Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Geneva

Located between the shores of Lake Lac Leman and Salève, the city of Geneva is very different from other cities in Switzerland. The city is home to the headquarters of many international organizations including the United Nations, although it is the world's smallest metropolis. Other popular attractions in Geneva include the world's tallest natural fountain, Jet d'Eau; numerous libraries, museums, and Cathedrals; the University; and Opera and the Orchestra of the Suisse Romande. The city also has many rose gardens such as Park La Grange, Promenade Gustave-Ador and the Park des Franchises.

Geneva is geographically bisected by the River Rhone in such a way that most modern parts are in the north side and the old part of the town is in the south. The best place to start your journey for a scenic walk around the city is probably the Île Rousseau. On the way, you will come across the birthplace of Rousseau and the Place de Bourg-de-Four, Geneva's oldest square, which was once a Roman forum. You can climb on the tower of St. Pierre Cathedral for enjoying the breathtaking views of the entire city and lake or study in detail, the architecture of the Cathedral that is composed of Gothic and Romanesque influences.

The city is easily accessible as it is connected to other cities of Europe via air and land routes. By plane, it is just one hour from Paris or Milan and around one and a half hours from London, Rome or Madrid. Commuter trains operating from the station located near the airport take just ten minutes to reach the city center whereas taxis take around twenty minutes. The city also has a well-developed road network that links it to other main cities of Switzerland and neighboring France.

B. Zurich

The city's propinquity to the Alps and other major cities of Switzerland makes it the most suitable place for enjoying leisure activities. It is the nation's most prominent financial, industrial and commercial center apart from being the intellectual capital of the nation. Situated besides Lake Zurich and along the river Limmat, the city offers spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. The city is also a storehouse of ancient architecture and culture, which is evident from the winding alleyways, sixteenth and seventeenth century houses, guildhalls and courtyards, hundreds of fountains. It is home to the Opera House and the Tonhalle concert hall, where shows are held regularly, featuring some of the best stars of world stature on the classical music scene. Most of the modern shops are concentrated in the city center whereas boutiques and antique shops are situated in the old town of Zurich.

Zurich is 111 miles from Geneva, 86 miles from Basel, and 76 miles from Berne. It is connected to other cities of Switzerland as well as to main cities of the European Union via air and land routes. The rail system is very efficient and probably the cheapest means of commuting between different cities of Switzerland as well as main cities in the European Union. More than 1000 trains pass through Zurich's centrally located main railway station on a daily basis.

C. Berne

Founded in 1191, the capital of Switzerland is a diverse and beautiful city located on and around the River Aare. The city has a rich cultural history and has quite a few attractions and historic sites. It is the place where Albert Einstein spent a major part of his life and is associated with the Toblerone chocolate and Emmental cheese, known as Swiss Cheese that are manufactured here.

Berne is one of the best examples of Europe's medieval town architecture, which is evident from its majestic sandstone buildings, historical towers, and eleven magnificent fountains. The city was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1983. Major attractions in the city include the noble dome of the House of Parliament, which is located near the main station and the Prison Tower, located near the Aare River. Visitors are allowed to enter the House of Parliament and view the live proceedings.

Most of the houses and shops are connected to each other by long covered promenades. It is delightful to leisurely stroll along one of the longest shopping promenades in Europe. Most of the houses and shops in Berne were constructed with local sandstone in Gothic style with gables, bay windows, and arcades. The city is also home to the country's highest Gothic cathedrals including the Munster-Cathedral and the Heiliggeist-Kirche, which is an excellent example of eighteenth century Protestant church architecture. Apart from towers, arcades, and old fountains, other attractions in the city include the impressive Clock Tower, the center Paul Klee museum, and the Swiss Alpine Museum. The most noticeable attraction in Berne is probably the River Aare with its simmering green waters. The river attract people of all ages and in summers, you can enjoy a swim in the river's pleasant waters.

Berne is situated 76 miles from Zurich, which takes about 75 minutes by car and 60 minutes by train. It is 95 miles from Geneva and 36 miles from Interlaken.

D. Zermatt

This Swiss mountain village lies on the foothills of Matterhorn Mountains and can be reached only by train that passes through mountains and over deep gorges that are breathtakingly beautiful. The village is characterized by chalets, old semi-timbered houses and cabins, restaurants, and shops. The village is a popular ski destination with gondolas and cable cars that carry visitors to peaks and glaciers. While skiing, you can rest at mountain top chalet restaurants and cabins. Apart from skiing, other facilities are also available in the area such as indoor tennis and squash courts, pools, gyms, and of course shopping centers. The village is considered a paradise for hikers, as there are more than two hundred miles of marked jungle tracks that pass through varying terrain for short, easy walks in the valley or steep hikes to the surrounding peaks of Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Rothorn and the famous Matterhorn. For exploring the captivating vistas of the Matterhorn and nearby mountains, you can travel on the popular cogwheel train to Gornergrat. While in Zermatt, do not forget to visit the Hinter Dorf area, which is home to traditional tumbledown wooden Valais homes.

Zermatt is situated in the South of Switzerland, 145 miles from Geneva, the nearest airport and 174 miles from Zurich. Time taken by train from Geneva is 3.5 hours and from Zurich, it is 4 hours and 40 minutes. There are express trains from Brig and Visp to the Matterhorn Gotthard railway that arrive in Zermatt after a ninety-minute journey through the romantic, rugged Vispa Valley.

E. Interlaken

The town is considered the enchanting ‘capital' of Switzerland's beautiful Bernese Oberland and is a must for every Swiss visit. The town has a number of quality hotels, is a delightful destination for memorable holidays, and is the door to the Jungfrau region. It is bordered by the sparkling lakes of Thun and Brienz, gleaming streams, fantastic falls and by the unique Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau mountain range. The area in and around the town offers a wide variety of attractions and activities, both in summer and during the winter.

The town offers stunning views of the famous mountain trio Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau and the Bernese Oberland. These mountains are visible from wherever you are in the town. The well-known ‘Höheweg' promenade, which connects the urban center of Interlaken West with the much more spread out Interlaken East not only offers spectacular views of the Jungfrau summit, but is also one of the best locations in Switzerland for souvenir and watch shopping. It is pleasing to leisurely walk beneath the trees while viewing the pavilion of meteorological instruments or the well-known floral clock in the casino gardens.

Interlaken is situated in Central Switzerland, 111 miles from Zurich, the nearest airport. Time taken from Zurich to Interlaken is 2 hours by car and 2.5 hours by train. The city is118 miles from Geneva and 37 miles from Berne.

F. Montreux

It is the most popular resort on Lake Geneva and famed for its stunning location in the southwestern part of Switzerland. Located against the backdrop of the Alps, the town of twenty thousand residents has charmed many people in the past. The town has a Mediterranean climate and is considered one of the most beautiful resorts in Switzerland.

Montreux is situated in southwest Switzerland on Lake Geneva, 56 miles from Geneva, the nearest airport. Time taken from Geneva to Montreux is one hour by car and one hour and ten minutes by train. It is 124 miles from Zurich and 54 miles from Berne.

G. St. Moritz

St. Moritz has become one of the most popular and most frequented ski resorts in the world, especially after having hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1928 and in 1948. The fashionable, lively and elegant town of St. Moritz is home to the rich and famous and lies on a sunny terrace in the heart of the Engadin Valley in Graubunden.

St. Moritz is situated in the southeast part of the Swiss Alps in the Engadin Valley. The resort is 121 miles from Zurich and 264 miles from Geneva.