SWITZERLAND
The Swiss Confederation was frist founded over 700 years ago. Swizerland is politically
divided into states called Cantons,
but for touring this beautiful country it is useful to think
of regions and its official languages. There are officially
four official languages, German, French, Italian and Romansch..
Language
Regions
German speaking Switzerland takes up the largest part, in the
north central and eastern end of the country. French speaking
Switzerland in mostly the valleys and Jura mountains surrounding
Lake Geneva. Italian Switzerland is on the southern side of
high Alps passes near the lakes of Lugano and Maggiore. Romansch is
in the far south eastern region, but only limited in use. Many Swiss commonly
speak English as a
second language.
Currency
Switzerland has its own currency the Swiss Franc (CHF).. Switzerland
is generally a bit more expensive for tourism that some of its neighbors,
mostly because Switzerland considers service work as a real
job so waiters and others are paid good wages, therefore costs
of the hospitality
industry is higher. But the Swiss Franc has been more
stable than the Euro..
Transportation
The airports at Zurich or Geneva are usually the main points
of entry for international air travel to Switzerland. Smaller
European discount carriers like Easyjet serve the EuroAirport
near Basel. There are smaller local airports with limited service,
but no major international airports in the south or east. Rails
line into Switzerland travel via Basel, Geneva, Lake Constance/St
Gallen, Lugano and Bernina/St Moritz. The French TGV runs from
Paris to Basel and German ICE trains run to Basel and Zurich. Italian express
trains run from Milan via Lugano.
Roads through high mountain passes were never very practical
through winters so the Swiss have developed one of the most
advanced and interconnected public transportation systems in
the world
so it is possible to go most anywere by rail, boat or bus.
The Swiss Pass can be especially valuable for traveling in
Switzerland.
By car, driving roads are well maintained as well. Switzerland
has a use tax for its motorways, so if transiting the country
in a rental car, the purchase of a sticker will be required
unless sticking to non-motorway roads. If renting a car in
country the
tax is included.
Switzerland is most known for its Alps peaks from the famous
Mattorhorn in Zermatt and the Jungfrau and Eiger near Interlaken,
but Switzerland is also magnificent valleys and and gorgeous
lakes, some plied by paddle wheel steamer. The many scenic
railways routes are most popular for visitors to Switzerland
and can be
found in almost all the regions from the the famous Glacier
Express to the Chocolate Train, with cog
rail mountain
trains in several
areas.
Food and Cuisine
Switzerland is best known for it cheese and chocilate, but each region
has its own regional style of cooking from family restaurants
to organic and Michelin star haut cuisine. Switzerland is probably
not so well known as a wine region as the majority of its excellent
wines are consumed within the country, but a number of areas
have extensive vineyards for exploring and tasting from the
Unseco World Heritage vineyards of the Vaud in the south to
Liechtenstein
in the east.
These are articles posted on Bargain Travel Europe for destinations, budget travel places to stay in Switzerland
GENEVA
PATEK
PHILIPPE MUSEUM
500 Years of Watch Design and History
LORD
BYRON & VILLA DIODATI
Literature's Gothic Summer of 1816
CHÂTEAU
DE COPPET LAKE GENEVA
Madame de Staël’s Swiss Salon and the Emperor
CERN:
HADRON SUPER COLLIDER - GENEVA
Visit and Tour the Nuclear Research Lab in Geneva
CRUISING
LAKE GENEVA IN GRAND STYLE
“ La Belle Epoch” Cruises of Switzerland’s Great Lake
WINTER
RESORTS OF LAKE GENEVA REGION
Ski Variety for Family and Thrills
EDELWEISS
HOTEL & RESTAURANT
Swiss Alpine Cuisine and Entertainment in Geneva
MARTIN
BODMER FOUNDATION LIBRARY
Great Collection of World Literature in Switzerland
GENEVA WATCH TOUR
Self Guided Tour of the Watchmaking City
REFORMATION MUSEUM - GENEVA
Swiss Influence on Protestant Europe and America
GRAUBUNDEN
BERNINA
EXPRESS
Picture Perfect Swiss Alps Scenic Railway
DRIVING
THE BERNINA PASS
Highest Road Pass from Switzerland to Italy
ROMANTIK
HOTEL STERN CHUR
Cozy Style Romantic Stay in Graubunden
HOTEL MISANI CELERINA
ENGADINE
Style and Art Hotel Accomodation Near St Moritz
GIGER BAR - CHUR SWITZERLAND
Alien Theme Bar in Graubunden
TOM'S
BEER BOX AND DESIGN BARS OF CHUR
Young
Clubs of Switzerland's Oldest City
OLYMPIA
BOB SLED RUN - ST MORITZ-CELERINA
Famous Wild Ice Ride in Switzerland Alps
DEVILS WHISKY BAR - ST MORITZ
Whisky Tasting at Waldhaus am See
DIAVOLEZZA CABLE CAR AND HOTEL RESTARUANT
Skiing, Hiking and the Alps Highest Jacuzz
HOTEL HAUSER CONFISERIE ST MORITZ
Chocolate and Nut Cake
BASEL
SWISS
PAPER & PRINTING MUSEUM
Hands on Paper and Printing History
BASLER
FAEHRI BOATMEN
Historic Rhine Passenger Ferries of Basel
PHARMARCY
MUSEUM - BASEL SWITZERLAND
Pharmaceutical History and Herbarium
DOLL'S
HOUSE MUSEUM - BASEL
Puppenhausmuseum - Teddy Bears to Carousels
HOTEL
KRAFFT AM RHEIN
Historic
Hotel in the Rhine in Old Basle
MUSEUM
OF MUSIC AUTOMATON - SEEWEN
Britannic Organ and Orchestrons near Basel
AUGUSTA RAURICA - BASEL
Roman Town and House
MIDDLE BRIDGE OF BASEL
Trams, Griffins and Execution
KUNSTMUSEUM BASEL
First City Art Museum and Rodin's Burghers
BERN
EINSTEIN IN BERN SWITZERLAND
Apartment and Museum
ZYTLOGGE
CLOCK TOWER TOUR
Glockenspiel Clock Landmark of Bern
BERNS
NEW BEAR PARK
Tourist
Center
KORNHAUSKELLER & GALLERY
BAR
Vaulted Restaurant of Bern
BERNER OBERLAND
GRINDELWALD
- SWISS WORLD SNOW FESTIVAL
Alps Ski Village at the Foot of the Eiger and Jungfrau
SHERLOCK
HOLMES MUSEUM - MEIRINGEN
Reichenbach Falls and the "Englisherhof" Hotel du Savage
SCHILTHORN – PIZ
GLORIA
James Bond and Revolving Alps Views
JUNGFRAUJOCH
Scenic Rail Ride to Top of Alps - Eiger and the Jungfrau
HOTEL
INTERLAKEN
Monastery Tavern to Lord Byron in Famous Swiss Vacationland
INTERLAKEN
PARAGLIDING
Parachute Adventure in Switzerland
THUN
CASTLE
Medieval Tower Museum on Lake Thun
HOTEL ALPENRUH - MÜRREN
Romantic Stay Halfway to Schilthorn
SPORTHOTEL VICTORIA - GSTAAD
Rail Convenience for Sporting Families
GRINDELWALD MUSEUM - EIGER EXHIBIT
Mountain Climbing History in Grindelwald
JAMES BOND WORLD SCHILTHORN
Movie Series Exhibit at 10,000 ft
ROTHORN STEAM RAILWAY BRIENZ
Rack Railway from Lake Brienz to Rothorn Summit
MOUNTAIN HOTEL OBERSTEINBERG
Hiking hotel with No Electricity in Lauterbrunnen Valley
EAST SWITZERLAND
SCHLOSS
ARENENBERG PALACE & PARK - NAPOLEON MUSEUM
Napoleon III Museum on the Bodensee
ABBEY
OF ST GALLEN LIBRARY & BAROQUE CATHEDRAL
World Heritage Baroque Cathedral and Library Hall of Switzerland
THE
RHINE FALLS - SCHAFFHAUSEN
Europe's Largest Waterfall on the Rhine
ST
GALLEN TEXTILE MUSEUM - EMBRIODERY & LACE
Textile history in East Switzerland
THE
EINSTEIN HOTEL – ST GALLEN
St Gallen's Small Grand Hotel Spa and Congress Center
SORELL
HOTEL RÜDEN - SCHAFFHAUSEN
Medieval Guild Hall to Style Hotel
ARBON
- SAILING, SCHLOSS & SAURER ON LAKE CONSTANCE
Castle History Museum and Antique Autos in Lakeshore Arbon
MUNOT
FORTRESS - SCHAFFHAUSEN
Castle of Old Town at the Falls
CASTLE SARGANS
Restaurant and Museum of Sarganserland
FLIGHT MUSEUM ALTENRHEIN-ST GALLEN
Flying History and Flights at Lake Constance
LUCERNE
BOURBAKI
PANORAMA
Historic Tourist Attraction of the Industrial Age
ROSENGART COLLECTION
Picasso, Klee & Classic Modernism Art in Lucerne
MOUNT PILATUS
Scenic Railway and Aerial Cable Ride to Mountain of Legends
GLACIER
GARDEN OF LUCERNE
Glacier
Museum and the Ice Age in Historic Swiss Family House
RICHARD WAGNER MUSEUM LUCERNE
Opera Composer’s Exile Idyll on Lake Lucerne
BUCHERER
ROLLING BALL CLOCK
Counting
Marbles
While
Watch Shopping in Lucerne
SWISS
MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT LUCERNE
Top Family Attraction and Transporation History
POST
HOTEL WEGGIS
Design View Hotel on Lake Lucerne
MT. TITLIS
ROTAIR
Rotating Aerial Cable to the Glacier Above Engelberg
MT RIGI
RAILWAY
Original Scenic Rail Ride on Lake Lucerne
CLIMBING
MUSEGG WALL & TOWERS
Lucerne's Medieval City Ramparts
WALDSTÄTTERHOF
HOTELS - LAKE LUCERNE
Lucerne Rail Station and Brunnen
HOTEL
PILATUS KULM - MT PILATUS
Historic Mountain Top Hotel above Lucerne Restored
CRUISING
LAKE LUCERNE - SCENIC CRUISES
Boat Cruises on Lake Lucerne
LAKE
LUCERNE – Pt 2 - DAY CRUISES
Day Theme & Lunch Cruises
NEW
YEAR’S DAY FIREWORKS - LUCERNE
Dining and Fireworks Packages on Lake Lucerne
CARNIVAL
IN LUCERNE & KRIENS
Masks and Crazy days
JESUIT CHURCH - LUCERNE
Switzerland's First Baroque Church
LUCERNE CHAPEL BRIDGE & WATER TOWER
Walking Lucerne's Iconic Landmarks
STANSERHORN CABRIO CABLE CAR
Fubnicular and Open Top Cable to Mountain View
VAUD REGION LAKE GENEVA
CHATEAU
D’AIGLE WINE MUSEUM
15th
Century Castle Wine Museum and Tasting
CASTLE CHILLON
Inspiration of the Romantics on Lake Geneva
INTERNATIONAL
BALLOON FESTIVAL - CHATEAU
D'OEX
Alps Balloon Rides - Childrens Day and Night Glow
THE
OLYMPIC MUSEUM – LAUSANNE
The Glory of Sport on Lake Geneva
LAVAUX
WINE VINEYARD TERRACES
Tour Historic Vineyards and Views above Lake Geneva
SWISS
CAMERA MUSEUM – VEVEY
Photography History on Lake Geneva Riviera
ALIMENTARIUM
FOOD MUSEUM - VEVEY
25 Years of Nestlé Foundation on Lake Geneva
HOTEL
BARON TAVERNIER - CHEXBRES
Romantic Views on the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
FONDATION
DE L’HERMITAGE - LAUSANNE
Hilltop Modern Art Museum and Park
MONTREUX
NOEL CHRISTMAS MARKET
Five Holiday Markets and Santa Claus on Lake Geneva
MUSÉE
HISTORIQUE DE VEVEY
Chateau of Keys and the Wine Brotherhood
MONTREUX
JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Beat Overflows on Lake Geneva Riviera
MUSEE
D' L’ELYSEE PHOTOGRAPHY MUSEUM - LAUSANNE
Photography in 18th Century Chateau and Park
MORGES
CASTLE – LAKE GENEVA
Military and Arms Museum at Chateau de Morges
HOT
AIR BALLOON MUSEUM – CHATEAU D’OEX
Espace Ballon - Ballooning History in the Alpine Valleys
GLACIER
3000 CABLE - LES DIABLERETS
Aerial
Cable - Alps Views and Snow Play
QUEEN STUDIO EXPERIENCE MONTREUX
Recoding Studio Exhibit and Freddie Mercury
VALAIS REGION - RHONE VALLEY
CHATEAU
DE VILLA WINE MUSEUM & TRAIL -SIERRE
Museum, Tasting Bar, and Valais Wine Trail
ABBEY
OF ST MAURICE D’AGAUNE
Treasures and Theban Legion Martyrs
ST
BERNARD DOG MUSEUM - MARTIGNY
Dogs, Monks, and Napoleon in the Valais
STOCKALPER
CASTLE – BAROQUE PALACE OF BRIG
Salt and the Simplon Pass
FONDATION PIERRE GIANADDA - MARTIGNY
Romans and Rolls-Royce in the Rhone Valley
CHATEAU SAINT MAURICE CASTLE
Guardian of the Rhone
CHATEAU BATIAZ
Castle Ruins Of Martigny
FRIBOURG REGION
SWISS
CHOCOLATE TRAIN
A Sweet Ride from Montreux to Gruyères
MAISON
CAILLER CHOCOLATE FACTORY BROC-GRUYÈRE
The Swiss Chocolate Factory Opens New Tour
GRUYÈRE
CASTLE
Savoy Chateau in the Land of Cheese and Chocolate
HR
GIGER MUSEUM & BAR - GRUYERES
"Alien" Movie
Props and Surrealist Art
LA
MAISON DU GRUYÈRE
Gruyères Cheese Dairy Factory Tour
SWISS PUPPETRY MUSUEM – FRIBOURG
Marionette Collection and Performance
MUSEE GUTENBERG – FRIBOURG
Gutenberg Printing Museum of Switzerland
JURA
MUSÉE
INTERNATIONAL D'HORLOGERIE – LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS
International Watchmaking Museum
ZURICH
EUROPEAN
SANTA CLAUS GAP
Christmas Customs Switzerland - Finland - Iceland
BEYER
CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM ZURICH
Time on Display on Bahnhofstrasse
ZURICH VIP
PASS OFFER
Clubbing With Overnight Accommodation
ZURICH
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Christmas and New Years - Switzerland’s Biggest Parties
GROSSMÜNSTER
CATHEDRAL – ZURICH
The Saints of Zurich and Face of Charlemagne
RAPPERSWIL
WOODEN BRIDGE ON LAKE ZURICH
Walk on Water and Smell the Roses
ZURICH
FILM FESTIVAL - 2010
An International Film Festival Star is Born
SWISS
NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Switzerland History in the Neo-Castle Tower
RAPPERSWIL CASTLE
Deer Park and Polish Museum on Lake Zurich
ZERMATT
THE
MATTERHORN - ZERMATT
World's Most Famous Mountain
WALLISERHOF CHALET HOTEL ZERMATT
Snuggle under the Matterhorn
HOTEL
ALEX ZERMATT
Family Tradition with a Little Quirky Alpine Style
GLACIER
EXPRESS
Scenic Swiss Rail Mountain Journey
GORNERGRAT BAHN
Ride The Scenic Matterhorn Railway
THE TOWN
THAT ISN'T THERE
Gotthard-Matterhorn Line - Village Buried by Avalanche
3100
KULMHOTEL GORNERGRAT
Swiss Alps Highest Hotel
KLEIN MATTERHORN
CABLE CAR
Highest Alps Mountain Views
MATTERHORN
MUSEUM - ZERMATTLANTIS
Zermatt and Matterhorn Climbing History Underworld
TICINO
LOCARNO'S
CASTLE VISCONTI
Locarno
Treaty Renaissance Castle on Lago Maggiore (Lake Verbano)
ASCONA
ON LAKE MAGGIORE
Former Artists Colony Italian Swiss Riviera
THREE
CASTLES OF BELLINZONA
Ticino's Medieval City of Towers
MONTE SAN
SALVATOR FUNICULAR - LUGANO
120 Years of Vertical Family Fun-icular Sightseeing
SANCTUARY OF MADONNA DEL SASSO
Locarno’s Mountainside Pilgrimmage Church
SANTA
MARIA DEGLI ANGIOLI CHURCH - LUGANO
Bernardino Luini’s Passion - the Last Supper
ROMANTIK
HOTEL CASTELLO SEECHLOSS
Ascona Castle Hotel on Lago Maggiore
LIECHTENSTEIN
POSTAL
STAMP MUSEUM - LIECHTENSTEIN
100 Years of Postage Stamps in Vaduz
SCHAEDLER
CERAMICS FACTORY TOUR
Paris Hilton - Fashion Urns and Art Eggs
SKI
AND WINTERSPORT MUSEUM
Skiing Gear Collection from Prehistoric to Olympic Gold
HOFKELLEREI
LIECHTENSTEIN
Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein
KUNSTMUSEUM
LIECHTENSTEIN – VADUZ
Contempory Art and the Princely Collection
MALBUN - HOLIDAY FAMILY RESORT
Winter and Summer
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TRAVEL TIPS & EXTRAS:
SWISS
RAIL PASS
Switzerland Travel Value by Train, Bus or Boat
GOLDEN
PASS LINE SCENIC TRAIN
Central Switzerland’s Panoramic Rail Ride
SWISS
FAMILY RAIL PASS DISCOUNT PACKAGE
Summer Savings
Deal Promotion from Rail Europe
GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS (WILLIAM
TELL EXPRESS)
Scenic Rail and Lake Cruise from Lucerne to Locarno
RHINE
TOURING BY TRAIN
Switzerland and Germany with a Rail Pass
SWITZERLAND
SCENIC TRAINS
Mountain Cogs and Swiss Alps View Panoramas
WANT
TO REALLY SAVE ON HOTELS? TAKE THE NIGHT TRAIN
IS
SWITZERLAND TRAVEL EXPENSIVE?
Saving Money on a Swiss Vacation
GLACIER
EXPRESS TOUR
3 Days and 2 Nights Scenic Rail Tour and Hotel Package
SWITZERLAND
BY RAIL
Scenic Train Travel on Swiss Rail
"THE
BACHELOR" PACKAGE
Rail and Hotel Package in Switzerland
SWISS COVERED BRIDGES
Wooden Bridges of Switzerlands
