Switzerland, a little country surrounded by mountains - with banks, cuckoo clocks and amazing skiing facilities. A holiday in Switzerland is probably immediately associated with skiing and hiking in the Alps, but the country actually has much more on offer, ranging from the snow clad peaks of the Alps to modern large cities and the warm climate on the border of Italy.
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Facts
Local name
Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German)
Capital
Bern (129,400)
Size
41,285 sq km
Principal Languages
German (70%), French (19%) and Italian (8%).
Principal Religion
Roman Catholic and Protestantism
Inhabitants
7,000,000
Government
Republic
Geography
Rivers, valleys and the tall Alps - which make the weather somewhat unstable - cover Switzerland. North of the alps the climate is like the rest of northern Europe, whilst south of the Alps reminds very much of the Mediterranean.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Most people probably connect a holiday in Switzerland with a ski holiday. Whether you go to Switzerland for winter sports or to enjoy the fresh mountain air and experience the country's culture, you can do it both summer and winter.
Literature
Schweiz
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Weight: kilogram
Length: metre
Volume: litre
Length: metre
Volume: litre
Photography
Show common courtesy and always ask before taking pictures of the locals.
Drinking water
The tap water in Switzerland is safe to drink, but it is not advised to drink directly from streams. Bring a bottle of water when going hiking.
Electricity
220 volts AC/ 50 Hz.
Behaviour
Common courtesy and respect will get you a long way in Switzerland.
Business Hours
Banks are open 8.30-16.30 (Monday to Friday).
Shops are open 8.00-12.00 and 13.30-18.30 (Monday to Friday). Only open to 16.00 on Saturdays.
Shops are open 8.00-12.00 and 13.30-18.30 (Monday to Friday). Only open to 16.00 on Saturdays.
Food and drink
Swiss cuisine can be both stimulating and varied, depending on the part of the country you are in. It's location, bordering France, Germany and Italy, has rubbed off on the menu, which besides numerous cheeses, is dominated by fish, sausages and various flesh dishes. Moreover the Swiss produce a legendary chocolate which can be very much worth tasting.
Switzerland also produces some excellent wines.
Switzerland also produces some excellent wines.
Disabled travellers
The facilities for the disabled in Switzerland are generally very good, and the more expensive hotels almost all have lifts. The Swiss tourist agency has published a pamphlet for disabled travellers.
Holidays
New Year's Day, 1 January
National Day, 1 August
Christmas, 25 and 26 December
In some parts of Switzerland, both 2 January and 1 May are also holidays.
National Day, 1 August
Christmas, 25 and 26 December
In some parts of Switzerland, both 2 January and 1 May are also holidays.
Accommodation / Hotel
Switzerland has all kinds of accommodation and the standards are generally surprisingly high, which goes for both the classic tourist hotels and the smaller hostels and camping sites.
Book your Hotel in Switzerland here
Book your Hotel in Switzerland here
Camping
There are about 500 camping sites in Switzerland.
There are many excellent hotels in Switzerland, and of a high quality, too. It is advisable to book your room in advance.
Hostels
The Swiss hostels are open to everybody, but young people under 25 have precedence.
Other Accommodation
Switzerland has many, very popular, holiday homes and mountain cabins and you should book these a long time in advance. This can be done through the Swiss tourist agency.
There are also a number of spas and youth hostels. More information can be obtained at the Swiss tourist agency.
There are also a number of spas and youth hostels. More information can be obtained at the Swiss tourist agency.
Local transport
Switzerland's status as an international tourist country is reflected in its many means of transport, which, as so many other things, are of a very high standard. The country has a well-developed train system as well as domestic Flights.
Planes
The local airline Swissair and Crossair take care of all domestic Flights. Flying is fast, but very expensive, which is why most people use the car or train instead.
Trains
Switzerland has a very good railroad, maintained by the Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB)
Taxi
Swiss taxis drive with a taxi-meter on both long and short trips.
car rental
The road system in Switzerland is good, although many of the narrow mountain roads can seem frightening. In Switzerland traffic keeps to the right and you should equip your car with a so-called Autobahn vignette before entering the country. You also have to pay for driving through the two tunnels connecting Switzerland and Italy. If you drive in the winter, winter tyres and snow chains are a must, even though you can often get the car transported by train over the passes that are closed due to the weather.You can rent a car in all major cities in Switzerland, from your Hotel, the airport or the train station.
Other Transport
A lot of the transportation in the ski resorts is by mountain railway, which is often a great experience.
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