Switzerland
A Destination with spectacular Alpine scenery, cosy mountain chalets, dazzling ski runs and elegant grand hotels
The travel image of Switzerland is almost too perfect and timeless: spectacular Alpine scenery, cosy mountain chalets, dazzling ski runs, window boxes spilling over with red geraniums, tidy cities set on serene lakes, elegant grand hotels. Though you'll undoubtedly encounter these along the way, they don't present a complete picture of this modern country.
Travel to Switzerland for the scenery and for the skiing, as there are few destinations that can equal it. Enchanting towns like Lucerne, the chocolate box scenery of the Jungfrau Mountains, sparkling Lake Geneva, Switzerland travel is bound to appeal to most. Switzerland is also famous for its cultural and music festivals, with the Montreaux Jazz festival a popular drawcard for jazz enthusiasts around the world. There are few places as clean, safe and orderly as Switzerland. Likewise, few countries especially as small as Switzerland, have such diversity in terms of culture and language with German, French, Italian and Romansh spoken in different regions. Despite its varied cultures and linguistic traditions, Switzerland is one of the most politically and economically stable countries in the world.
Zurich
Synonymous with international banking, Zurich has a financial and cultural importance that belies its modest size. The city is positioned at the northern tip of Lake Zurich; travel along the lakeside promenades and expensive houses are prominent and can be spotted along both shores. Zurich’s most familiar attractions are the Fraumunster and Grossmunster churches, which solemnly face each other across the River Limmat and St Peters Church which has the largest clock face in Europe.
Zurich’s concentration of wealth can most readily be seen along the Bahnhofstrasse, flanked by lime trees. All the major banks have a presence here, notably at the Paradeplatz, where elegant shops and designer boutiques line the street, interspersed with trendy bars and attractive cafés, stretching from the Hauptbahnhof right down to Lake Zurich. This destination’s high standard of living is evident in the many fashionable and enjoyable bars, cafés and restaurants that fill the Old Town of Zurich.
Travel to this city you will also notice a strong cultural presence with over 30 museums, art galleries, auction houses, the opera, orchestras and the Schauspielhaus theatre, as well as a number of performance spaces that encourage contemporary artists in all media.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Zurich
Travel in summer and the view of the city is beautiful, with the lake reflecting the mountains and clear blue sky. Travel to Zurich during the winter snowfalls and this will bring a magic of their own. Zurich has a comfortable climate. Summer temperatures tend to hover around 24°C and rarely top 30°C. The coldest a normal winter gets is 4°C.
Geneva
Geneva has long been Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city. Situated at the south-western end of Lac Leman (the country’s largest lake) and astride the Rhone, Geneva is the departure point for travel on lake steamers. Only an arrival by water one can see just how well sited the city is, with foreground hills rising against a backdrop of mountains.
A major banking centre that hosts the UN headquarters, the International Red Cross, World Health Organisation and many other world renowned organisations house their headquarters here, it is hard not to see the significant role played by the city of Geneva.
Travel to Geneva to experience the efficiency of this destination’s excellent public transport system, coupled with the ease and pleasure of walking around the centre, makes this city an easy choice to travel to. Geneva is also big for the manufacture of watches, scientific instruments, jewellery and foodstuffs. These roles have contributed to it being an expensive city in which to live or stay, although this destination has much to offer the traveller. Geneva enjoys a mild central European climate with relatively low rainfall. The super-rich community of international civil servants and tax exiles demand good food, top hotels and entertainment, and Geneva provides it all. Beneath the stereotypical veneer of diamonds and watches, however, one finds a tolerant and safe society.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Geneva
Travel anytime, Geneva has pleasantly warm summers and mild winters. Beautiful long sunny days can be experienced during July and August and sometimes even September. Very rarely do the temperatures drop to below freezing in the winters.
Lucerne
Lapped by scenic Lake Lucerne and surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains - a picture of this once small fishing village and its striking skyline epitomises the very essence of Switzerland travel. Lucerne has one of the oldest covered wooden bridges (Kapellbrucke) that forms the centrepiece of this charming town. Mount Rigi and Pilatus form a mountainous gateway to the city of Lucerne.
Travel to the 'Old Town', centre of 15th-century buildings with painted facades, towers, a 17th-century Renaissance town hall, old squares, narrow cobblestone streets and postcard-perfect medieval bridges adorned with rooftop art. When tour guides in medieval costume appear, Lucerne is occasionally vaguely reminiscent of Venice, but this destination rarely gets too busy with tourists. There are also some fine art galleries and museums. Northeast of Lucerne’s centre is the poignant Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who died in the French Revolution.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Lucerne
Travel to Lucerne can be at any time of year. The winter season in Alpine resorts kicks off in mid-December through to mid-April. June is the earliest month to go hiking in the Alps. Spring is a beautiful time of year to explore the flowering countryside. Summer lasts roughly from June to September, with peak periods in July and August, offers the most pleasant climate. Autumn brings the loveliest coloured leaves.
