Switzerland is a land of stereotypes – expansive greenery, picturesque landscapes, chocolate, cheese, and watches. Switzerland’s lush green vistas are so perfect that they seem to be plucked out of a postcard. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on Earth – soaring Alpine mountains, medieval churches, a bucketful of fresh air, disarming landscapes, and green fields you would endlessly want to run through. It is one of those few places where everything runs on time, the chocolate is fantastic, the countryside is breath-taking and everything is as perfect as a dream!

Switzerland has 4 distinct seasons, each with its own set of activities and allure, making it a year-round destination. November and the beginning of December see heavy rainfall and mist, with a lot of major tourist operations especially in the skiing areas shut. You can figure out the best season for you depending on what you plan on doing during your visit.

Swiss cuisine is sumptuous, being influenced by different regions of its German, French and Italian neighbours. Swiss farmers mainly focus on dairy since wheat farming is less suited to higher altitudes. Potatoes are a Swiss staple, along with cured sausages and air-dried meat. Being at the forefront of chocolate manufacturing, it is heaven for dessert lovers. Eating out in Switzerland can be very expensive. The common street foods are burgers, pizza slices, kebabs and falafel. The national dish is the cheese fondue – a pot of white molten cheese with pieces of bread or potato to dip into. Another speciality of Switzerland is the raclette which is molten cheese spread over potatoes and pickles. The cafes and restaurants serve meals at designated times, thus you will find only snacks in between. Cafes are generally open from breakfast until midnight and serve alcohol. The bars and pubs open from late afternoon till late in the night. Beers are excellent in Switzerland and even the most remote places serve good wine.

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to buy things in. The country is famous for a number of things – watches, chocolate, cheese and Swiss Army knives. Being the watch-making capital of the world, watches are the most exquisite items available here. The Swiss variety of chocolate is amazingly good with Teuscher and Sprungli being the best of the lot. Make sure to sample the wide variety of cheeses available in the market, along with the famous cheese fondue. The major tourist areas sell other items like cowbells, embroidered clothes and Heidi related stuff. Swiss people love cows, thus you can find cow-related items ranging from stuffed toy cows to fake cowhide jackets in almost every part of the country. Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world; however, visit it only if you have really deep pockets.

The four official languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Each of them is spoken in different regions.

1. ZURICH

Zurich is the heart of all commercial activities, and it holds an international reputation in the fields of banking and finance. Zurich, however, is much more than just that. It is a major tourist attraction, with tons of museums, art galleries, international shopping brands, and a history of more than 2000 years.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, located in the north-central region of the country. Its history dates back to before it was even discovered by the Roman Empire. The range of activities on offer here is many, from museums and churches and theatres to the Lake Zurich and parks and outdoor activities. Not to mention, Zurich is one heck of a place for a party, with some of the best nightclubs you’ll find anywhere.

Places to visit in Zurich: Uetlibierg, Swiss National Museum, Altstadt Old Town, GrossmÙnster Church, Lake Zurich

2. GENEVA

Considered to be the second most populated city in Switzerland, Geneva is charmingly scattered around the beautiful Lake Geneva, at the mouth of River Rhone. It is also guarded by Alpine peaks and the hills of Jura. This metropolitan city is also blessed with plenty of natural beauty, depending on where you choose to go! Geneva also holds the seat for the UNO in Europe, which only serves to elevate its prestige.

Popularly known as the ‘city of peace’, Geneva is Switzerland’s second largest city, and with good reason. This is a city that clubs architecture and art with nature and natural beauty.

Places to visit in Geneva: Jet D’Eau, The Flower Clock or Horloge Fleurie, Mont Salve, Old Town, The United Nations office of Geneva, The Reformation Wall, Bains District

3. LUCERNE

Lucerne, capital of the Canton of Lucerne, is the most populous city in central Switzerland and is the hub of all communication, transportation and government of the area. Located on the shore of Lake Lucerne, it is surrounded by the regional mountains of Rigi, Pilatus and Staserhorn, and draws a lot of tourists coming into Switzerland owing to it’s absolutely beautiful setting.

Lucerne is a favorite among tourists simply for the beauty that the city beholds. The mountainous view, the lake side setting, and the chilly weather all add to the aura of the city. It is the first stop for tourists before embarking on their journey of central Switzerland. Due to the fact that the river Reuss also cuts through the city, draining the lake, Lucerne is home to a number of bridges, the most popular of which is the Chapel Bridge, a 200m long wooden covered bridge, considered to be the oldest such bridge in Europe.

Places to visit in Lucerne: Chapel Bridge (Kapellbruecke), The Old Town, Spreuerbruecke, Lowendenkmal , Swiss Transport museum, Rosengart Collection, St. Leodegar’s Church (Hofkirche), Jesuit Church

4. ZERMATT

Located in southern Switzerland, Zermatt is a popular mountain town in the Canton of Valais. It is situated at the foot of the Matterhorn, one of the Alps’ highest peaks. It attracts a large number of tourists for it’s activities on offer, such as skiing and mountain climbing, and also for it’s resounding beauty in general.

Zermatt is principally a retreat in the Alps. Based just at the foothill of the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt is one of the favourite weekend spots for the Swiss and outsiders alike. The range of activities in this small town is quite engaging. Activities such as ski trips, mountaineering, mountain biking or even hiking are sure to keep you occupied throughout your stay to this fabulous hill station.

Places to visit in Zermatt: Gornergrat, 5 – Seenwag, Matterhorn Museum, Mountaineer’s cemetery, Glacier Paradise (highest cable car station in Europe), Gorner Gorge,

5. BASEL

The beautiful city of Basel is placed just so, along a bend in the Rhine River. The city is located roughly where the French, German and Swiss borders touch. It is filled to bursting with museums and is a wonderful place for art lovers.

Basel is obviously a very beautiful city. Anywhere you go, you will always be met with scenic vistas, owing to the natural beauty brought to the city by the River Rhine. Basel is also known to have the highest number of museums in all of Switzerland! It is also often said to be the cultural capital of the country.

Places to visit in Basel: MÙnster (an impressive Gothic cathedral), Marktplatz (the most popular market square), Gate of Spalen, Dollhouse Museum, Tinguely Fountain, PapiermÙhle Paper Mill museum

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