Somehow European excursions seem to have skirted Switzerland. Apart from a few days in the exhibition hall in Geneva, Switzerland had not been a holiday destination since I was taken there in childhood with my parents. We were long overdue a visit!

Part of the reason may have been that it has, historically, been an expensive to take a car into. I remember trips through the Brenner Pass and round through France to avoid Switzerland.



First thing to remember is that - although it is surrounded by European Union countries - Switzerland is not a member. So, you do need to check over the entry requirments. In reality, many nations are welcomed for holiday visits without visa. In Switzerland, tourism is big business.

As such, most people in the main destinations also speak excellent English. But, please don't let that be an excuse for laziness.

I always feel that it is only polite to have at least the basics of "hello", "please" and "thank you" learned (phonetically if nothing else) in countries you are visiting. To blurt out your greeting or question in English, without so much as a "bonjour", is in my opinion, rather rude.

Don't be shy. In these days of speedy travel, people throughout Europe are quite used to dealing with and understanding mangled versions of their languages! The effort will usually be clearly appreciated.

Think Switzerland and you think of cheese and chocolate.

Certainly cheese is everywhere. Fondue pots bubbling with the delicious mixture of cheese, wine and tomato. Raclette - which is basically melted cheese that you scrape onto toast, potatoes, or whatever takes your fancy. Rösti, which is something like a American hash browns, delicious but often quite full of oil or fat.

You can almost feel your arteries fur up!


The beautiful village of Lauterbrunnen, near Interlaken

But I suppose there are plenty of mountains to climb to help keep you fit.

The best way to see Switzerland is probably by rail, bus and water bus. Public transport in Switzerland is excellent and genuinely integrated (not just being cynically dressed with the "integrated" buzz word).

Visitors from outside of Switzerland can choose from various travel passs. The Swiss Pass is top of the range and it really is worth considering despite the initial cost. Do the sums on your potential trips and you soon realise how good value it is if you really want to explore the country.

You get unlimited travel on most rail, bus and ferry routes. On the few that aren't included it you normally get 50% discount, including many cable cars, chair lifts, mountain railways and various discounts on museums (some free to pass holders). It is also very liberating to be able to hop on and off trains without having to think about buying tickets.

Most countries could learn a lot from Switzerland when it comes to public transport. The trains are punctual, clean, interconnect well (time and time again you find that the train you want to connect to is directly opposite on the other side of the platform ready waiting).


Excellent train system including these double deckers

Inter city trains are often double deckers and there are quiet carriages where music and mobile phones are prohibited, carriages with bike racks and family carriages with play areas for the children.

Sure enough you probably do have a bit more walking to do (although arguably so compared with finding and walking from car parks). As with most destinations in Europe walking is something you will need to do if you want to get te best from your trip. However, you don't need to be a mountain climber. Everywhere you go there are cable cars, chair lifts and mountain railways to take the strain of the serious hill climbing.


Jungfraujoch the 'Top of Europe' at 11,333 ft, reachable by mountain railway

Remember, though that - while the temperature may be balmy in the resorts down in the valley - the cable cars will often deposit you above the snow line at the top. The secret is to take layers, with a fleece, gloves and hat. Another essential is shoes with grippy soles, otherwise you end up slithering on snow, packed down by hundreds of feet.

Another thing to remember is that, at 10,000 feet, there is something like a third of the oxygen in the air that there is at sea level. So don't be surprised to be breathless if you exert yourself!

Down in the resorts you will find that many shops and restaurants are closed, or close early, on Sunday. Even in the capital, Bern, finding a restaurant after 7pm on a Sunday is a litte bit of a challenge. We ended up eating in the hotel's café bar.



Switzerland - a photographic journey book at Blurb