Whether it's the famous chocolate, delicious cheese, or incredible skiing that draws you to Switzerland, you will be surprised to find that the country has so much more to offer. Though Switzerland is small and landlocked, it manages to offer the delights from all of its neighboring countries and its multiple cultures.
Everyone knows about the international city of Geneva, home of the UN and the International Red Cross & Red Crescent, as well as Zurich, the largest of all Swiss cities. But what about the rest of Switzerland?
The northeastern region of Switzerland is largely German-speaking and features the bustling city of St. Gallen, the tiny, but incredibly well-preserved medieval town of Stein Am Rhein, and the Rhine Falls (Rheinfallen). The northwestern region can be an interesting mix of cultures with towns like Basel/Bale, Murten/Morat, Freiburg/Fribourg. In this area, you will likely encounter conversations in which one person will speak in German while the other responds in French (such is the intermingling of culture in these areas). The region features beautiful waterfalls, charming villages, and, of course, the well-known (if touristy) cheesemaking town of Gruyeres.
The
Bernese Oberland region is known for its heartstopping panoramas -- a ride on the panoramic trains is highly recommended to fully appreciate the beauty of the area. Here, you will find the highly popular Interlaken and the less popular
Thun and
Brienz. There are plenty of small mountain villages that lure wintersport lovers from around the world for some of the best skiing and snowboarding around. Those into adventure sports will also find many resources to satisfy their curiosity in
Interlaken. The
Valais/Wallis region is another place for those who love winter sports, as
Zermatt has one of the longest ski seasons around.
Lucerne is also a must see city for those who want the full Swiss experience.
Those who are francophiles will prefer the French-speaking area in the west, around Lake Geneva/Lac Leman. Here you will find the cities of Geneva and the lesser-known Lausanne, in addition to the former resort town of Montreux and its tiny neighbor Vevey. This region is known for Geneva's cultural melange, the Chateau de Chillon, beautiful lake shore views and its famous lake perch.
The Ticino region, on the otherhand, has a more Italian flavor thanks to its proximity to Italy. The Italian influence can easily be seen in the cities of Bellinzona, Lugano, and Locarno whether it be in the style of food or architecture. Locarno is most well known for its annual film festival -- an equally big, but less flashy version of Cannes.
