Offbeat

MORGES, Switzerland -- Every spring, I make the trek to a small chateau outside Morges (VD) to see the amazing collection of irises and gain some inspiration for my own garden. Chateau Vullierens opens this year on 21 May and will be open from 09.00-18.00 every day until 28 June. This is one of the world’s leading iris collections with many available for buying by the public. Imagine 380 varieties of iris in full bloom – and you can see why I associate Vullierens with spring in Switzerland. If that weren’t enough, once the irises are finished, the lilies come into bloom (all 180 varieties of them). But that’s not all – roses, peonies, poppies, hyacinths and delphiniums, among others, make this garden one of my favourites.

Basel, 26 March, 2009 -- Probably few participants or visitors at this week’s BaselWorld 2009 (March 26- April 2), the earth’s paramount watch and jewellery business Expo, will have taken their kids, or even have time to do things other than hobnob about time pieces and luxury goods. However, Basel (or Basle, or Bale) – just over two and a half hours by train or car - certainly ranks as Switzerland’s art and music capital and is definitely worth a weekend trip, whether for good jazz, art appreciation, culinary delights or even a visit to Basel Zoo, one of the world’s best. Essential Edge contributor Janet Hill is a font of ideas of things to do and will be writing a regular Offbeat column on special outings for those in the Lake Geneva Region who want to do something a bit out of the ordinary - and for their kids.