Located in the Heart of Europe, Switzerland is a destination Nature Lovers should not make the mistake of not visiting. Switzerland is a small and steep country. Lakes, rivers, mountains, plateaus and the serene aesthetic beauty are the chief factors for Switzerland’s magnificence! It is ironically said that Swiss nationals hate fighting so they hire people to do it for them while they ski and gobble up chocolates. This beautiful country is an amazing journey filled with sheer joy and it is definitely not just about skiing and treating your taste buds to delicious milk chocolates! Comforting your mind, relaxing your body and compelling you to fall in love with Mother Nature as you lie in her lap is what Switzerland does best. The only country in the world with four national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh.), Switzerland is uniquely eminent for countless things. Here are the top 10 of them.
1. Chocolates
And last but not the least, it’s the mouth watering, delicious to the core, Swiss Chocolates. Believe me when I tell you that they are the best milk chocolates in the world! Once you try really good Swiss chocolate, it’s hard to resist. This is where milk chocolate was invented (you can thank the cows for that), and chocolate-making is an art. Switzerland’s chocolates have earned an international reputation for high quality with many famous international brands. The more I say for them, the less it is. It is popularly said, “Every nine out of ten people like Swiss chocolate. The tenth is lying.”
2. Skiing
Switzerland is the birthplace of skiing. There aren’t many places in the world where you can travel to in any season and have a great time. In Switzerland, winter is equally a high season as summer is. Few places in Europe have as good skiing as in Switzerland. Many of the ski-fields are huge. They often unify with each other. You can ski over to another ski resort. It’s the experience that drives many people who go skiing in Switzerland. Sitting in the sun 2000 meters high up on the mountain, overlooking the mountain summits with a nice hot chocolate is thrilling experience in itself. A colourful addition to lake and mountain vistas is changing foliage. Be it summers or winters, skiing is always popular in Switzerland.
3. Cheese
Cheese equals Switzerland. But it’s cheese of the best quality you can get! A fancy treat is to just melt it all down in a pot (fondue) and dip bread in it. One thing the regions have in common when it comes to food is that you’ll hardly find food not covered by cheese. The best is in Fribourg, where Gruyere and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses are melted together with white wine, garlic, and kirsch (cherry brandy). So when you are in Switzerland, stuff your tummy with cheese. It’s truly worth it!
4. Trains
With 46 railway companies, more than 5,000 km (3,100 mi) of track, and a transportation system that’s rarely delayed, the best way to get around Switzerland is surely by taking a train. Views from most trains will force you to reach for your camera, but for even better stunning scenes try one of the dedicated picturesque routes,such as the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, which usually have panoramic windows and travel at slower speeds to let you take in the highlights.
5. Zurich
The city founded by Romans, lies in the north central part of the beautiful country. A leading global city and home to a large number of financial institutions and banking giants, Zurich is also one of the largest financial centres of the world. Being the most popular city in Switzerland, the Zurich airport and railway station, are the largest and busiest of the country. According to several reliable surveys, Zurich has enjoyed the pride of being quite justifiably named as the city with the best quality of life in the world and the wealthiest city in Europe. The churches, various parks and the scenic beauty are all a balm to the aching heart and the stressed brain. So, the next time you include Switzerland in your travel plans, be sure to buy a map of Zurich!
6. Lakes
A large number of lakes, both large and small, can be found in most areas of the country. These crystal clear mountain lakes with panoramic view are real classics among world’s lake views. Each lake is extremely easy to access and the water clean and safe to swim in. Glacial blue waters and shoreline vineyards create great photo ops, and locally sourced fish are a delicacy. Lake Geneva, Lake Luzern and Lake Lugano are the most famous lakes of Switzerland. Lake Zurich is great place for a cool dip and bird watchers should flock to Lake Neuchatel.
7. Nature
Scenes from Switzerland’s summits are spectacular, and the best part is that you don’t need to be a professional climber to enjoy them. Cable cars, funiculars, and trains guide you up thousands of feet to viewing stations and mountain-top restaurants. Switzerland is a mecca for hikers of all abilities. Stroll in the shadow of the amazing Matterhorn on the Zermatt Lake Trail and on the Swiss Path along Lake Luzern, take in the country’s history or take pleasure in spotting native animals such as the ibex or marmot as you hike through the Swiss National Park in Graubunden.
8. Swiss Watches
You strap one of these beauties on to your wrist and your personality shoots up to an entirely different level. Swiss watches are an amazing blend of both technical and aesthetic qualities. They are accurate, reliable, water-resistant, shock-resistant and elegant as well. An industry that began in the middle of the sixteenth century, the Swiss watch industry has incorporated both the old and modern technologies and this along with their spirit of innovation has helped them to not only deserve but also uphold their reputation of being the leading watch makers of the globe. Some might say that Swiss watches are overpriced but in all fairness, the price of a product is determined by what it offers to the buyer and there is absolutely no denying the fact that you can’t help being blown away by these aristocratic watches.
9. Jungfrau- Top of Europe
The Jungfrau – Top of Europe is the high point of any Swiss holiday. It is the highest railway station in Europe. The visitors gain access to a high-Alpine marvellous spectacle of ice, snow and rock and they can admire the sight from the viewing platforms on the Aletsch Glacier or in the Ice Palace. The railway journey to the Jungfrau is takes you through the Eiger and the Mönch. Visitors can enjoy the wonderful view at the Eismeer and Eigerwand intermediate stations. Snow and ice are 100% guaranteed. The Sphinx viewing building, the Ice Palace, the plateau for walks in eternal snow – these are the year-round attractions on the Jungfrau – Top of Europe. The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains nearly all of the Bernese High Alps, with their monumental rock massifs.. Around 90 percent of this area is roofed with rocks and snow. The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch stand for the splendid natural beauty of the Alps.
10. Old Villages
Ditch the city and head to one of Switzerland’s smaller towns if you really want to take pleasure in Switzerland’s natural beauty. You’ll ben undeniably amazed if you visit the Graubunden area. There are villages with houses dating back to the 13th century that people still live in! Romanch, an ancient language that has died out everywhere else is still spoken here and the people here strive to keep their traditions alive. If you’re enthusiastic about outdoor or hot air balloons, Chateau d’Oex, a peaceful resort in the Lake Geneva region, is a great place for you. Winding alleys and Italian flair in Gandria, on the shore of Lake Lugano are a soothing sight. These simple yet enchanting villages give you a sneak peek into the ancient European culture.
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