Why consider a visit to Switzerland?

Definitely not a large country but Switzerland is blessed with so much beauty that many other destinations should be envious. It is a country endowed with outstanding scenery, a perfect combination of lakes and snow-capped mountains. It is a destination for both summer and winter visits. Imagine waking up in the morning to the sound of cowbells and looking out of your hotel window with views of majestic mountains and shimmering clear blue lakes. On top of these, you can add visits to Switzerland’s cities such as Zurich, Geneva, Berne and Lausanne which offer the opportunity to enjoy visits to museums, art galleries, cafes and restaurants plus explore interesting old neighbourhoods. Despite its rugged mountainous terrain, Switzerland has managed to construct one of the best public transport networks in the world. Even the remotest corners of the country can be reached with relative ease on trips to Switzerland.

The Swiss Mountains

Switzerland is known for its mountains with the Alps in the south and the Jura in the northwest. The Alps make up about 60% of the country's total area. The majority of the Swiss population lives in the Swiss Plateau. Forty-eight of Switzerland's mountains are 4,000 metres/13,000 feet above sea level in altitude or higher. The best-known are the Matterhorn (4,478 metres/ 14,692 feet), the Jungfrau (4,158 metres/13,642 feet) the Eiger and the Monch. Because of Switzerland’s climate in the mountainous regions, it is home to some of the most excellent skiing in the world with the well-known ski resorts of St. Moritz, Davos, Klosters, Zermatt, Andermatt, Gstaad and Adelboden to name just a few of the many ski centres to be found on Switzerland vacations.

View more information on Swiss Alps Vacations here

The Swiss Lakes

Switzerland has an abundance of scenic lakes and it could be difficult to choose which one(s) to include in your Switzerland vacation. There are several thousand lakes in the country but obviously, you only want to visit the lakes of significance. Switzerland has more than 1500 lakes which together with glaciers cover about 6% of the country’s terrain. The largest lake is Lake Geneva in western Switzerland shared with France and home to Montreux and Lausanne. On the Swiss side, you have the Jura Mountains and across the border in France, the glistening, snow-capped peak of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc which is visible on clear days. Among the most important cultural performances held annually are the Lucerne Music Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival] and the Locarno International Film Festival. Lake Constance is the second-largest Swiss lake and borders Austria and Germany with its mild climate, flowers, gardens and palm trees. Another important lake is Lake Lucerne, the fourth-largest lake and home to the city of Lucerne with its old, medieval town. Lake Lugano offers alpine scenery including views into Italy not far away and excellent lake cruises. Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are two lakes connected by the town of Interlaken where it is recommended to stay for not only great lake views but due for its proximity to several delightful mountain resorts such as Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren.

What are the top cities to visit in Switzerland?

Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland’s principal city although not its capital. It has been regarded as being among the most desirable cities in the world to live in. it boasts not only many museums, theatres and concert halls, but a multitude of bars, nightclubs and discos. It is a city with a long history and boasts many museums (approximately 50) and art galleries (approximately 100).  Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt) contains mediaeval houses, twisting, narrow lanes, guild halls and town halls from the Renaissance period.

View more information on Zurich Tours here

Geneva

Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city on Switzerland vacations. It lies in the southwest, near the border with France, at the western end of Lake Geneva where the Rhone flows out of the lake. A number of international organizations have their headquarters in Geneva. These include the European headquarters of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and, the World Health Organization. Geneva is also well known for its Car Fair, Inventors' Fair and Book Fair. One of the most interesting sights in the city on trips to Switzerland is the Jet d’Eau (Water-Jet), a large fountain and one of the city's most famous landmarks. The Old Town is a picturesque section of Geneva with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, sidewalk cafes and restaurants.

View more information on Geneva Tours here

Basle

Basle or Basel is in northwest Switzerland, at the point where the Rhine bends northwards. It is an important European rail hub as it borders France and Germany. It has a lively art scene with a good selection of art galleries and museums one can visit on trips to Switzerland.

Berne

Berne is the capital of the country and because of its unique infrastructure and narrow cobbled streets, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. One highlight here is the Berne Bears that have been living in a park since 2009. The previous home for the bears was in the bear pit in the centre of the city. Another is the 30-metre/100 feet tall Cathedral tower. This beautiful Old Town has 6 kilometres/3.5 miles of mediaeval arcades dating back to the 12th Century. The arcades contain many shops and bars.

Lucerne

Lucerne is the economic and cultural centre of central Switzerland. With its lake location and mountain backdrop, it is an attractive resort with an old town centre and an excellent starting point for excursions into the neighbouring countryside on Switzerland tours.

Lugano

Lugano is the most important city in Southern Switzerland and part of the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It is surrounded by hills and mountains. Known for centuries to artists, writers and poets for its exceptionally mild climate, its wonderful views and its colourful vegetation, it is a popular stopover point.

Interlaken

Interlaken is the captivating capital of Switzerland's beautiful Bernese Oberland and is a delightful resort surrounded by the crystal-clear lakes of Thun and Brienz and close to the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau mountain ranges. It is also one of the best locations in the country for souvenirs and watch purchases while on Switzerland vacations.

St. Moritz

By far the most exclusive of resorts on Switzerland vacations, St. Moritz is known for its ski runs and a vast choice of stunning hiking trails. There is a funicular which takes you up to Corviglia where you have sweeping alpine views. 

Zermatt

Zermatt has retained its old-world charm which combines chic upscale modern stores and fine dining. Perhaps the most photographed mountain in the world, heading to the Matterhorn is a must. It juts up into the sky and its peak is one of the most spectacular sights anywhere, not to be missed on Switzerland vacations. 

Gstaad

Gstaad, with its top hotels and gourmet restaurants, is a car-free resort in the Bernese Oberland and a popular destination for international celebrities. In the town is a picturesque avenue full of numerous shops, restaurants, art galleries, and hotels.

Davos

Davos is a major ski resort with expert runs and après-ski parties. It is the annual meeting point for the World Economic Forum. It also offers a large number of scenic walking trails for hiking in the summer.

What about the Chocolate, Cheese and Watches?

The Swiss have been making chocolate since the 17th Century, mainly milk chocolate with major brands being Lindt, Toblerone and Nestle. There are more than 450 varieties of Swiss cheese and nearly half the milk produced in Switzerland is turned into it. The most produced cheeses are Emmenthal and Gruyere. Swiss watches are known as symbols of luxury and status due to their quality, attractive designs and reliability. Think Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Longines, Tissot and Swatch.

When is the best time to visit Switzerland?

The best time to visit this destination really depends on your reason for travelling there. It goes without saying that the winter is the only time for winter sports which can last from mid-December to mid-April. The peak months, however, are January and February for guaranteed snow conditions and are considered the high season. Snow is almost guaranteed at altitudes over 1500 metres/4900 feet. Snow is experienced in the lower areas of Switzerland during the winter. Summer is the perfect time to be anywhere in the country as the climate is temperate and not too hot. This is a good time for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.

What types of tours are available in Switzerland

Depending on your style of travel and time of the year, Goway has a large selection of travel ideas. City stopovers are available in Zurich, Geneva, Interlaken and Lucerne. For rail enthusiasts and travellers who enjoy exceptional scenery, a selection of train itineraries covers most of the highlights. For independent travellers, there are pre-planned self-drive tours with a selection of suggested itineraries. Ski packages are available starting from both Zurich and Geneva to major resorts. And don’t forget a visit to Switzerland for the Christmas markets.   

 "Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

Free Things to Do in Zurich While on a Switzerland Vacation

Add a Festival to Your European Vacation (Part 2)

The Intimacy and Accessibility of European River Cruises

Fantastic Train Travel Can Be Part of a Goway Tour

Enjoy Great Planned Walks, Hikes, and Treks on a Europe Trip

Introducing the Grand European, Goway’s Exclusive Holiday of a Lifetime to Europe

Stretching the Adventure with Sustainable Tourism Destinations

Up, Up, and Away on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Extend your Stay in Europe

Consider an additional stopover to your Switzerland vacation at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Switzerland.