Although small, roughly the size of Massachusetts, Switzerland is a country that offers quite a lot for families to enjoy while on vacation. Switzerland is fun, adventurous, and multi-faceted. It’s clean, crisp air is inviting, relaxing, and rejuvenating. It’s easy to forget how taking in a breath of fresh air is supposed to feel! From the mountains and grazing cattle to watches and chocolate, see the top reasons to take a family vacation to Switzerland has a variety of things to do and things to see.
The Mountains
The Swiss countryside is full of mind-blowing mountains with snow covered peaks. You can hike them, see them from afar, get up close, or visit the tops of them. No matter how you choose to see the mountains, there isn’t a wrong answer. The most striking and famous of the Swiss mountains is the Matterhorn. You’ve probably seen images of the Matterhorn on chocolate wrappers, in movies, or photos, but nothing compares to what it’s like in person. Interlaken is a town home to three impressive mountains, Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. The best part is that many of these mountain peaks have options to take cog railways or cable cars up to the peak for the ultimate view.
The Goods
If there is one thing that the Swiss know how to do, it’s really perfect a craft to produce something that people around the world can enjoy. The two that come straight to mind are chocolate and watches. The chocolate is of the highest and most delicious quality. Keep an eye out for classic brands such as Callier, Chocolat Villars, and Suchard. Swiss watches are sold all over the world and are famous for their precision, ingenuity, quality, and ability to set the tone for trends in the industry. This is one of the best things to bring home after visiting Switzerland, it’ll last you a lifetime!
The Waterfalls
It isn’t only the mountains that are a natural wonder in the Swiss countryside. Among the tallest and largest in all of Europe, they can be inspiration for art or simply enjoyed by a traveler that comes across one. Some of the most striking waterfalls are in the Bernese Oberland region where plenty of hikes and trail walks cross old wooden bridges in front of gorgeous waterfalls.
Train Rides
Traveling by train or railway is one of the best ways to get around Switzerland. It is often faster than taking a bus and cheaper than a flight. This allows people to see some of the most wonderful views on the continent, from the comfort of a seat. There are not only cross country trains that people should check out, but also the cog railways that wind along the sides of mountains until reaching the peak. It’s an easier and faster way to get to some of the highest points in Switzerland and see some amazing views.
Variety and Neutrality
Switzerland is perhaps most famous, more so than its mountains, watches, and chocolate, for its neutrality. It has time and time again kept itself out of conflict and from choosing sides. This is part of the national culture; people are friendly and like to keep their noses in their own business! There are also four languages spoken in Switzerland. In addition to English, the main languages of Switzerland are French, German, Italian, and Romansh. What language you hear will depend on what region you’re in.
There is a ton to see, do, and learn in Switzerland. It’s one of the best places to go for a European family vacation!
