A multiple-choice destination
A few cliches come to mind when we think of Switzerland: chocolate, yodeling, Gruyère cheese, cows in green pastures, etc. Yes, Switzerland is all these things, but there is more to it. This pocket-sized country has many different facets. They speak German, Italian, French, and Romansh there. You cross the Jura, the Swiss Plateau, and the Alps.
Stroll through the arcades of old Bern, go wine-tasting in Lavaux, celebrate jazz in Montreux, stop off in the farms in the Vaud Alps, and more. Traveling through Switzerland opens up a field of possibilities. The country encompasses Alpine peaks and vast lakes, dense forests and verdant meadows, all dotted with traditional villages. Take in a city between jaunts: sporty Lausanne, cosmopolitan Geneva, creative Basel, or hip Zurich, to name just a few.
Supersized nature
Driving along its bucolic roads, you grasp the beauty of Switzerland. To the east, visit the canton of Graubünden and cross the Viamala Gorge on a suspension bridge. To the south, go through the Gotthard Base Tunnel in the Alps to reach Ticino and Italian-speaking Switzerland. To the west, travel along the terraced vineyards of Valais and the golden fields of the Rhone plain, before coming to the canton of Jura, home to the French-speaking Swiss. A string of lakes passes by through the window: Biel, Morat and Neuchâtel. Protected marshes and medieval castles are all around. Built on a rocky islet on the banks of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle is a must-visit.
Mountains at every turn
From one valley to the next, the itinerary immerses you in a setting straight out of a picture book. Mountains are everywhere you look. Covering 70% of the country, these majestic giants spring up around the bend of the passes and winding roads. First and foremost, the Matterhorn, the local star, as well as the Eiger, the domain of experienced climbers, or Monte Rosa and the Dufourspitze: there is plenty to appeal to hikers, skiers and mountaineers of all kinds.
Hurtle down the slopes of Zermatt and St. Moritz, sail across the calm waters of Lake Lucerne, or take a rack railway train to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. Whether you prefer a sporty or a slow vacation, Switzerland is an incredible breath of fresh air!
