Travel Tips to European Countries: Switzerland
About the country Switzerland is blessed with all the bounties of nature. It is the most preferred tourist destination among all the countries in the world. The Alps region has a cold weather most of the times, where as the summers are warmer in the northern area. Visit Saas Fee to ski and snowboard. Dream of living in real life igloo can come true as many resorts, like Zermatt and St Moritz (which is a celebrity resort), had them built for their customers.
Best Time To Visit
Anytime
Culture Italian, German and French are the official languages of Switzerland. Many English people can also be found here. Unwrapped flowers must be presented to the host to show appreciation. White asters and chrysanthemums flowers are reserved for funerals, so precaution must be taken when presenting flowers to others, even red roses are better avoided. One can move around in casuals but it is important to dress in warrant jackets and ties when attending social gatherings or when eating out at a fine restaurant. Swiss Franc is the currency used here.
Shopping
Switzerland is famous for its exotic chocolates, finest handmade clocks and luxury watches. Other specialties are embroidered linen, music boxes, wood carvings, Swiss cheese and Swiss army knives. Many shops remain close on Monday, so shopping should be avoided on that day. Since service charge is applied on all services, so tipping is an issue of free-will. 7.6% VAT is charged on all purchases made in Switzerland, which can be reclaimed later by asking for a global refund check, if the purchase crosses 400 CHF.
Try local delicacies:
Eat rosti (fried, shredded potatoes) and chocolate Drink Rivella (lactose-based soft drink) or absinthe (wormwood frows in the Val de Travers)
Site Seeing
· Getting in amongst it in the Alps –by train, funicular, cable car or postal bus, or on foot, skis, snowshoes or dog sled
· Relaxing in a centuries-old Roman spa
· Wine tasting inside a glacier atop Kein Matterhon
· Rising above it in a hot-air balloon
· Following Lord Bryin’s footsteps through Chateau Chillon
· Sleeping in the straw of a farmer’s empty barn in summer
Further Pleasures:
To read: Johanna Spyri’s Heidi-the classic children’s story of an orphan girl living in the Swiss Alps, and Anita Brookner’s Hotel du Lac- a novel centred on a group of out of season hotel guests around Lake Geneva
To listen: Appenzeller Echo – traditional Swiss group, featuring yodeling and Alphorn, or Yello-groundbreaking ‘80s electronica
To watch: Alain Tanner’s Messidor- a grim feminist road-movie (think Thelma & Lousie with Alps) or Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colours: Red-the story of a relationship between a model and a judge, set in Geneva.
Electricity The standard current used is 230 volts (AC) and 50 Hz.
Getting There
Swiss airline is the national airline of Switzerland, which connects to 71 destinations all over the world. Zurich is the most popular airport, located at a distance of 11km from the city. Every 15 minutes, trains shuttles passengers to their destination. Fly-Rail Luggage ticket can be bought if the passengers want to collect their luggage at the railways station rather than the airport. While leaving Switzerland, Fly-Rail Baggage service can be availed that enables passenger to check-in their luggage at the railway station itself. Other facilities provided here are duty free shops, banks, restaurants and car hire. Check out Geneva, Basle and Bern airport for offers. Since weather conditions are worst during the winters, train is an efficient and cheaper option. They are also great if one wants to enjoy the scenic beauty of Switzerland. Swiss Pass can be purchased to visit most of the tourist attractions in Switzerland. High quality roads are maintained here. Roads connect to Austria, Germany, Italy and France. But in winters things can get worse, so it is better to carry chains and snow tires. Cars should be kept to the right.
Duty Free Items
a) Visitors from European countries 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco 2 liter of alcohol (up to 15 per cent) and 1liter of alcohol (over 15 per cent) (b) Visitors from non-European countries 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco 2liter of alcohol (up to 15 per cent) and 1liter of alcohol (over 15 per cent) Meat items, narcotics and absinthe are strictly not permitted. Other items that come under the prohibited items list are firearms and animals.
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