European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 23, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Photos by Theresa Bujnoch Bre Thorn camping Fatz is set in the Laute Brunnen Valley of Switzerland s Scenic Berner , Meadows and myriad campgrounds a Happy camper at one of Switzerland s estimated 1,200 campgrounds. By Theresa Bujnoch we awoke to the sound of a narrow Stream Rushing Over rocks. The Sun would t reach the Valley floor for another hour but the Mountain Wall reaching up More than 1,600 feet before us had already begun to glow highlighting new waterfalls trickling Down from melting Snow packs. Roosters crowed and across the Meadow a cow drowsily mowed the thick Damp grass. More Light revealed an elderly Man walking a few feet away wearing a Bathrobe and slippers. So this is camping in Switzerland i thought As i crawled out of the tent. Research a trip to Switzerland and one word wiil undoubtedly fix itself in your mind expensive. The Cost of food transportation souvenirs and accommodations can be ruinous to a budget traveler s or family s pocketbook. But lovers of the outdoors have the  past a chalet to a campsite and you can have Alpine scenery at a fraction of the resort town prices. Although Only about half the size of Maine Switzerland has an estimated 1,200 campgrounds. This leaves visitors no excuse not to take advantage of what this country does Best a the outdoors. The average Cost to Camp in Switzerland is 3 to 6 francs per person and 4 to 9 francs per tent about $12.50 for two people with a tent. As in most european countries Campground Sites Range from Remote Mountain Meadows to something that resembles a grass covered parking lot. Despite its rugged scenery camping in Switzerland is More genteel and functional than say the Rockies. The majority of campgrounds offer clean and modern facilities for showering and washing dishes or clothes. Some Are More elaborate. Their ads at the tourist office show Large swimming pools and cafes. Most also have Small Camp stores which sell fresh baked breads and enough fixings for a Hearty picnic. These usually stay open later than shops in town but can be slightly More expensive. Cains in convenience however can amount to losses of privacy. While you won t Likely have to stumble in the dark to an unlit unisex port a can or pack in your water you will Likely have to share the View with your new neighbors. There Are just too Many people trying to see Europe to allow for intimate campsites with Walls of Trees to keep out civilization. If you Roll in late and just want a place to Camp for the night anything s bearable. If the office is closed set tip quietly and Register first thing in the morning but if you want to establish a base Camp for a few Days Check Over two or three different Sites before unpacking. You May get Lucky. Tourist information offices have lists and maps of available campsites As do some guidebooks following the signs with tents on them also works Well. Most places Are open Only in the summer but there Are exceptions. Then forget about your rustic notions of what camping should be and get to know some europeans. The campsite is much More comfortable for meeting new people than most tourist spots. And for children who tend to care less about a person s country of origin the More campers the More playmates. Camping is the perfect Way to see a country teeming with natural Beauty. Hotel rooms All pretty much look the same. But in Switzerland you can Wake up next to one of the Turquoise Blue lakes in Interlaken or with a View 1 of the matterhorn in Zermatt. Keep that in mind and the crowds Are easier to ignore. At the Bre Thorn campsite in Laute Brunnen Valley the one with the Man in the Rob almost every other caravan trailer or tent was within sight of ours. But that was Only in one direction. Look up and there Are the omnipresent Alps practically a Standard backdrop at Swiss campsites. Look Down the Valley one Way and see the chalets of Crin Elwald tucked away on a Mountainside. In the other direction Are Long cables pulling up the Schilthorn Gondola to its final destination Over a mite away. And beyond All that Are the Trail Heads for paths leading away from civilization to Solitude. For More information about camping in Switzerland Contact the Schweiz Rische Vermehr Szentpale Belzaria Strasse 38, ch-8027 Zurich Switzerland. The Telephone number is 01-238-1111 and the fax number is 01-2881205. To Call from outside Switzerland dial your International Access code followed by the country code 41 and drop the first 0. A campers can also Contact the Schweizer Vermehr Siiro Kaise Strasse 23, d-60311 Frankfurt Germany or the Swiss Centre Swiss court go London vv1v see England. The stateside Contact is the Swiss National tourist office 608 fifth st., new York . 10020 Theresa Bujnoch is a Ren Lance writer Irvng in Mannheim Germany. June 23, 1994 stripes Magazine 9