by Divya Mohan

Created on: October 12, 2010   Last Updated: October 13, 2010

Der Schweiz. The swiss watch represents its country perfectly - beautiful, precise, elegant. Switzerland is a compact country and yet there is so much to see, with each corner of the country changing in flavour entirely to reflect the neighbouring European country. To the southwest, there is Geneve and the French quarters, with the rolling vineyards making it easy to forget one is in Switzerland. To the Southeast lies the Italian district with Locarno and the Swiss north is very much German in influence. Natural beauty abounds in all areas!

The north-central region of the country has much to offer any traveller in pursuit of breath-taking Alpine scenery and Swiss culture. Zurich is an ideal place to start, with one of the busiest airport in Switzerland. On arrival, it is immediately noticeable how clean and efficient the Swiss transport system is. Frequent transfers, reasonable fares and good coverage all ensure that you do not need to hire a car whilst in Switzerland. It is advisable to get a Swiss Pass prior to arriving in Switzerland - these may seem expensive, but offer incredibly good value as they allow free travel on most trains, buses and even boats.

Zurich has a beautiful Altstadt, best enjoyed in a cafe overlooking the river on a sunny afternoon. There are many museums to keep you busy, and Bahnofstrasse is a mecca for any shopaholic. 

From Zurich, the next stop should be Luzern, which is one of the best preserved and most beautiful of Swiss gothic medieval towns. With an enchanting lake, beautiful river and the world renowned Luzern festival of Music, this city is a feast for lovers of culture. It is also a very central city offering good connections to many tourist destinations, therefore making it a great base for any trip to the North-central region of Switzerland. Zurich is half an hour by train, Bern and Engelberg are an hour away, and Geneve and Interlaken only 2 hours on the train. 

Bern, the Swiss capital, is a warm and welcoming city. The market stalls are full of delightful foods and rare vegetables. The streets are cobbled, and the shops endless. The Bern Munster cathedral is a great vantage point - a climb up its bell tower of 254 steps is well worth it for the cityscape and the views of the Swiss Alps in the background. The bear park is another must-see destination, and the bear family there is an immense hit with adults and kids alike.

If you wish to escape the cities, heading up to the Jungfrau region is highly recommended.

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