Travel

Immerse yourself in one of Europe’s most sublime landscapes: the Alpine paradise of Switzerland. From mountaintop villages to splendid global cities, the Swiss experience is truly breathtaking.

From Zürich and Basel to Geneva and Bern, Swiss cities—famous for their almost unrivaled quality of life and role as global financial hubs—offer a wonderfully cosmopolitan counterpoint to the country’s postcard-perfect countryside. Linger happily in Zürich’s superb museums, or take a leisurely stroll along Geneva’s lovely waterfront. Tasting your way around Switzerland is a scrumptious form of tourism. In this dairy-rich and sweets-loving land, you’ll revel over homegrown cheeses and chocolates—and fondue, of course, the national dish! Follow the tinkle of cowbells and the track of cable cars up to Switzerland’s grandest sights in the Alps, which play host to numerous fairytale high-country villages. One of Europe’s greatest panoramas await you on the Jungfrau railway, which tops out at the summit station of Jungfraujoch. Lake Geneva, meanwhile, has drawn visitors for centuries with its ethereal beauty. Most magnificent of all, of course, is the Matterhorn—perhaps the world’s most celebrated mountain peak.

Food and Drink

Geography

Switzerland is one of those countries whose peddled postcards showcasing incredible natural landscapes look too heavenly to be real. Once you arrive however, you'll see for yourself that those sweeping green valleys, tumbling waterfalls, dramatic glaciers and crystal-clear lakes are in fact very much real. And the fact that Switzerland plays host to some of the world's most impressive scenic trains like the Bernina Express, the Golden Pass Line, the Glacier Express, and the Wilhelm Tell Express makes traveling through its glorious backdrops relaxing, pleasant and stress-free.

Switzerland is also home to two other World Heritage Natural Sites: the Monte San Giorgio and the marvelous Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, a mountainous stretch in the northeastern part of the country that contains seven peaks that rise above 9,800 feet. And while it is not a large country (slightly smaller than New Hampshire + Vermont combo); there is much to do and to appreciate while on vacation in Switzerland. Its largest cities are Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Its capital is Bern. Other popular Swiss cities, towns and resorts for tourists include Lucerne (a great base for visiting Mount Pilatus), Interlaken, Lausanne, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Mediterranean-like Lugano.

Most visited cities: Zurich, Geneva, Zermatt, Lausanne