Switzerland Redefines Heights
The "most vertically inclined" cable car makes its debut in Switzerland.
An incredible new cable car has been unveiled in Switzerland's Bernese Alps. The Schilthorn Cableway transports passengers to the summit's revolving restaurant, made popular by the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
According to its creators, it's the most angled cable car in existence, ascending 775 meters (2,543 feet) within simply four minutes, at an incline of 159.4%. It connects the settlement of Stechelberg to the car-free community of Mürren, which is situated some 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) above sea level.
While it hasn't been acknowledged by Guinness World Records thus far, Switzerland has a history of breaking altitude records.
The world's most inclined funicular railway launched in 2017 in the alpine village of Stoos, climbing 743 meters (2,438 feet) up steep gradients as high as 110%.
If that isn't intimidating enough, there's the Stanserhorn Cabrio in Lucerne. It's the world's initial roofless cable car, consisting of an open-air upper deck. Breezy, indeed.
Love and Companionship
Four teenagers snapped a photo on a beach vacation in England in 1972, dressed in miniskirts and flip-flops. Over half a century later, this close-knit group of lifelong friends recreated the shot. Check it out here.
A Polish girl and a Balkans boy met as adolescents in Greece in 2005. A romantic summer affinity developed, but it never progressed beyond friendship. Then he suddenly reappeared in her life.
A French man and a Canadian woman had a coastal romance in Cuba in 2016. He vowed they'd "stay in touch." She presumed she'd never hear from him again – until the Facebook invite popped up.
Seasonal Melodies and Joy
This month, a delayed flight at Atlanta's airport became unexpectedly festive when a former US Army band member pulled out his saxophone and played holiday tunes. Wayne Hoey, who performed in the Army Band for two decades, even played a version of "Baby Shark" to amuse the toddlers aboard.
Holiday travel can often be stressful, with or without a reed instrument at hand. CNN Travel inquired of flight attendants for their insider tips to navigate the season smoothly.
There are numerous European towns and cities that are enchanting at Christmas – here are our suggestions for 11 of them – but one in particular is high on many people's wishlist. Tourism is flourishing in Rovaniemi, Lapland, the residence of Santa Claus village, but not everyone is pleased about the influx of tourists.
The Unlocking the World newsletter will be taking a break next week as well, to recharge and return with more travel updates in 2025.
‘Best in Italy’
Locals swear that this centuries-old restaurant in Mount Vesuvius's footprints makes the world's finest pasta puttanesca. The owner, Teresa Izzo, divulged the secret to CNN.
If you're searching for last-minute gifts for the food enthusiasts in your life, our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations platform owned by CNN, have compiled a list of 63 delectable food gifts suitable for all budgets.
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The latest news about travel in Switzerland includes the launch of the world's most inclined funicular railway in Stoos, climbing 743 meters with steep gradients as high as 110%. (news, travel)
If you're planning a holiday trip, don't forget to check out the Facebook invite for an unique experience, like the open-air cable car in Lucerne. (travel)
