Velley of Butterfly in Switzerland

“Petaloudes” in Switzerland is well known as “valley of Butterflies”, is located on the western side of the Greek island of Rhods, almost 25 KM away from the city near the Village Kalamonas. Well, Thousands of multicolor butterflies covering the entire landscape in a thick but delicate blanket at the end of May. The Petaloudes valley is home of Rhodes subspecies of the Jersey Tiger Moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis), who make their annual appearance after the rainy season. Therefore, in the rainy season, the butterflies habitually live in the Mediterranean thicket in the caterpillar stage feeding on foliage, and when the rainy season finished, the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies.

So, as the dry season approaches, the butterflies naturally migrate, and travelling at night in search of humidity, following the water course, and end up in the valley. The aroma of Oriental Sweet gum trees prevailing in the valley actually attracted the butterflies.  Once they reach their endpoint, they’re settled lightly on the trunks of trees & rocks or whatever surface is available, in great numbers. As the butterflies like the humid habitat of the valley, they spend their entire summer season in this cool valley. Thus, they mate during the last weeks of August and early in September. Most females fly away from the valley, or in few cases they fly for over 25 kilometers, to lay their eggs in safe dark places, preferably among plants and bushes, and then die. Then in the next spring season the baby butterflies pop out of their cocoons in spreading throughout the surrounding area. Consequently in June they grow into full-blown butterflies, and then the heat and smell of the gum trees entices them back to the valley, and the entire cycle repeats all over again.

The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique natural Park, is also a nice place to walk, under the shade of the trees. Unluckily, the Petaloudes valley is open to tourists and the increased foot traffic is spraining the butterfly population. Unfortunately “Euplagia” has no stomach; in its place they entirely live on their body fat which they had stored during their preceding lives as caterpillars. Although visitors are cheered to visit the valley but they’re highly advised not to disturb the butterflies or make loud noises. 

Though continuous disturbance from visitors such as clapping or whistling startle the butterflies, and they become panic easily and forcing them to fly away habitually from their resting place. So, the activity consumes valuable energy that cannot be replenished, and countless butterflies run out of their energy and die before they could reproduce. The valley is one of the nature’s most beautiful gifts to Rhodes, a short drive inland with a scenic gorge is home to eye-catching valley. Without any doubt the valley of butterflies is worth a visit, with a lush green Valley and a small river running through it. The valley is beautifully arranged, with little wooden Bridges, stone, steps, and an uphill path which leads to the Monastery of the Virgin of Kalopetra.

 Source: Charismatic Planet

Switzerland World Longest Tunnel 8,000 feet Beneath the Alps

Well, the incredible 35 mile long Neat Gotthard based tunnel construction has completed actually the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, in Switzerland. The Tunnel has now surpassed Japan’s 14.5-mile Seikan Tunnel, which connects the main island of Honshu with the northern island of Hokkaido. The tunnel will transport passengers from Zurich to Milan in about two hours and fifty minutes, saving an hour off current travel time. The NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel, opens to the public on June 1 2016, measuring 35 miles, it surpasses Japan’s 14.5-mile Seikan Tunnel. The mega projected was planned in 1996, and it took almost 20 years to complete. The ambitious project was funded by Switzerland at cost of around $10.3 billion or £6.5 billion.

More than 2,000 workers were drafted in to excavate over two million truckloads of earth from as deep as 8,000 below the surface of the earth. Due to the rugged terrain of the Alps, linking imperative cities, such as Milan and Zurich is no mean feat, but highly thanks to the tunnel being almost completely flat along its entire length, trains will soon be able to travel at over 150 miles per hour. Therefore, excavation involved huge tunnel boring machines cutting through almost 100 feet of rock every day. It was a dangerous process, and tragically eight workers died during construction.  The first safety tests will take place in October 2015. So far all scenarios will be considered and tested.  After opening the tunnel, it will be the safest stretch of the Swiss railway network. Moreover, in January 2016, thousand people will be selected to take the first voyage.

Stunning Igloo Hotel with Private Pools, Mountain Saunas and Candle-lit Suites

Well, imagine in this winter, you’re in this hotel which is carved out of the surrounding snow, with igloo rooms, romantic suites and even an outdoor whirlpool for the valiant guests. The Iglu-Dorf hotel is rebuilt every season from 3,000 tons of snow at 6 locations from the Alps to the Pyrenees. The Swiss igloos, built in the Bernese Oberland and beautifully surrounded by 9,000ft mountain peaks, comes with artworks carved into the walls by artists from around the world, candle-lit suites for romantic visitors and even saunas among the mountains. It is open from 25^th December to April, and every village’s sleeps up to 38 guests, cocooning them in cozy sleeping bags on thick sheepskin rugs, designed to withstand temperatures of minus 40C. And in the morning, there’s a huge buffet of croissants, cooked meats, pastries, cereals, cheese and coffee. The cost for one in a standard Iglu-Dorf igloo is 99euros (£68) from Monday to Thursday and 115 euros from Friday to Sunday.

The site shows the great multiplicity of works in rooms and common areas of the exceptional accommodation from traditional Inuit works to artists from Switzerland and much further abroad.  Artists armed with no more than an ice pick, motorized saw and shovel, produce life-like animals like seals, arctic wolves, polar bears and whales, striking designs and patterns, or even super heroes. It's an elaborate and classy scene compared to the basic igloo Gunter first constructed with friends on a mountain in a bid to be first on the slopes in the morning.  The company says 99 % of their visitors stay one night only. Therefore we don't generally recommend more than one night because we neither have running water, nor showers.  Each village caters for 38 guests a night, all of who bed down on a thick sheepskin rug in cozy sleeping bags equipped for minus-40 degrees Celsius. Nighttime entertainment doesn't extend much past mulled and good conversation, though there’s a private whirlpool and saunas.

World’s First Suspension Bridge to Connect Two Mountain Peaks

At about 9,800ft-high and 351ft-long the new Swiss Alps' Peak Walk is the world's first suspension bridge to connect two mountain peaks, Peak Walk at Glacier 3,000 and Scex Rouge. The bridge which is 31 inches wide is the 2^nd highest suspension bridge in the world will be open through summer and winter without any charge. The bridge cost is about £1.2 million actually was opened with a ceremony with a Restaurant Botta at the top of the mountain resort between Les Diablerets and Gstaad. The Peak walk bridge is a splendid platform visitors can see the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau mountains.

The construction work was extremely a significant challenge. Although work has completed now, and bridge is designed to survive the extreme conditions that come with the Alps, such as heavy snow and winds reaching 200kmh. It can hold up to 300 people at any one time but for added safety and comfort that number will be restricted to 150. Peak Walk adds to Glacier 3000 attractions that also include a summer toboggan run, a fun park and a snow bus. The bridge is a unique addition to our destination. Well, the bridge is the world's second highest suspension bridge behind the 3,000 feet up Titlis Cliff Walk in Obwalden, Switzerland.

The Blue Gem Lake Bachalpsee of Grindelwald Switzerland

Bachalpsee or Bachse is a lake with an area of 19.9 acres close to the above Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. The lake, located at an elevation of 7,431 ft, is split by a natural dam, the smaller part of the lake being 20 ft lower. The lake can be reached with a cable car. Lake Bachalpsee is a real desire for hikers with magnificently landscaped path leads through lush flowering alpine meadows. On the opposite side of the valley, ice-capped 4,000 metres mountains tower in the air. Hiking trails are for families of all ages with weather-resistant clothing and sturdy shoes. During the journey you can also see the mountain chains from Faulhorn, Schilthorn over Jungfrau, Eiger, Schreckhorn, Wetter horn and Engel Horner.

There is nothing to dislike this place, because this is truly an amazing place to visit, gorgeous alpine scenery, and beautiful lake and behind the massive Bernese Alps. This is definitely a must see in Grindelwald. Take a picnic lunch and spend time at the lake. Take the trail from the lake to Bort after leaving the lake. You can also see there the reflection of mountain very clearly. A peaceful place for relax. After walking for more than an hour from First, you will then see the beautiful lake. It is 100% sure that you will not regret to walk for such a long time. Without any doubt this is one of the top places in Switzerland with a wonderful view over the mountain range. Unfortunately, the lake is very busy as hordes of tourists visit it every day. Go in off season or early morning or late evening. Then, it is wonderfully peaceful and serene.

Bachalpsee Lake is separated by a natural damn with green pastures mostly eaten by cows in the late spring when the snow thaws in summer. There’re number of picnic spots and resting areas, in-fact two mountains huts in this area. But make sure there is no toilet facility there. The lake water is cold and snow free in summer. There’re some species of plants and algae that thrive below it and surprisingly and very small fishes that live on the lake! Source: Charismatic Planet