Travel Guide: Switzerland is a Nature Lover’s Paradise Filled with Chocolate, Cheese, and Many Wonders

Switzerland, a Central European country home to numerous lakes, villages and high peaks of the Alps. Bern is the capital with many of the most popular places visited by many. During the summer there are many hikers hiking on the trails of the different mountains. Tourists can stay in mountain cabins. In the winter there are many people enjoying the winter sports. There are also many different transportation systems which make going around simple with scenic routes. Swiss watches, chocolate and cheese are the most well known and are bought as souvenirs. Flying from Canada, Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Zurich Airport (ZRH) takes 8 hours 17 minutes.

Must Visit Cities in Switzerland

Bern

The capital of Switzerland. Bern is known as the birthplace of the chocolate bar Toblerone. The pointy towers and streets make it Europe’s best surviving medieval town. The colourful statues and fountain show off how wealthy Bern is. There are also many high-end shops to go around buying many expensive clothes and souvenirs. Many cafes and restaurants are around its river as well, so tourists and locals can eat and drink by seeing the beautiful water views. In the summer, because of very clean waters, tourists with the locals can go streaming down the river to cool off from the heat.

Zermatt

Known as the best place to ski and hike is the Matterhorn peak. It is a mountain resort visited by many who want to ski or hike. There are many cable cars as well, so tourists do not have to walk much on foot to where they want to hike or ski. After hiking and skiing, tourists can go around its main street, Bahnhofstrasse, seeing the beautiful boutique shops and eat at restaurants talking about seeing their experiences. For a more active approach, anyone who likes to mountain bike can bike along the trails.

Zurich

A rich and quiet city with one of the best places to live in. It has a waterfront where locals and tourists alike sit on a bench to talk and see the water views. Many water boats and cruises take tourists around the water to show all its views of Zurich in a romantic, breezy way. There are many galleries and museums that can be explored as well.

In the winter, tourists and locals alike go skiing or tobogganing, with other different winter sports as well. Anyone who wants more relaxation, can go relax at the spas while drinking hot chocolate and eating the famous fondue.

Must Visit Places

Lake Brienz

Lake North of the Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. Its area is 29.8 square kilometres, and the surface is 564 meters above sea-level. There are many passengers who come with ships. Its colour is beautiful turquoise. It is the iconic lake filming location of the K-drama Crash Landing on You. You can take beautiful photos and do different water activities or take a cruise.

Isteltwald

Isteltwald is a village on the southern shore of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. Known as a fairy-tale village surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Famous to both locals and tourists.  It is known as the filming location of the K-drama Crash Landing on You. You can take photos and see and do many different activities. Take photos,  especially while walking along Lake Brienz and at the Landing Stage Dock.

Gimmelwald

A small traffic free village in the Bernese Oberland located between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is a place where no car has access, so tourists and locals have to ride the Schilthorn cable car and then hike.

Many tourists and locals come because of its great trails and beautiful scenery. Hike along the many different trails and take many photos. For eating, there are restaurants that serve hardy food to keep a hiker energized. Hiking with friendly goats and cows can be done, and tourists can take pictures with them. The main income for the locals is farming and tourism. Farmers raise hay on pieces of land for their cows to eat. In the winter, they operate ski lifts where tourists go skiing. There is also a famous saying that goes “If Heaven isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald”, because of how many people fall in love with the beauty and wonderful, lush nature.

Gimmelwald-Trip Advisor

Famous Products in Switzerland

Swiss Cheese and Chocolate

The cows in the hills eat fresh grass, which makes the Swiss Cheese taste delicious. This helps the farmers to milk the cows to make fresh cheese every day. Tourists can go on tours in small barns that are open to tourists to see how Swiss cheese is made traditionally. There are also cheese factories that give the tour as well with other tourists. After the tour,  you can buy and taste the cheese.

Swiss Chocolate-Interlaken Shopping

Chocolate is produced in Switzerland with cacao beans and other ingredients. Milk chocolate is particularly well known. The most well-known Swiss Chocolates are LINDT, Toblerone, Sprungli and many other brands . Each region of Switzerland has its own shop famous/known for its chocolate. Tourists can also tour chocolate factories and buy them.

Fondu

Melted cheese dish served on a pot with a portable stove.  You can dip bread, fruit, and vegetables. Long-stemmed forks are used to help dip. It is very stringy and good. Cheese lovers would especially love this dish.

Luxemburgerli/Macarons

Macaroons in Switzerland with different coatings and flavours.  It makes the best gifts to bring home without spending too much.

Watches & Clocks

Switzerland is famous for luxury watches. Watch brands that are well known and bought are Rolex, Patek Philippe and Omega. Tourists and locals can also visit the museums of Swiss Watches, or La-Chaux de-Fonds, known as the watchmaking town.

Facts About Switzerland

1. Animals have rights: an animal-loving country with many laws protecting their rights. Dogs are allowed in restaurants and eat in them. Owners have to take courses to take care of them.

2. The Alps aren’t that Swiss

Swiss Alps makes up less than one-fifth of the mountain range. Austria, Italy, and France have more of the territory.

3. Switzerland has palm trees

The country’s diverse geography means it is home to different climates where tropical trees can thrive.

4. Switzerland has 7,000 lakes

There are thousands of beautiful lakes to explore in Switzerland. Lake Geneva is the largest.  40.47% of the lake is within French territory.

5. Switzerland has a rich sporting history.

6. Has a few tennis legends: Martina Hingis, Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer

7. It has four official languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh).

8. Sundays are a big deal.

9. Swiss trains are scenic and efficient.

10. It is a great place to live.

Reasons Why People Should Travel to Switzerland

1. Switzerland’s Castles are Right out of a Fairy-Tale

Switzerland’s regions have castles that are different and have amazing views. It makes tourists and locals feel like they are in a different time period. The Chillon Castle in Veytaux is one of them.

2. Switzerland has Gorgeous Waterfalls

There are many waterfalls that are beautiful to see and take photos of. The Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen is the largest plain waterfall in Europe. The waterfall is beautiful and you can take many photos of its beauty.

3. Country Great for Outdoor Sports

Whether it is summer or winter, there are many outdoor sports to do in Switzerland. In the early spring and fall, tourists can go hiking along the trails and see beautiful nature and sights and take photos. In the winter, tourists can go to different ski resorts and enjoy skiing or sledding while drinking warm drinks inside.

4. Swiss Food is Delicious & Fresh

Switzerland is known as a clean country that uses produce that is grown straight from farms. The food tastes fresh and healthy. There are many foods known and eaten by both tourists and locals. Dishes known are Raclette, a melted cheese dish served with jack potatoes, a cocktail and pickled fruit. There are many more.

Food

Rösti

A fried potato pancake is made by frying or baking flat round patties of finely and coarsely grated raw or seasoned potato in oil. You can put bacon or shallots or other ingredients you like coarsely grated as well. Many people in Switzerland, however, like to have it with fried eggs and spinach.

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

The dish is made with strips of veal mixed with cream, beef stock and white wine. Depending on how you make it, some may put sliced veal liver and mushrooms. The seasoning is with salt, pepper, Paprika and lemon juice. People like to have it with pasta or ice.

Berner Platte

This dish consists of a variety of different meats and sausages. This includes beef, ham, spareribs, pork etc.  This dish is eaten with potatoes or dried beans. This dish was created on 5 March 1798 after the Bernese defeated the army and had a huge feast with whatever meats they had.

Bündner Nusstorte

Sweet Caramelized nut-filled pastry is made from independent bakeries with their own recipes. The shortcut pastry is made using flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and a pinch of salt. The delicious filling is made with caramelized sugar, heavy cream and coarsely chopped walnuts. It is eaten with coffee or tea.

Swiss Wine

The wine produced in Switzerland is not known to many except for tourists and others who already know about it because it is not produced in large amounts and not exported to other countries. It is definitely a must try. Make sure to buy some and take them home as well. Unlike  other European countries, Switzerland’s way of making wine is unique as well. Make sure to go to vineyards as well to try and see how it is made.

Nature Lovers

The target market for Switzerland, I would say, is multigenerational families or anyone who loves nature.  Many natural wonders, castles and waterfalls, are all around the country.  The trails are good for both beginners and advanced hikers. People who would like to find peace in everyday life will find peace in Switzerland. There are many different ambiances of city life and country life there as well.  A different target is outdoor sports lovers. With many different types of outdoor sports, many experience new highs and breath-taking views which give jaw-dropping moments to cherish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tourists should travel to Switzerland  even though it is known as an expensive European country. It will provide you with a relaxing vacation with a quiet place to see both wonderful natural sites. The wonderful architecture with its hiking trails will give wonder and beautiful pictures. The many lakes are big and small. This all makes it easy and a destination you would love to go to.

The cable cars will make it easier to go up and down the mountains as well. If you are a fan of the K-drama Crash Landing on You and love cheese and chocolate like me, you should definitely visit. The factories, barns and  local shops show how it is made. You can later buy them with family and friends to take as souvenirs. Switzerland is an  awesome place  to go backpacking with friends and stay at hostels or mountain hunts to see many different mountain peaks, while enjoying hardy  hiking food while talking about the experience later during dinner.

Many foreigners who like to travel  come more and more to Switzerland as well to enjoy its nature and beauty. Some may come to see snow if they have never seen it coming from warmer countries with no snow. At the top of the mountain peak with others, they can relax in the restaurant or sit in chairs laid out to see its magnetic views with sunlight. Souvenirs can be bought as well. I would love to travel to Switzerland to see the film locations of the K-drama “Crash Landing On You” and go hiking along the beautiful trails, and see the many animals and pet them. Would love to take a lot of photos and buy souvenirs as well. Switzerland is my and everyone’s next destination to discover.