SWITZERLAND

When you hear word – Switzerland – what is the first image you have? I am sure for most people it would be chocolate ( I agree, one of the best), Alps and famous ski centers, watches, Swiss Army knife, numbered account in one of famous Swiss banks!

Most people would describe Switzerland as a very clean country, well organized, a bit boring. “There is no excitement”! At 6 pm everything is closed, everybody is already at home after work, streets are empty and silence is falling rapidly down.

True.

However, Switzerland is so much more. 

For me Switzerland is Saturday morning breakfast at Gerber cafe: fresh daily newspaper, café au lait, small croissants that are melting in my mouth, like no other croissant would ever do, served with a soft butter and tasty, home made jam; While reading news, you can hear a tiny noise of awakening town. Air crisp and warm. Cristal sunny blue sky. Wherever I look I can see huge mountains, green vineyards on their bottoms, snaky narrow roads that are climbing up and up , passing through enchanting towns, up and up till they touch white, like fresh whipped cream peaks of snow.

 

Brasserie Gerber, Crans-Montana, Valais

For me Switzerland is also - driving down the same snaky road, from Crans- Monatana. Imagine: night, everything is dark blue, almost ink blue, enriched with hundred lights without ever be sure what is really a star and what light bulb! You are so high up there….

Snaky Roads

You guessed well – I am in love with this country; I can be there forever and never be bored. Just looking at the Alpine peaks, glistening lakes, enchanting towns, cathedrals, and timber houses is for me like being in paradise.

However it is not just beauty that I am drawn to, it is unexpectedness that came across while visiting that country.

As a Traveller who is enjoying unveiling a veil, I discovered a different Switzerland. I met writers, philosophers, actors, painters. These people are smart, creative, innovative and as many other people like them around the world they think in a similar manner. I found pulsating life everywhere and discovered that night life starts around 11pm, like everywhere in the world.

In Switzerland people work very hard. Their kids are thought at school that their country is very poor, without any natural resources therefore they have to work extra 

hard to achieve life standard they wanted. These people 

are actually very warm but also very

reserved. Once you are invited to their house you'll be 

surprised how much they enjoy your presence.

Their streets are clean; old buildings and houses are usually made ​​of stone and wood. Almost all houses had potted hanging geraniums and wooden blinds painted in red, blue, yellow, green…looking like they are part of some fairy tale. 
  

Top - Rue Du Rawil, Left - Rue Du Grand-Pont, Sion, Canton Valais

Their gardens are immaculate. There I learned that having nice garden is not necessarily expensive thing to do, it is more matter of aesthetic and willingness to do some work!

I have been in Switzerland many times and I can say with certainty that this is beautiful country; perfect for any kind of tourism: there are Alps for winter sports, spas with exquisite thermal water, numerous hiking paths, great hotels and B&B for every budget, clean water lakes and nice beaches, superb art galleries, museums and happenings round the year. 

That is why Switzerland remains one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet!  

Summer in Switzerland

Winter Time!

Swiss Cuisine 

Thinking of Swiss cuisine, the first thing that comes to our mind is Swiss cheese. Famous Swiss cheese products are Gruyere, Emmental and Appenzeller.

Raclette

Fondue and Raclette are the most popular Swiss cheese dishes.

Fondue is a warm semi-liquid sauce made of wine, cheese and white flour. Diners dip bits of bread or meat into it using a fork.

Raclette originated in canton Valais is heated cheese and then scraped onto the plates served with baked potato and vegetables.

Fondue

Swiss Chocolate

You can’t miss it! It’s a high quality chocolate 

and famous Swiss brands include Nestle,    Cailler, Lindt, and Toblerone.  Switzerland has the highest chocolate consumption rate in the world!

Have you heard of Swiss Chocolate Train? This train takes the visitors from Montreaux to Broc, home of the Cailler-Nestle chocolate factory, where you can observe chocolate production, sample the finished product and buy candies at factory prices!

The train also stops at Gruyere on the way, where visitors are taken on an excursion to the cheese factory and the local castle.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, The Fondue Train is perfect choice. Reservations are required.  

It combines everything that’s admirable about Switzerland – impeccable organisation, a simple culinary concept, good wine and a picture perfect backdrop against which to enjoy it all.

Vineyard, Lake Geneva

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