Switzerland is a country of stunning contrasts, with its central location in Europe and a mix of four national languages. It has some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet with lush valleys, picturesque mountain peaks and turquoise lakes. The traditional crafts are abundant, and the modern world feels far away in the remote alpine village of Appenzell. In the French-speaking town of Geneva, the center of international business and a 12th-century cathedral enable the old and new coexist. The country is an amazing place to experience bustling cities, remote villages, modern architecture and possibly even a chalet in Switzerland. Here are are some of the most breathtaking places to visit.
Appenzell
Appenzell in the northeast, is one of the most popular destinations in Switzerland for many good reasons. This beautiful village feels like a world removed, where the streets are narrow, and buildings are painted with different colors and motifs such as landscapes, flowers, people and animals. Compared to other regions in Switzerland, only a few business industries settled in Appenzell because, at the time, it was only connected to a few railroads and major roadways. The main focus in Appenzell is on local crafts, and the town has become world famous for its embroidery and cheeses. Locals and people who live in Appenzell often say, “life is still true” in this town.
Bern
Bern is Switzerland’s federal capital, and home to some of the most stunning examples of medieval architecture found anywhere in Europe. This city is located at the center of the Bernese Mitteland on the Aere River in Northern Switzerland. More than 100 fountains line its streets and squares, and it is often referred to as the 'City of Fountains.' With such pristine beauty, its no wonder why it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The reason fountains are so abundant is because they played a significant role as the primary source of water for all the people living in Bern and were not just a means of decoration. Some of the other great landmarks to see are the city clock tower, where whimsical figurines dance on the hour, and Bear Park, which is a 6,000 square meter park where you can see live bears, the symbol of Bern.
Swiss Grand Canyon
Nearly 10,000 years ago in southeastern Switzerland, the Rhine Glacier retreated and caused a landslide. Thousands of boulders, rocks and mud crashed below the floor of the Rhine Valley, damming the river. As time passed, the water seeped through the dam and formed the Vorderrhein Gorge, or what is now known as the Swiss Grand Canyon. Today it is now a forested area, where the landscape has parted to allow the Rhine to meander and wind its way through the valleys, which attracts hikers and rafters from all around the world. Raft tours are possible from May through to October, where professional guides will help you to enjoy an unforgettable rafting experience. The rapids there are mild and are suitable for most people.
Swiss National Park
Located in the lower Engadine Valley, Swiss National Park is a 67-acre wildlife sanctuary that epitomizes alpine splendor. One-third of the park is composed of alpine meadows, the other third is the alpine forest, and the remaining third is made up of mountains. This park was founded on Swiss Independence Day, August 1, 1914. It is considered to be one of Europe’s first national parks and is strangely the only national park in Switzerland.
The Ofenpass road is the only access road that runs through the park and is also used to monitor the impact of visitors on the park. During June and July, there are many birds to see, as well as beautiful alpine flowers. September is the best time to see ibex, deer, and chamois. The park headquarters and visitor center are located near the village of Zernes, where you can see the white houses of Engadina. These houses have walls that are about a meter thick to protect the residents from the bitterly cold winters, especially when the temperature gets down to -30 degrees Celsius.
Brienz
Located on the shores of Lake Brienz to the east of Interlaken, Brienz is home to the stunning Giessbach Falls and is famous for its wood carving industry. Most of the carved wood you’ll see in Switzerland originated in Brienz. This region is one of the most popular vacation spots for Swiss people but is often overlooked by tourists because of the other activities on the nearby Lake Thun. This lake is west of Interlaken and is the larger of the two lakes. If you want to see the stunning views of Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps, ride the Brienz Rothorn Bahn, an old steam locomotive.
St. Moritz
Located in the Engadine Valley, St. Moritz has been popular for the 'rich and famous' since the 19th century. It has been their winter resort playground and it is well-known for snow sports, luxury shopping and summer hiking, as the sun shines an average of more than 300 days per year in this region. One of the most popular attractions in St. Moritz is the horse racing event known as White Turf, which attracts visitors throughout Europe and takes place in February.
Lugano
Known for its heavy Italian influences, Lugano is located in the southern canton of Ticino, where cars on the streets of the Old Town are not allowed to enter, making it a great place for walking. To experience everything the town has to offer the best way is to get around by foot or by bike. For an exciting change, you can also ride one of the many steamers crisscrossing Lake Lugano. There are interestingly many palm trees all around, and one of the popular one-day tours is the Floral Route.
[Title image via Pixabay]
