The enticing landscapes of Switzerland lure millions of tourists, throughout the year. There are enough adventure sports opportunities, and nature lovers can enjoy exploring the glittering lake shores, lush green mountain meadows and pretty vineyards. It is ideal for those bitten by wanderlust or families seeking a vacation in lap of nature, away from clutter of metropolis.
Listed below are the 10 attractions in Switzerland that should be part of the Switzerland holiday tour package chosen by you.
You might not know that Switzerland and Italy is connected to each other via railways – the Rhaetian Railway to be precise. The railway line passes through the mountains of Graubünden. The engineering involved in the laying of the railway tracks amidst the most photogenic regions of Switzerland is truly awe-inspiring. The distance covered is about 130 kilometers and in it, one has to cross through 55 tunnels and pass over 196 bridges. The highlight of this attraction is curving Landwasser viaduct.
Switzerland’s iconic pointed peak, The Matterhorn is among the highest mountains in the Alps. With towering height of 4,478 meters, the mountain shares its borders with Italy. The extremely charming and tranquil village of Zermatt lies at the foot of The Matterhorn. Today Zermatt is one of the most popular resorts in the world with world class accommodation facilities in hotels and quaint chalets. The chic restaurants, the horse-drawn carriages etc. add to the charm of the place. Skiing is one of the most popular activities in the region. Motor vehicles are banned to prevent any kind of pollution.
Switzerland milk products, particularly cheese, is very popular. Gruyeres is considered as the cheese capital of the country. Les Gruyeres, the cheese which is needed to prepare fondue, is made in this place. People who are not very fond of cheese should also visit the place for the meringue dessert and the cream. Leaving Switzerland without tasting these would definitely be a great miss.
You cannot miss Lucerne while exploring Switzerland. The grand blue lake surrounded by majestic mountains, waterfront promenades, frescoed historic buildings, covered bridges, bubbling fountains and sun-splashed plazas – all this can be seen in Lucerne. The car-free medieval town hosts innumerable concerts and music festivals of the world. From history to archeology, from music to infotainment, the city has all for travelers and tourists.
The 2nd most populous city of Switzerland, Geneva is the European hub of the United Nations. It is very much a green city with one fifth of land devoted to parks. The sightseeing includes the grandiose Cathedral of St. Pierre and monumental Jet d'Eau. The city is also home to a number of museums. The Lake Geneva is beautiful and tourists love taking boat rides. You also get views of expansive Mont Blanc.
Established in the year 1914, the Swiss National Park is considered as the oldest reserves in the Alps. The lush green pine forests in the mountains is a treat to the nature lovers. Expanding over an area of 170 square kilometers, the forest is replete with wildlife. There are almost 5000 species of animals and birds in the reserve including red deer, marmot, ibex, chamois, fox etc.
Interlaken was a watch making hub but later it grew as a major tourist resort. The fresh mountain climate and spa centers led to inflow of tourists since the 1800s. You get amazing view of iconic swish mountains- the Monch, the Jungfrau and the Eiger. Foodies may gorge on exquisite local dishes like raclette- a cheese based delicacy.
Mountain destinations in Switzerland are not uncommon and St. Moritz needs special mention in this regard. Glaciers, clear turquoise lakes, alpine forests, snow washed peaks and excellent sunshine – this is what St. Moritz is all about. Two winter Olympics have been hosted at the place. Skiing, skating and snowboarding are among the popular activities of tourists here.
Zermatt is ideal if you want to explore small towns with quaint charms. It is known for mountaineering and skiing. It is close to Matterhorn which is among the highest mountains in Switzerland. It is ideal for environment lovers as gasoline driven vehicles are not allowed entry.
Zurich is the largest city of Switzerland and it is magnet for history and couture buffs. There are over 50 museums and 100 art galleries in this city. The lake Zurich is ideal for relaxing after city tour. You should ensure the Swiss National Museum is included in the Zurich tour package chosen by you.
Coming from the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata, Simmie’s sole motto is to explore life through journeys to unexplored destinations and knitting travel stories. She believes in creating memories, eating like a local, talking to the natives, understanding their way of living and capturing their smile in her camera. Be it quaint little Himalayan villages, grand forts in Rajasthan or serene beaches in Goa or ancient temples in Varanasi, all the destinations have an untold saga, which she tries to unfold! All her journeys, new or old, are etched on the canvas of her heart like a beautiful painting. Experimenting new dishes and experiencing different cultures are some of the things she enjoys the most. It's through travelling that she derives inspiration. An ardent reader, cinema lover and a nascent photographer, she wishes to listen and discover the myriad colours and sounds of nature.