Switzerland Information
It is the country that fashioned tourism, so it's no surprise that Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers lakeside chalets, mountain trails and spa resorts. In the sunny southern region of Ticino, near the Italian border, visitors will find palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a host of water sports.
Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 31,000 miles (50,000km) of mountain and forest trails throughout the country.
In November the country's ski resorts begin opening, and visitors pour in throughout the Christmas season and until the snow begins to melt with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, Switzerland's ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.
Switzerland's cities are pristine and beautifully laid out with famous Swiss precision. Zurich is widely held to be the intellectual and artistic center of the country, sporting incredible architecture and more than a thousand fountains, with many museums and galleries. Geneva is the principal city for the international community, and is home to hundreds of world organizations. Its setting on the shores of Lake Geneva gives it a romantic atmosphere, and the city has an exciting, if rather expensive, nightlife.
Language: The three official languages are Swiss German, French and Italian. A few people speak Romansch, but this is confined to the southeastern corner of the country. Most people know at least three languages, including English.
Currency: The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) divided into 100 rappen (German) or centimes (French). Although not part of the EU many prices are nonetheless indicated in Euros and some merchants may accept Euros. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus or Maestro
system. Banks offer the best exchange rates for travelers cheques and foreign currency, but it is also possible to exchange money at major hotels, main train stations and airports. Banks are open Monday to Friday.
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between March and October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the linear, rounded three-pin type, but rounded two-pin plugs will fit the outlet.
Communications: The international country dialing code for Switzerland is +41. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use e.g. (0)22 for Geneva. Mobile phone GSM 1800 and 900 networks operate throughout the country. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts; some public phone booths also have Internet and email access.
Switzerland Popular Destinations
Duty Free: Travelers to Switzerland over 17 years do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 2 liters alcohol up to 15% and 1 liter alcohol over 15%. The maximum allowance of wine is 20 liters, but duty will be payable on this quantity. A reasonable amount of personal effects and gifts (including perfume) to the value of Sfr200 for residents of Switzerland and Sfr100 for other travelers. Restricted items include meat and meat products from selected countries. Prohibited items are absinth and anaesthetics.Zurich - Switzerlands most famous and also most popular city. Zurich is a trendsetting city with many top class restaurants and cafes, some of the best shopping in the world along the famous Bahnhofstrasse, a multitude of museums and galleries and many lakeside parks. Other things to see in Zurich are the magnificent Fraumunster Church, Zurich Zoo and indulge your sweet tooth at the famous Lindt and Sprugli chocolate shop.
Geneva - this is Switzelands most cosmopolitan city with the highest percentage of inhabitants from other parts of the world. For the intelectual, Geneva is littered with museums on any and every subject. The city is also home to the united Nations Building and the magnificent Jet d'eau, the 140 meter water fountain which is the tallest in the world and not to be missed.
Basel - the vibey University town of Basel not only has the highest concentration of museums in the world and a huge amount of delicious cafes and restaurants. Visit the Old Town and walk the charming cobblestone streets and view the beautiful medieval buildings. Other attractions include the Botanical Gardens, Munster Church and Basel zoo.
Jungfrau Region - locals will tell you that this is the birth place of skiing. True or not you can take Europe's longest chairlift up the Mannlichen for spectacular views of Eiger, Jungfrau and Manch peaks. The Lauterbrunnen Valley area is known for the 72 waterfalls and is a stunning place to visitwhen you get tired of the ski slopes. Take a train ride on Europes highest railway to get a great feel for the region.
swizerland Resorts Ski resorts Davos Ski Davos! Ski holidays in Davos give you access to six fantastic ski areas. The skiing in Davos is superb, giving skiers of all levels a vast area of over 300kms of world class skiing to play in. We've rated it four star for intermediate and advanced skiers and it's equally good for snowboarding and cross-country.
Grindelwald Ski Grindelwald! Skiing holidays in Grindelwald take place amidst spectacular scenery at the foot of the towering North face of the Eiger. Ski in Grindelwald and you'll enjoy some of the most dramatic mountain views in Europe. The sunny area of First, Grindelwald's dedicated ski area, delivers great skiing for beginners.
Kandersteg Ski Kandersteg! Book your skiing holidays in Kandersteg and Inghams will whisk you away to an attractive village surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery. Kandersteg has preserved its original Swiss character and is an enchanting place, complete with a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Klosters Ski Klosters! Book your skiing holidays in Klosters this season and experience a ski resort of international renown. Klosters is delightful, charming and traditional, a very attractive pretty place in which to enjoy some of the best skiing in Europe! Skiing in Klosters is particularly good for snowboarders, intermediate and advanced skiers.
Mürren Ski Mürren! Skiing holidays in Mürren take you to a charming traffic free village. Reached by cable car from the Lauterbrunnen valley, Mürren is a firm favourite with British skiers. In fact this is the birthplace of British alpine skiing. Challenging for intermediates, Holidays Switzerland
Switzerland is a dream destination with lot of beautiful landscapes, alpine peaks, magnificent monument, and many natural treasures. While your visit to Switzerland, you can ensure a comfortable stay in Switzerland hotels. Experience the excellence Switzerland hotel services at hotels in Zurich, Lugarno, and Bern to name only a few. Hotels in Switzerland provide a wide kind of hotel varieties such as budget hotels, cheap hotels, discount hotels, and top hotels in Switzerland. You can choose your stay in 5 Stars, 3 Star, or a 2 Star hotel in Switzerland, according to your budget. Hotels in Switzerland ensure excellent hotel accommodation during your leisure travel. The elegant hotel in Switzerland offers high-standard accommodation accompanied with integrated service to the guests. The choice of any Switzerland hotels lies in your desire and the amount of the budget you are having. Also, there are resort hotels and heritage hotels in Switzerland that ensures your luxury stay in Switzerland. The guest can ensure world-class hospitality equipped with all modern facilities in the Switzerland hotels. Some of the hotel facilities in Switzerland include telephone service, and doctor on call, indoor swimming pool, beauty saloon, sauna, gymnasium facility, message and steam room, travel information desk, car parking, bar, restaurant and 24 hours of room service. In a nut shell, hotels in Switzerland offers home like stay to the guest.
Switzerland Tours Switzerland Flexi Tours offers tours to Switzerland in Europe. See the Swiss Alps, beautiful lake Geneva and the cities of Berne, Zurich and Lausanne. Travel on mountain trains and enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains of Switzerland with Switzerland Flexi Tour. Shop in Swiss cities, ski on alpine slopes at St Moritz and enjoy Swiss chocolates and cheese on tours of Switzerland with Switzerland Flexi Tours. Have a memorable holiday on the beautiful mountains and lakes of Switzerland, with Switzerland Flexi Tours.