Switzerland is a small country that sits smack
dab in the middle of the Alps, making for
360-degree scenery wherever a person finds
themselves.
Numerous lakes also add to the picture postcard
look of this country, whose most famous citizen
may have been the fictional Heidi.
From banks to bucolic alpine meadows, Switzerland
has it all.
Here’s a look at the best places to visit
in Switzerland:
Number 10.
Interlaken.
Interlaken used to be known as a watch making
center, but today it’s more popular as a
tourist resort.
Tourists started coming to Interlaken in the
early 1800s to breathe in the mountain air
and partake of spa treatments.
Its popularity only grew from there.
Offering spectacular views of three famous
Swiss mountains, the Eiger, the Jungfrau and
the Monch, the city is also a popular base
camp for outdoor acitivites in the surrounding
Bernese Oberland Alps.
Hungry tourists may want to try raclette,
a classic Swiss dish made from cheese.
Number 9.
Lausanne.
Athletes with Olympic aspirations may enjoy
a visit to Lausanne, a scenic city that is
the second largest on Lake Geneva, as it is
home to the International Olympic Committee.
Lausanne also is the gateway to some of the
world’s best ski slopes.
A part of the Swiss Riviera, Lausanne has
been popular with writers over the centuries,
including Lord Byron, the Shelleys and Ernest
Hemingway.
Located in the French-speaking sector of Switzerland,
Lausanne boasts an impressive cathedral and
wonderful outdoor markets.
Number 8.
Geneva.
Geneva is a city where international influences
reign supreme.
It is home to the International Red Cross
Committee and the European headquarters of
the United Nations, as well as 20 other international
organizations.
Environmental travelers will enjoy the fact
that Geneva is a “green” city, with 20
percent of its land devoted to parks, earning
it the nickname of “city of parks.”
Top sights include the Cathedral of St. Pierre
where John Calvin gave famous sermons, and
the United Nations headquarters.
Geneva also is a good city to explore by bike
or rest weary feet by taking a boat ride on
Lake Geneva.
Number 7.
Zurich.
Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, will
appeal to travelers with an interest in culture
since it boasts more than 50 museums and over
100 art galleries.
When visitors get tired of shopping for internationally
famous Swiss brand-name goods, they can take
a boat ride on Lake Zurich or go hiking in
the nearby mountains.
The city also boasts an impressive number
of clubs for travelers who enjoy going out
at night.
Not to be missed is the Swiss National Museum,
located in a fairytale castle, it is dedicated
to Switzerland’s cultural history.
Number 6.
Zermatt.
Zermatt is a small town that is famous for
skiing and mountaineering due to its proximity
to the Matterhorn, one of Switzerland’s
highest mountains.
Cable cars whisk skiers up surrounding mountains
in the winter and hikers in the summer.
Zermatt is a good town for walking to various
sites, since gasoline-driven vehicles are
not permitted; any vehicles within the city
limits must be battery-operated.
Fortunately, for visitors, it takes 30 minutes
or less to walk between sites.
The town is accessible via scenic train routes
that connect it with the outside world.
Number 5.
Jungfrau Region.
The Jungfrau Region is one of the most scenic
places to visit in Switzerland, both in summer
and winter.
A century or two ago, this Alps region was
only visited by hard-core adventurers who
wanted to ski or climb through the mountains.
Now, thanks to an extensive network of railways
and well-maintained foot and bike paths, the
area is accessible to many types of travelers.
The Jungfrau Region consists of four picturesque
towns: Grindelwald, Murren, Lauterbrunnen,
and Wengen, and three imposing mountains:
Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Number 4.
Lugano.
Lugano has been nicknamed the “Monte Carlo
of Switzerland,” because of its growing
popularity with celebrities.
The city is located on Lake Lugano, in the
Italian speaking section of this alpine country.
Lugano, which is blessed with warm summers,
dates back to the 9th century.
The city is home to a large number of Swiss
heritage sites, including three cathedrals
and several museums.
Home to numerous financial institutions, the
city also hosts an annual classical music
festival, the Lugano Festival, in the summer.
Number 3.
Lake Geneva.
One of the largest lakes in Europe, Lake Geneva
lies on the course of the Rhone river on the
frontier between France and Switzerland.
Aside from the city Geneva most destinations
in the Lake Geneva region are in either the
Swiss canton of Vaud or the French department
of Haute Savoie.
The geography is varied, with the Jura mountains
in the north, a hilly plain in the center
and in the southwest the Alps.
The main attractions here are the elegant
cities and towns surrounding the lake, the
opportunities for skiing and hiking in both
mountain ranges, and of course the lake itself.
Number 2.
Lucerne.
Lucerne, located in the German-speaking section
of Switzerland, is a city that has it all:
city life, a lake and mountains.
Considered one of the world’s prettiest
cities, Lucerne is most famous for its 14th
century Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, which
is said to be the most photographed monument
in Switzerland.
Another famous monument is the Dying Lion,
which was carved out of rock to honor Swiss
mercenaries who died in France in 1792.
Hungry visitors may want to try Luzerner Chügelipastete,
a local specialty made from puff pastry, veal
and mushrooms doused in a cream sauce.
Number 1.
Bern.
Bern is a picturesque medieval city with a
history that dates back to the 12th century,
though it did not become a part of the Swiss
Confederacy until the 16th century.
Its most famous attraction is an ancient clock
tower with moving puppets, that once served
as the western gate of the city.
Other popular sites in Bern include the Munster,
a Gothic cathedral that rises from the old
town, and its town hall.
The bear is the symbol of Bern, with several
being kept in an open-air pit.
Shoppers will appreciate the old town that
boasts four miles of arcades, making it one
of the longest covered shopping areas in Europe.
