“Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth is lying.” Unknown
Well, that is the top most reason why Switzerland is my all-time favorite European destination!
The amazing natural beauty of the majestic Alps, the placid lakes, quaint villages, cosmopolitan cities and towering castles – that’s just some of what Switzerland has to offer. Add to it some shopping, wine tasting, delectable chocolates and cheeses and it gets even better. To get the true flavor of this beautiful country, here are some of the best places in Switzerland .
Geneva
Geneva is slick and cosmopolitan and maybe that’s why it is often mistaken to be the capital of Switzerland. A beautiful city in the French speaking part of Switzerland, with the amazing backdrop of the Alps, Geneva is known for many things apart from watches, chocolate, cutlery and of course, its lakeside scenery. This historical city is the site for many UN agencies. St. Pierre, a medieval cathedral dating back to the 4th century is the highlight of the Old Town. Lake Geneva, with the impressive 140 metre fountain Jet d’Eau, is the symbol of Geneva. Enjoy the view of the snow covered Mt. Blanc at 4,810 metres, making it the highest peak in Europe. Go for many nature walks along the lake and through the Bois-de-la-Bâtie, a 30 acre forest in the middle of the city. Visit one of the many chocolatiers in Geneva to get a fill of your sweet cravings. Geneva is also home to CERN, the largest scientific research center in the world, where the “God Particle” was found.
Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland’s financial district and a city that has the best standard of living in the world. You could walk down the Bahnhofstrasse, which is probably one of the best shopping streets in the world. It’s also a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Take a boat cruise on either Lake Zurich or the Limmat River or just explore the city on a bike. The city has a lot to offer historically as well, with the magnificent St. Peter’s Church. With over 80 playgrounds, Zurich is a paradise for kids.
Lucerne
On the banks of Lake Lucerne in the German speaking part of Switzerland, Lucerne has an old feel to it. This charming city has beautiful painted frescos on its public buildings and churches. You can get around the entire town on foot and stroll across the beautiful Chapel Bridge, which is bedecked with flowers. Legend has it that an angel showed the first settlers where to build the chapel! Enjoy the Loewendenkmal Lion Monument, a magnificent work of art and one of the most photographed monuments in the world. About 30 kilometres from Lucerne is Engelberg where at the cheese factory, you can see how delicious Swiss cheeses are made.
Interlaken and Jungfraujoch
Scenic Interlaken near Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the place you start your journey up to Jungfraujoch, the highest point in the Alps that is reachable by train. You will enjoy the high Alpine wonderland of ice, snow and rock, which you can admire from the viewing platforms on the Aletsch Glacier or in the Ice Palace. It is also the base for mountaineers to start their treks up many a mountain in the Jungfrau region. It’s a great place for backpackers too with many adventure activities like canoeing, paragliding, sky diving and skiing. A short distance from Interlaken is the St. Beatus Caves. These can be reached by boat or by taking a 90 minute walk on a scenic pathway
Mt. Titlis
This is the site of the world’s first revolving cable cars. Passing through three stages, the cable car connects Engelberg to the summit of Klein Titlis at a height of 3,028 metres. You can visit an illuminated glacier cave and also walk on the highest elevation suspension bridge in Europe for magnificent views of the Alps. With more than 80 kilometres of pristine ski slopes of varying inclines, it’s a great place for skiing enthusiasts in the winter. During the summer, it’s equally thrilling for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers. Undoubtedly, Mt. Titlis deservedly qualifies as one of the best places in Switzerland.