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Switzerland may be neutral but it is certainly not flavourless.
The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed
a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes
have enough zing to reinvigorate the most jaded traveller.
Goethe summed up Switzerland succinctly as a combination of
'the colossal and the well-ordered'. You can be sure that your
trains and letters will be on Time. The tidy, just-so precision
of Swiss towns is tempered by the lofty splendour of the landscapes
that surround them.
Main Places to Visit
Zurich
We know what you're thinking, but honestly this is not the
boring banking capital it's reputed to be. In fact Zurich is
- whisper it softly - surprisingly hip and trendy. Hundreds
of new bars, restaurants and clubs have opened since planning
laws were changed in the late 1990s and Zurich now hosts Europe's
largest annual street party.
Admittedly, the first impression, of a small, clean and orderly
metropolis with church steeples above a crystal-blue river and
lake, is pleasant rather than exciting. But then you're struck
by the happy noise of the cobbled Niederdorfstrasse, on the
eastern riverbank, and won over by the hedonism around the lake.
Lucerne
'Lucerna', 'Alpine splendour' in all languages. 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.
Charming Lucerne has an 'Old Town' centre of 15th-century buildings
with painted facades, towers, a 17th-century Renaissance town
hall, old squares and postcard-perfect medieval bridges adorned
with rooftop art. When tour guides in medieval costume appear,
Lucerne is occasionally vaguely reminiscent of Venice, but it
rarely gets too busy with tourists. There are also some fine
art galleries and museums. Northeast of the city centre is the
poignant Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who
died in the French Revolution.
Geneva
Nope, Geneva is not Switzerland's capital, despite what many
think. This chic, sleek, cosmopolitan lakeside city is, in fact,
only Switzerland's third-largest city and has an overwhelmingly
international feel: 43.4% of the population is from elsewhere.
The city is crowded with museums, has many excellent cultural
events and is ideally placed for quick hops to the Swiss and
French Alps. Basking in the sunshine of its peaceful setting
on Lake Geneva's banks, this acclaimed neutral territory displays
an obvious self-confidence. It is in pristine condition, clean,
efficient and safe, yet spirited in its style and love of adventure.
Lugano
Lugano is the largest city in the canton and an important banking
centre. How can so many locals work in stuffy banks when they
could wander the spaghetti maze of cobblestone streets that
untangle at the edge of the lake or indulge in the water sports
and vast hill-walking opportunities?
Interlaken
Flanked by the Thun and Brienz lakes and within yodelling distance
of the mighty peaks of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger, Interlaken
is a popular base for exploring the region. Kitsch shoulders
into the town itself, with horse-drawn carriages and shops crammed
with Swiss-style tourist tack.
Admittedly, the first impression, of a small, clean and orderly
metropolis with church steeples above a crystal-blue river and
lake, is pleasant rather than exciting. But then you're struck
by the happy noise of the cobbled Niederdorfstrasse, on the
eastern riverbank, and won over by the hedonism around the lake.
When to go
You can visit Switzerland any Time throughout the year. Summer
lasts roughly from June to September and offers the most pleasant
climate for outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately, you won't be the
only tourist during this period, so prices can be high, accommodation
hard to find and the mainstream sights crowded. You'll find
much better deals and fewer crowds in the shoulder seasons of
April-May and late-September-October.
At any Time, as you travel around the country you'll hit many
different climatic conditions. The continental climate in the
Alps tends to show the greatest extremes between summer and
winter. Mid-August to late October generally has fairly settled
weather, and is a good period for hiking trips.
If you're keen on winter sports, resorts in the Alps begin
operating in early December, move into full swing around Christmas,
and close down when the snow begins to melt in April.
Facts of Switzerland
Full Name
Swiss Confederation
Capital City
Bern
Area
41,290 sq km
15,942 sq miles
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +1 ()
Daylight Saving Start
last Sunday in March
Daylight Saving End
last Sunday in October
Languages
German (official)
French (official) : spoken by 19% of the population.
Italian (official) : Spoken by 6.4% of the population.
Raeto-Romance (official) : spoken by under 1% of the population,
mainly in the canton of Graubunden.
Religion
41.8% Roman Catholic, 35.3% Protestant, 4.3% Muslim, 1.8% Orthodox
Christian, 11.1% no religion, 5.7% other.
Currency
Swiss Franc ()
Country Dialing Code
41
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