Swiss Vacations

When planning Swiss vacations remember that the country is divided into tourist regions each with very unique characteristics. Some of the regions speak German while others speak French or Italian. The culture and cuisine can change from region to region but they are still very much Swiss.

Bern is the countries capital and is located in the Bernese lowlands. The city of Bern is famous for it's bears which are the symbol of the city. This region is characterized by beautiful rolling hills and is a major agricultural area of the country. Most of the people in the Bernese region speak German with a few pockets of French thrown in. The region is well known for lowland hiking and biking. Generally it is not quite as busy as the more famous areas of the country.

The Bernese highlands (Berner Oberland) are a different story. Here you'll find quite a few tourists especially in the summer. When you think of Swiss vacations this is the area you probably have in mind. The largest city is Interlaken which acts as a tourist base for most travelers. From Interlaken you can get to all of the highland attractions. The region is the home of Switzerland's greatest peaks such as the Junfrau, Schilthorn and the Eiger. In the winter the area becomes a skiers paradise with what seems to be an infinite amount of runs taking you from village to village in the upper Alps. The ski area at Kleine Scheidegg is exceptional and can be accessed by a cog railway. If you would like to see an amazing view of the Alps then you can even take a trip to the "Top of Europe" which brings you to the Junfrau's peak. Swiss vacations don't get any better than this.

During the summer the city of Interlaken is very busy but it offers so much from shopping to every outdoor activity known to mankind. The hiking trails in the Alps are the best in the world and you could spend days or weeks hiking through these well marked trails which will even bring you to other countries in Europe. The villages that occupy the mountains offer a unique view at Swiss life. The villages of Wengen and Gimmelwald have to be on your itinerary if you travel to the Berner Oberland.

Another place you should consider visiting is the area around lake Geneva. Geneva is in the French speaking canton of Switzerland. The main attraction is the lake itself which is surrounded by small towns that offer a variety of outdoor activities and some very fine cuisine. The area caters to both the moderate and upscale crowd. Make sure you try some Swiss wine if you happen to be enjoying the cuisine of the region.

The central region of Switzerland contains the city of Lucerne and is generally considered the birthplace of modern Switzerland. Like all the other regions the outdoors dominates the tourist trade. This region is usually less visited than others so it makes a great alternative to the busy resorts.

Swiss vacations are special and memorable. The country will leave an everlasting impression on you. Soak it all up and Enjoy your European Vacation.