Some Background Information
Yes, this is Switzerland: a beautiful country with lots of nature. It is a major tourist destination in the heart of Western Europe and part of many tour itineraries. But there is more to Switzerland than mountains, chocolate and cheese.
I lived there for many years, have good memories and experiences. A real part of me (my daughter) is Swiss.
Switzerland is a modern and prosperous society with highly educated, hard-working people. The Swiss franc is strong and foreign travellers will feel this: it is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Whether you like a simple meal or a short ride on the train, it is expensive. Here we aren’t even talking about going up a mountain, or staying in fancy hotels, chalets or health resorts.
4 Languages, 2 mountain ranges, 26 cantons
There are 4 official languages: German (62% of population), French (22%), Italian (8%) and Roman (0.5%). You can find them for example on the money. English is a foreign language.
The major cities serve specific purposes:
1. Bern is the political heart.
2. Zurich is the financial centre (banks, insurances) and largest city.
3. Basel is the centre of pharma and a gateway to France and Germany.
4. Geneva is the international centre (eg. UN, WHO, WTO, Red Cross and Red Crescent).
There are two mountain ranges: the smaller Jura in the Northwest and the major Alps in the South. Most of the 9 million people live in the lowlands in between. There are 26 cantons in Switzerland and they are all worth visiting. Here are some touristy highlights.
Cities
Switzerland managed to stay out of wars by being a neutral country. Many cities are completely intact with beautiful old centres. A personal favourite is the capital Bern that is also a UNESCO listed heritage. The many fountains, bear pit, parliament building (“Bundeshaus”), clock tower and bridges across the Aare River are quite special. It happens to be my “home city” in Switzerland.
Lucerne is one of the true tourist centres of Switzerland. The old city centre of Lucerne with murals, lion and Chapel Bridge (“Kapellbrucke”) is another favourite that appears on most postcards. The city is located in the middle of picturesque lakes.
Geneva feels like France. Its main touristy spot must be the 150m high fountain (the “Jet d’Eau”) at the lake. As a tourist you can also visit the United Nations building. Geneva may be the watch capital of the world, where brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Chopard, and Roger Dubuis are at home. Also on Lake Geneva are Lausanne, with more watches and the head office of the International Olympic Committee, and Montreux.
Mountains
Switzerland is known for mountains and this for good reason. You must go up a mountain peak with a cable car or train and enjoy the scenery on a long walk or from a mountain restaurant. There are lots of options to choose from.
The Jura range may be small, but significant and is largely located between Geneva and Basel. The highest point may be only 1720m, but you can view the Alps from here. The Swiss like to enjoy a fine glass of Swiss White Wine with yummy Swiss Cheese and Graubundner meat, for example from the Chasseral or from the Weissenstein peaks near Solothurn. This can easily become your trip highlight as well.
The Bernese Alps (“Berner Oberland”) south of Thun with Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau is a great place to do some day-tours, walking, sightseeing and activities like hang-gliding, canyoning or winter-skiing. Starting points could be Interlaken, Grindelwald, Adelboden or Gstaad. The whole region is very scenic with chalets, lakes and cows.
The region around Lucerne features the Pilatus, Stanserhorn, Titlis and the “Queen of the Mountains” Rigi that are also excellent places to visit and enjoy the outdoors. Rigi Kulm features some really nice hotels, restaurants and wellness resorts.
The South of Switzerland is extremely mountainous. Canton Valais (“Wallis”) covers most of this and is mainly a large valley. Zermatt, a village where cars are not allowed, and the Matterhorn Mountain are by far the most famous spots here. Nearby you will find the village of Saas Fee and the Dom (4545m), the highest mountain completely located in Switzerland. The Dufourspitze (4634m), the 2nd highest peak in the Alps, is just South, at the border with Italy. In Fiesz you can take a cable car to see the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps.
The Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz in the canton of Graubunden is another great experience, regardless how experience you are as a traveller, in summer and winter. This special train ride will take you across mountains with absolutely beautiful scenery. The Bernina Railway in Graubunden competes with the Glacier Express for beauty. Ideally you do both! This region also features the National Park, where animals like bears and wolves are at home. St. Moritz is a place where the very rich feel at home.
Other Sightseeing
There are many waterfalls and rapids in Switzerland. Some are coming down the mountains, others are hidden in between rocks. The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are the largest falls in Europe (?), but by no means comparable to Niagara or Iguassu. Near Lauterbrunnen (close to Interlaken) you can find for example Staubbach, Trümmelbach and Mürrenbach, all very worthwhile.
Canton Tessin is a destination by itself. This Italian part of Switzerland, also known as the Sunny Corner, is beloved by the Swiss especially in spring (Easter) when traffic jams at the Gotthard tunnel are common. Here you will find large lakes (Maggiore and Lugano) as well as charming Italian cities and flair. The Locarno film festival is world-famous.
Liechtenstein is a small, independent, sovereign and prosperous country with special ties to Switzerland. It not only shares a border and non-EU membership, but also uses the Swiss Franc as national currency.
Food and Drinks
There are three very typical Swiss dishes that you should try when in Switzerland.
1. “Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with Rösti” is meat in creamy sauce, served with potatoes.
2. “Cheese Fondue” needs no explanation and is especially nice in winter, after a long day in the outdoors.
3. “Bircher Müessli” is a common sight for breakfast, not only in Switzerland
You like chocolate? If yes, you have come to the right place. There is lots of it. Try any COOP or Migros store and you could find 100 or so delicious types of Swiss chocolate bars.
Switzerland has some very nice wines. A special region is Vaud, in the Jura range, between Lausanne and Montreux along Lake Geneva, where grapevines have been cultivated for more than 1000 years. It is now UNESCO listed. 99% of the production is for consumption within its borders. This region is also great for walking or bicycling or a long romantic weekend. Other major wine regions include Biel, Vallais and the Tessin.
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