Switzerland
Switzerland-The most beautiful tourist destination in Europe
Currency Swiss Frank (CHF)
Capital Berne
Best time to visit- Summer
Since summer is the tourist season the airfares and hotel tariffs would be higher.
June is an excellent time to visit, followed by September or October. Switzerland in wintertime is an excellent choice if you enjoy winter sports.
For trains running within Switzerland please see the schedule and book at www.rhb.ch
Languages:German, French, Italian, Romansch
Countries neighbouring Switzerland are: Italy, France, Germany ,Luxembourg and Austria .If one wish to travel to neighbouring countries ,one should not take flights as it may turn out to be costly. Instead use France's TGV trains (speed upto 320km/hr ) which also have international service.Luxembourg. One can book ticket at www.raileurope.com
Major international airports are in Zurich, Geneva and Basel.
The best thing to see in Switzerland is the mountain range known as Alps-most beautiful mountains in the world. Although one is surrounded by Alps where ever one is in Switzerland but still one must board Glacier Express to admire the beauty.
Glacier Express running on narrow gauge is one of the slowest train of the world.
Glacier Express runs on from Zermatt to St. Moritz (or Chur) or vice versa a 7 ½ hr journey
The Bernia Express runs between Chur and Tirano ,Italy .It is a shorter ride than the Glacier Express,
Passengers on Glacier Express Premium trains can have meals served at seats or in the dining cars; on the standard trains, meals are served in the dining cars
Tickets
One should pay only half ticket (Demi-tarif/Halbtax) which saves 50% on all national buses and trains or buy a half-fare card known as a Swisspass.which grants you access to all national bus and rail, all city transit systems, and hefty discount on privately operated boats, cable cars, and ski lifts. A 4-day pass comes for CHF 260 and for a month pass ,it would cost you CHF 578 for in 2nd class.
Caution :
One must reserve the tickets in advance.
Only the first class cars are "panoramic", featuring large windows and comfortable seating.
One can break journey with an overnight stay in Chur.Seven or eight hours is a long time to sit on a train, and you may enjoy the scenery more when you spread it over two days.
If you are on a tight budget , you can bring you own food. (At a few major stops, you'll have time to buy food from station vendors.)
Major cities to travel in Switzerland
- Lucerne - Lucerne is one of the most touristed cities in Switzerland Many tourists consider Lucerne and its mountainous setting one of Switzerland's most beautiful places to visit. Its lakeside setting is among the best in Switzerland.
- Basel - serves as a cultural centre which rivals, and artistically surpasses,
- Berne – Bern is the 800 year old city and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an interesting place to visit.Visit the the largest gothic Cathedral in Switzerland and Albert Einsteins house.The Bundeshhaus, the site of the country's Parliament,. is open to the public. Its Square, with a bevy of attractive fountains representing the twenty-six Cantons (states) of Switzerland , hosts varied markets throughout the year.
- Zürich - Zürich is also the centre of Switzerlands nightlife and prestigous shopping districts.
- The Old Town is the city's most enjoyable spot, but you may want to spend some time shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse or exploring one of Zurich's fine museums.
- Be sure to see the Schipfe (fine arts area), the Fraumünster Church, the Zurich Opera House and, of course, Lake Zurich.
- InterlakenThe "city between the lakes" offers wonderful scenery and a number of villages that are worth a visit. Interlaken may be "tourist" Switzerland but it does it so well that even the Swiss like the area. Surrounded by the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch, Interlaken is a great base for touring and one of the most idyllic areas of Switzerland. This may be one of the best regions to shop for "something Swiss".
- Schaffhausen - Capital of the only canton which is exclusivly north of the Rhine river, Schaffhausen boasts a charming old town with many elaborate oriels and, of course, the Munot - a fortress overlooking the old town and the Rhine river. The Rhine Falls, Europes largest waterfalls, are a very enjoyable hours walk away or a short bus / train ride.
- Geneva - known for its lake and Old Town, Geneva is also home to a host of international organisations, including the United Nations, which has resulted in Geneva playing host to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in Switzerland.
- Lausanne – Lousanne is ideal to tour the Lake Geneva, Geneva, and Montreux.
Other cities of interest are Rapperswil ,St Gallen, (here the impressive Baroque Library is declared as the UNESCO world heritage library ), Solothurn, Schaffhausen, N
Your 6 days itienerary should include
Lucerne Montreaux
Geneva Jungfrauh
Interlaken Rhine Fall
Your 8 days itinerary should cover the following two additional places
Glacier Express Zermatt
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