Switzerland, there's no problem finding scenes of devastating beauty here with the soaring peaks, tumbling waterfalls, sparkling lakes, quaint rural houses and, of course, cows grazing contentedly in their verdant Alpine meadows. Swiss towns, cities and villages offer picture-perfect medieval architecture, colourful parades and festivals whilst Alpine roads and efficient rail transport wind through the mountains and, to complete this tourist fairytale, everything runs as one would expect, just like a Swiss watch.

Best time to visit

Anytime of the year.

Essential experiences

Getting amongst it in the Alps by train; cable car rides; skiing, snowshoes or dog sledding; relaxing in a centuries-old Roman spa; wine tasting inside a glacier above Klein Matterhorn; rising above the majestic mountain scenery it in a hot-air balloon and Chateau Chillon.

In a few words, Switzerland is

Clocks, Swiss bank accounts, cows, mountains, edelweiss, fondue, blondes, Swiss Army knives, Lake Geneva and the Matterhorn.

Did you know?

In Switzerland there is diverse architecture (La Chaux-de-Fonds is Le Corbusier's home town), Valais cow fights and snow golf.