# Exploring the Quirky Side of Switzerland with Crai Bower

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/traveling-with-aaa-5494223/exploring-the-quirky-side-of-switzerland-with-crai-bower
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/traveling-with-aaa-5494223/exploring-the-quirky-side-of-switzerland-with-crai-bower.md
Podcast: [Traveling with AAA](https://stenobird.com/podcast/traveling-with-aaa-5494223)
Published: 2026-04-02T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcast.show/travelingwithaaa/episode/153775216/
Audio file: https://media.blubrry.com/travelingwithaaa/ins.blubrry.com/travelingwithaaa/TWA-2026-04-02-220.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/traveling-with-aaa-5494223/episodes/exploring-the-quirky-side-of-switzerland-with-crai-bower
Duration seconds: 1951

## Resource

Switzerland is famous for precision watches, world-class skiing, and secretive banking—but there's a stranger, more fascinating side to this small, landlocked country that most travelers overlook. This episode digs into the Switzerland that doesn't make it into the guidebooks—like a carnival where crowds are rewarded with root vegetables, and a train called "Express" that takes its time on purpose. Host Angie Orth is joined by award-winning travel writer Crai Bower, who recently covered the country for Westways and AAA Explorer magazines. This journalist's eye for the offbeat will have you looking at Switzerland in a new way. You'll hear how Switzerland's four official languages and cultural influences shape each city's personality, why the country is more budget-friendly than its reputation suggests, and which experiences make it worth visiting year-round. What You’ll Learn: 05:53 The Swiss museums worth adding to your itinerary 09:03 What makes the Glacier Express one of the world's great train journeys 12:23 The folklore and mythology rooted in Switzerland's Alpine landscape 20:31 Inside Basel Fasnacht: a three-day carnival unlike anything else in Europe 26:43 Why Switzerland is one of the easiest countries to navigate without a car Connect with Crai Bower: Instagram What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve experienced in Switzerland? Tell us in the comments! Connect with AAA: Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

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