Introduction

Switzerland is a pristine country of lakes, mountains and forests. For centuries, protected by the mountain ranges that surround it, Switzerland has been an idyllic oasis in the middle of Europe.

The best known of the continent’s mountain ranges, the Alpine chain, runs through most of Switzerland and provides the majority of the country’s magnificent natural sights. A popular wintersport area, some of the Europe’s most fashionable and exclusive ski resorts are located high among the peaks. Many, such as Klosters and St Moritz attract Europe’s rich and famous, including the British Royal Family. In the summer, towns such as Interlaken become green mountain centres for walking and mountaineering, and there are few places more naturally beautiful in the whole of Europe.

The smaller Jura Mountain range in Northwest Switzerland is no less spectacular. Here brilliantly green valleys dotted with waterfalls end in dizzying steep-sided mountains rising to snowcapped peaks. The sublime beauty of the landscape inspired literary giants such as Byron, Shelley and Coleridge who visited the area in the 19th century. Man has left its mark on the Jura in the tiny villages and romantic castles that speckle the landscape – including Chateâu Chillon, which moved Mary Shelley to write the spine-tingling classic, Frankenstein.

Then there are the cities. Zurich, Geneva, Berne and Lucerne are models of Swiss efficiency – running as smoothly as the clocks and watches for which the country is so famous. The cities offer a wealth of perfectly serene history untouched by the great conflicts of Europe and immaculately preserved in the fine buildings dating from the Renaissance. Less busy are the lakeside resorts, including fashionable Montreux on Lake Geneva.

Historic as the country is, there are few places in Europe more modern. It is a place to get out and enjoy the clean, fresh mountain air but in which you will never be too far from the comforts of home.

Lucerne
This city occupies one of the most beautiful natural locales imaginable on the shores of a pristine alpine lake, surrounded by forests and dizzying snow-covered peaks. Lucerne’s mixture of renaissance and medieval architecture and its relaxed continental ambience have established this little alpine settlement as one of europe’s major tourist destinations. The imposing silhouette of mount pilatus stands watch over the city and everywhere you look, switzerland’s magnificent mountain scenery meets your gaze and inspires wonder.

Interlaken
Its irresistible combination of pastoral beauty and wild mountain grandeur have ensured interlaken’s status as one of switzerland’s most popular tourist attractions for over a century. As its name suggests, interlaken is positioned between two lakes – brienz and thun – both the focal point for summer sports and transport links. They are also officially two of europe’s cleanest lakes, replete with fish.

Montreux
The town of montreux nestles in a sheltered lake geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards, and set against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-covered alps. The long, flower-bordered lake promenade that links vevey and montreux all the way to chillon castle makes for a lovely stroll. Several of the houses along the lakeside road, including the magnificent montreux palace hotel, date from the belle epoque period.

Lausanne
This is the dominant city in the french-speaking canton of vaud and one of switzerland’s most important cultural centres. Perched above lake geneva, the city has, over the centuries, attracted such literary giants as voltaire, byron and dickens. It was here, in fact, that ts eliot wrote his masterpiece, the waste land.

Geneva
Switzerland’s third largest city has a very cosmopolitan populace, thanks, in no small part to the several international organisations that call this city home: the who, the un, the red cross and the ilo. Geneva boasts a stunningly romantic setting, lapped as it is by lake geneva and surrounded by mountains. For all its size, the city is as pretty as a postcard.

Panoramic Trains

A look out of the train window, the postal coach or from the deck of a paddle steamer shows the whole scenic wealth of Switzerland and the unlimited variety of this country, where just a few kilometers or an interesting train-ride connects high-mountain glaciers and Mediterrean-like palm gardens.

A journey on one or several of the legendary panoramic routes connecting the most beautiful regions of Switzerland by train, bus or boat, is considered the highlight of any Switzerland trip:

Glacier Express

A 7.5 hour train ride from St.Moritz to Zermatt. The classical journey over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels on the train dubbed as the world’s slowest fast train.

Bernina Express / Heidi Express

A 4 hour train ride from Chur/Davos to Tirano,and continuation by bus to Lugano. The alternative breathtaking north-south Alpine crossing.

Golden Pass Line

A 7.5 – 8-hour train ride from Lucerne via the Bernese Oberland, Gstaad and Montreux to Geneva. It is the scenic alternative to the direct journey in the Intercity train.

William Tell Express

Approximately a 5 hour journey by boat and train from Lucerne to Lugano/Locarno and vice versa. This is the leisurely but exciting connection between Central Switzerland and the Ticino, via the Lake of Lucerne and the Gotthard route.

Weather

Switzerland is divided by the Alps into two distinct areas with quite different climates. To the north of the Alps, the climate is warmer and can be described as continental while the area south of the Alps enjoys a Mediterranean climate.

In general, the highest temperatures are during July and August, when temperatures reach 30°C and the weather is hot and dry. Spring, which falls from March to May, is cooler and the wettest time of year to make a visit. During this period the weather is very changeable so be prepared for any possibility including rain, sun and occasional snow.

The coldest time of year is January through February when temperatures dip down below 0°C. If you are visiting Switzerland for the snow then wait until at least October, when areas above 1000m will receive their first snow fall.

Be aware that at altitude temperatures are considerably cooler and weather conditions a lot more severe than in the valleys.

Average Weather Guide:

Temperature in Degrees Centigrade

Rainfall in Millimetres

The tables above are intended as guidelines only.