Swiss Family Travel becomes “z’Nüni”

It’s launch day! After months of behind the scenes work, our labour of love is ready for launch. Today, Swiss Family Travel officially becomes …

Swiss Family Travel becomes …

z’Nüni – Storytelling from Switzerland.

But why the change?

For a long time, the name “Swiss Family Travel” just hasn’t felt right. Sure, I share our experiences travelling through Switzerland, but honestly, we aren’t one of those families who are always planning their next adventure, having to be on the go every weekend. Instead, travel is just a part of our story, one way to learn about a country and its culture, one small part of helping me feel at home in Switzerland. However, it wasn’t until the team I dreamt about began to form – firstly with Ellen, then Kaccey, Claire and Geeta – that I could properly acknowledge that travel was only part of the story I wanted to tell. Finally, I was ready to let go of the travel blogger label and look for something that felt ‘just right.

It started with months of brainstorming, team meetings, and asking the opinion of anyone who would listen. A new name is a big deal, and I wanted to find the perfect name that encapsulated my dreams for this space – something that would form the cornerstone and starting point for a new brand. Finally, after months of frustration, I brought in a branding expert, Naomi, and she got us all digging deep with some tough questions. We had to go back to basics: What was our goal? What value did we want to bring? What did we ultimately want to share with the world?

The short answer: We all want to tell stories that help you feel connected.

With our goals and values all figured out, we switched focus back to the name. There was a very long list of possibilities; still, nothing seemed just right until Naomi asked us to think of something that screams Switzerland without saying it. After weeks of listening to Swiss music, listening out for our favourite Swiss words and sayings, and constantly pestering our Swiss family and friends – finally, something jumped out.

Welcome to z’Nüni

So what on earth is z’Nüni? It is the Swiss-german word for morning tea, a second breakfast, a mid-morning snack, taken at (zu) 9 (Nüni). It’s a moment to refuel energy after an early morning start at work and school. However, it is more than just a break for a good cup of coffee and gipfeli – it’s also an important time to connect.

In the village, at precisely 9 am, its tools down, and the gardeners, painters, and builders stream into the local “Beiz” (restaurant) for the local z’Nüni hit. While sitting around the “Stammtisch”, they connect with fellow workers over a gipfeli, or perhaps something more substantial, like a sandwich or a pair of Wienerli (hot dog sausages) with a bread roll.

In the office, at around 9 am (sometimes it is closer to 10), work often pauses, and colleagues connect around the coffee machine or maybe even sneak out to a local cafe.

At playgroups and schools, z’Nüni also plays an important role in the routine of school life. A break in the school morning gets the kids outside, whatever the weather, and plays an essential role in educating children on healthy snacks. A song in the younger grades marks the daily ritual.

As the name for our new brand, we hope z’Nüni evokes in our readers a sense of connection and authentic Swiss-ness. That the simple warmth and friendliness of the word itself will help make the online home of z’Nüni somewhere that our readers feel welcomed, entertained and inspired to try something new. z’Nüni fits in with the #thefirstcup too, the Instagram movement we began sharing morning thoughts over the first cup of coffee or tea.  In a nutshell, it all comes down to feeling more connected. 

To align with the z’Nüni tradition, at 9 am each Monday (and sometimes Wednesday too), we will share our stories, the perfect accompaniment to your z’Nüni break. So grab a cup of coffee (or whatever your preferred drink may be), and take five minutes out of your busy day to read stories inspired by living in Switzerland. We have stories on food, travel, and Swiss life – explaining the little nuances that make this country unique. We’ve got old series favourites like “Married Swiss” and new series on the way, like “Day In The Life” – as well as articles organised by the seasons, and articles covering a wide and interesting range of topics. Our newsletter will also return to its weekly Friday time slot (make sure you sign up!), filled with ideas just in time for the weekend.