home is as unique as the cheese itself. Le Gruyère AOP comes from the Gruyère region in western Switzerland. As early as the 16th century, alpine farmers here produced long-life cheese to preserve their cows' milk over the winter. The production of the cheese was perfected further and further, and today varieties such as Le Gruyère AOP are subject to strict rules and controls. The best grass for the best milk, the best milk for the best cheese - guaranteed.

On site with the happy cows

In the heart of Europe lies Switzerland, in the heart of Switzerland lies the canton of Fribourg, in the heart of Fribourg lies the Gruyère region (French: La Gruyère). In summer, you can climb and hike here, take the cable car to the adventure park near Charmey and whizz down into the valley on a scooter bike from the middle station. You can spend wonderful days kayaking or swimming on Lake Gruyère. Mountain karting, summer tobogganing or minigolf? No problem at Moléson, whose summit is almost exactly 2000 meters above sea level. And if you don't want to be quite so active, simply enjoy the incomparable view from a bench or perhaps explore Gruyères Castle and its 800-year history. When winter comes to the mountains, it gets cold quickly and snow is guaranteed. In sturdy shoes, thick

jackets and warm mittens, the region is no less worth experiencing. In addition to skiing and winter hikes, there are also excursions to show farms and museums. In the district capital of Bulle, for example, you will find the "Musée gruérien", which presents the regional history and treasures of the traditional district. Barely ten minutes further south, La Maison du Gruyère has opened its doors. Here you can learn all about Le Gruyère AOP and watch the master cheesemakers at work. If you fancy something sweet afterwards, you might like to visit the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. The museum in honor of the Swiss artist HR -Giger, whose bizarre creations provide an interesting counterpoint to the Swiss cosiness, is of a completely different nature. If you travel a little further south, you can see how cheese has shaped the region in the Intyamon Valley: In Estavannens, Villars-sous-Mont, Grandvillard and Lessoc, the rural past can be seen on the facades of the houses and barns.

Look, marvel and feast!

You should definitely round off an eventful day with a culinary treat in one of the many restaurants. Whether fondue, raclette or a snack - the main thing is cheese. Perhaps with chilbisenf on typical Fribourg saffron bread? And for dessert, meringues with Gruyère heavy cream? There really is no shortage of culinary specialties here in the region.