Switzerland Travel

Overview
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north. Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634 m while Lake Maggiore is only 195 m above sea level. Mixing expansive greenery, slick cities and buckets of fresh air, Switzerland is also a stylish tourist destination offering countless outdoor adventures and contemporary urban breaks.

Climate
The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers. Summer tends to bring a lot of sun, but also the most rain.

When to go
Summer lasts roughly from June to September and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor pursuits (apart from exclusively winter sports). In fact, many adventure sports, such as canyoning, are only offered during this time. With the exception of the busy Easter break, spring is a beautiful time of year to explore the blooming countryside.

The winter season in Alpine resorts kicks off in mid-December and moves into full swing around Christmas, closing down again when the snows begin to melt around mid-April. Between the summer and winter seasons, Alpine resorts all but close down (except where year-round glacier skiing is on offer).

Entertainment
Top ski resorts in Switzerland include Zermatt, Verbier and celebrity-studded St Moritz, while white-capped mountain peaks set against blue skies make a wonderful backdrop for summertime hiking.

Shopping
Switzerland is renowned for its enviable quality of life in a country that ticks along like clockwork. Its products are coveted the world over, from delicious cheese and chocolate to luxurious watches whose timekeeping is as sharp as a Swiss Army Knife; another popular export from this sophisticated Alpine nation.

Hotels
High quality hotels in Switzerland range from luxury to family to simple pensions. A service charge of 15% is included in hotel bills, and an additional local tax may be payable (depending on the location).