Switzerland
When vacationing in Switzerland don’t just go to all the tourist places that you see advertised. For one, the prices in those areas are much higher then usual and you don’t even really get to see the real Switzerland that you would see if you went on your own terms. Switzerland is known for its beautiful, rugged alpine land with so many wild flowers that you will not know where to look. Up in the mountains the lakes are usually a dark blue or green, and so clear that you can see right to the bottom. One of the best trips you can take while in Switzerland is to go up on the mountains with hiking gear and a tent, and enjoying the wonderful fresh mountain air. This air has been used for centuries for people to recover from sicknesses such as the one depicted in the novel “Heidi”.
Often writers and artists spend vacations in Switzerland because the rugged beauty of the alpine land will get their creative juices running again. Switzerland is also known for its amazing skiing slopes, for their romantic chalets, and for the many gondolas that scale the mountains for you. If you go up a mountain with the gondola, don’t just go to the tourist attractions on top of the mountain. A great way to spend the day, is to follow the mountain paths down the mountain and using the gondola only to go upwards. Of course you have to research the mountains that are suitable for such a trip, but Switzerland has published many maps of suitable walking pathways.
Switzerland is a land that has a rich historical heritage, and often the Swiss people will discover treasures in their land such as ancient Roman coins or treasures. The many castles dotted all over the landscape also speak of that history and it is a great experience to explore those ancient dwellings. There are often things to see such as old weapon rooms, large torture chambers and wine storage’s, all intact with their original furnishings which is hundreds of years old. It is great to go to those castles and to imagine you live in a earlier time. The rich historical heritage is often accented by the many festivals and colorful feasts that the Swiss people hold quite often. Every tiny town will have a carnival at least once a year, and the parades that are held in Zurich and Bern are amazing experiences you will not forget very quickly.
The Swiss food is usually consisting of light meals, with cold cuts and bread and cheese. Swiss people also like potatoes at almost every meal and a great meal to order at a restaurant would be racclette or fondue. This will taste amazing, especially since the air is herbed and fresh and wonderful. In Zurich there is a river called the Limmat, and many people can be seen swimming in that river. The Limmat is one of the neat things about Switzerland; a river in the middle of Switzerland’s busiest cities, completely non-polluted and inhabited by many fishes and people love to swim in it.
Another great thing to do is to go to one of those small villages that are nestled between towering mountains, and to explore the area around them. Swiss people are known for their hospitality, and it will be easy to find an Inn with amazing food and company. The architecture is also one of the things that will amaze and occupy you for many days. It is wonderful just to drive past those houses, often 200 or 300 years old, with handmade carvings and paintings. They will usually also be adorned by flowers especially glowing red bouquets of geraniums that invite you from far off.