zurich farm tour

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Kilchberg Farm

• Zürich Region
• Last Updated: 31 Jan 2012
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

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This small farm near Zürich is a cute working farm that is open to the public. It’s not like Jucker farm at all; it’s just a little farm with a little shop, some animals to visit, and a sandbox to play in. It’s a low-key (free) afternoon outing with super delicious fresh apple juice and milk straight from the cows. The farm has a few events during the year, particularly at Christmas and pumpkin season, where they decorate and sell special products. 

Stockengut Bauernhof Stockenstr. 84, Kilchberg. Map www.stockengut.ch

I was a little confused the first time I went, so I’ll give a little walking tour to help orient you on your visit. Once you arrive, you’ll see a big decorated building, fountain and arched entrance. I wasn’t sure if I should drive in, but yes, you should.

After driving through the arch, you will pass the self-service shop on your left and vending machines for apple juice and unpasteurized milk. Immediately after the shop, there are four parking spots on your left that are for shop customers. If you plan to stay awhile and look at the animals, instead turn right and drive up by the big barn. There are several parking spots there.

On your left, there is a grassy spot next with a sandbox with sand toys.

Walk down the road further into the farm and you’ll see the chicken coops on your left. The bathrooms are your right. Keep walking and you’ll see donkeys and goats on your left and rabbits, guinea pigs, sometimes regular pigs on your right.

Keep walking and you’ll reach the cows. You can enter the cow barn on the right or left and walk right in and get up close and personal with the cows. I wasn’t sure if it was ok to go in, but it totally is and if you’re there in the late afternoon, you can see the cows getting milked. They ask that you keep quiet and don’t run around in the cow barn as it can upset the animals. So if your kids are rowdy, come back later.

The baby cows are always a favorite with our kids, these ones were only a few months old

Well, that’s about it. Remember to bring change and empty bottles so you can get the fresh apple juice (not always in season) from the vending machines. The little shop sells eggs, potatoes, yogurt, sausage, seasonal fruit, and other products of the farm. The shop is self-service so you add up your own total and drop your money into the cash box.

• TAGS: Inexpensive , Little Kids

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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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Bächlihof Jona – the Adventure Farm by Lake Zurich

• Changing table
• Outdoor playground
• Adventure farm
• Castle of hay bales

The Bächlihof Adventure Farm is located just a few minutes’ walk from the shores of the upper part of Lake Zurich. Young adventurers can let off steam in the outdoor playground, storm a castle made of hay bales, or feed the goats in the petting zoo.

In between, visitors can fortify themselves in the farm store with coffee and cake or enjoy a tasty lunch made using seasonal produce. In addition to other regional specialties, the store also sells its own fruit.

The Bächlihof regularly hosts a variety of events. Particularly popular is the Pumpkin Exhibition, featuring amazing sculptures made from pumpkins.

Opening Hours

Open on these days.

Find here more information about the  opening times

In the Vicinity

Restaurant Bächlihof

Restaurant LO!

Landgasthof zum Zimmermann

Lido Strandbad Stampf

Accommodation

Farms offer a variety of attractive accommodations in apartments and rooms, or try sleeping in straw, in the tepee or even in a tree house.

Sleep on straw

Enjoy the extraordinary experience of sleeping on fragrant straw. A breakfast made with regional products completes the experience

Online booking

Event locations.

Great event locations with matching culinary setting. For private, club and corporate events.

Eating and drinking - fresher than anywhere else. Directly on the farm or delivered home with the party service.

An adventure farm offers holidays for the whole family. Spend your vacation riding, feeding animals, milking cows, petting ponys, riding tractors and much, much more.

Offering regional products and specialties, fresh flowers to cut yourself or fresh milk from the farm - the choices are varied and shopping becomes an experience.

Farm Olympics, children's entertainment, tastings and tours of the farm. The adventure farm offers variety and fun for young and old.

Peace and serenity, beauty and well-being. Enjoy therapies, massages and healthy eating in a rural setting.

Active farm experiences

Help feed animals, milk cows, sow seeds and harvest. Active holidays on the farm are interesting and versatile.

Riding holidays

On horseback or with a gentle pony or stubborn donkey on the way. Riding stables offer daily rides as well as multi-day trekking tours.

Wine Tourism

On your holiday at the vineyards you will learn everything about the care of the vines, the pressing, the tasting and the enjoyment of the wine.

Tour to Cheese Factory from Zurich (Private)

Immerse Yourself in Swiss Cheese History

Delve into the unique aspects of Swiss cheese history on a private tour to the Cheese Factory from Zurich. The Swiss Emmentaler was named the world’s best cheese in 2014!

Customized Experiences for Unforgettable Cheese Explorations

The factory is 1h30min away from Zurich, and the tour begins with a view of a scenic part of the Swiss countryside. 

At the cheese factory, we will embark on a 20-minute journey through underground rooms. These rooms present the history of the cheese factory and their production techniques in a fun way. In this small factory, tradition and modernity come together. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste the Emmentaler cheese, famous for its distinctive holes, and witness their cheese production process. 

Our guide will photograph you and your family along the tour providing outstanding images and the best memories!

Cheese Factory Magic with Stress-Free Convenience

You won’t have to worry about anything! We’ll make the reservations, buy the tickets, and pick you up at your hotel in Zurich for the Tour to Cheese Factory. Always ensuring that your journey through the cheese factory happens at your own pace, without rushing. At the end of the factory tour and store visit, you will have the option to enjoy a typical fondue for lunch at their restaurant.

Cheese is a huge part of Swiss culture; therefore, you cannot visit Switzerland without paying a visit to a cheese factory.

Upon request, we can also tailor your trip for special needs.

Reservation and Payment Process:

To confirm the tour price, please provide the number participants on the data fiel on the right side. The value above will then update automatically.

To begin your reservation process, kindly provide the necessary details for the trip. Following that, we will promptly send you an email confirming the availability of dates. Subsequently, a secure payment link will be provided for you to make a 20% down payment and secure the selected date. This down payment serves as a financial guarantee in case of client cancellation. The remaining payment can be made on the day of the tour, either by credit card or in cash. Please be aware that we can only confirm your reservation upon receipt of the 20% down payment. If you wish to cancel the tour, you can do so up to 30 days prior to the tour date and receive a full refund.

For more tour options and variety of experiences, we invite you to explore our selection on our website: Swiss Xplorer . Discover the possibilities and create unforgettable memories of your journey through Switzerland.

Included/Excluded

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Private transportation
• Driver/guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entry tickets

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Private Juckerfarm Day Tour With a Local in Zurich

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wander through the vibrant fields and orchards of Juckerfarm in Zurich, guided by a local expert?

The Private Juckerfarm Day Tour offers a glimpse into this enchanting experience, promising a day filled with personalized discoveries and cultural insights.

With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, visitors can expect to uncover hidden gems and enjoy the beauty of this Swiss haven.

But what exactly makes this tour stand out from the rest? Stay tuned to unravel the unique aspects that make this journey a must for anyone seeking an authentic Zurich adventure.

• Engage in hands-on farm activities and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Immerse in rural lifestyle and interact with farm animals.
• Enjoy local cuisine tasting with farm-fresh ingredients.
• Gain cultural insights and hidden gems from a knowledgeable local guide.

Here's some more nearby activities we've reviewed

• Book Online Sound and Light Show at Karnk Temple in Luxor
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Tour Highlights

Set out on a private Juckerfarm day tour in Zurich to learn about the beauty of Switzerland’s countryside and indulge in a delightful farm experience.

The tour offers a chance to escape the city bustle and witness stunning scenic views while exploring the farm. Visitors can engage in hands-on activities such as fruit picking, flower fields strolling , and even interact with farm animals.

The farm experience allows guests to learn about sustainable agriculture practices and enjoy fresh produce straight from the fields. Plus, the tour provides a serene environment perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation amidst nature’s tranquility.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with Swiss farming traditions and enjoy a peaceful day in the countryside.

Itinerary Overview

Enjoy a day full of exploration and discovery with the detailed Itinerary Overview for the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour in Zurich. The itinerary includes a perfect blend of farm exploration and local cuisine tasting, offering an authentic Swiss experience. Here’s a glimpse of what your day will look like:

Prepare to enjoy a day filled with nature, food, and cultural experiences.

Local Guide Experience

During the Local Guide Experience on the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour in Zurich, visitors will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the region’s rich cultural heritage and gain insights from a knowledgeable local guide.

This experience goes beyond mere sightseeing, offering a chance for culture through the eyes of someone who knows the area intimately. The local guide will provide unique perspectives and share hidden gems that only locals are privy to, enhancing the overall journey.

Juckerfarm Activities

Curious about the hands-on agricultural experiences available at Juckerfarm? At Juckerfarm, visitors can engage in exciting activities like pumpkin picking and interacting with farm animals. The farm offers a unique opportunity to take in the rural lifestyle and get closer to nature. Here’s a glimpse of the activities you can enjoy at Juckerfarm:

Transportation Details

At Juckerfarm, convenient transportation options are available to ensure visitors can easily access the farm for a day of agricultural exploration and enjoyment. Transport logistics are well-organized, catering to varying group sizes. Visitors can benefit from local recommendations regarding the best ways to reach the farm.

Whether arriving in a small group or as part of a larger party, the transportation options can be tailored to suit the group size . Plus, a customized route can be arranged based on specific preferences and requirements. This ensures that visitors have a smooth and enjoyable journey to Juckerfarm, setting the tone for a delightful day of farm activities and experiences.

Meal Options

Visitors can choose from a variety of delectable meal options at Juckerfarm to enhance their day of agricultural exploration and enjoyment. The farm-to-table experience at Juckerfarm ensures fresh and high-quality ingredients are used in all their dishes, providing a truly authentic taste of the local cuisine. Guests with dietary restrictions can also be accommodated, as the farm offers options for vegetarians, vegans , and individuals with gluten or lactose intolerances. Here is a glimpse of the meal options available:

Booking Information

When booking the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour in Zurich, travelers can expect a seamless reservation process that caters to their preferences and group size . The booking process is straightforward, with clear instructions for selecting the desired date and group size.

Tour availability is typically ample, but it’s recommended to book in advance to secure preferred time slots. Payment options are flexible, allowing for easy transactions through secure online platforms. The reservation process is user-friendly, providing confirmation details promptly after booking.

Viator ensures a hassle-free experience from booking to the actual tour day. Whether booking for a small group or a larger party, the process is designed to accommodate various needs efficiently.

Customer Reviews

Experiencing the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour in Zurich leaves travelers eagerly sharing their memorable adventures through glowing reviews. Visitors rave about the delicious food recommendations provided during the tour, highlighting the fresh flavors and unique culinary experiences at Juckerfarm.

Many reviewers also praise the insightful sightseeing suggestions offered by local guides, ensuring that every moment of the tour is filled with fascinating discoveries and picturesque views. From exploring the lush fields to indulging in local delicacies, guests commend the tour for its perfect blend of gastronomic delights and culture .

These enthusiastic customer reviews paint a vivid picture of a day filled with culinary delights and unforgettable experiences at Juckerfarm in Zurich.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we have reviewed.

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• Best of Zurich and Surroundings – Extended City Sightseeing Tour With a Local
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Common questions

Are there any age restrictions for participating in the juckerfarm day tour.

Age restrictions may apply for the Juckerfarm day tour. The tour operator can accommodate dietary restrictions, so guests should communicate any needs in advance. Contact the tour provider directly for specific details.

Is There a Minimum Number of Participants Required for Booking the Private Tour?

For private tours, a minimum group size may be required, affecting availability. Solo travelers should check with the tour provider before booking. Group size can influence the tour experience, so clarify this detail when planning.

Can Special Dietary Requirements or Food Allergies Be Accommodated During the Tour?

Special dietary requirements and food allergies can be accommodated during the tour. The local guide can provide customized menus and allergy-friendly options upon request. Participants can enjoy a personalized experience tailored to their specific needs.

Are There Any Additional Fees or Expenses That Participants Should Be Aware Of?

Hidden costs can impact budgeting for the tour. Participants should plan for unexpected expenses like souvenirs or personal shopping. Financial planning is key to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about additional fees.

What Is the Cancellation Policy for the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour?

The cancellation policy for the private Juckerfarm day tour offers a refund if canceled within a specified timeframe. Participants can reschedule if needed, considering weather-related cancellations or emergency situations. It’s reassuring to have options in case plans change.

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Experience the beauty and charm of Zurich like never before on the Private Juckerfarm Day Tour with a Local. From exploring lush fields to indulging in local delicacies, this personalized adventure offers a unique glimpse into the culture and history of this Swiss gem.

Book your tour now and create unforgettable memories with a knowledgeable guide by your side. Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to learn about the magic of Zurich.

My Switzerland

Farm holidays, accommodation.

Farms offer a variety of attractive accommodations in apartments and rooms, or try sleeping in straw, in the tepee or even in a tree house.

Sleep on straw

Enjoy the extraordinary experience of sleeping on fragrant straw. A breakfast made with regional products completes the experience

Are you looking for accommodation?

Event locations.

Great event locations with matching culinary setting. For private, club and corporate events.

Eating and drinking - fresher than anywhere else. Directly on the farm or delivered home with the party service.

An adventure farm offers holidays for the whole family. Spend your vacation riding, feeding animals, milking cows, petting ponys, riding tractors and much, much more.

Offering regional products and specialties, fresh flowers to cut yourself or fresh milk from the farm - the choices are varied and shopping becomes an experience.

Farm Olympics, children's entertainment, tastings and tours of the farm. The adventure farm offers variety and fun for young and old.

Peace and serenity, beauty and well-being. Enjoy therapies, massages and healthy eating in a rural setting.

Active farm experiences

Help feed animals, milk cows, sow seeds and harvest. Active holidays on the farm are interesting and versatile.

Riding holidays

On horseback or with a gentle pony or stubborn donkey on the way. Riding stables offer daily rides as well as multi-day trekking tours.

Wine Tourism

On your holiday at the vineyards you will learn everything about the care of the vines, the pressing, the tasting and the enjoyment of the wine.

+41 (0)44 710 50 50 (7:00 - 21:00)

Mountains, Cheese & Chocolate

Discover the secrets behind Switzerland’s cheese and chocolate on our premium small group tour to Eastern Switzerland! Trace the path of milk from grazing cows on lush meadows to the Appenzeller show dairy and a boutique chocolate manufacturer and take in grand views from the aerial cable car to Hoher Kasten.

• Take the aerial cable car to Hoher Kaster for breathtaking Alpine views
• Taste a glass of fresh milk at a typical Swiss dairy farm
• Discover the secrets of Swiss cheese at the Appenzeller show dairy
• Sample delicious artisan chocolates at a local chocolate boutique
• Explore the traditional village of Appenzell on a guided walk

Tour description

Set out on a scenic drive along beautiful Lake Zurich via the city of Rapperswil with its medieval castle to the gently rolling hills of the Appenzellerland with photo stops en route. Discover a typical Swiss farm and taste a glass of fresh cow milk. Find out how precisely this natural Swiss milk is turned into Switzerland's tangiest cheese at the Appenzeller show dairy in Stein AR.  Marvel at the imposing cellar storing up to 12,500 wheels of cheese and try to guess the top secret ingredients of the world-famous Appenzeller cheese during a cheese tasting . 

Board the aerial cable car up to Hoher Kasten at 1,794 m a.s.l. and relish a splendid 360 degree panorama view over the majestic Alpstein massif, the Rhine Valley, Lake Constance, the Principality of Lichtenstein and Austria. Enjoy a regional lunch at the spectacular revolving restaurant before descending to the valley. Follow your tour guide on a walk through the quaint village of Appenzell and learn about the ancient traditions and customs of this region while browsing local specialty shops in the pedestrian zone with its decoratively painted wooden facades. Visit a boutique chocolate manufacture and follow the Maître Chocolatier's explanation of the artisan craft of chocolate making before indulging your senses during a chocolate tasting . Enjoy some time at leisure before heading back to Zürich with a goodie bag full of Swiss delicacies collected at the visited attractions throughout the day.

• Aerial cable car to Hoher Kasten
• Appenzeller show dairy incl. cheese tasting
• Chocolate boutique manufacture incl. tasting
• Visit of Swiss dairy farm
• Guided village walk through Appenzell 
• Goodie bag with regional products (worth CHF 40.-)
• Small group of max. 16 guests
• Fully guided tour by professional multilingual driver-guide
• Transportation in minibus with AC and free Wi-Fi
• Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
• Lunch and drinks
• Personal expenses

Good to know

• Not suitable for infants under 6 years, exceptions only on request.

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• SWISS ACTIVITIES
• ITINERARIES

Swiss cheese factories: 8 places waiting for your visit

4    comments

In for a penny. In for a pound. 

In other words: if you say chocolate, you have to say cheese. At least in Switzerland you do.

In this  chocolate factory article , I wrote about seven places that make every sweets lover’s heart skip a beat. And since cheese and chocolate go hand in hand around here, it's about time I put together the smelly equivalent to that post.

Time to hold your breath. The fumes are coming...

1. Appenzeller cheese factory

Saying that Appenzeller cheese is strong and smelly would be an understatement. If you're after something that'll leave you with bad breath for a good couple of hours, don't miss out on this candidate.

It's called Switzerland's spiciest secret for a reason.

A total of 52 places across eastern Switzerland produce eleven different types of Appenzeller cheese. Together, they whack out almost 9.000 tonnes of cheese over the course of a year. Roughly half of which ends up in Swiss supermarkets, while the other half gets exported.

Three massive slices of cheese mark the Appenzeller cheese factory.

As you can see, the recipe of this smelly cheese is kept top-secret.

The opportunity to watch the cheese-making process is limited to one location . A visit at the Appenzeller cheese factory includes an introduction to some of the herbs and spices that make the Appenzeller cheese so strong, the opportunity to peek into their cellar where they store up to 12,500 wheels of cheese , and of course, a live demonstration area. 

Head over to their website for more information on what you can expect from your visit. 

How do you get there?

You'll find the Appenzeller cheese factory in Stein, only 17 minutes by bus from St. Gallen . Look for the building with three massive slices of cheese in front and a sign saying Schaukäserei . 

How much does it cost?

Access to the Appenzeller cheese factory costs 12 CHF. If you're heading to the Maestrani chocolate factory as well, buying a combo ticket for both factories will give you a 15% discount.

Those tickets are only available on-site, though, so let them know at the entrance that you’re interested in the combo offer.

2. La Maison du Gruyère

La Maison du Gruyère is another place that pairs up nicely with a trip to a chocolate factory. Not far from Gruyères lies Maison Cailler, the land of milk and honey you might know from my chocolate post . An excellent combination if you ask me. 

At la Maison du Gruyère, the fun starts after you’ve paid your admission. A friendly person equips you with a bunch of Gruyère samples and an audio guide, which takes you through their exhibition.

Throughout your visit, you'll be able to touch, smell, see and taste the different aspects of a cheese that's been around since the year 1115.

Believe me. After practising for over 900 years, they know their stuff.

Watch the cheese-making process at la Maison du Gruyère.

Can you count the wheels of cheese they store at their cellar?

La Maison du Gruyère is right behind the train station in Gruyères. 

Taking a stroll through the Gruyère cheese factory costs 7 CHF. Again, visiting with a Swiss Travel Pass gets you free access.

3. Emmental cheese factory

Tell a child to draw you an image of Swiss cheese and the result will be a piece of Emmental cheese. 

It doesn't get more iconic than the Emmentaler with its big holes. Malicious tongues have called these holes the tastiest part of the Emmental cheese because it isn't as strong as most of its cousins. However, it does come in stronger variations but if you're someone that’s normally intimidated by smelly, cheesy fumes, the mild Emmentaler might just be for you.

Catch a glimpse of the cheese production...

... and dive into counting cheese again. 😊

The array of events and experiences the Emmental cheese factory offers is wide, to say the least. From guided tours to a petting zoo and the opportunity to make your own cream cheese, you'll find pretty much anything. 

I recommend taking a look at  their website prior to your visit to figure out what you'd be interested in doing.

The Emmental cheese factory is in the centre of a village called Affoltern im Emmental. Getting there by train from Bern takes just under an hour.

And by the way, the Kambly biscuit factory store isn't too far from Affoltern, either. Just saying…

Unless you participate in a special workshop, access to the Emmental cheese factory is free.

4. La Maison de la Tête de Moine

If you're looking for cheese with a weird name, you've just found it. 

Tête de Moine literally translates to monk's head , which is probably as strange as it gets in terms of naming cheese. According to my research, this peculiarity leads from two facts:

• Tête de Moine was originally made by monks . So far so good. What’s more bizarre is fact no. 2, which has to do with the way this cheese is being cut.
• Instead of slicing it into pieces as you do with any other cheese, Tête de Moine gets spiked onto a special plate and scraped off with a blade. The image below illustrates what I mean. Apparently, the way the cheese scrapes off the wheel reminded people of the way monks wore their hair back in the day. Bold on top, hair to the side.

Tête de Moine gets its name from the particular way it's scraped off the plate.

How’s that for a random piece of knowledge? You’re now officially armed for trivia night.

Like Appenzeller cheese, Tête de Moine is quite salty and strong . I don't know if it's just me but every time I treat myself to a mouthful, my palate begins to sting and burn a little.

Totally worth it, though.

The place to learn more about this particular cheese is  la Maison de la Tête de Moine . It consists of a museum, an old-fashioned cheese factory, a café and a store.

This place is slightly off the beaten track, to say the least, and getting there can be a bit of a challenge. But thanks to the extensive  Swiss public transport network, it’s still doable.

You'll find la Maison de la Tête de Moine in the village of Bellelay, roughly an hour and a half from Bern.

Admission to the museum costs 6 CHF.

5. National Dairy Museum

Now, you might be a person that’s interested in cheese, but not so much in being surrounded by it all day long. Or eating it, or watching it being made, for that matter.

If this is the case, and you’re more of a history geek, the National Dairy Museum in Kiesen might be a better fit for you than the other places on this list. 

This rather small museum displays a cheese dairy from 1815 in its original state and runs you through the history of making Emmental cheese. The dairy closed its production toward the end of the 19th century and was transformed into a museum in 1974.

Kiesen is a village between Bern and Thun and easily accessible by a short train ride from either city.

Entrance to the National Dairy Museum is free.

6. Alpine cheese factory Marbach

The picturesque Entlebuch region has lots of stunning views to offer and what is more, it comes with its very own cheese dairy. While this business has been around since 1981, they only opened their modern production plant – including an appealing visitors’ gallery – in 2008. 

And did I mention they use milk from their own cows and buffalos to produce all kinds of delicacies? You can watch them make cheese in the morning. I recommend heading out there in the morning, as that's when the fresh milk arrives and the cheese makers are busiest. So there's lots to see through those big windows.

Before you set out on a journey to Marbach, I recommend taking a good look at their beautifully designed and very helpful website . 

Hard to decide on which cheese to buy here...

Watch the pros making cheese through a window.

You'll find the stunning Entlebuch region, and therefore the village of Marbach, approximately halfway between Bern and Lucerne. The train passing through Escholzmatt, where you transfer to a bus to Marbach, also stops in Trubschachen, home of the Kambly biscuit . 

The visitor area is free to access during shop hours . If you can get a group of 10 people together, joining a guided cheese tasting tour costs 5 CHF per person. Please call ahead to book that tour. 

7. Alpine cheese factory Morteratsch

At the Alpine cheese factory in the alpine Engadin region, cheese and mountain views come in one. You'll learn everything about their ancient cheese-making traditions and if this leaves you hungry for more, make sure you stay for brunch , lunch or an afternoon snack. 

Unfortunately, their website only comes in German. But it’s still a great resource to see what awaits you in Pontresina. After all, a picture is sometimes worth a thousand words.

Please note that cheese production only happens during the alpine season , which is between June and October. Maybe check their website prior to planning your visit to make sure you don’t arrive outside of their opening hours. 

The Alpine cheese factory is very close to the mighty Morteratsch glacier.

Be warned. This one isn’t just around the corner from Zurich or Bern. Pontresina lies in the Engadin, which is part of the Canton of Grisons.

To get to the cheese dairy, hop on the train or bus in Pontresina and get off in Morteratsch. This might be a great side trip if you’re visiting St. Moritz or crossing over from Italy.

Call ahead if you’re planning on treating yourself to their delicious alpine brunch, which is 35 CHF per person.  

8. Airolo cheese factory

The best time of the day to visit Airolo cheese factory is in the morning, between 8 and 12 o'clock. That’s when the milk gets delivered to the factory and the process of turning it into cheese begins. You’re free to stay in their viewing area for as long as you please and observe the cheesemaker's every move. 

No doubt you’ll feel tempted to grab a bite at their shop or at the restaurant. Apart from cheese, they also produce cream, butter, yoghurt and even ice cream.

So knock yourself out. Or maybe take a stroll through their museum for digestive purposes?

Airolo lies in the Canton of Ticino, the sunny south of Switzerland. It’s a bit of a mission to get there but if you happen to be exploring Ticino, a quick stop at the cheese factory might be worth a side trip.

Entrance to the cheese factory, which includes a restaurant, a shop, a museum and access to the viewing area, is free . If you’re interested in a guided tour , call ahead to make a reservation and expect to pay around 50 CHF for the tour.

Say cheese...

As you can imagine, this list only scratches the surface of all the places producing cheese in Switzerland. After all, there are over 450 different cheeses around here and it’s impossible to cover them all.

But you now have a pretty good idea of where to head if you’re itching to visit a Swiss cheese factory or two. 

One thing I’d also like to mention is that most farmers who take their cows and goats up into the mountains during summer produce their own Alpkäse (Alpine cheese). In my opinion, this is the best cheese in the whole world. But that’s my personal preference. 

All you need to do to find one of the many Alp huts selling fresh Alpine cheese is go for a hike and look for an advertising sign.

Look for one of these little Alp huts...

... to buy some delicious Swiss Alp cheese.

Let the cheese frenzy begin.

PS: If you consider yourself a cheesaholic, you can take your endeavours to the next level by downloading the cheese passport . Here’s all the information you need on the subject. 

Related posts

Swiss chocolate factories: 7 places you’d hate to miss, a day in the land of milk and honey. and free biscuits for everyone., supermarkets 101 – how to get your groceries in switzerland, leave a repl​​​​​y.

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What happened to Engelberg?

Hi Sarah, unfortunately, they closed their show dairy last year. I think they still have the shop, though..

Hi Thanks for the wonderful post. Do you know if the factory are gluten free friendly? Thx Amir

Hi Amir, you’re very welcome 🙂 Glad you liked it. Actually, cheese is always gluten free as it contains milk and no grains. So if you can’t eat gluten, you will be fine at a cheese factory. Have fun, Seraina

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Dairy tour and cheese tasting

Tourismus Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair AG Chasa Riva 7563 Samnaun Dorf Phone  +41 (0)81 861 88 30 samnaun.ch

During a tour of the dairy, the visitors obtain insight into the production of the Samnaun mountain cheese. The popular semi-hard cheese is aged between three months and a year in the cheese cellar. After the tour, the guests will take part in a tasting of the savoury cheese.

General information

Group & pricing information, booking information.

Tourismus Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair AG Chasa Riva 7563  Samnaun Dorf Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)81 861 88 30 [email protected] samnaun.ch Show Route

Tourismus Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair AG Chasa Riva 7563 Samnaun Dorf Phone  +41 (0)81 861 88 30 samnaun.ch Show Route

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Samnaun snowshoe hike, samnaun behind the scenes of the double-decker railroad, samnaun guided hike monday, samnaun early morning game viewing, samnaun family day in the adventure castle altfinstermünz, samnaun samnauner gipfelgenuss - festival of culinary delights, samnaun experience history in the altfinstermünz.

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Price per person in double room valid: 16.06.2024 - 31.08.2024

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Stable visit

A stable visit and farm experience: an excursion for all the family

Are you planning an excursion to the countryside with your family? Are you looking for a special activity for them? Visiting a stable on a farm is an unforgettable experience – meeting farm animals and stroking and feeding them. You’ll find out how farm animals live and how important they are for agriculture and nature. Swiss farmers give you insight into the production of food on the farm as well as explaining what work has to be done in the fields and meadows and what grows there. A stable visit is a worthwhile excursion and an experience that will make a lasting impression. More than 370 farms in Switzerland offer you the opportunity to explore agriculture for yourself. A stable visit not only constitutes a particularly suitable excursion for children but is also of interest to adults. Visiting a farm doesn’t cost anything. Find a farm to experience near you at: www.hofsuche.stallvisite.ch (in German).

Find a farm now

Get to know farm animals and see how they live.

When you visit a stable, you’ll learn all about farm animals like cows , pigs , poultry , goats , horses and sheep, plus a great deal more. The farming family will explain to you on-site just how important the animals are for looking after the landscape and will show you how they use and care for them. In the Farm Search, you can find out what to expect on the farm that you would like to visit.

Where does our food come from?

Do you pay attention to the origin of the foods that you put in your shopping trolley and the way in which they have been produced? Are you also aware of how and where Swiss foods are produced? An excursion to a farm offering stable visits will give you the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes as far as food production is concerned and will also enable you to ask specific questions about Swiss foods. The farming family will explain the origin of milk , meat and eggs in a readily comprehensible manner and will illustrate clearly where the foods come from and how they are produced.

Experience a farm now

The experience of visiting a stable on a farm is free of charge for all the family. The farms that offer stable visits can be found in the Farm Search. And spontaneous visits are, of course, possible too. Farms offering stable visits display a “Stable Visit flag”. If you come across a farm with the “Stable Visit flag” on your next stroll or hike, the farming family will be pleased to answer your questions about the farm or on subjects such as biodiversity, animal welfare and the environment.

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Do you have questions or need help? We are here for you:

LID Sandra Siegenthaler Project lead [email protected]

This might also interest you

Farm open day.

The name says it all: on Farm Open Day, more than 100 farming families throughout Switzerland open their farm gates and invite you to come and discover life on their farm.

Numerous animals live on Swiss farms. Cows, pigs, goats and sheep as well as exotic species such as alpacas and water buffaloes contribute to a diverse agricultural sector. Livestock have become an integral part of Swiss agriculture and make an important contribution to the efficient use of our cultivated land. Get to know the different animals found on Switzerland’s farms.

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Tour Yolanda Hadid's Peaceful Farm "Where the Magic Happens" (PHOTOS)

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills  alum has the most peaceful hideaway in Pennsylvania. 

Yolanda Hadid  life has changed a lot since she appeared on  The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills . The mom of three traded her stunning Malibu mansion  for a vast farm in Pennsylvania in 2017, where she currently resides. Although the former model's life might be a little bit more quiet these days, it's clear from the photos she recently shared that there is no place she would rather be.

Go Inside Yolanda Hadid's Pennsylvania Farm and Property

How to watch.

Watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills  on  Peacock  and the Bravo App .

Yolanda's youngest child and musician, Anwar Hadid , visited the farm over the weekend with his band, Oswald . Anwar and his bandmates took to their Instagram stories where they posted a number of videos from Yolanda's house. In one photo, captured from these videos, a rainbow can be seen spanning across Yolanda's lush, green pasture. In another, an absolutely stunning sunset can be seen in the sky ahead. 

Yolanda Hadid posts a series of images of views from her farm.

Yolanda took to her own story where she posted a video of Anwar and one of his band members playing music to her cows on the guitar. "Sundown serenading cow," she wrote over the snap. In addition to the videos, Anwar took to his own Instagram Story, where he posted a photo of Yolanda doing a cold plunge outdoors on the farm. "My momma doin the ice," he wrote over the picture.

A series of images of Yolanda Hadid and her son on the farm.

Don’t miss out on the latest Bravo news:

Yolanda Hadid Shares a New Look at Her Serene Farm: "Happiness with my Jersey Boys"

Yolanda Hadid's Photos When She Was Young Prove She Was Destined to Be a Model

Take a Look Back at Yolanda Hadid's Massive Engagement Ring from David Foster (PICS)

How Yolanda Hadid's Farm Makes Her Family Feel "Normal"

Yolanda has been outspoken about how her family farm is a sanctuary for her kids. In a 2019 interview with  Elle , Yolanda's oldest child, daughter Gigi Hadid , opened up about how her mom's home is the perfect place for her and her siblings to take a break from their hectic lifestyles.

Yolanda Hadid & Kyle Richards' Throwback RHOBH Moment Left Kyle "Scared" (VIDEO)

"It's where we can all come and feel like ourselves again," Gigi told the magazine. "When I'm here, I just get in my truck and go to the store. Kids get excited at the market, but they don't take their phones out. They want us to feel normal, and that's very appreciated."

That is apparent in all of the photos that Yolanda has posted of the farm, which has horses  and  cows . It also plenty of space to host her family members and their friends, as seen from Yolanda's Instagram Story over the weekend.

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

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More From Forbes

Music tour-ism is one of the biggest travel trends.

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Fans from all over flock to Chicago’s Lollapalooza.

When Paul, John, George and Ringo touched U.S. soil in 1964, Beatlemania swept across America. With Taylor Swift hitting the stage this summer for the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour, the continent sits in the midst of an all-out Taylor tantrum.

Not only is the “Shake It Off” singer taking her catalog of chart-topping hits on a 15-city jaunt, but thousands of Swifties are joining her on the ride, too, and they’re bringing their passports, sequin skirts and hefty wallets along with them.

If the European stretch of Swift’s tour is anything close to the behemoth that swept through North and South America in 2023 — between March and December of last year, Eras became the first tour in history to earn more than $1 billion — economies in places like Dublin and Warsaw are going to see seismic changes.

Zurich’s The Dolder Grand is ready for the Swifties.

Zurich , Switzerland, where the megastar will perform on July 9 and 10, is another destination that should feel “the Taylor Swift Effect.” The energy around The Dolder Grand , a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property sitting just five miles from Letzigrund stadium, is already electric.

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“We’re expecting 100 percent occupancy while Taylor Swift is in Zurich,” says Joachim Schweier, the hotel’s senior marketing and communications manager. “These concerts are directly impacting bookings, as fans are traveling the world to see their favorite artists. The Dolder Grand and the city of Zurich are preparing for an influx of tourism during these dates. These large events draw attention to the destinations, positively impacting the hotels, retail and restaurants in the city.”

Of course, fans following their favorite acts is far from a new phenomenon. The Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix faithful happily made the trip to a Bethel, New York, farm in 1969 for Woodstock. Folks migrate to Somerset, England, from all over Europe every year for the Glastonbury Festival. Still, the impact Swift, Beyoncé and a few other marquee names are having on travel plans today is unprecedented. The Dolder Grand room rates start at $1,940 on July 8, the day before Swift hits the stage. Prices drop to $840 once she leaves for Milan .

Jackson was in complete control at the 2023 OMF.

We all know that hotel rates fluctuate around big events. What’s less common knowledge is that festival organizers play a balancing act of staying affordable while keeping afloat. “But if we want to give these fans an ultimate experience, we can’t be the only people paying for it,” says Jason “J” Carter, founder of Dallas ’ new TwoGether Land festival and Atlanta ’s successful One Music Fest. Janet Jackson and Kendrick Lamar headlined the latter two-day show that welcomed roughly 100,000 music lovers in 2023. And while the 2024 lineup won’t be announced until July, anticipation is brewing. So too are rumbles about ticket prices. “It has to be a collective effort, if you want this,” Carter says. “But price sensitivity is something that we look at and take seriously.”

Still, he insists, “Janet and Kendrick ain’t cheap! These artists are getting millions of dollars, right? Their production costs millions of dollars. It’s all related. It’s all connected. That ticket price directly reflects the talent that you see on the stage and the cost to put that thing on.”

If you’re thinking about attending One Music Fest (October 26 and 27), flying to Chicago for the SZA-anchored Lollapalooza (August 1 to 4) or going to Post Malone-headlining Festival d’été de Québec in Quebec City (July 4 to 14), know that there’s a considerable investment attached. Between concert tickets, flights, hotels, food and merchandise, the U.S. Travel Association estimates the average Swiftie spreads $1,300 across local economies. But with more people craving experiential travel, many aren’t hesitating to pull out their credit cards.

The summer is heating up with music tours and festivals.

Leilani Brown is one of those fans. The strategic adviser/business coach has been “chasing sound” for years, journeying from her Charleston -area home to hear Roy Ayers in Los Angeles and see The Roots perform in Philadelphia . Over that time, she’s garnered a lot of experience on the road. Whether it’s picking the right travel buddy (“Ensure that your companion is a true music lover”), scoring good seats (“VIP is essential for better seating, viewing and bathroom access”) or packing a sensible outfit (“Wear layers and bring items you don’t mind discarding”), Brown knows that things must work in harmony for the trip to be a success.

One other key for fans driving or flying to a show is a simple but often overlooked tip — embrace the experience. Just because you’ve forked over a small fortune for a wristband, that does not mean you’re obligated to watch every act. Take breaks. Pace yourself. “This is a pleasure trip, not a work trip,” Brown says. “Leave room for serendipity — eat, drink, shop and sleep as you wish.”

And that’s where posh properties such as Rhode Island’s Castle Hill Inn come in. Sitting only an eight-minute drive from Fort Adams State Park, site of the beloved Newport Folk Festival (July 26 to 28) and Newport Jazz Festival (August 2 to 4), the Four-Star hotel has welcomed music fans to its property for decades. After concertgoers watch Hozier and Killer Mike’s sets, they drop into places like the Terrace Bar and Mansion Bar because the venues keep the energy festive with craft cocktails and a local jazz trio that riffs well into the night.

“The city takes great pride in [being welcoming],” says Brian Young, Castle Hill Inn’s managing director. “There is an influx of people over the course of the summertime. They’re all here for a really wonderful reason. For the folk festival, a lot of people tend to bike in. They’ll drop their cars at the outskirts of town and bike all the way in and just enjoy all that Newport has to offer.”

The Newport Folk Festival is always a great time.

Back in Zurich, while there’s nothing Swift-specific in The Dolder Grand’s plans, the hotel is all abuzz with its 125th anniversary going on while it also celebrates the seasonal reopening of vegan restaurant Blooms. “We are expecting our dining facilities to be at high occupancy levels during this time and recommend travelers make reservations prior to their arrival in Zurich,” Schweier says. “The Dolder Grand is excited to welcome these artists and visitors to the hotel and the city.”

Swift will wrap up the European portion of the Eras Tour on August 20 in London. After that, she’ll stop by Miami , New Orleans and a few other North American cities before ending the tour in Vancouver in December. But even when Swift unplugs the mic, it won’t mean the megastar tours will stop. Billie Eilish is hitting the road this fall and winter. There’s still a possibility of Beyoncé touring for Cowboy Carter . And with rumors of Rihanna returning to the studio, we can probably expect to see the pop sensation fill up arenas again soon, too.

“Megastars like Beyoncé supercharge folks,” Carter says. “You want to get back outside. If you’ve forgotten how live music makes you feel, Beyoncé will remind you. It almost heightens the need or desire to experience connectivity with fellow music lovers and your community. You want to do it again and again. It can definitely be addictive.”

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Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

Tree fruit newsletter — june 17, 2024.

In this newsletter:

Return Bloom Sprays

• Summer Tour Announcement

Some orchard blocks may have a higher than normal crop load which can inhibit the formation of flower buds. Fruit trees form next year’s flower buds in the summer beforehand. With a heavy crop, the fruits exude a hormone from their seeds that will move to terminal and spur buds, sending them the signal to not form flower buds. Summer sprays of NAA or ethephon can counteract this signal and lead to better return bloom. Return Bloom Enhancement | New England Tree Fruit Management Guide (netreefruit.org)

In summer, four sequential NAA sprays applied every other week can increase the amount of return bloom in some biennial bearing varieties such as Honeycrisp. These can begin six weeks after petal fall which is next week at Highmoor Farm. Ethephon also works but is more likely to cause premature ripening in summer apples. Please, use caution with the heat wave that is predicted for this week. High temperatures can increase the activity of these hormone sprays and lead to undesirable side effects. I am suggesting a postponement until the heat wave has passed.

Summer Tour at UMaine’s Highmoor Farm

July 24, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, followed by a vegetable and small fruit twilight meeting at 6 pm.

The Maine Ag. Experiment Station, UMaine Extension and the Maine State Pomological Society will be hosting the annual Summer Tour at the Highmoor Farm ( Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm ) in Monmouth.

To RSVP, call Renae Moran at (207) 713-7083 (or email at [email protected] ) by July 20. Cost to attend the Summer Tour is free for Pomological Society members and $20 for all other attendees.

1:00 p.m. — Welcome and Registration

1:15 p.m. — Hannah Carter, Dean of Extension, UMaine

1:30 p.m. — UMaine Ag. Exp. Station Director, George Criner

1:45 p.m. — Guest speaker, Dr. Maria Gannett, Univ. of Mass, New Research in Managing Difficult Weeds in Perennial Crops

2:30 p.m. — Pomological Society Announcements from Standing Committees

• Treasurer’s and Secretary’s reports
• Legislative update

3:15 p.m. — Break

3:30 p.m. — Orchard Tour with Renae Moran, Maria Gannett and Greg Koller.

• New scab resistant apple varieties, tests for predicting bitter pit in Honeycrisp and cold hardy peach varieties.
• Strategies for dealing with tough weed problems
• Drone spraying demo

5:00 p.m. — Dinner

Sandwiches and salads. Dessert will be Highmoor farm strawberry shortcake.

6:00 p.m. — Twilight meeting with David Handley, Mark Hutton, Peyton Ginakes

From the North:

I95 Exit 109b, go West on Rte. 202 (toward Winthrop) for 16 miles. Highmoor Farm is on the left.

From the South:

I95 exit 86, left on Rte. 9 and continue 0.7 miles, then take a right onto Pleasant Hill Road for 0.8 miles. Continue through the stoplight where the road becomes Rte. 132 (Wales Rd. and then Pond Rd.) for 4.6 miles. Take left onto Leeds Junction Road, travel 2.9 miles to Rte. 202. Take a right onto Rte. 202 and go 1.4 miles. Highmoor Farm will be on the right.

Renae Moran UMaine Cooperative Extension Tree Fruits Program University of Maine Cooperative Extension PO Box 179 Monmouth, ME 04259 (207) 933-2100 [email protected]

Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product, nor does it imply approval or disapproval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.  The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture Fall Tour Returns to the Farm

The MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture program hosted its 2021 annual Fall Farm Tour on Tuesday November 9, 2021. The tour included over 30 participants from various parts of Maryland and Delaware. The group visited four different agricultural and food service businesses between Caroline County, Maryland and Sussex County, Delaware.

The tour began at Seaberry Farm located in Federalsburg, Maryland. Owners Drs, Wenfei and Richard Uva showed members of the tour around their 36-acre farm. At Seaberry Farm the Uva’s grow a selection of woody cut stems as well as a variety of perennial and annual cut flowers, and other specialty fruits. This site is one of the largest field cut flower producers in the Mid-Atlantic region, and supplies supermarkets around the region, including some Whole Foods and Wegmans stores.

The next stop on the tour was the Evans Farms, an on-farm produce market with a sister business The Frozen Farmer located in Bridgeville Delaware. At this site members of the tour toured the general store area where customers can shop for locally produced groceries including local produce, all-natural meats, milk and eggs, locally roasted coffee, jarred items,  produced soaps and more.

Following this, Jo Ellen Algier fondly known as “Mamma Jo” showed the group around the on-site confectionery known as The Frozen Farmer. On this site, the Evans family takes imperfect fruits they would be unable to sell on the farm stand and creates Sorbet and Frobert (a blend of ice cream and sorbet that has less fat, calories and sugar content than traditional ice cream). While sampling these frozen treats the group learned about The Frozen Farmer feature on the hit show “Shark Tank” where "Shark" Lori Greiner first invested in the company last year.

For lunch the tour visited the Caroline Culinary Arts Center at the Caroline Schoolhouse. The Chesapeake Culinary Center, an organization which provides students and adults job training, cooking classes and support for local farmers. Beth Brewster, the supervisor of food services presented to the group about recent updates, and the history of the Chesapeake Culinary Center. After lunch the group toured Shore Gourmet, a public eatery and retail shop housed within the Caroline Schoolhouse and the community kitchen, a location in which small food-based businesses are able to rent spaces for food production and preservation.

The last stop on the tour was Cawley Family Farm located just outside of Denton Maryland. This 12-acre farm of choose and cut Christmas trees has been in the Cawley family since 1996. On this site the family also sells fresh hand-made wreaths, tree stands and garlands. Owners Charles, and Jane Cawley, along with their daughter Amy Cawley showed the group around the plots of various live trees including White Pines, and Douglas Firs.

After the COVID-19 pandemic led all MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture 2020 farm tours to being held virtually, group organizers and attendees were elated to finally be back together in person!

MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture is dedicated to providing knowledge and resources to women who share a passion for agriculture. Farm tours enable women to stay engaged, educated and empowered. Additionally, farm tours offer various perspectives that women can apply to their own operations.

For more information on the farms visit their websites at:

https://seaberryfarm.com/

https://evansfarmsproduce.com/

https://carolineculinaryarts.org/

https://cawley.farm/

For more information on the Mid Atlantic women in agriculture program visit: www.go.umd.edu/womeninag

Related Topics

• Professional Development

Related Programs

• Ag Marketing
• Agriculture & Food Systems
• Women In Agriculture

Related Locations

• Caroline County
• Talbot County