Switzerland: hotels, how to get there, cities and resorts, national cuisine and shopping. Tours to Switzerland by train How to get to Switzerland

How to get to Saxon Switzerland

The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located on the German-Czech border on the German side and is a mountain forest of the Elbe sandstone mountains. The color of the mountains is given by their bizarre shape, formed under the influence of the "blowing effect", in addition, there are numerous historical monuments, including the most ancient and picturesque ones - the Bastei Bridge and the Königstein Fortress. The national park is very popular with all lovers of natural attractions and is one of the most visited parks in Germany.

The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located 125 km from Prague and 30 km from Dresden, so most of the tourists come to the park from these large cities. Group excursions to Saxon Switzerland are often organized from Prague or Dresden, but you can get to the park on your own. The infrastructure of the park itself is very developed, it is convenient for people with various abilities to move here, and climbing the mountains along specially designed routes will not be tiring.

How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Prague

The most convenient way to get from Prague to Saxon Switzerland is in a rented car. Travel time will take no more than 1 hour and 20 minutes, and along the way you can explore picturesque natural places. Prague and the park are connected by motorway no. E55. At Please note that to enter the National Park you will have to cross the state border, so check with the rental office if you need an additional permit for the rented car.

You can also get to the park from Prague by public transport. The nearest settlements to Prague are the resort villages of Rathen and Bad Schandau. By the way, if you wish, you can stay here longer, since the resorts offer climate and mineral therapy. Trains run from Prague to the Rathen Kurort and Bad Schandau, direct trains to Bad Schandau (about 2 hours on the way), to the Rathen resort with a change (about 3 hours on the way). You can check the train schedule and buy tickets online on the website or OBB. From Rathen you can start your hiking trip to Saxon Switzerland, while from Bad Schandau you have to take a local bus.

In addition, you can take a ready-made bus excursion from Prague to the park. Bus and walking tours are in Russian and last a total of about 10 hours. Thanks to the excursion, you can see all the most beautiful places in the natural park, including the observation deck on the Elbe River, without the need for transfers, as is the case with public transport. The tour can be found on site or booked in advance through specialized services such as and others similar.

How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Dresden

Getting from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland is even easier. Direct trains run between Dresden and the resort of Rathen or Bad Schandau, the journey time is only half an hour. Trains run every hour throughout the day. You can check the train schedule and buy tickets online on the website . Next, from the Rathen resort station, you need to go to the pier, buy tickets for the local ferry across the Elbe (travel time - about 5 minutes).

Once on the other side of the Elbe, you will see the picturesque Elbe Mountains right in front of you, the hiking trails of which will lead you to their top. In the park, you should move, focusing on the signs, they are placed almost everywhere, and it is difficult to get lost here. In addition, there are a lot of tourists in the park almost at any time of the year (in winter, during snowfalls, the park may be closed).

Where to stay in Saxon Switzerland

The Saxon Switzerland National Park is quite extensive, there are many hiking trails here that will last for more than one day. If you are planning to stay here longer, it will be most convenient to stay in one of the nearest settlements so as not to return to Dresden or Prague. The nearest towns to the park are the resorts of Rathen (closer, within walking distance) and Bad Schandau (further, you need to get there by bus or train). Both resorts are quite intimate; traditional half-timbered architecture is presented here and there is all the infrastructure necessary for recreation.

So, for example, you can stay at the Rathen resort in hotels Elbiente 4 *, Elbschlosschen 4 *, Amselgrundschlossen 3 *. The advantage of the hotels is their location - in the center of the resort, as well as the presence of restaurants and indoor pools on the territory. You can stay in rooms of various sizes. As a rule, Wi-Fi in the resort's hotels is provided free of charge, and there are no problems in finding free parking if you are traveling by car.

In Bad Schandau, you can find an even larger list of accommodations, since the town is considered a thermal spa. Several thermal complexes are located here at once, specializing in the treatment and rehabilitation of various diseases. Bad Schandau is a year-round resort and is in steady demand among tourists. You can stay in Bad Schandau in hotels Steiger Ban Schandau 4 *, Parkhotel Bad Schandau 4 *, Elbhotel Bad Schandau 3 *and others. A complete list of accommodation options in Bad Schandau can be found on the website Booking.com.

What to see in Saxon Switzerland

The Saxon Switzerland National Park is extremely rich in attractions. They are based on Elbe sandstone mountains, having a peculiar shape, which, in turn, was created by nature itself over many millennia by blowing and erosion. The landscape of the National Park is very diverse. Along specially paved routes, you can see not only the mountain range, but also fabulous boxwood forests, waterfalls, as well as some historical sights such as königstein fortress and old bridge Bastei, which are connected by the mountain peaks of the same name, the highest in the park.

There are many hiking trails inside the park, designed for different levels of training and for different times. The most popular route is the ascent to Mount Bastei with an inspection of the bridge of the same name, as well as a route to fortress Königstein... Both places are extremely picturesque, as they are located on the edge of rocky cliffs. Both the bridge and the fortress offer panoramic views of the mountains, the Elbe River and the Rathen resort.

In addition to Mount Bastei itself with an old bridge and the Königstein fortress, you can also see other sights on the territory of Saxon Switzerland. In particular, these include valleys, waterfalls, forests, canyons, and caves. If you want to get away from popular routes, then travelers also deserve attention Lichtenhain waterfall, Fortress Stolpen, rock gate Kushtal, as well as "Trail of artists" with the most picturesque observation platforms.

It is worth noting that the entrance to the Saxon Switzerland National Park is free. Only the ferry services across the Elbe and entrance tickets to the Königstein fortress are paid (8-10 euros depending on the season).

Overall, we can say that the Saxon Switzerland National Park is a great alternative for a day trip from Prague or Dresden. It is here that you can "swap" urban landscapes for natural ones and enjoy some of the most amazing views in Europe. In addition, there are all the possibilities here to stay in the scenery of nature as long as possible - in the immediate vicinity are located Rathen resorts and, which also offer many opportunities for leisure.

Saxon Switzerland and Dresden are frequent day trips from Prague, both popular with travelers. About, , On a note :

Going on a trip to Europe, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of obtaining a tourist visa. You can take out the insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this, such as , other. You can buy a policy online, and then print it on a regular printer.

Photo at the beginning of the article: Bernd Thaller

The best ski resorts in the world, ancient castles and magnificent chateau are looking forward to visiting the next tourists from Russia. A few days surrounded by the snowy Alps will be the best winter adventure of your life. Today we have to go from Moscow to one of the most attractive countries in Europe. We will tell you how to get to Switzerland, and which of the proposed ways will appeal to domestic travelers.

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How to apply for a visa to Switzerland on your own - read our article.

The easiest, fastest, but not the cheapest way to be in the company of magnificent mountain ranges is by air. To find the best flights for air travel, we will again use the already familiar service aviasales.ru.

How to get from the airport to Zurich - detailed guide.

Today, regular flights in this direction are made by both aircraft of the domestic carrier "Aeroflot" and aircraft of European companies. Let's try to find the cheapest and most affordable offer. Immediately, we note that you can fly to Switzerland both in economy class and sitting comfortably in an easy chair of business class, which is so loved by many businessmen and other wealthy Russians. Accordingly, the range of companies' offers is replete with attractive offers of direct flights, as well as more economical flights with transfers.

The list of low-cost airlines flying from Moscow to Europe - we recommend that you familiarize yourself.

So, the most budgetary option is the offer of Pegasus, the cost of services of which will be only 8900-9400 rubles. True, you have to spend at least 23 hours on the road, 16.5 of which falls on the waiting time for a transfer in Istanbul.

What to do and where to go in Switzerland with children - read our article.

Paying only 700-1100 rubles, you can find yourself in the cabin of the Brussels Airlines aircraft, which will take you to the cherished Alps in just 6-7.5 hours. In this case, you will also have to make one change in Brussels.

There are also direct flights from Sheremetyevo to Geneva airport. The domestic company "Aeroflot" is ready to offer its services to tourists, the cost of a flight by plane will be 12,300 rubles. As you can see, the difference in cost is insignificant, and the travel time is reduced to 3 hours and 45 minutes! Daily flights are scheduled for 10.05 am, 16.20 and 19 pm.

Having paid a little extra for comfort, you can find yourself in the cabin of a Swiss aircraft of the Swiss company, a ticket for which will cost 4-5 thousand rubles more. At the same time, you will not be able to be on the outskirts of the Alps faster, because the time spent in the sky will be 3 hours 50 minutes.

Planning to celebrate New Years or Christmas in Switzerland? Then our life hack will help you.

A train

At the moment, there is no direct rail link between Russia and Switzerland. Therefore, for those who like to travel by train, there is only an alternative in the form of transit trips through France, Germany and Austria. You can get to the capitals of these countries from Russia by bus, train or plane, so we will not dwell on the choice of routes in detail.

Once in Paris, take care of purchasing an express ticket to Zurich, which departs every two hours. The first train departs from the Parisian platform at 7 hours 9 minutes local time, and the last one is scheduled for 18 hours 55 minutes. You will spend 4 hours on such a trip. There is also an alternative route that takes you from Paris to Geneva. Five times a day, a direct train from Paris-Geneva departs from the central train station, which will take you to your final destination in just 3 hours 15 minutes.

You can get to Geneva, Basel or Zurich by train from Berlin and Vienna. So, direct trains leave from Berlin to Basel, and you will have to go with transfers to Geneva and Zurich. Depending on the route, the journey will take from 8 to 11 hours. From Vienna you can get to Zurich on one of six express trains, and the journey will take about 8-8.5 hours.

Check the cost of all tickets on the official websites. As elsewhere, if you buy your ticket in advance, you can save a lot.

Bus

Unfortunately, there are no direct bus routes to the Swiss Alps from Russia either. If you love to travel, we advise you to use the mixed route, which runs either through Germany or through Austria. The cost of the trip cannot be called modest, and the travel time will be from two to three days, which will not please all tourists.

Now you know how to get to Switzerland from Russia, and what kind of transport will save you not only time, but also money. We advise you to carefully think over the entire route so that the trip does not turn into large financial losses.

Have you ever encountered such a feeling when you first come to some incredible place, completely different from where you grew up, where you used to spend your leisure time? It is familiar to me. When everything around causes genuine delight, euphoria. You only have time to click the camera shutter, and then you reach for the computer again, frantically connecting to the Wi-Fi network with only one purpose: to find and buy a ticket to a new life - the life of a traveler. And here we are often disappointed. After all, traveling is not a cheap pleasure. Think, how often have you given up on a trip to the land of your dreams, looking at the pricing policy of the carrier companies? ☹

Tickets to other European countries cost a fortune, although it would seem: the distances here are not so great.

Well, it's time to stop postponing our innermost desires and aspirations on the back burner until better times! Here I will tell you in detail all the subtleties, knowing which, perhaps, like me at one time, you will decide on a trip to a real fairy tale - mountainous and inaccessible only at first glance, Switzerland.

So let's get started!

Comfort or cheapness of the flight

The first thing that you should immediately determine for yourself is what you prefer when traveling: comfort, when you do not have to bother yourself with unnecessary subtleties and difficulties, or cheapness and adventurism, when already getting to your destination becomes a whole test, a kind of strength test?

Someone cannot imagine their life without hitchhiking or endless transfers from one low-budget flight to another. For such people, the journey begins already on the doorstep of the house, when they go out the door loaded with suitcases and backpacks: on their way they are ready to overcome many obstacles, and their only presence will symbolize a successful trip.

For others, “COMFORT” is spelled out in bright neon letters: for no price, they will not give up a comfortable chair on the plane, the airline of which has been flying for the hundredth time, where the staff happily greets the guest, recognizing him as a constant and loyal customer.

In essence, one may well not exclude the other, but in this case it is better to proceed primarily from personal preferences and the budget determined for travel. And yet, more often than not, one has to decide for a long time and painfully, giving preference to one of the criteria. If we represent this in the form of the so-called "preference curve", then in standard practice it will look something like this: the lower the quality and convenience parameters, and, accordingly, the higher the priority of minimum costs, the lower the price requested by the carrier will be. As the level of comfort rises, so does the price, and, accordingly, vice versa.

However, there are certain exceptions, which are influenced by factors such as seasonality and prudence of the traveler: skillful juggling with them will allow you not only to save money, but also time, effort and nerves. After all, let's be honest, for the most part low-cost airlines leave much to be desired, which I was convinced from my own experience, taking tickets for a cheap airline brand, going to for new impressions: the chair was in a permanent state of not standing, the armrest was trying to fall off, and the seat lining was already pitiful lying on the floor. The rumble of the engine and the eternal zones of turbulence inspired only thoughts of hopelessness and the most deplorable outcome of the flight ...

Many European low-cost airlines are like the same EasyJet, Air Berlin, Air baltics and EuroWings infamous for their endless flight delays, extremely poorly scheduled connecting flights, and sometimes exorbitant extra charges for small things like baggage, seat selection and ordering meals. Yes, there are situations when such airlines are the only way out for a traveler, but personally I believe that you can skim the cream without going through such difficulties. You just need to know certain tricks and tricks, because knowledge is power, isn't it? ;)

So, returning to our sheep, we will focus on two points: buying tickets ahead of time and taking into account the seasonality of a particular tourist region. Let's be realistic: prudent acquaintance with flight options and their booking has not done anyone badly: no one was left sore and destitute with three pennies in his pocket. It is profitable, it is convenient. The only thing is, it's unreliable: airlines are now going broke once or twice, so it's better to resort to this method in the case of proven companies. The largest carriers to Switzerland are our Russian « Aeroflot " and swiss Swiss and for both, this rule works. The last time I bought tickets for a Swiss plane was in the tenth of September at the end of October for a "tag", while closer to the date the prices jumped to 284-312 EUR (20-22,000 rubles). The situation with Aeroflot is the same, even the range of prices remains approximately the same.

I would strongly recommend when choosing between these two companies to look at their special offers and decide in favor of the most optimal and profitable one. Here it doesn’t happen once at a time, and even in different years the same season dictates its prices to each of the air carriers. By the way, for the first year of my travels to Switzerland, I used exclusively Swiss. Then there were more and more flights "within the walls" of the native domestic "Aeroflot".

Seasonality

New Year

As for the seasonality, here you need to be realistic: the peak of tourism in Switzerland falls in the winter period not only because of the Alps, but also thanks to the Christmas celebrations, as well as the tempting prospect of celebrating the New Year, drinking mulled wine in front of the fireplace in some small alpine house.

Last year I returned to Switzerland from Moscow on January 1: round-trip tickets cost about 879 euros (62 thousand rubles) in the economy class of Aeroflot (!), In Swiss it was even more expensive ...

The May holidays

Also, a rather popular time of a visit to Switzerland among our compatriots is the period of the May holidays, which traditionally take long vacations that can be spent with the family.

Contrary to popular belief, Switzerland is not an exclusively winter country: it is quite suitable as a summer resort place, about which I would strongly recommend you to read one of our about this fabulous country.

During this period, prices are in the range of 312-426 EUR (22-30 thousand rubles), depending on the dates of the flight.

Direct flights

Here you will find a small "surprise", because you do not have to choose much: direct flights to the Swiss Confederation are only operated « Aeroflot " and Swiss, which fly only to Geneva and Zurich. This is a convenient way, especially since both cities are the centers of French and German Switzerland, respectively, and from there it will not be difficult to get to other settlements and attractions.

You don't have to rack your brains with direct flights, because, in principle, everything is extremely simple: who of us is not familiar with such a simple and stress-free type of flights! I love both airlines in large part because of the wide variety of pre-order food available with ticket purchases and the airline miles and frequent flyer loyalty programs.

If you fly with animals, Aeroflot is definitely your option. In Swiss, everything is more strict with this: even cats and small dogs are asked to be carried under the seat in front of the chair, and in general they do not very much welcome body movements associated with pets. Domestic airlines are more than loyal to this. From my own experience, I can say that our stewards and flight attendants constantly inquired about the condition of our cat and gladly helped in case of unforeseen situations: after all, after all, flying for animals is a lot of stress, and not everyone can cope with it.
But Swiss has many other undeniable advantages, here are just a couple of them.

Lifehacks from a seasoned Swiss International Airlines passenger:

Flights with transfers

Numerous (and here I am not even exaggerating) small and medium-sized European airlines will happily take you, for example, to one of the rather large and important cities in Switzerland with several transfers. There are a lot of options here, so in this case it is better to focus on your personal preferences.

The most common connecting flight options are Air Baltic and Air France... Frankly, I like the latter much more for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the transfer here is done in predominantly European cities, and the airports themselves are located within half an hour of the city's key attractions. The transit zones are equipped with the latest technology and meet the expectations of passengers traveling from board to board: sleep, food and even a kind of entertainment. In the waiting area of ​​Charles de Gaulle airport, for example, a modern lounge-zone with soft ottomans, widescreen TVs, cafes and game consoles has been created. : D

Important! If you suddenly decide to fly with a transfer at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, do not take flights with extremely short connecting times. The airport is so large that the journey from one terminal to another takes 20-30 minutes, so you risk simply not being able to catch your connecting flight.

As for Air Baltic, its huge disadvantage, in my opinion, is the unimaginably long intervals between connecting flights. Perhaps this will play into the hands of those travelers who want to arrange a trip for themselves in order to travel all over Europe. However, in other cases, I see this as a disadvantage rather than an advantage. The arrival time in the mountainous country will stretch for you at least a day, if not more. And the cities of arrival are not always friendly to transit passengers. For example, if you fly with this airline in winter with a transfer in Riga or Istanbul, then be prepared to meet face to face with inclement weather conditions in both cities: swam - we know.

And now, briefly about a number of other subtleties, which it is better to know than not to know when traveling to Switzerland with transfers:

1. Paradoxically, transit zones exist only on the force in half of the European airports. So here it is already worth starting from what kind of visa was issued to you by the Swiss Confederation. Yes, yes, there can be as many as two visas, which you can read about in my other article about Switzerland in the section. If this is standard Schengen, then you can safely choose any airport, discarding the stereotypes about the obligation to open a visa only in the country that issued it to you: this rule applies only in Finland and Germany. But if you were originally issued a national Swiss visa, then here the choice of tickets is already greatly narrowed.
2. Not all airports with transit zones allow travelers to leave the latter. The reasons can only be guessed at, but it is better to check such moments in advance even before buying tickets, which can be done both on the website of the airports themselves, where the transfer is supposed to be, and on various travel forums, where seasoned Brodilkins share their experiences and impressions.
3. Cheap tickets here can play into your hands only in case of seasonal offers: May holidays, late summer and winter. In other cases, the costs may well be higher than on the directions with direct flights.

Combined routes

Finally, we move on to the topic of combined options, which allow travelers to be guaranteed to save on flights 9 times out of 10. Here, the trip includes several transport options at once, from the plane to buses and hitchhiking.

In essence, those options with Swiss and Aeroflot, combined with trains to any Swiss city, which I have already mentioned above, are classic examples of combined options, but there are also more favorable offers, which will be discussed. speech in this section.

Airplane + train

Lufthansa

“You can't find a cheaper Lufthansa + Deutsche Bahn combined ticket,” seasoned travelers assured me! Not to say that it is not cheaper to find. Take at least the same S7, which will be discussed below. However, the pricing situation here is the same as in the case of Swiss and Aeroflot. In addition, Lufthansa stands for excellent service, German precision and accuracy.

Previously, flights were even cheaper, when the planes of the subsidiary low-cost airline EuroWings still flew to Russia, but the airline itself also pampers its passengers with low prices. A flight with luggage from Moscow to Frankfurt (this route should be chosen if you then go to) will cost 18,000 rubles, without luggage 16,000 rubles. For this price, you get food, great service and, importantly, the absence of any hassle due to flight delays, which simply happen very, very rarely with Lufthansa.

Upon arrival in Frankfurt, I would advise you to buy a ticket for the IC series or InterCity trains to Badischer Bahnhof in Basel, which costs about 30 EUR. The incomparable advantage of such a train is its speed: in less than 3 hours, namely 2 hours and 40 minutes, you will cover a distance that would normally take about 5 hours. In addition, IC is almost the only comfortable and tidy form of transport on the German railways. There is both free Wi-Fi and a dining car. In general, if you want to get to Switzerland in comfort, despite such a combination of options, then Lufthansa + IC Deutsche Bahn is your option.

By the way, if Deutsche Bahn does not offer any special offers on its website, then it is better to buy tickets directly on the spot: on the German railways website, such a purchase, all other things being equal, will cost you 1.5 or even 2 times more!

Important! Most passengers on IC trains reserve seats in advance, so be careful when boarding: these signs are located above the window. If you boarded the train and realized that there were no more empty seats, feel free to go to the dining car: your comrades in misfortune are waiting for you there, or simply those who, in principle, did not want to book a guaranteed seat for themselves for a fee (by the way speaking, it is 4.5 EUR or 318 rubles).

S7

The airline operates direct flights to Munich and Dusseldorf. There you already change to one of the Deutsche Bahn trains and go to Switzerland (here I would advise you to choose Basel because of the convenient and advantageous location of both the city itself and the German railway station).

What is the plus: S7 is a fairly cheap company, mainly due to baggage rates, but in terms of the quality of service it is not inferior to the same Aeroflot. The price also depends on the season, but here it is stable - 10,000 rubles. As for Deutsche Bahn itself, it often arranges promotions, according to which tickets for certain trains can be bought for almost nothing. The whole trip - plane + train - round trip will cost you about 14,000 rubles. I would recommend finding out about such promotions, as well as about the tickets for the flight, in advance: such offers are sold quickly like hot cakes, which, in principle, is not surprising and quite expected.

But there are also peculiar disadvantages associated mainly with the train: such promotions tie you to a specific train, which means only one thing: if the flight was delayed and you did not catch the train you need, you will have to buy a ticket again. In this case, neither the airline nor Deutsche Bahn itself will be responsible for such inconveniences, and no one will return the money spent. By choosing such combined options, you actually assume all the risks associated with each stage of the trip.

Important! These special offers, unfortunately, are usually valid towards the north and part of the central part of Switzerland, where Zurich is located. For more western parts, like the same, such options do not work. ; (

"Victory"

As for our domestic low-cost airlines, here, it seems to me, everything is quite complicated. "Pobeda", in principle, flies to the German Memmingen, which is located in relation to Switzerland no less convenient than the same one: Deutsche Bahn already familiar to us, but the same 5 hours by train.

The downside is that they impose additional fees on almost everything, while the basic ticket (let's call it that) includes the minimum number of benefits and amenities. Ultimately, it turns out that you can "snatch" tickets for 5-7,000 rubles, and then simply pay the same amount on top of that.

In addition, Pobeda, like any low-cost airlines, in principle, does not differ in punctuality and diligence, so the option of buying promotional offers for the Deutsche Bahn train is not very suitable here: there is a high probability of large losses and no less large frustration and anxiety. And the extra nerves are clearly not on the must-do list of our trip, right? ;) Otherwise, our "Victory", as in the famous cartoon about Captain Vrungel, will turn into a real "Trouble" ... But, as they say, once at a time it is not necessary and, perhaps, you will be lucky!

Airplane + bus

You also always have the option “plane + bus” at your disposal. Personally, I have never seen an offer in which a bus ticket would have already been provided in advance. Here, you yourself will need to look through all the offers that are on the websites of companies for the transportation of passengers over long distances by buses: first of all, Eurolines, FlixBus and the IC Bus belonging to the Deutsche Bahn concern. In this situation, you yourself choose the time of transfer and you can calculate that the break will cover the flight delay.

In principle, you can buy bus tickets right on the spot, but there is always the possibility that there will be no empty seats by your arrival. As you probably already understood, I personally prefer to do everything in advance and I urge everyone to do so. ☺

The only drawback is that the duration of a bus trip is 1.5–2 times longer than that of a train. On the way, you will, of course, make stops, but perhaps they will be even more forced due to traffic jams on the motorways. By the way, the cleanliness and comfort of such long-distance buses are sometimes an order of magnitude higher than the conditions provided by Deutsche Bahn trains, which are often quite dirty and not cleaned. ☹

The cost of a trip on such a bus will be approximately 29 EUR (2,045 rubles). For this price you will get a seat in a comfortable armchair, Wi-Fi and a built-in toilet, which is quite presentable and clean.

Airplane + bus + train

Well, for the main adventurers and adventurers, I have another option in store, which will allow you to see, perhaps, in less than 24 hours, 3 or even 4 countries at once, including our beautiful Motherland with its fields, forests, rivers and lakes. ... Have you guessed? If not, then now I will open the veil of secrecy and nevertheless immediately warn that I myself did not use this option, but if you believe the stories of many of my fellow travelers, this method is one of the most budgetary and interesting.

Having packed your suitcases, you happily run ... to the station for tickets to Kaliningrad. Yes, you read everything correctly, before Kaliningrad. The fact is that the convenient geographical position of this city allows you to get by bus to the key airports in Poland and Lithuania (Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport, Vilnius International Airport, Klaipeda Airport) in one sitting and from there fly to European countries.

Tickets for flights of local airlines here will cost several times cheaper than even the same S7 and Lufthansa with their special offers. So, a flight by Polish airlines LOT from Gdansk directly to Zurich will cost you about 8,000 rubles. Unusual? Yes. Does it take your breath away? Yes. Conveniently? I'm not sure about this, but if you really want to breathe new life into your tourist and not so trips, if you want to diversify the routine of home-auto-airport-plane-airport-auto-hotel, then such an adventure should definitely appear in your mini-plan ! ☺

And on top of that, you will be given the opportunity to see the wonderful city of Kaliningrad with your own eyes. What to do and where to go, you can read in one of our dedicated to the former Koenigsberg.

Finally

We need all flights, all trips are important to us. Regardless of which option is preferable to you and which one you choose in the end, what is important above all is the correct, correct attitude towards new adventures and crazy, unforgettable accomplishments, in which even a millionth transplant will look like a kind of quest in search of your ideal vacation, or even a whole journey into the wilds of the unknown, and therefore so alluring and attractive!

In my opinion, in life it is worth trying each of the ways of travel I have listed, and, believe me, every time Switzerland will open up for you from a new, previously unfamiliar and unnoticed side. Is this not the goal of the most real trouble-seekers of their own Odysseus? ;)

Anything to add?

Small Switzerland is usually associated with success, prosperity, comfort. And also - with reliable banks, expensive (and accurate) watches and the best cheeses in the world. In a word - not a country, but a real dream. Dream of paradise vacation.

Its unique attractions, combined with almost perfect service and picturesque nature, make Switzerland so desirable for those who love to travel and explore the world. Here, in a small space, there are marvelous natural panoramas and no less attractive creations of human hands: many countries can envy Swiss museums, the monastery library of St. the highest in the world. In addition, in Switzerland you can choose almost any type of recreation - skiing on the slopes of the Swiss Alps, delightful beach holidays on local lakes, health and eco-resorts ... This beautiful country cannot boast of its seaside resorts - simply because that Switzerland, located in the very center of Europe, has no access to the sea.

Yes - there is no sea in this country. But everything else is in abundance in Switzerland.

How to get there

Today, for those wishing to go to Switzerland, there are no problems associated with the means of transportation. The most convenient and fastest way to get to the country is to fly by plane: the travel time from Moscow will take about three hours. Aeroflot, GTK Rossiya, Swiss International Air Lines and some others operate regular flights to Switzerland every day. Basically, you can choose an airport in any part of the country - from Russia you can fly to Geneva, Zurich, Basel, from other European countries - additionally to Bern and Lugano.

If you decide that it will be more convenient for you to travel by train, you should know that there is no direct flight to Switzerland - as a rule, the transfer is carried out at the Berlin train station. Travel time in this way will be approximately one and a half days. Such a trip will cost even more than a flight.

There are many bus routes - also with connections in Berlin.

If you dream of seeing a lot of interesting things on your way, you will most likely enjoy traveling by your own car. This, of course, is not very convenient (after all, you have to overcome about three thousand kilometers of the way), but it promises a lot of impressions.

Domestic transport

Upon arrival in the country, you will not have any problems with movement - both in the city and in any necessary direction - there is a well-developed network of both roads and railways, buses, trolleybuses, electric trains, small motor ships and (in mountainous areas ) funiculars. Moreover, unlike many countries, in Switzerland everything is scheduled literally in seconds - as they say, exactly like a clock. For example, if you are going to go with a change, you will see that the bus arrives at the desired station just in time for the departure of the desired train. Tickets must be purchased in advance - at the box office or ticket machines. Travel passes will help to save money: some of them are sold in Russian travel agencies, others in Switzerland - for example, Swiss Card, Swiss Pass, if you are traveling with children - Family Card, etc. These tickets generally offer 25 to 50% discounts on travel around the country. A taxi ride will cost you an average of 2 euros per kilometer, on weekends and at night there is an additional charge.

Climate and weather, tourist season

If you dream of resting in this particular country, then you will be right - after all, then you will have the opportunity to see “Europe in miniature”. Most of Switzerland is occupied by the Alps, in the north there are plains, in the center - the Swiss plateau and throughout the country - about 600 amazingly clean and beautiful lakes. Taking into account all the features of the landscape, you can expect that in a couple of hours you can get from summer to winter and vice versa. What time is better to choose to visit is up to you: it all depends on the purpose for which you came to the country. If you are going to one of the ski resorts, the most convenient time for this is from the beginning of November to April. But on the lakes it is better to relax in the summer - in June-September (as a rule, prices rise at this time).

Hotels

Switzerland would not be the most successful and comfortable Switzerland if it did not offer its guests an excellent level of service. Here you will find hotels of various categories - there are both world-class hotel brands and hotels with one star in the country. Depending on the number of stars, you can expect the selected hotel to provide exactly those services that meet the requirements of the European Hotel Association. In each hotel, as a rule, breakfast is provided; in hotels of 4 stars and higher, the price of the room also includes dinner. On the shores of the lakes, you can rent a camping (in summer it is better to book rooms in advance), there are also private pensions and family hotels - usually in small resorts and cities. In ski resorts, you can often find chalets and even igloo villages. At health resorts, accommodation services are provided by resort hotels - as a rule, their cost includes treatment with procedures.

By the way, when going on vacation to Switzerland, it is worth considering that the cost of accommodation and services will cost you more than in some neighboring countries: for example, a room in a three-star hotel costs 105 euros on average, in a four-star hotel - 133 euros.

National cuisine

Swiss cuisine is a richness and variety of dishes - German and Italian, French and Austrian cuisines are mixed here. Hearty sausages came from Germany, risotto from Italy, France presented Switzerland with its delicious fish dishes with fantastic sauces. If we talk about native Swiss, then it will probably be cheeses and dishes based on them - fondue, raclette. Of course, Swiss chocolate is no less famous, especially milk chocolate. Rösti, a potato casserole, is also considered a national dish. And at the same time, in every part of the country you can find dishes inherent in this particular region: in central Switzerland, these are amazing sweet and sour dishes, in Bern, an assortment of various types of sausages and fried meat is popular (it is usually served with beans or sauerkraut), West Friborg is proud of its signature dish is a soup made from pasta, vegetables, herbs, milk and cheese, but in the southeast, stuffed jerky beef and ragout with lamb and potatoes are considered one of the favorite dishes.

Everything is in order in Switzerland and with the wines - here they are simply wonderful: apparently, the amazing mountain air and the bright Alpine sun affect.

Cities and resorts

No one will deny that Switzerland is a skier's paradise. Moreover, it is this country that is considered the birthplace of both skiing and mountaineering. Its resorts Grindelwald and St. Moritz, Engelberg and Davos, Verbier and Zermatt and many others are considered the benchmark in terms of both piste preparation and service level. Holidays at these ski resorts will delight especially professionals and fans of extreme skiing.

If you prefer silence, beautiful landscapes and lakeside beaches, you will certainly love the resorts of lakes Lugano and Maggiore - here the warmest water. In Lake Geneva, the water is cooler - it is better to go here in July-August. But here tourists are attracted by delightfully clean air and an extraordinary combination of snow-capped peaks and subtropical vegetation.

But the combination of medicine with the wonderful mountain air creates real miracles - to understand this, it is enough to visit one of the health resorts of Leysin, Arosa, Interlaken, Pontresina. Among the spa resorts, the most visited are Bad Ragaz, Baden, St. Moritz, Schinznach Bad.

Shopping

If you are planning to go shopping, be prepared for the fact that prices in Switzerland cannot be called the lowest. However, an abundance of quality goods will be provided to you.

In Lucerne, you can buy famous ceramics, Zurich is famous for its jewelry and fashion accessories (by the way, compared to other Swiss cities, you can buy tea and spirits here relatively inexpensively). But small souvenirs (magnets, T-shirts, cups, Swiss knives) are best bought if you are in Lausanne. This city is famous for its cheeses, perfumes, cosmetics.

If you by all means decide to buy a famous watch in Switzerland, then it is better to do it in Geneva. Watches can be purchased here at prices ranging from 45 to 700 euros (prices for Rolex are not limited at all). Chocolate lovers will also be able to experience pleasure here - in some shops selling these sweets, there are up to 500 types of products.

Shops in Switzerland usually work on weekdays from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm (large ones also work on weekends), grocery stores - every day, until 20.00. Many shops run seasonal sales from July to September and from Christmas to early February.

If you believe the legend, God, while distributing the wealth of the earth's interior, did not calculate a little - and Switzerland did not get anything. Then the Almighty decided to correct the injustice, rewarding it with sparkling glaciers, countless lakes, rumbling waterfalls and fertile valleys. And now everyone can admire all these beauties.

Switzerland is a small area with an incredibly rich variety of nature and landscape. The lowest point is on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Ticino (194 m above sea level), and the highest is Dufour Peak in the canton of Wallis
(4634 m).

The Swiss Highlands, the Alps and the Jura range represent the three geographical regions of Switzerland.

The highlands are the hallmark of a country with picturesque landscapes and villages. Its blue lakes and emerald hills in the interval from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance have attracted people for a long time, which contributed to a rather high population density (and even the highest in Europe) - an average of 1 square meter. accounts for 450 people. Thus, the landscape here is quite urbanized, the presence of a person is felt everywhere. This region occupies the main place in the country's economy - industry is concentrated here, a huge number of road and rail communications, cattle breeding and agriculture are developed (animal husbandry is the main branch of agriculture), construction is actively developing - two-thirds of the territory has already been built up. However, people, trying to preserve the natural beauty of these places, are actively increasing the number of green spaces here.

If the Highlands are the economic center of the country, then the Alps are its heart, the main qualities of the mentality of the inhabitants, traditions and customs were formed here. At the same time, this region occupies most of the country's territory and stretches for 200 km. The Alps determine the climate and vegetation and are at the same time a continental divide, and it is here that 60% of the tourism business in Switzerland is concentrated (mainly ski tourism).

And finally, the Jura - a limestone mountain range stretching from Lake Geneva to the Rhine. There is a rather picturesque folded relief with alternating ridges and valleys with mountain rivers. The name of the mountains was given by the results of excavations - numerous remains of dinosaurs from the Jurassic period.

Despite such a small size of the country, this does not prevent it from achieving high performance in various areas. Along with London and New York, the Confederation is the world's largest financial center, holding about 10% of the world's capital, and one of the world's leading countries in science, technology and education. The main areas of research are chemistry, pharmaceuticals, electrical and metal industries. Switzerland leads the European Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 in the European Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 and ranks first in competitiveness at the World Economic Forum due to economic and political stability and security of doing business in the Confederation. It is one of the most expensive but also the richest countries. Switzerland was included in the top ten countries for living in the 2009 UN report on living standards in 182 countries of the world (according to the website aprofiltraders.ru).

Automobile

It is quite easy to get to Switzerland by car - many high-speed routes with excellent equipment provide a connection between the country and neighboring European states. The trip will go through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

Climate

From March to June and from September to December, the average temperature is 5 to 22 ° C. In July and August, the daytime temperature is from 18 to 28 ° C, and in January-February - from –2 ° C to + 7.C (in mountainous regions, the indicators drop to -10 ° C and below). Temperature may vary depending on altitude. There is no extreme heat or humidity here. The southern part of Switzerland has subtropical vegetation and a very mild climate all year round. Strong northerly and southerly winds should be noted.

Switzerland cities

the capital of Switzerland and the administrative center of the canton of Bern with a population of order
300 thousand inhabitants. Here is the building of the Parliament (19th century) and the Government of Switzerland, as well as some other significant objects - the main offices of the Swiss Post and Federal Railways and the headquarters of the Universal Postal Union (a special UN agency).
Bern's history dates back to the 12th century; the well-preserved historical center is located on the peninsula formed by the Aare River. Local architectural buildings have the status of monuments of world importance and are included in the UNESCO List of Sites. Bern's trademark is endless arcades of ancient streets (the longest covered trade area in the world - shopping in any weather) and a huge number of fountains. The best view of the city will be given to you by the Rosengarten Garden, where during the warmer months (from about May to August) you can admire at the same time 220 types of roses, as well as blooming irises, rhododendrons and azaleas. Also of interest for flora lovers will be the Botanical Garden, and especially the section Alpinum, dedicated to various types of vegetation in the Swiss Alps.
Walking around the center, pay attention to the Clock Tower (Zytglogge - 12th century) with an interesting astronomical clock (the main clock in Bern) and another pair of fairy clocks, on which figures of animals appear before the chimes. Not far from the tower is the Albert Einstein House-Museum with interiors from the early 20th century. The old cathedral of Bern (Das Berner Münster - 15th century) is also worth seeing - the highest in Switzerland, which also offers magnificent views not only of the city, but also of the surroundings, and even the snowy peaks of the mountains.
One of the versions says that Bern got its name thanks to the bear, which became the first animal caught on the hunt by the founder of the city Berthold V von Zoringen. In support of the legend, the Bear Park (Bärenpark) was created on the green slopes to the Aare River - quite unlike the usual zoo enclosure. Bears occupy a rather large area with a view of the Old Town, feel at ease, swim in a long elongated reservoir, and visitors can take a good look at them from different angles.
Families with children will also be interested in the Paul Klee Zentrum Museum-Center, an extraordinary creation of modern architecture, containing both a large collection of works by Klee himself and the Creaviva Children's Museum, where parents and children can show their creative potential in a special studio and immerse yourself in the world of art in a special interactive exhibition. You should familiarize yourself with the proposed program of events in advance on the website of the Children's Museum http://www.creaviva-zpk.org/en and the center itself http://www.zpk.org/.
For walks in nature, the Gurtenpark is suitable - a park on Mount Gurten, a 30-minute drive from the city, offering magnificent panoramic views of Bern from a more serious height (864 meters above sea level), and you can use the funicular to climb to the top or descend from there.

Zurich

The administrative center of the canton of the same name and the largest city in the country in terms of population; occupies the territory at the source of the Limmat River on Lake Zurich. It is both a cultural mecca and a financial center of the country. The city is a fusion of tradition and innovation: medieval buildings coexist with high-tech buildings.
Take a stroll along the city's main thoroughfare, the bustling Bahnhofstrasse, and from there head down Augustinerstrasse (its special charm is given by the large multicolored windows of old houses) to the Old Town. Be sure to pay attention to the Grossmünster Cathedral (Grossmünster - 12th century); St. Peter's Church (on it - the largest tower clock in Europe (9th c)); Fraumunster church (Fraumunster - 9th century) - famous for the largest organ in Zurich and beautiful stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall; explore the small streets lined with artisan and souvenir shops in the old Schipfe quarter, admire the view of the city from the Lindenhof lookout. Connoisseurs of painting and sculpture should take the time to visit the Kunsthaus Museum, which houses the works of Munch, Picasso, Monet, Chagall, Swiss painting of the 19th and 20th centuries. and medieval sculptures as well as contemporary artwork.

Geneva

Geneva has absorbed the spirit of a Mediterranean city rather than a Swiss city. It lies on the shores of the largest lake in Western Europe, at the foot of the mountains, at the very border with France. This elegant city with many magnificent parks has earned worldwide recognition as one of the largest centers of international diplomatic activity; the traditional location of international organizations such as the UN, the World Economic Forum, the World Health Organization, and others. Along with this, Geneva is the center of the watch industry. It hosts an annual watch fair - the International Salon of Fine Watchmaking.
Of course, the city offers a huge variety of options for spending time. Its symbol is the Jet d "Eau fountain on the lake with its jets reaching a height of 145 meters, and it is best to observe this sight from the place called Bains des Paquis, where the city beach is located, you can visit the sauna or simply enjoy the beautiful view from the coastal cafe. Cruises on the lake are also one of the most popular ways of spending time, allowing you to appreciate the picturesque surroundings with views of Mont Blanc.In the old part, your attention will be attracted by the Cathedral of St. the Reformation Museum is also notable.) Also notable is the Reformation Wall (1917) with four giant statues of the most famous representatives of that new faith, the reformer fathers - Calvin, Farel, Knox and Beza. the period from the 15th to the 20th century can be found in the Patek Philippe Museum - to this day the world famous prestigious brand.
The Place des Nations in the center of Geneva is like an integral work of modern art - all the elements that make up a harmonious ensemble at the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters) are so thought out. Multicolored granite slabs, dozens of streams of different heights erupting from the ground, and in the center is the Broken Chair monument (1997), also one of the symbols of Geneva, created to commemorate the prohibition of antipersonnel mines and cluster bombs.
A unique and undoubtedly beautiful creation can be called a flower clock, created in 1955 and combining 6500 different flowers and plants, which change depending on the season. The watch shows the time with Swiss precision, its diameter is 5 meters, and the second hand is 2.5 meters long.

Basel

Located on the border of three countries, Switzerland, Germany and France, the city carefully preserves traditions, is considered one of the centers of national art, music and architecture, and is also a venue for various fairs and congresses. Basel's historic sights include the market square, the lavishly decorated sandstone town hall and the Gothic cathedral. In addition, there are many modern buildings created by famous architects - the city is open to everything new. Of the 40 local museums, there are several must-see museums: the Museum of Fine Arts in Basel (one of the oldest collections of paintings), the Jean Tingley Museum (unique metal sculptures), the Beiler Foundation Museum (various art collections and special exhibitions) and the Museum of Cultures (one of the largest collections in the world dedicated to life in European and non-European cultures). The parks and embankments of the Rhine will provide you with pleasant walks, as well as the contemplation of the Zoological Gardens - about 600 species of flora and fauna collected on 11 hectares of land in the center of Basel.

Eastern Switzerland offers its guests numerous lakes and snow-capped Alps. The unique charm of the region is given not only by the beauty of nature, but also by the towns and villages of Thurgau, which have preserved the spirit of the past, the interesting buildings of Appenzell with gabled roofs, the oldest wooden village in Switzerland, Werdenberg, and, of course, the center of the entire eastern part - St. Gallen. Of particular interest are the Rorschach Antique Car Museum and the Freuler Palace in Nepels.

Heading to Lake Constance (Bodensee is the second largest lake in the country after Geneva), you can completely plunge into the atmosphere of the protected nature of its beautiful hilly and sometimes rocky shores.
In the same region there is also Rhine Falls(Rheinfall), whose water speed reaches 1100 cubic meters. meters per second, and nearby - the city of Schaffhausen with wonderful examples of architecture of the late Gothic, Rococo and Baroque periods. Directly from there, a road can lead you to the Munot Fortress (16th century) with very pleasant views of the city itself.

Finally, if you have free time, you can visit Switzerland's dwarf neighbor in this direction - principality of Liechtenstein(area 160 sq. km) with the ancient capital Vaduz (interesting is the Old Town, the princely castle of the 9th century, a winery famous for both wines and architecture).

Lake Geneva region
These places conquered many famous people, forcing them to abandon plans and stay here longer. The mountain slopes with vineyards, the highest alpine peaks, wheat fields on the plain are an unforgettable sight that caresses the eye and soul. come to Lausanne- the administrative center of the canton of Vaud, after Geneva - the second cultural and economic center of the country and "the most Olympic of all cities." Of the interesting things here are the Church of St. Francis in the Gothic style, the old town hall, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the castles of St. Mary and Beaulieu, the old bridges over Flon and Louve, as well as the world's only Olympic Museum (extensive sports exposition) and the Champs Elysees.

In the same region, at the foot of the Alps, on a rocky island, is the most popular historical landmark of Switzerland - Chillon castle, whose legends inspired Byron to write his famous poem "The Prisoner of Chillon". This romantic structure seems to grow out of the waters of the lake, and the history of its appearance goes back to the distant 12th century. In subsequent years, the castle developed, built and changed, and at the moment the public is offered 25 buildings that make up the castle complex.
A piece of the region's soul is also kept in the Aigle castle (in the canton of Vaud), which is not far from the Montreux resort. Connoisseurs will be delighted both by the beauty of the castle itself, and by the Museum of Wine and Viticulture, located right there and offering to trace the history of wines and winemaking.

And miraculous wonders await you in the Vallorbes valley, between Lake Geneva and Neuchâtel, in the Jura Mountains, where underground waters have created stunning underground galleries of caves and grottoes.

Western Switzerland
For most locals, this part starts from the town of La Sarraz. A beautiful castle, turned into a museum, stands on a hill, surrounded by hills, fields and green forests, and again charming towns and villages. The largest and most picturesque lakes in this region are Maggiore(212.3 sq. Km) and Lugano(48.8 sq. Km), as well as colorful valleys offer guests tranquility, sun, and lush, almost Italian vegetation. Pay attention to the islands of Brissago on Maggiore - botanical parks with exotic and subtropical plants are extremely attractive. Well, on the lake shore, one cannot fail to note the city of Locarno - a first-class resort with a large selection of luxury hotels and impeccable service, one of the sunniest places in Switzerland.

The blessed climate of the canton of Ticino allows you to grow fine merlot on fertile, generous soil, and later get from it no less fine wine. The center of the canton is Lugano - it occupies an area between two mountains, and in clear weather, from a mountain alpine road, a fabulous panorama of the area opens up to Milan itself. Lugano is a garden city, a city of numerous banks, congresses and, at the same time, museums, with a completely different, southern atmosphere - relaxed and relaxed. The most unusual attraction here is a 10-minute ride from the station by train - the open-air museum “Switzerland in Miniature” (its website is www.swissminiatur.ch), where the whole country in 1:25 scale appears before you, at a glance, and everything is almost like real: tiny trains run, mini-funiculars go up the mountains, and, of course, architectural mini-monuments are presented here in all their glory. In addition, visit the city's Museum of Fine Arts, admire the beauty of the 15th century Cathedral of San Lorenzo, admire the 16th century frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria and the Cathedral of San Rocco, breathe in the aromas of the Alprose Chocolate Museum and enjoy some fun on the beach. lakes Lugano.

The capital of Ticino - Bellinzona - the city of three castles. Once a bone of contention for Switzerland and the Milanese aristocracy, the city was gradually "overgrown" with powerful medieval defensive fortifications, which now occupy an honorable place in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Castelgrande Castle (12-13 centuries) rises above the old town in the west, to the east of it is Montebello (13-15 centuries) (one of the most beautiful castles in the country), and even higher, in the mountains, Sasso Corbaro stands out proudly ( 15 c).

The Valais Canton is a must-see when you visit the region. This 130 km long valley in the middle of the Alpine range is one of the deepest. Undoubtedly, alpine skiing occupies the main place here, and evidence of this is a huge number of first-class resorts with large ski areas, perfectly prepared tracks for winter sports fans of any level and developed services - Verbier, Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Nenda, Saas-Fee, Zermatt ... However, the places are also incredibly popular in the summer. The favorite target of climbers is the Matterhorn peak (4478 m), which has become the symbol of Switzerland, and, in addition, the Dufour peak (4634 m), Dom (4545 m), the spectacular Aletsch glacier (23.6 km long) and the Rhone glacier (area 17, 38 sq km!). Do not miss the opportunity to at least admire these wonders of nature.

Lucerne and Lake Lucerne
Lucerne is called the gateway to Central Switzerland. There are interesting sights, the most beautiful embankments of the lake of the same name, and nature has endowed this region with the mountains of Riga, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, where you can climb with an excursion. The medieval Chapel Bridge, decorated with paintings, is the central point of the city and, at the same time, one of the oldest in Europe. Also noteworthy are the old fortress wall and historic houses with frescoes on the facade in the area of ​​Wine Square, the Jesuit church built in the Baroque style (17th century), the twin towers of the Hofkirche (the main church in the city), the Burbaki panorama (one of the largest circular art canvases in world - 112 m). And it is here that the composition "Dying Lion", carved into the rock in honor of the feat of the Swiss guard in defending the Tuileries Palace in 1792, is located - one of the most famous in Switzerland. And at the same time, while in Lucerne, guests can immerse themselves in a world of innovation and design, for example at the Futuristic Cultural and Business Center (KKL), which houses a museum of fine arts. Choose between lake cruises or mountain climbs for stunning views of the lake and the surrounding city, or take the Wilhelm Tell panoramic trail from the lake to the Gotthard Pass and then train south to Ticino. Also interesting is the "Cherry Road" - to the countryside, to the homeland of the kirsch.

Bernese highlands
Along the shores of Lakes Thun and Brienz, along the valleys and hills, there are charming Swiss villages with traditional colorful chalets, cozy guesthouses and hotels, and in the surroundings there are admirable examples of local art - castles and palaces turned into hotels. Around - a majestic mountain range - the peaks of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, the Beatus and Sundlauenen caves, the powerful waterfalls of Giessbach, Trummelbach and Reichenbach, the Rosenlaui glacial canyon. The city of Meiringen with the Sherlock Halls Museum is noteworthy: Arthur Conan-Doyle himself once spent a long time here. And there are also a large number of high-mountain resorts - Grindelwald, Murren, Gstaad, Adelboden and others.

Graubünden
This canton also has a lot to show its guests. Visit the oldest city in Switzerland - Chur (2500 BC), which, as a terminal for the rail lines of Germany, France and the Benelux, is the starting point for trips to the mountains (panoramic trains Glacier Express and Bernina Express) or simply rail travel ... It also has its own winter and summer sports region, connected with the city by a ski lift. As the center of Romansh Switzerland, Chur is home to three cantonal museums with collections of Alpine culture. From here you will travel by rail to the resort Klosters, Davos, Arosa, St. Moritz, Surselva, Engadin and Valposchiavo, by bus to Savognin and the valleys of Muester, Mesolcina and Bregaglia. in the Benedictine Monastery and Museum in Disentis (8th century), the Benedictine Convent - a cultural monument protected by UNESCO (8th century), you can get acquainted with the typical buildings of the Engadine Valley in Guard and Splügen, and at the end take a walk along Swiss National Park or explore the picturesque Via Mala gorge.

Friborg, Neuchâtel, Jura
The Jura is a huge natural park, where the northern part already borders on France, and deep canyons begin in the south. The University of Neuchâtel and the lake of the same name, surrounded by vineyards, the view from the Broye Valley to the bend of the Sarin River, the historical Bulle (commercial and cultural center of the Gruyères region) and Gruyeres (the place where the famous cheese is produced) are waiting for tourists! Also interesting are the ancient towns of Saint-Ursan on the Doubs River, La Chaux-de-Fonds (the birthplace of Le Corbusier, there is an international museum of hand watches), Le Locle (the city of watchmakers), Estavaye-le-Lac (an old castle and collection of frogs), Motier (Jura art museum and music box museum), Romont (Swiss glass painting museum) and La Neuville on Lake Biel. But the most important city in the region is medieval Friborg, the center of the canton of the same name, standing on a kind of border between German and French cultures, and therefore bilingual. More than 200 Gothic facades make up the historic center along with the fortifications (14 towers and the city wall).

What to do in Switzerland

Of course, first of all, it is a mecca alpine skiing and homeland mountaineering... The high level of service and comfortable conditions, as well as first-class prepared trails, guarantee excellent skiing from November to April, and in some resorts even in summer (Zermatt, Saas-Fee). The most popular resorts: Grindelwald, St. Moritz, Davos, Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Crans-Montana. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, ice skating, sledging, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also popular. The mountains often host fascinating snow sculpture festivals (Grindelwald), the Snow and Symphony classical music festival, ice polo and cricket competitions, and a ski marathon (St. Moritz).

Another pastime option is not so popular, but no less attractive, especially in summer (June-September) is relaxation on crystal clear lakes... Thanks to the wide variety of reservoirs, vacationers can easily find a quieter corner, and in any place they will be rewarded with beautiful views. If you wish, you can go fishing or take a cruise, or just take a boat trip.

Do not forget about the purest mountain air, which can have a tremendous healing effect, especially when combined with bathing in mineral springs... Mountain-climatic resorts with ozone-rich air: Arosa, Davos, Interlaken, Leysin, Pontresina, St. Moritz, Zermatt. And the balneological resorts with thermal waters are Baden, Bad Ragaz, Val d Ilie, Yverdon-le-Baie, Leukerbad, Scuol, Charmey.

Also for lovers of outdoor activities - nine national cycling routes covering 3300 km across the country. Among them are trails of completely different levels of difficulty: from simple roads with a slight incline along lakes and rivers for family outings to more sporty ones with steep descents for trained and experienced cyclists. Bicycle rentals are available both in cities and at almost any railway station in Switzerland. This transport can be easily taken with you on a train, on a lift or on a steamer, which speaks of the enormous popularity of this type of transportation and helps to get real pleasure from traveling with a two-wheeled friend (see sites www.veloland.ch, www.swisstrails.ch, www.bikeswitzerlandrentals.com).

If you prefer to wander on foot, then there are thoughtful hiking trails of various difficulty levels - for short walks along the plain and long hikes to snow-capped peaks, and practically at any time of the year (most routes are open in winter). Special signs will help you navigate the way and not get lost. However, for high ascents to the mountains or to the glacier, it is better not to neglect the services of a local guide.

A more extreme holiday option is in-flight adventure: choose between paragliding, hang-gliding or hot air ballooning. At the resorts you will find equipment for rent, you can take piloting lessons from the pros, or just be a passenger. It is best to do this at the resorts of Chateau d'E, Crans-Montana and Flims.

Descending from heaven to earth, you can test yourself or practice the skills you already have in playing golf (some of the courses are located right in the Alps - for example, Crans-Montana). And, on the contrary, bungee jumping, rafting, canyoning (rafting on mountain rivers on special boats) will help you to stir up.

Transport. Peculiarities of movement in Switzerland (toll roads, public transport, discounts)

The Swiss Flexi Pass (SFP) is valid for the number of days it was purchased in 1 month (3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 days, which, however, do not need to be consecutive). On the days when you activate your SFP pass, you will receive the same benefits as an SP pass holder.

Young people under the age of 26 can use Swiss Youth Pass with a 25% discount on the full fare (the benefits, again, are the same as with the full-price pass).

Ticket Swiss Transfer Ticket allows you to get to and from any destination in Switzerland. The journey can start at the Swiss border or at any Swiss airport, valid for 1 month. The journey from the starting point to the final destination should be carried out within one day, and there should be no unnecessary stops on the route - take the shortest route.
Ticket Swiss Card is a kind of "extended" version of the Swiss Transfer Ticket. In addition to travel to and from the destination, the passenger receives a 50% discount on all further travel by train, bus or water.
If you are traveling with children, be sure to ask for the free STS Family Card. It provides children under the age of 16 with free travel in Switzerland, provided that they are traveling with at least one parent.

If you plan to travel within one or two regions, it may be more profitable to purchase a Regional Pass (Regional Pass, Adventure Card or Tell Pass), which is valid within one of the following regions (names, prices and validity periods differ depending on the region actions -
see http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/tickets-en/ticket-overview.html):
1. Adventure Card in the regions of Upper Valais - Jüri - Graubünden;
2. Regional Pass in the region of Lake Geneva - Alps;
3. Pass - Graubünden;
4. Regional Pass - Bernese Highlands;
5. Tell Pass - Central Switzerland

Any of the above passes can be purchased at train stations in Switzerland and at the city's Tourist Information Office.

You can get detailed information about the STS system, the cost and types of tickets on the official website of the company www.swisstravelsystem.com, where you can also develop the optimal route for the upcoming movements around the country.

Swiss trains are modern, fast and comfortable, but getting to know the country may involve travel in traditional yellow "postal" buses- amenities are also thought out here, there are separate types of travel cards and their own tourist routes in any Swiss region (www.postauto.ch)

If you prefer to drive yourself, then you should know that driving here is a sheer pleasure. In any corner of the country, the quality of roads is excellent - the Swiss allocate large funds for their maintenance. In the Alps, changing picturesque landscapes are accompanied by passes through mountain tunnels and bridges erected over gorges. If there is a high-speed lane on the way (indicated on green boards), you need to purchase a vignette and put it under the windshield (sold at post offices, gas stations and at border points).

As we have already said, you can also make wonderful trips by bicycle or use it as the main mode of transportation - there are nine national cycling routes at various levels of difficulty at the service of tourists. Links www.veloland.ch, www.swisstrails.ch, www.bikeswitzerlandrentals.com will help you to get information on routes, service, rental and cost.

Water transport especially popular among tourists, because traveling on the mirror surface of Swiss lakes has its own unique charm. The wide range of vehicles includes both car and passenger ferries, cruise ships and small pleasure craft. Please be aware that travel is free for Swiss Pass ticket holders. In addition to the berths, you can familiarize yourself with the timetable of vessels at public transport stops, and purchase tickets at the ticket offices at the berths and directly on board.

Kitchen

Swiss cheeses undoubtedly deserve a special mention. Of the huge number of their types, the most popular are Emmental and Gruyere. In addition to the frequent and abundant presence in the national cuisine, any of them can be bought separately at the grocery store, or you can watch the manufacturing process, if you wish, participate in it yourself and taste the finished result at one of the many cheese dairies (for example, the Gruyere cheese dairy near the same name town in the canton of Friborg, Engelberg at the Benedictine monastery, Emmentaler in the town of Affoltern im Emmental, 40 km from Bern).

Shopping