Switzerland

Banks, Chocolates, and Watches may be just a few things that come to mind when you think of Switzerland. There’s always Swiss cheese, but this spectacular mountainous country has much more to offer – the scenery alone is priceless. Nestled between Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, this nation is diverse in that three languages are spoken. The capital is Bern, but the two largest cities are Geneva and Zurich.

Regions of Switzerland

Geneva Region

The home to Geneva, the city is also known as the Capital of Peace. The European headquarters of the United Nations is located here. While you explore Geneva, there are quays, lakeside promenades, parks, and stylish stores. Have a ramble through the active streets and alleyways in the old part of town.

Lake Geneva Region

This region is full of alpine peaks and lively cities such as Lausanne. You’ll find other lively towns as well as small wine-growing villages here. During the winter, the mountain villages here provide a range of winter activities including skiing.

Valais Region

This Alpine region has many charming towns and offers spectacular panoramic views. The region is great for hiking by summer, skiing by winter.

Bernese Oberland

Stunning beauty as you discover the rolling hills and rocky peaks. It’s a region of contrast as dark forests end at the foot of rocky peaks, while cows graze under the ancient Alpine maple trees.

Fribourg Region

Here you’ll find cold, limestone summits in the south and mild, even Mediterranean-like lakesides in the north. On its small territory, two languages coexist and three very distinct holiday regions overlap: the Pre-Alps, the city of Fribourg and the Three-Lakes Region.

Schweizer Mittelland

Home to the capital of Switzerland, Bern, a city definitely worth spending some time seeing. The region is simply grand as you’ll find quaint villages and cities with their massive protective walls, arcades, romantic alleyways and fountains topped with statues, which stand as silent witnesses to a colourful past.

Neuchâtel / Jura / Jura Bernois

This region is considered Watch Valley because of the Swiss watch-making tradition. Here you can take a trip through time on the Watch-making Route visiting its museums. In summer as well as in winter, take some time to treat yourself and relax at the hot springs centre. Take in the delightful and charming valleys and re-charge your batteries here.

Central Switzerland

In this Alpine region you’ll find the Schöllenen Bridge which made north-south travel across the Gotthard range possible. The region is varied with interesting alpine cities, baroque monasteries, and mountain lakes. Enjoy a ride on a Mountain trains or take a suspended cable car to the top of one of the peaks. The snow conditions in the winter are some of the best here; enjoy skiing or snowboarding on one of the well-prepared runs, or give cross-country skiing a go.

Basel Region

Located on the Rhine, Basel is a unique city as it borders both France and Germany. Enjoy the art and culture here by day and plunge into the lively nightlife at night. The Laufental valley to the south of Basel has some great walking and hiking with designated sign-posted paths.

Zurich Region

Zurich is full of culture and activities with opera, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals, art exhibitions in over 50 museums and 100 galleries, there is never a dull moment in Zürich. For shopping, there are the Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai -- two must visits. Just 20 minutes from Winterthur you’ll find the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Last, Rapperswil, a Riviera at the upper end of Lake Zürich has many attractions including a castle & medieval old town.

Eastern Switzerland

The region stretches from the glistening waters of Lake Constance across the hilly Appenzellerland to the Alpine landscapes of Toggenburg, the Heidiland region and the Glarnerland. In the Rhine Valley is Vaduz with its princes' castle.

Graubünden Region

The region is full of rivers and Alpine valleys. Here you’ll find some of the greatest tourist cities including Klosters, Davos, Arosa, and St. Moritz.

Ticino Region

Known as the Italian Flair of Switzerland. This region is actually Mediterranean and has a feel of Italy. Here you’ll find clean beaches, palm trees along with streets and alleyways leading to village squares and churches. In the Ticino region you’ll find the cities of Bellinzona, Locarno, Ascona or Lugano.

Currency in Switzerland

The currency here is the Swiss Francs (CHF). You may exchange currency at banks as well as at Foreign Currency Exchange locations. However, your ATM card will typically get you a better rate and ATM’s are available throughout the country. Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere and are another great way to make purchases.

Getting Around Switzerland

Thanks to a great train system, it is easy to get around Switzerland. All of the cities are well linked by rail and you’ll find there is frequent service on all routes; in many cases there are departures every 30 minutes to an hour.

At Swiss Train stations the schedules are colour coded. Yellow is used for departures while white is used for arrivals. High-speed trains appear while slower trains, which stop at more stations, are coded black.

Getting to Switzerland

Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg EuroPort (BSL) is unique as both France and Switzerland operate the airport. This airport is served by most major European Carriers.

Geneva International Airport (GVA) has non-stop service from both North America and Asia, as well as other European Cities.

Zurich International Airport (ZRH), like Geneva, has significant international service from North America and Asia. If arriving from overseas, Geneva and Zurich are the two primary airports with non-stop overseas links.

Switzerland also has significant international train links. You can reach Switzerland by train from most major European capital cities.