Hello lovelies, we're back from a wonderful weekend trip — namely, we were at the Papiliorama in Kerzers with SBB RailAway*. What exactly we experienced there and how relaxed the journey by train was, we'll tell you today, and there's also a great giveaway (more on that below).
SBB RailAway
This was already our 2nd trip with the SBB RailAway offer; last year we were on Mount Pilatus, and you can find that report here. With the combo packages you benefit from at least 10% off or added value at numerous leisure experiences. RailAway combo packages can now be flexibly combined with any travel ticket you like. You can find a selection of offers here.
This time the trip took us to Kerzers — to the Papiliorama. From our home near Affoltern am Albis we had two options for the journey by train. Either via Biel or Bern. We went via Zurich and Bern. 2 changes and you arrive right in front of the Papiliorama in Kerzers. So they have their own train stop and you have no extra walk — very practical.
By now we're big fans of train travel; it's simply so much more relaxed for everyone. The children have games and drawing things with them and passed the time that way. We parents can chat and/or read now and then. And honestly, in Switzerland it's often enough to simply look out the window and enjoy the beautiful landscape going by.
The time went by quickly in any case, and so we arrived at the Papiliorama around midday.
Papiliorama
At the Papiliorama, a tropical butterfly garden awaits you, the Nocturama with nocturnal animals, the «Zoé Zoo» petting zoo, a big playground, a nature zone with native butterflies, and much more. Ideal for families with children.
In the Papiliorama butterfly dome, over 1,000 exotic butterflies fly freely around the visitors in a lush tropical garden, and if you're lucky, one will even land on you. We of course started our tour there; the girls had looked forward to the butterflies most. And the dome is really lovely too, tropically warm and with a variety of colorful butterflies large and small. Of course there was competition over who a butterfly would land on first, drama included — the usual madness :-).
We surely spent an hour in the butterfly dome; even though it isn't huge, there's plenty to discover and you can go around several times. Next we went into the Nocturama. The Nocturama is a globally unique exhibit: the dome's light-permeable roof filters the natural daylight and creates a full-moon-night atmosphere inside. Through the reversed day and night rhythm, it's possible to take a nighttime walk in the middle of the day and observe the mysterious, nocturnal animals of the tropical forests. Along the paths you'll discover sloths, tree-dwelling porcupines, night monkeys, armadillos, and many other animals.
The hall is really fascinating, and it's quite special when bats suddenly fly around you. We went through the bat cave a bit faster, though, because I admit, we women were a little scared there (nothing can happen, of course).
The last hall leads you into the jungle, and there we were greeted right away by a curious pink little creature. Since 1989 the Papiliorama has run a nature reserve in Belize, Central America. The Jungle Trek tropical dome is an authentic replica of these rich tropical habitats and offers visitors an exciting hike through the rainforest. There you can get very close to toucans; we were very surprised at how relaxed they were. There's also a great panorama bridge from which you can watch parrots.
After the 3 halls, the children explored the petting zoo, the playground, and the nature zone too. And of course we sweetened the afternoon with an ice cream. In all, we spent a good 4 hours at the Papiliorama and had an exciting and educational time. We can definitely recommend it; it's equally exciting for children and adults, and I love that a nature reserve in Belize is being supported.
By train we then headed back to Bern. There we explored the city a bit more and had dinner.
The return trip by train was then just as relaxed for everyone as the way there, and we got to experience a wonderful family day. I'm now so happy that I can make this possible for you too!
Giveaway
I get to give away a 100 CHF RailCheck to 3 of you, to be put toward your next SBB RailAway trip. So you can pick your trip yourself from the big selection — maybe right now over the spring break!
And THIS is what you have to do to be in with a chance:
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Let me know which trip you'd take (I'm curious, you see)
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Leave me a comment here on the blog, on Facebook, or on Instagram
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You can take part multiple times — every comment on Instagram, Facebook, and the blog counts as an entry
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I'll announce the winner in a week — on April 7th (entry from age 18 and residing in Switzerland)
I look forward to your ideas and wish you lots of luck already! And a big thank-you to SBB RailAway for the lovely trip.
Love, Verena
If you're on Pinterest, you can find me here and are welcome to pin one of these pictures:
**This blog post was created in collaboration with SBB RailAway, but reflects my own opinion. *
