Lake Brienz is one of the prettiest, yet one of the most underrated lakes in Switzerland! The uniquely turquoise blue colours of the lake, the charming Swiss villages around it and the beautiful landscapes of the Swiss Alps make Lake Brienz one of the best places to...
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s incredible how such a small country is blessed with natural beauty in spades. Credit to the Swiss for making their country so friendly for tourists – from ridiculously friendly people to amazingly well-organized tourist destinations. In Switzerland, you not only marvel at the stunning natural beauty but also at the famed Swiss efficiency.
I’m sure you can tell that I’m obsessed with Switzerland! I’ve been living here for a very short time but already I’m blown away by how beautiful everything is.
Here’s a quick reckoner about Switzerland:
- Location: Western Europe. Switzerland is a landlocked country bordered by France on the West, Germany on the North, Austria & Liechtenstein on the East and Italy on the South
- Languages: German (a dialect called Swiss German is in practice in Switzerland), French, Italian, Romansh
- Currency: CHF (Swiss Franc), although Euro is widely accepted
- Visa: Schengen
- Public transportation: Excellent public transportation comprising trains, trams, buses, cable cars. As a tourist, you can easily employ public transportation instead of renting a car
- Driving side: Right
- Electrical plug category: Power plugs and sockets are of type J. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz
- Major cities: Zurich, Bern (capital city), Geneva, Basel
- Famous food: Cheese – who hasn’t heard of Fondue?!, Cheeses such as Gruyère or Emmental are produced in the valleys of Gruyères and Emmental
- Famous souvenirs: Swiss knife, Swiss watches, Swiss chocolates, Cowbells
- Useful phrases to know:
- Hello – Grüezi
- Thank you – Merci!, Danke! Dankeschön!
- Yes – Ja
- No – Nein
- Please – Bitte
- Do you speak English – Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Here are some travel guides to get you started on planning your Swiss vacation!
25 best places to visit in Switzerland
Beautiful scenic locations, stunningly pretty lakes and mountains, charming towns and villages, the yummiest chocolates and cheeses, and superlative public transportation - what’s not to love about Switzerland! (Except maybe how expensive it is but hey, you get used...
The Golden Pass train line, Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its stunningly scenic train rides - the perfect combination of superbly efficient & clean trains and incredible natural beauty! The Golden Pass train line is one of the best of these routes - covering 3 mountain passes, 8 lakes, 6 cantons...
Travel guide to Switzerland – All you need to know
Switzerland is a stunning place and a place you should visit at least once in your life. It’s also very expensive so you need to be well planned - everything from hotels to transportation needs careful research so you don’t overshoot your budget. Having done this...
Things to do in Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is a vibrant cosmopolitan city steeped in culture and history dating back 5000 years. A beautiful river and a stunning lake surrounded by lush green hills add to the charm of this city. I’ve lived in Zurich for a couple of years and can already understand why...
10 hidden gems in Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries, blessed with stunning natural beauty. The best places to visit in Switzerland for me are the hidden gems, ones where you can enjoy nature, without being tread upon by hordes of tourists! So if, like me, you’d like to...
Rhine Falls, Switzerland – The complete guide to visiting the magnificent falls
Europe’s most powerful waterfall, the Rhine Falls are our go-to day trip for any visitors. We’ve already been there about 5 times already and every outing continues to amaze us! These falls are super easy to reach and are among the cheapest attractions in Switzerland....
Things to do in Zermatt – Switzerland’s famous village!
Zermatt is a postcard-perfect Swiss village complete with charming wooden chalets with flowers adorning the windows, snowy mountains dominating the landscape and stellar Swiss engineering enabling you to visit those mountains with ease! Read on for some of the best...
Hike to Oeschinensee – The prettiest lake in Switzerland!
Oeschinensee (or as it is known by the misnomer Oeschinensee Lake - 'see' in German means lake!) is a bright blue Swiss mountain lake in the Bernese Oberland region. It’s the perfect spot for a day trip from Zurich, Lucerne or Interlaken. Whether you are looking to...
Mount Rigi, Switzerland – The Queen of mountains!
Mt. Rigi is our go-to day trip for family and friends visiting us. It offers an all-encompassing experience of all that’s wonderful about Switzerland. A trip to Mount Rigi from Lucerne includes a cruise on the delightful Lake Lucerne, a ride on a steep funicular,...
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