The Times New Travel: Switzerland

As I was watching last night's episode of The Bachelor (don't judge), I was reminded of how much I love the mountains and want to travel. At the top of my litany of places I want to visit has always been Switzerland. It seems like a charming place filled with majestic beauty (and cheese and chocolate). Switzerland has just under 8 million people and ranks high in its quality of life (namely being the most wealthy per capita country in the world). The most common languages spoken are German, French and Italian. Its neutrality policy prevents Switzerland from engaging in armed conflicts in other countries, something I wish the rest of the world would follow. I suppose when you live in such a heavenly place it's easy to remain peaceful.

Now Playing: "Moondance" by And Her Name is Violet
*They're from Switzerland! http://www.andhernameisviolet.com/

Luxe Living: Swiss Chateau

Chateau El Masr
Cologny, Switzerland

via Christie's International Real Estate:

Since the 18th Century, Cologny has been home to some beautiful country houses. As one of the eight towns juxtaposing the city of Geneva, Cologny is the least populated town and thus emphasizes its village character that is mainly residential.

Towards the end of the 18th Century, Jean-Paul Demierre purchased this property belonging to the Geneva cooper. It was his son, Ami Demierre, who built the tower at the entrance to this property, now covered with ivy. This tower is identical to the Champel Tower, since Ami Demierre used the materials left over from building the latter.

When this property was bought at the end of the 19th Century by Scotsman Charles Floods, who had just returned from Egypt where he made his fortune, he kept this tower and had the architects, Bourrit and Simmler build a half Gothic, half Oriental style chateau in 1883-1884, which he named El Masr, meaning the Egyptian.

Since then the current owner spent five years renovating this building. From the columns to the roof, everything has been renovated with great care, respecting each detail in order to perfectly maintain the Neo-Elizabethan style, which was very fashionable in Great Britain at the time of the initial construction of the chateau. The chandeliers of this residence were created especially in Murano for this chateau and the marble fountains and statues that decorate the outside of this chateau were imported from Venice in order to maintain the harmony of this trend.

The Chateau El Masr is the only example in Geneva of Neo-Tudor style. This home is comprised of a terrace donjon and a turret staircase with an incredible view over Calvin’s City and the Lake Geneva water fountain. This delightful locale also has crenels, machicolations, and a seigniorial chapel.

Now Playing: "When I Grow Up" by Fever Ray