Which European country is your favorite? Perhaps you enjoy the company of the sophisticated French, or are you more into the chic fashion styles that can only be found in Italy? Or perhaps you’re a more industrious type, which means Germany would be more to your liking. But then again, perhaps you enjoy a taste of everything, in which case there is only one answer: Switzerland.
A veritable paradise for both water and winter sports, with its glittering lakes and glistening peaks, Switzerland is the place where skiing was first done solely for fun. And despite the wrongly attributed belief that the Swiss are all work and no play, Switzerland encompasses many playgrounds – illustrious names such as St. Moritz, Zermatt, Interlaken, Verbier and Gstaad offer excitement and adrenaline rushes of the sort that can only be found high in the mountains, while cosmopolitan cities such as Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Lausanne are bulging with artistic delights and often incendiary nights out.
An All in One Destination
Switzerland’s grand capital, Berne, offers amazing choices for shopping, sightseeing, culture and tradition, while Zurich is number one when it comes to entertainment, with its vibrant nightlife, exotic arts and intricate world of design.
Yet beyond all the chic and ski resorts, Switzerland becomes a complex nation full of intersecting cultures. There are four languages spoken in Switzerland (French, Italian, German and Romansch), and its linguistic variety is more than matched by that of its culture. Chomp on sausages and wash it down with beer one day, then enjoy a fine pasta dish with a glass of wine the next. And when all this indulgence gets you down, take some time off to relax in one of the splendid thermal baths at Scuol, Yverdon-les-Bains, or elsewhere.
Swiss Cheese and Such
Switzerland has an endless list of enchanting destinations. Neuchatel and its fountains make for a picturesque place to call home about, Gruyeres is the home of Swiss cheese, Griments has its traditional timber homes, while Neuchatel has its covered bridge.
Superbly rich, Switzerland is rightly famous for its high standard of living, something which tourists will quite rightly enjoy a little piece of themselves. A trip to visit the Swiss is always an unforgettable memory, this place is a living picture postcard.
Budget for one week: More than 1000 Euro
Taxes and gratuities: Gratuity is recommended
Local currency: Swiss franc CHF
Spoken language and/or official language: German, French, Italian
Area: 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi )
Population: 7,866,500
Sanitary requirements: You can drink tap water everywhere in Switzerland
Major cities: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Bern, and Lucerne.
Main images courtesy: Tambako the Jaguar; Wikipedia and Argophilia Travel News.
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Holiday destinations in regions of Switzerland
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