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It was once said that Switzerland had had 500 years of democracy
and peace, and nothing to show for it but the cuckoo clock.
The funny thing is, even the clock isn't Swiss, but German
in origin. Appearances can be deceiving, and nowhere more
so than in this small country of 26 cantons (counties or regions).
Switzerland has brought us milk chocolate, that famous cheese
with holes, and life insurance, but it has also managed to
evolve and keep together a country with 4 different languages
and 3 different cultural groups - all distinct from each other.
It's a nation of intellectuals and inventors who have avoided
warfare for five centuries.
To be Swiss is to live and breathe in this ethnic whirl -
from the majestic Alps and lakes, to the tidy towns and sober
cities, Switzerland truly has something for all and a feel
all its own. From peaceful and pictures cities like the capital
Bern and the lake city of Luzern to modern commerical city
life in Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland is a splendidly preserved
country hard to rival elsewhere in Europe.
Climate
Above all else, Switzerland is known for its mountains. In
fact, the Alps make up 60% of Switzerland's entire area. The
mountains are responsible for the variety of climates found
in the country. It can range from Mediterranean heat in the
South, to a central European variation. Temperatures range
between 25C (75F) in the summer, and around 6C (30F) in winter.
Summer can bring a lot of rainfall, so be mindful of this
when you make your travel plans. June to September offers
the best time for outdoor sports, but also high hotel prices
and lots of people. Ski resorts are open from December to
April, some closing then until Summer, so check before you
head out whether they will be open for business.
Visas
Visas are not required for passport holders of the UK, Ireland,
the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, whether
a tourist or visiting on business. Arabic and Third World
Countries require visa. A maximum three-month stay applies.
Remember that although a developed European country, Switzerland
in not a member of the EEC.
Cash
The Swiss unit of currency is the Swiss Frank.
USD $1 = 1.61 CHF
GBP £ 1 = 2.36 CHF
Please check with your local exchange bureau for up to date
currency conversions.For up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter.
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe
as it is not a member of the EEC and prices are just slightly
lower than those of Scandinavia, and more expensive than London.
Expect to pay around 100 Euro a night for a 3 star hotel,
and a shoestring traveller would probably spend at least 80
Euro a day excluding activities. A coffee will set you back
around 2 Euro.
Food
One cannot go to Switzerland without eating huge amounts
of its delicious milk chocolates, or delighting yourself with
sampling Emmental and Gruyere cheese. Indeed
cheese is everywhere, never more so then in the Swiss national
speciality, fondue (hot dips of melted cheese in which
you dip chunks of bread) although this is more typically a
tourist dish and not perceived as being cool among young people.
Swiss dishes in general tend to borrow from the best of German,
French and Italian cuisine. One thing that is definitively
Swiss is muesli - though the Swiss don't really eat
it themselves and favour the continental fruit, yoghurt and
bread rolls for breakfast. The Swiss also specialise in soup
and dumplings, as well as a dish called raclette
-a must try melted cheese meal served with shredded potatoes
and small onions. A wide variety of wurst (sausage)
is available, as is veal - a Swiss favourite.
Language
Most Swiss are of Germanic origin, speaking High German,
though usually in informal situations Swiss German
- a language differing greatly from High German- is spoken.
Even if you speak German you may have trouble understanding
this peculiar pinched sounding German dialect. The rest of
the population, depending on location, speaks French, Italian
or Romansch - a native Swiss dialect derived from
Latin. In the smaller towns less English speakers are found,
so it's a good idea to try and pick up a bit of another language
to try out on the locals. The Swiss are embarrassingly proficient
at languages - most of them speak at least 3, and signs and
announcements are in English, French, Italian and German.
People
With a population of just over 7 million, Switzerland can
seem an empty country, especially in the Alpine regions. Even
Zurich, the largest city, has only ¾ million inhabitants.
Over 20% of the people in Switzerland are not Swiss in origin,
particularly in the bigger cities where jobs are more lucrative.
Most of the residents of non-Germanic origin arrived after
WW II, from Italy, Spain and southern Europe. The Swiss, one
finds, are reserved and conservative people who are ethically
and politically conscious but lack the personality of their
European neighbours.
Travel
Probably the most economical way to get around Switzerland
is with a Swiss railpass. Valid on more private lines
than the European passes, the pass costs one price for travel
between designated dates, and some allow travel on mountain
transport (which can sometimes be expensive) buses and boats.
The cost runs from around 15 Euro for an 8 day pass, to over
200 Euro for a month. Train journeys are a real pleasure
in Switzerland - clean, environmentally-friendly and extremely
punctual. Zurich, the busiest station, has direct connections
to Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, Milan and Vienna.
Driving through Switzerland
Explore the sights of Switzerland with Hertz, the world's
#1 car rental company. Visit
their website to book on-line and take advantage
of the latest special offers from Hertz.
By Susi O'Neill
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