Switzerland - where Alpine tradition sits alongside a diverse, contemporary culture.
Although cheese, chocolate and clocks are synonymous with Switzerland, there is so much more to this diverse country; cosmopolitan cities, excellent transport links, and scenery that takes your breath away are just some of the highlights of contemporary Switzerland. Whilst renowned for its mountains (Alps in the south, Jura in the northwest), the country also features a central plateau of rolling hills, beautiful plains and shimmering lakes. With four official languages, Switzerland is intrinsically more culturally diverse than perhaps any other European country. To the northeast you will find the Swiss-German speaking part of Switzerland, to the southwest the laissez-faire style of living attributed to the French, in the southeast sunny Italian-style piazzas and at the heart of it all, majestic mountain landscapes and traditional Alpine villages.
With a number of international airports including Zurich, Geneva and Basel as well as a fantastic railway network, centrally located Switzerland couldn’t be easier to reach. From medieval Bern, chic Geneva, Germanic Basel and trendy Zurich, Switzerland’s cities are a hub of bold architecture, innovative restaurants and world-class modern art. Not far from the cities are the famous lakes, the most well-known being Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, Lake Brienz and Lake Lugano. Whether you wish to unwind on the glittering lake shores, take a boat trip or walk or cycle along the perimeter, the lakes provide a splendid setting for a relaxed holiday,
Varied terrain, spectacular scenery and some of the world’s greatest mountains, including the Matterhorn and Eiger, along with 57 other peaks over 4,000 metres high and multiple glaciers are located here. Framed by snow-capped mountains, picture postcard villages are filled with cosy log cabins and luxury ski chalets providing the perfect mix of tradition and style.
Whether you are a family looking for child-friendly slopes or are an expert skier searching for fresh powder, Switzerland certainly has it all. For unique scenery and superb skiing head to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, a resort sure to lure you back year after year. Favoured by world-class athletes, Verbier is as famous for its nightlife as its skiing whilst Gstaad and St. Moritz are glamorous retreats favoured by those who love to shop as much as they love to ski. Davos and Klosters share a sweeping network of ski lifts and slopes whilst Crans Montana and Saas Fee are ideal for families. Andermatt has earned its place in the hearts of freeriders and whilst under the radar at the moment, a luxury redevelopment means it won’t remain that way for long.
There is a fantastic variety of accommodation available in Swiss ski resorts. High-fliers can enjoy the supreme luxury offered in chalets like Chalet Norte in Verbier, Chesa el Toula in St. Moritz and Chalet Elbrus in Zermatt. For families, properties such as Chalet Le Ti with its TV and games room and outdoor hot tub are ideal whilst couples might enjoy smaller apartments such as Christiania 1 in Zermatt. For large groups we recommend the Capra Chalet in Saas Fee and Chalet Migui in Crans Montana.
Davos and Klosters are particularly popular during the World Economic Forum. Properties such as Tivoli Lodge and Chalet Bortji are booked up months in advance of this important event. During January and February, St. Moritz attracts a number of visitors with its famous White Turf and Snow Polo events. Flagship chalets like Chesa Lumpaz are especially popular during this period.
