Position yourself on a Swiss mountaintop

Whatever the season, Switzerland is a flawless alpine beauty, providing one of the world´s most dramatic outdoor playgrounds for hikers, cyclists, skiers, climbers and paragliders. 

Come winter, Switzerland´s verdant countryside and knife-edged peaks are covered with a fairytale blanket of snow, as steam rises from mountaintop hot springs and smoke wafts from the chimneys of cozy dark-wood chalets. In the summer, to the soundtrack of twinkling cow bells and outdoor music festivals, colourful wildflowers smother the verdant mountainsides and revellers cool off in fast-flowing rivers and turquoise glacial lakes.

Despite its low profile, this wealthy Western European nation does get lumped with its fair share of stereotypes - most warranted. Neat, orderly and efficient are words often used to describe Switzerland, but you could never accuse it of being sterile or dull. 

Switzerland may have given the world neutrality, watches, army knives and trains that run on time, but it is its cheeses, vineyards, glaciers, forests, pristine lakes and lively pubs that leave a lasting impression on visitors.   

Its cities are similarly memorable, with Switzerland´s capital, Bern, well worth visiting for its medieval Old Town and raging river snaking below. Lakeside Geneva has long been the face of Swiss humanitarianism and is the most cosmopolitan city in the country. Beyond its banks, Zurich knows how to shed its suit and let its hair down, and hedonists will be more than satisfied with the bar and nightclub scene evolving there. Chic Lucerne, superbly situated on a serene glacial lake and ringed by mountains, is the place to live it up in five-star splendour.

Ski resorts abound in this alpine country, with Zermatt, Verbier, Klosters and St Moritz among the most popular. Summer sees the likes of Lucerne, Bern and Montreux swing to outdoor rock, classical and jazz festivals, of which the Montreaux Jazz Festival is the most internationally celebrated.

Survival guide

The Swiss summer lasts from June to September, with the weather oscillating between damp and chilly to downright sweltering (the summer heatwave of 2003 was so intense, the Matterhorn´s icy peak actually melted and crumbled). The average daytime summer temperature hovers in the low 20°C´s. Of course, altitude plays a significant role, and if you´re spending time in the mountains in the summer, you should consider bringing along a parka, thermal underwear and sturdy boots. The south, near Italy, enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate. Switzerland´s summer high season is July and August, when tourists flock to the lakes and vineyards and enjoy hiking, biking and climbing activities in the Alps. 

The winter ski season (mid-December to just before Easter) draws massive crowds to Switzerland´s Alpine resorts. Peak periods (crowded and expensive) are between Christmas and New Year and also in February.  

There are four official languages spoken in Switzerland: German (used by roughly 64% of the population), French (20%), Italian (6%), and Romansh (less than 1%). There´s no particular need to overwhelm yourself trying to master them all - English is widely spoken. 

The currency is the Swiss franc, with one euro roughly equivalent to 1.65 Swiss francs.

Switzerland is often accused of being the most expensive country in Europe, usually by people who have never been to Ireland or Norway. Sure, it´s the world´s wealthiest country, but prices are generally not any more extravagant than its neighbours. Of course, it all depends on how you plan to spend your time in the country, and a skiing holiday may be less wallet-sapping if you book it as a package with lift tickets, ski hire and accommodation all included. Rural areas of Switzerland are significantly cheaper than the cities, and a summer hiking holiday staying in basic lodgings can be surprisingly economical. Eating and drinking in restaurants and pubs can certainly take its toll on your budget, but you could save money by dipping into supermarkets, delicatessens and bakeries for bread and cheese - but oh! - what bread and cheese it is!

Train is the best way to see country while gawping out the window at the stunning alpine vistas. While individual fairs are quite exorbitant, you can save money by buying a rail pass in advance. A rail pass has the benefit of offering unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats.

If you´re lactose intolerant or a vegan, you´ll be the envy of no-one in Switzerland. The Swiss take great pride in their happy cows and creamy dairy products - the butter, cheese, milk and - lest we forget - the chocolate here is simply outstanding. Fondue is the closest thing to a national dish, whereby heroic quantities of gruyere, emmental or raclette cheese are melted down with an alcoholic beverage (wine, cherry or cider) in a great big bubbling pot into which everyone dips pieces of crusty, stale bread. In Switzerland´s southwestern Valais region, raclette is the favoured regional dish, with melted raclette cheese scraped on top of a mound of leftover potatoes and vegetables.

Switzerland borders Austria, France, Germany and Italy. Geneva and Zurich are the main international gateways to Switzerland, although there are smaller airports in Basel, Bern, Sion and Lugano. Switzerland can also be reached by boat from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France.