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Appenzell is the least populated of the Swiss cantons and its residents are known to be the subject of countless Swiss jokes. The Swiss generally regard Appenzellers as country bumpkins who are passionately attached to their folksy rural traditions. There are other reasons for the mocking attitude toward Appenzellers as well. For instance, unlike in the rest of Europe, school year in Appenzell begins in spring, a number of villages celebrate New Year twice, on December 31 and on January 13, and, most surprisingly of all, the women of Appenzell were granted voting rights in the local cantonal elections as late as in 1990 only.

The endless green rolling hills with glimpses of Alpstein mountains in the background (like those on the photo) are most characteristic of Appenzell. The canton, reknown for its quaint and pretty countryside air, is usually bypassed by mass tourism which allows to preserve most of its traditional atmoshpere. And to tell you the truth, hiking barefoot across Appenzell's grassy meadows is a pure delight!

Some tourists, however, stop by to savour the widely advertised Appenzeller cheese. If you buy some, make sure that you vacuum seal the cheese as its smell will overpower anything else in your car, bag or home in a matter of minutes!