When you think of travelling to Switzerland, the mind conjures images of snow-topped peaks, postcard perfect photos, lakeside accommodation and chocolate. Little wonder that this year’s theme of Switzerland Tourism’s marketing campaign is Vistas.
Whether it’s losing yourself in the scenery, be it lakeside, on top of the mountains or simply immersing yourself in culture, traditions and culinary experiences, there is a lot to see and do at the heart of Europe.
Lucerne / Luzern
Top 10 things to do in Switzerland in 2014
1. Visit Zürich for the Zurich Festival (13 June – 13 July). The Zürich Opera House, Schauspielhaus municipal theater, Tonhalle Concert Hall and Kunsthaus Zürich will transform the city into a lively cultural centre with art exhibitions, readings, theatre productions and concerts. www.zuerich.com/events
2. See any of Basel 40 museums in Basel including Fondation Beyeler, Museum Tinguely, Vitra Design Museum as well as Kunstmuseum Basel which was ranked 5th in the London Times’ list of “The World’s 50 Best Museums” in 2013. www.basel.com
3. Dine at Cheval Blanc and Restaurant Stucki restaurants in Basel – both have been awarded two Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points. www.basel.com
4. Get a Swiss Peak Pass (1 Jan – 31 Dec 2014) along with your Swiss Pass to see lesser-known mountain peaks with unlimited access to all the participating mountain trains and/or cable cars. From AUD$35 for a four day consecutive pass or AUD$71 for an eight day consecutive pass, travellers need to already be holding a four or eight day consecutive Swiss Pass. www.myswitzerland.com/rail
Switzerland by Train
5. Take the Cheese Train Tour to Château-d’Oex – Running until 27 April 2014 this year, this service is available with a Swiss Pass at AUD49. The half-day tour includes return transfers from Montreux, a cheese-making demonstration, a cheese fondue lunch and a visit to the Vieux Pays-d’Enhaut Museum. www.myswitzerland.com/rail
6. Ride the Starbucks Carriage on selected trains, a service that has been embraced by travellers and daily commuters. swissau.mytraintravel.com/rail
7. Visit Lucerne for the Rowing World Cup, Swiss City Marathon and a number of musical highlights such as the Lucerne Festival, the Blue Balls and Jazz Festivals. www.luzern.com
8. Take the new Titlis Cliff Walk in Mount Titlis for a breath-taking experience of walking on a swaying suspension bridge at 10,000 feet above sea level.
Jungfraujoch
9. Stay at the Chedi Andermatt Swiss Alps, a resort featuring 50 rooms 119 residences, a spa, indoor heated pool, a fitness centre, two restaurants, sweeping views of the Alps and lavish furnishings. www.thechedi-andermatt.com
10. From Interlaken, go to the Top of Europe, the Jungfraujoch by train. As Europe’s highest rail station since 1912, take the lift to the Sphinx viewing pulpit for sweeping views of the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the Pre-Alps and the newest attraction, Alpine Sensation. And if you’re travelling from July 2014 onwards, chocolate lovers visiting the peak can indulge at the Lindt chocolate shop at the Top of Europe. www.jungfrau.ch
Photos Credit – Switzerland Tourism – used with permission
