Switzerland Travel Guide
Handy Switzerland Travel Guide…
Switzerland is a truly beautiful country with more than 70 per cent of its land covered by the Alps. Its ski resorts and winter sports opportunities are unrivalled in the world. However, Switzerland offers visitors much more than just mountains and snow. It is true that it renowned for its craggy mountains framed by ethereal, delicate clouds. But visitors can also delight in the burst of green meadows dotting the ledges of the mountains; gushing rivers rushing through thin gorges; sparkling blue lakes and picture-perfect villages. It is no wonder Switzerland has been land that has inspired many with its natural beauty.
Known as Helvetia to the natives, Switzerland is made up of 26 cantons, each maintaining its own autonomy and a separate identity and three of those cantons are half-cantons, each with their own constitutions and elected regional assemblies. Because it is a relatively small country, it is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel around. It is 323 kilometres wide and 161 kilometres long and it takes just eight hours to go from east to west by train. The public transport system is fully integrated and is clean and efficient.
Switzerland has much to offer to visitors from the breath-taking alpine scenery or the serene lakes, to the cultured cities and towns and all kinds of adventure and winter sports. There are delightful restaurants and cafes and elegant hotels and spas. However you decide to spend your time in Switzerland, you can be guaranteed of wonderful memories.
The city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a great place to start as it has a beautifully preserved medieval centre. The arcades, colourful fountains, ornamental clock and the famous Bear Park BarenPark have been known to delight visitors from all over. There are magnificent views from the city to the vast mountain peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Geneva, the country’s most cosmopolitan city also attracts visitors who are fascinated by its history. There is definitely a kind of sophistication in its beauty and nationalities from all over the world can be found here. In fact, this is where the European headquarters of the United Nations is located and Geneva is considered an international center for banking and commerce with splendid hotels, fine restaurants, interesting museums and splendid shopping. On top of that, it also has one of the most attractive medieval sections in Switzerland and is home to the symbolic Jet d’Eau fountain on the lake.
Other great Swiss cities to visit include Zurich and Basel which are crammed with world-class museums and galleries. In Zurich, there is a flourishing arts scene and underground club culture for an exciting and vibrant nightlife. Basel, dominated by the river Rhine has charming little wooden ferries that cross the river. Its unique location – at the junction of three countries – is also a featured attraction for visitors.
There are almost limitless possibilities for exploring the great outdoors in Switzerland. The Alps run across the center and south of the country with both huge and tiny resorts and gorgeous scenery. The village of Zermatt, dominated by the massive Matterhorn mountain is a world-famous resort for you to take in Switzerland’s most iconic landmark. There are nice restaurants, luxurious hotels and designer shops in this car-free village. The best-known Alpine region is the Bernese Oberland, home to the most diverse range of mountain experiences in Switzerland. It features lake steamers and a revolving restaurant at almost 3000 metres high.
