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Travel Guide:
Switzerland
- Europe
 The thermae of Vals
photo by: thermoholzer@gmx.de
Located in central Europe, Switzerland is bordered by Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, and France. A small country, Switzerland's very name conjures up images of chocolates, cheese, watches, bankers, and snow-capped mountains. Switzerland was inhabited by a Celtic tribe called Helvetia in the ancient times. It became a part of the Holy Roman Empire in AD 1032 but soon succumbed to the mighty Habsburgs of Germany. The death of the Habsburg ruler Rudolf I in AD 1291 led to the formation of the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland was declared a neutral state following the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 and was accorded permanent neutrality in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna. A new federal constitution came into force in 1848 and Bern became the capital city. The Swiss remained neutral in both the World Wars. The picturesque city of Zurich, located on the banks of the Limmat River, is the intellectual and cultural capital of Switzerland and the hub of tourist activity. The 13th-century St. Peter's Church and the Fraumunster Church are two important sights. An evening walk along the banks of Lake Zurich or the alleys of the old town will cover almost all the attractions of the city. On the banks of the River Rhône is Geneva, a city that houses over 200 international organisations. The ropeway journey to Mont Saleve offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. The Cathedral St Pierre, Place du Bourg-de-Four, Museum of Art and History, Petit Palais, Museum of Old Musical Instruments, and the Horology Museum are some attractions of Geneva. The four different parts (German speaking, French speaking, Italian speaking and Romansch speaking...) of the country all have a very distinct atmosphere which makes it an adventure to explore. Switzerland is nature's playground and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. The Alps and the Jura slopes are great places for skiing. Hiking, mountaineering and ski mountaineering, paragliding and hang-gliding, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, rafting, and canoeing are some of the outdoor activities that you can undertake in Switzerland. Since Switzerland is in the middle of the Alps outdoor opportunities like hiking or skiing are better than anywhere else. Only one drawback: it's not the cheapest of places to stay. Contributors
change by giorgio
Top Destinations in SwitzerlandZurich
Geneva
Basel
Lausanne
| Montreux
St. Moritz
Zermatt
Davos
| Bern
Interlaken
Laax
Champery
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Travel Q&A on Switzerland:
Question: #1: St. Mortiz, Switzerland travel tips?
First time I have traveled to switzerland, we are going to stay at badrutts palace. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do when we get there we are going in late march
- asked by Joesph B
Answer: HI. In St.Moritz is a lot to do. Per example you can go sleighing. From Punt Muragl (5 km from St.Moritz) you go up to the mountain (muottas muragl) there you can rent some sleighs and run down the mountain. ...
- answered by: langstrumpf View All Answers (2)
Question: #2: Travel in switzerland?
my friend and I are planning to visit Europe somewhere around Mid March to april next year. we will like to start from geneva to Zurich, Milan, and last stop will be Munich of germany. May I know what is the most cheapest to travel? by train? do you think we shall purchase some kind of train pass? we also like to spend some time in some nice villages or moutains in Switzerland on our way to zurich, anyone can help us? is it also crazy to travel in March cos the weather will be very cold, right? By what to do? my friend has not seen snow before :)))))so sorry, we are the first timer to visit those places, and do not know what is the best way for us..... we just want to rest and relax..... oh yes, we have about 20 days to spend.. is it enough for us?
- asked by Jerry N
Answer: i'd go by public transport and since you start in geneve (and are from overseas?) you could get a swiss pass (train pass) which gives you the possibility to use train and bus and ship services everywhere ...
- answered by: John K View All Answers (5)
Question: #3: How to travel from switzerland to France?
What is the best and most economic way to travel from Basel (Switzerland) to Paris (France)? I have looked the Eurotraing however I could not find two way tickets to and from paris? Also, does anyone know any good situated Motels in Paris? Thanks
- asked by nourzd
Answer: I guess the most comfortable way will be travelling by train. You can search the available trains & their schedule here --> http://www.db.de/site/bahn/en/start.html ...
- answered by: Prateek View All Answers (7)
Question: #4: Is it good to travel around Switzerland during Christmas time in terms of weather concerned?
I chose to travel around Paris last Christmas however, it was not so great due to the crappy weather. It was raining and snowing, and Paris looked far less than pretty. I'm thinking of travelling around Switzerland this Christmas, but I'm afraid it is not good to travel there during winter.
- asked by O&S
Answer: winter in the Swiss flat areas (e.g., Zurich, Luzern) tend to be somewhat dreary; they get this weird fog/cloud hanging right above the cities, cold temperatures, and sun may not come out until the afternoon. ...
- answered by: Starwalker View All Answers (4)
Question: #5: can i travel to Switzerland with a Belgian temporary identity card??
i am an exchange student in belgium.i am from turkey.i have a belgian identity card and it is useable for all schengen countries as a european union passport.but switzerland is not a schengen country but on the internet it is written, with a valid schengen visa or a european union passport i can travel to switzerland for 3 months.can i go there for 3 days??
- asked by Ceren C
Answer: It depends on your nationality:If you are European citizen and Belgian even better, it is ok.If you are Turkish, you need a visa and a passport.There is no "temporary identity card", I believe you have ...
- answered by: Pat le Pirate View All Answers (1)
Question: #6: Would anyone like to share experiences of Switzerland travel?
- asked by Globetrotter
Answer: Switzerland is an absolutely beautiful country with stunning mountain views, cows in green pastures and picture postcard reflections in the lakes.The best way to travel around Switzerland is by train, ...
- answered by: Petra_au View All Answers (5)
Question: #7: Anyone know this about travel in Switzerland?
I need a Schengen visa to visit most European countries, but can apparently get a visa upon entry to Switzerland without organising one beforehand. My question is, once I'm then in Switzerland, is there anything to prevent me travelling to other places like France and italy? As far as I know most European border control has gone with the EU. Or is that just between Schengen states? Any help appreciated.PS (Am travelling from the UK, where I'm resident, on a South African passport)Supreme One - thanks for that site. As far as I can see the visa requirements for a South African passport holder fall into the V1 category - which means we're "released from the obligation of a visa" (their words) in certain circumstances - one being for tourist stays of less than 3 months.
- asked by carokokos
Answer: Here's what I know...I live in Switzerland, and have travelled to border countries by plane, car, train, bike, and ski, that I can think of. Plane: they always check. Car: only did this once (into France) ...
- answered by: Goddess of Grammar View All Answers (3)
Question: #8: What is the most exspensive place to travel? Switzerland? Brazil? France?
- asked by never-grow-up99
Answer: A cottage over water in TahitiA suite looking at the Eiffel tower in ParisA Sea View room in Monte Carlo at the Hotel du ParisA Sea View room in a nice hotel in Capri ...
- answered by: Hunters R Cowards! View All Answers (4)
Question: #9: Is schengen visa accepted to travel in to Switzerland ?
Iam travelling from india to Paris using schengen visa and i want to know can i use the schengen visa to enter in to switzerland.If you have any usefull web links reharding this let me know.
- asked by RajK
Answer: Check out the Swiss Embassy web page in your country of origin. Although Switzerland is not part of the EU, it does have many reciprocal agreements. Also www.xpatxchange.com has some useful links. ...
- answered by: MrsC View All Answers (2)
Question: #10: Travel from Switzerland to Venice?
What's the best way to get from Interlaken to Venice? Train? Fly? I want to stay 2-3 nights in the Interlaken area and then move on to Italy and work my way down. I was hoping to start in Venice when I get to Italy. Where are the international airport in Switzerland? I'll be flying in from Chicago. Thanks!
- asked by jockeygrrl
Answer: Train is always the way to go in europe. It's a little over 3 hours train ride from Interlaken to Milan, and a little less than 3 hours from Milan to Venice. So, i would take train to Milan, put laggage ...
- answered by: Cool Mei View All Answers (4)
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