Lithuania captivated the hearts of the Swiss couple: they created happiness near Lake Rubikiai

When I reached the guests, I was first greeted by the owner of the Wolffspitz dog, Puškis. I have no doubt that it will be one of the main accents of the Hotel Bliss created in Switzerland.

Seeing this four-legged dog would make other dogs terribly jealous – the area can be compared to a true doggie paradise.

As soon as Stefan walked towards the meadows especially without mowing, Puškis was always in a hurry in front of him. He came out of the grass with a hook buttoned, but he was extremely happy. When accompanying the guests, this energy ball was ready to jump inside the car, not allowed, to shave after a small hitch. That feeling of freedom and space …

Sitting at the table, Stefan and I began to talk about what life was like in the country they had left. It turned out that the owner of the new hotel in the Anykščiai district graduated as a mechanic, then worked as a truck driver, worked for a non-governmental organization in Ghana, USA, and helped build a house there.

Karina still works as a forensic scientist in her hometown, doing new business there: selling Lithuanian flax products to the Swiss. He promises to spend the summer in Lithuania and more in Switzerland in the winter.

“It just came to our attention then. We travel a lot, but we never thought we would move from Switzerland permanently,” Stefan admitted.

Deciding to move to Lithuania, the couple rented their house in their hometown. But let’s start again: how and why did they meet in our country?

Forced to deviate from the plan

It all started in 2016, when Karina and Stefan Bolliger decided to go on a motorcycle trip. Starting in Hamburg, Germany, they headed to the Scandinavian side, also crossing Lithuania.

Although it was planned to overtake nine countries in 3.5 weeks, the first week had to deviate from plan: the heart of the Swiss couple captivated Lithuania, and especially the Anykščiai region.

Even when they returned home, they couldn’t get our country out of their thoughts.

“I will never forget the moment when Lithuania enslaved my heart. On the way from Utena to Anykščiai, a thought came to my mind that I did not agree before:” I want to live here “. I felt with all my heart that this was a” Thought above, “the same thing would have never occurred to me. Leaving Switzerland, my job, my home … I never dreamed of that,” said Karina about this cardinal change.

Stefan 15 minutes He admitted that he knew nothing before the fateful trip to Lithuania. Maybe only 10 percent. the Swiss, he said, should have something to say about our country. But the Bolligers are keen to change that: according to Stefan, a documentary about “Bliss” has been created for his family, which should be shown on Swiss national television during the winter. The couple hopes that many compatriots will be interested and come to see what they think is this wonderful Baltic region.

“We came here and we felt like we could breathe, slow down. Lithuania is not crowded. We immediately realized that we would live here ”, Stefan was deeply inspired and revealed that his fascination for Lithuania flooded five years ago in an area about 6 km from Palaima.

To find out if it wasn’t just a short-term vacation charm, they visited Lithuania again a month later. The doubts were dispelled: Stefan and Karina decided to move to live here. Not only to move, but also to start a business, at the same time to introduce Lithuanians to Swiss traditions.

In other words, the couple brought a piece of wonderful Switzerland to Lithuania.

The construction was limited by a park

After moving to Lithuania, the Swiss created a company and began to search for suitable land: first their eyes looked in the direction of Molėtai, then they turned to Anykščiai.

The establishment process took a long time, a seller almost fooled foreigners: he kept silent about the restrictions applicable to construction in a sensitive area and lied with a valid building permit.

“I was determined that things would not go well, that I would have to overcome several obstacles. In Switzerland, you also have to be careful when buying land, ”said Stefan.

Eventually, the couple acquired a 5-hectare piece of land in the village of Mačionys, Anykščiai district, near Lake Rubikiai. Planning what to build took about a year.

Initially, a hotel and restaurant were planned to be built closer to the lake, but research has shown that the site is too wet for the foundation of the house. After finding the right place, construction began two years ago.

Since the shores of Lake Rubikiai lie within the territory of the Anykščiai Regional Park, construction on the land acquired by Bolligeriai was limited by infinite rules.

“Blessing”, looking at the constructions of the building, had to be the same as a rural building, like a barn, that cannot have balconies from which a wonderful view of the lake opens.

A little Lithuanian and a little Swiss

Chef Liudas Valančiūnas, who has been creating kitchen masterpieces in Iceland before, works at Palaimos restaurant in the best restaurants in Vilnius. The boy always wanted to go back to his homeland in Anykščiai, but could not find a job. So I was very happy with the new high-class restaurant in the village of Mačionys.

“You can say that you are a cousin of the basketball player Valančiūnas, you will attract more clients,” we joked with my boss.

In the future, the Swiss couple promise to present traditional Swiss dishes in their restaurant, for example, the most suitable for eating in the cold season: the cheese fondue.

After a delicious dinner, Stefan offered to take a walk around the hotel.

“That barn is very modern,” I said, and Stefan laughed.

He admitted that he and his wife tried to mix Lithuanian and Swiss styles, old and new classics, with modern details.

Here, in a cozy and extremely spacious living room with a fireplace, the floor is made of Swiss mountain granite, and the decorated closet found here comes from Stefan’s grandmother’s house, where it is believed to have been for around 150 years.

Some of the furniture was bought “second hand”, looking for pearls in online advertisements, some were made from local Lithuanian furniture.

“Some of the paintings that hang in the hotel rooms were painted by a Lithuanian painter whose relatives live in Switzerland. Karina works together. And the lamps or cups that you drink tea from were made by my wife, ”Stefan smiled.

In five rooms of different types and colors, alpaca wool blankets grown by a Swiss couple and their covers are made of Lithuanian linen. Every detail here seems to feel unique.

And the entire hotel environment is an oasis of peace and nature, created for a quiet and comfortable rest for two or an idyllic time with yourself. By the way, the guesthouse only accepts guests from 12 years old. This hotel policy ensures that no noise disturbs guests’ rest.

Another home and spa are planned

Karina and Stefan live in a renovated house nearby. The alpaca imported from Switzerland also grazes there. Walking with these animals is a great leisure pastime in which you will learn where they come from, why they are so special, about their nutrition and care.

While the house was being renovated, the Swiss couple met for 40 square feet. m in a modular Scandinavian-style cottage. Currently serving clients, operating as separate apartments for a family of up to 6 people. The cabin has a large private terrace where you can spend pleasant evenings admiring the views of the lake.

You can enjoy a traditional sauna on the shore of the lake.

“It just came to our attention then. Yes, the main family income still comes from Switzerland, there is a cost here, a lot of work, but hopefully everything changes in the end. Everyone asks if we miss the mountains. That’s not much,” Stefan smiled.

Swiss plans include a spa area and a new 7-room building with balconies, so construction in Bolliger Land will continue.

It is interesting that in Switzerland the couple established an association that supports various projects in Lithuania.

“There are always people everywhere who want to help. We want to connect those people with people in Lithuania who need help. Money isn’t everything, ”Stefan said at his farewell, bringing charity to our country with his wife.

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This campaign of visiting Lithuanian cities is called “Our beautiful Lithuania”, an initiative that encourages us to discover and get to know Lithuania, that is, its uniqueness, invisible places, exceptional personalities and communities that actively contribute to the well-being of society.

Read more unique stories in the 15 minute project “Summer in Lithuania!”.