Why go to Switzerland? The 10 good reasons to go Switzerland
OUTDOOR SPORTS
An open-air playground, this is the world of all-terrain sports.
TRAINS AT THEIR BEST!
Travelling through the Swiss Alps by train is an experience of discovery in itself.
A SAFE DESTINATION
Political stability and quality of life make this a very safe country to visit.
CHOCOLATE
The quality of Swiss chocolate has transcended borders since the 19th century!
BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES
Snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, larch forests: a grandiose natural setting.
CHEESE
Cheese is everywhere. Are you ready for the best fondue or raclette of your life?
AN AUTHENTIC AND RUSTIC COUNTRY
The tradition is very well preserved and the alpine heritage is always highlighted.
THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE
As the main headquarters of the UN in Europe and of various NGOs, Switzerland is at the heart of diplomacy.
THE ALPS
Reaching the summit is everyone's dream. Forty-eight mountains exceed 4,000 m.
LUXURY WATCHMAKING
Watchmaking expertise is a heritage that can be discovered through museums and tours.
What to visit Switzerland?
Interview: My Switzerland
with Delphine Calmo, author of the guide
My Switzerland
With Delphine Calmo, guidebook author
What brought you to Switzerland?
I grew up in Savoie. The Alps we share with our Swiss neighbors have shaped my personality. Like all mountaineers, I have an insatiable curiosity for wandering horizons and high peaks. I like to discover a country on my feet, walking with my notebook under my arm.
What do you remember most?
An immense diversity of landscapes in a very small area. Between the dolce vita of Ticino, the arty, industrial side of Basel, Zurich the trendy, cosmopolitan little big city , and the folds and ridges of the Alpstein massif, Switzerland offers visitors a unique variety of atmospheres and mentalities. The majestic, omnipresent mountains command respect.
What surprised you?
Switzerland is at the heart of Europe, and not part of it. Four different languages are spoken here. The serenity and pacifism that govern relations are strong values, rooted in the mentality and shared by the inhabitants of the Helvetic Confederation.
What's your favorite place in Switzerland?
It's hard to pick just one! I'd have to say the sunrise over Säntis, a mountain like no other, Lake Maggiore and the islands of Brissago, where subtropical species grow, the Jean Tinguely Museum in Basel and its fascinating kinetic works, and the architectural splendor of Zurich's old buildings along the Limmat.
A tip for discovering the country?
Budget your trip, as it's an expensive destination. In the guide, we have selected addresses to suit all budgets. I'd also recommend using public transport. The Swiss rail network is dense and long. Trains leave on time and are very clean. Travelling by train is a guarantee of being captivated by the beauty of the landscape.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Switzerland
Timetable
Tourist attractions and activities rarely start before 9am. Of course, a rafting trip will get you out of bed early! But for cultural visits, museums open between 9 and 10 a.m. and close between 5 and 6 p.m. And don't forget: depending on the season, there may be evening events.
You may be disappointed if you travel on Mondays. Many museums in Switzerland close on Mondays. It's best to find out beforehand. The www.museums.ch website will be a great help.
Public holidays: there are three public holidays common to the whole of Switzerland: New Year's Day (January1), Swiss National Day (August1 ) and Christmas (December 25). Some cantons have other public holidays.
To be booked
It's a good idea to book your guided tours in advance, as well as certain excursions that require organization. If, for example, you would like to experience the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps by train (Glacier Express, Bernina Express...), you will need to book your seat with the SBB or the railways directly at www.glacierexpress.ch and www.rhb.ch/fr/panoramic-trains/bernina-express. Cruises on Lake Geneva aboard the prestigious Belle Epoque fleet can be booked on the CGN website www.cgn.ch
Budget & Tips
Children are almost always taken into consideration in museums and other cultural venues, as well as on board public transport, through various discounts and other little touches such as adapted tour programs or play corners (especially in certain restaurants). Websites exist for activities with children by canton, such as www.genevefamille.ch or www.vaudfamille.ch.
Almost all towns offer discovery passes with a wide range of activities at very attractive prices if you combine visits.
The Ticino ticket (www.ticino.ch/fr/ticket.html). The canton of Ticino welcomes you to enjoy 100% of its cultural, sporting and leisure activities. The Ticino Ticket is given to you when you stay at a local inn, bed & breakfast or hotel. It entitles you to free rail travel throughout Ticino, and discounts on ski lifts, lake cruises on the Swiss side and on the main tourist attractions.
Main events
With such a diverse playground, the country hosts and organizes events of all kinds all year round. In winter, the resorts come alive with ski races, such as the World and European Cups, and sliding competitions of all kinds (even a toboggan race in Les Diablerets) to delight mountain enthusiasts. In summer, the mountains offer mountain bike races, enduro races like the World Series in Crans-Montana, and alpine festivals.
Favoring typical events like the Rigi-Staffel underpants wrestling festival, a popular event, or the Fête de l'Escalade in Geneva in December, where costumed processions in period uniforms celebrate the battle won against the Savoyard invaders in 1602. It's an opportunity to sample chocolate marmites and listen to the songs of Cé qu'è lainô.
The lakes are veritable little inland seas, and Léman hosts a famous regatta every June: the Bol d'or Mirabaud.
Numerous music festivals take place every summer, and Paléo (yeah.paleo.ch) is one of the best known. Every year, no fewer than 270,000 spectators and 300 concerts and shows enliven the shores of Lake Geneva.
Guided tours
There's nothing like listening to the words of an experienced guide who's passionate about the city's heritage. Tourist offices can guide you on city tours by bus or minitrain. They also organize themed guided tours - just ask. Many passes, such as Geneva City Pass in Geneva, offer free tours.
In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, IdGenève can also help you with its unusual and gourmet themes (guided tour and chocolate tasting): [email protected]
Also worth trying out are the dramatized tours (www.balades-touristiques-theatralisees.ch), which combine action and information.
Very few museums don't offer guided tours. Ask them to sign you up.
Museums organize their own guided tours: find out more directly on their websites or at www.thematis.ch/ and www.museumspass.ch/fr/.
Smokers
Since May1, 2010, smoking in public places has been banned throughout Switzerland.
Tourist traps
Give preference to booking channels such as tourist offices. They know their partners and you won't have any unpleasant surprises in the event of a haphazard booking.
