Switzerland, the ‘Playground of Europe,’ earned its sobriquet from a book in 1870, written by Leslie Stephen after his extensive travels through this gorgeous land of mountains, lakes, and verdant pastures. The title sticks true today too as the great Swiss outdoors is all about hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and invigorating swims.
What makes this landlocked country so breathtakingly beautiful is possibly its strategic location between the Swiss Plateau and two mountain ranges, the Alps and Jura. Switzerland never runs out of awe-inspiring scenery and is probably one of the most photographed countries on the planet. The rural countryside scattered with small scenic towns perched on high mountains or on the banks of the quintessential lake provides the perfect setting for some of the best photo ops.
Cities too are not short of places to point your camera at with some majestic architecture such as Lausanne‘s cathedral, Zurich‘s Grossmunster or Bern‘s charming medieval town. The country which ranks extremely high on the economic index is one of the richest and most developed in the world. Zurich, Geneva, and Basel sit at the top of the rankings in the world’s best cities to live in, with Zurich occupying the second spot. Zug, Switzerland’s tax haven is a magnet for the affluent, while the distinctive culture of the Swiss is showcased in the central gem, Lucerne.
Swiss cuisine is multifaceted with each region having its own distinct gastronomy based on the climate and language of the region. Velvety chocolate and delicious varieties of cheese rank high on the menu while top-quality wine is ever at hand to quench that thirst. Wine is probably Switzerland’s best-kept secret as the country is not generally associated with wine. One of the most probable reasons for Swiss wine not being known on the international circuit is that the Swiss drink almost all the wine that they produce, with just 1% being exported to Germany.
Set at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss alpine wonderland that attracts countless adventurers and leisure-seekers alike, like us. However, the Matterhorn isn’t all that Zermatt has to offer. While this charming mountain village is renowned for its upscale hotels, it’s also home to a selection of hotels that offer a…
Ski trips are one of the biggest appeals of travel to Switzerland. And when we think Swiss ski trips, the expensive Zermatt and St Moritz spring to the mind – but it doesn’t always have to be. The capital city of the eponymous canton of Zürich is an excellent destination for spending an exhilarating ski weekend.…
Switzerland’s wealthiest and largest metropolis, financial center, and one of the world’s most livable cities, Zurich wears many caps. At the turn of the 21st century, it also transformed into one of the hippest destinations in Europe. A fairytale-esque center with cobblestoned corners and majestic squares, an edgy persona, and a period aesthetic make for…
For at least once in your life, you have to set your foot in Zurich. But of course, the more the better. The city got so much more in store than what we’ve known so far. Like how it’s widely known for its wealth. Or a promising city where the liveability is higher than almost…
Although not the largest in Switzerland, third after Zurich and Geneva, the city of Bern has a lot to offer. Here you’ll find the old town districts and long arcades, all well preserved. If you’re into history and ancient things, this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site is worthy of being put on your wish list.…
Known as Switzerland’s financial capital, Zurich is often on lists of the world’s most expensive cities. If you’re looking for cutting-edge shopping and a luxurious lifestyle, this is it. Apart from that, this highly urbanized district also has some great natural wonders such as Lake Zurich and the River Limmat. So, are you planning to…
If you love skiing or other winter activities, you’ll feel at home in Zermatt. This mountain village lies at the foot of the highest point in the entire Alpine and is known for its ski resorts and exclusivity. Since it’s car-free, the city is very pedestrian-friendly. On the other hand, the weather is often sunny…
Located in Switzerland’s French-speaking region, Lausanne occupies three hills on the north side of Lake Geneva. Once known as a university town, Lausanne boasts dramatic landscapes, with a superb view of the Alps across the lake. Nowadays, the city has been transformed into a busy commercial and business district. Various magnificent attractions such as the…
Sitting at the foot of the Alps, on the shores of the stunning Lake Lucerne, Central Switzerland’s most populated town, Lucerne, enjoys an idyllic setting. It’s not just the beautiful setting that makes Lucerne a popular destination, but also its history. Many visitors to the country make a beeline for this gorgeous medieval town that…
Straddling the Rhine River, Basel is ideally situated. The cultural capital of Helvetia is where the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France meet. If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll be glad to know that this city is known for having many museums. There’s the Kunstmuseum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, just to name a…
The second-largest city in Switzerland, Geneva sits tucked between mountains on the shores of a lake. The largest in Central Europe, Lake Geneva is not only picturesque, but it also offers plenty of recreational opportunities. A cosmopolitan city, Geneva is home to a number of international organizations in finance and the world of diplomacy. This…
Like most towns in Switzerland, Zug too is ringed by mountains and situated near a lake, but what makes this city stand out is its obvious affluence. Zug which was founded by the Kyburgers in the 13th century AD is a low tax region where the headquarters of a number of multinational enterprises are located.…
One of the most popular destinations in Switzerland is the little gem called Lucerne, located in Central Switzerland, at the foot of the Alps. This beautiful medieval city which began as a small fishing village is now the most populated town in Central Switzerland. Situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne and within sight of the…
The beautiful landlocked country of Switzerland is on top of almost everyone’s bucket list of places to visit. The stunning mountains, crystal clear lakes, varieties of chocolates, cheeses, and friendly people are just some of the things that lure travelers to this beautiful part of the world, year after year. With its captivating landscapes, Switzerland…
Smaller but livelier than its better-known neighbor Geneva, the French-Swiss town of Lausanne, is an old city located on the shores of Lake Geneva that enjoys wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. With its historic old town, impressive cathedral, wonderful outdoor markets, swanky bars and cozy cafes, Lausanne is definitely a pleasant surprise. Check out our…
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, situated on verdant hills right by the glacial blue-green waters of the River Aare and it is the country’s fifth most populated city after Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. Bern is the most preserved medieval city in the country, boasting over 5.2 square km (2 square miles) of towers, cathedrals, arcades and…
Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt is a tiny car-free village with the highest and largest ski area in the world. It is dominated by the huge and graceful pyramid of the Matterhorn, one of the world’s most famous mountains and whether you are the ultimate…
Unless you’re an art and contemporary urban design fan, Basel is probably not your first in your Switzerland’s list, and that’s a shame. Basel the third-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva is located at the congruence of the Swiss, French and German borders. It is one of Switzerland’s underrated tourist destinations with a beautiful medieval…
As the second-largest city in Switzerland, Geneva is home to many cultural, historical and natural attractions while also being the hub of banking, technology and tourism. It occupies the westernmost corner of Switzerland, literally on the French border, flanked by the stunning Alps and gorgeous Lake Geneva. Famed for its overabundance of haute cuisine restaurants,…
For business or pleasure, Zurich is always a good place to visit if you want to enjoy the best of the best of Europe. Exquisite cuisine, 5-star hotels, astounding spas, phenomenal bars, cocktail lounges and breathtaking views all around you. Although it may only have 400,000 inhabitants, Zurich’s airport receives more than 20 million passengers…