Switzerland is a breathtakingly beautiful land-locked country in Central Europe with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria to the east and Germany to the north. The country is famous for its scenic Alps and its rolling hills, plains, and lakes. It is also renowned for its chocolates and watches, while the Swiss knife is a legend in itself! Tourism in Switzerland is a delight of skiing, snow-walking, gorging on chocolates and cheeses and of course, swaying in the Alps. Here is a travel guide to Switzerland for one and sundry, to help you plan your next holiday.

Foreign nationals require a visa as well as advance approval from the cantonal authority in order to enter Switzerland.

By Air

Zurich, Geneva, and Basel are the three major International airports that connect Switzerland to the rest of the world. There are also airports in Berne and Lugano but these are more for short distance flights. You can fly into nearby Milan (Italy) or Paris (France), and from there to any of the major airports.

By Rail

The train service is excellent. Switzerland is extremely well-connected by trains, which arrive from all over Europe. Located in central Europe, Switzerland has an excellent network of railway lines. The best route is from France, as there is a French-Swiss high-speed rail connection to Switzerland, with several daily trains from Paris, Nice, Avignon, etc.

By Road

You can reach popular tourist destinations in Switzerland easily by road. Take the route from central-eastern France to Geneva. If you wish to get to Zurich then the route from southern Germany is your best bet. This also makes up for quite a memorable road trip. Centrally located Switzerland is thoroughly connected with the rest of Europe via a mesh of well-maintained roads.

Any time is a good time to visit Switzerland. Plan your trip according to what you wish to do during your visit. But if you must pick a season, then June to August would be the best months to visit as summer is a fairly pleasant time for hiking and sightseeing. Autumn onwards the mercury dips and the number of tourists reduce. Winter is snow clad and the perfect time for skiing.

Picnic at Lake Geneva:

One of the largest lakes of Western Europe, Lake Geneva lies by the Rhone river, forming a massive barrier between Switzerland and France. It is very scenic, and a perfect spot to spend the day amidst the natural beauty of the Alps.

Sightseeing in Valais: 

Valais offers an amazing diversity of landscapes. The most iconic of these is the Matterhorn - the shark tooth of a rocky mountain cliff jutting into the sky. There are also many glaciers and the lush green meadows of the Alps to be explored. You can spend the entire day here, and it still won’t be enough.

Sight-seeing in Ticino: 

Enjoy the lakes of Ticino. Lake Lugano, the more popular one, is perfect since you can windsurf. There's plenty for adventure lovers here. Bungee jump from the heights of the Contra Dam and later for a mellower experience head to the Castles of Bellinzona.

In Switzerland, you have to sample the cheese fondue and the rosti, a potato dish. There are many up-market restaurants, such as The Kronenhalle, the haunt of the rich and the famous,  Kindli, an elegant historic salon with an understated quality and Hotel Helvetia, which attracts a lively crowd.

Switzerland has earned a reputation for the variety of chocolates crafted here. Make sure you gorge on enough of them and pack enough for friends back home. Of course, the Swiss watch is not a bad deal either. Shop at Zurich, Geneva, Bern, or Lausanne with their big and prestigious markets. You can also shop for knives, jewelry and porcelain showpieces.