"SWITZERLAND" Switzerland by Michael_D

Switzerland Travel Guide: 18,139 reviews and 42,398 photos

yodeleyeeewhooooo!

Small in size yet huge in visual titilation, Switzerland has perhaps the largest number of small towns amidst the greatest number of lofty peaks of any country on earth. In actuality it is made up of 26 cantons each a sovereign state with its own governmental authority over its state affairs. Indeed the Swiss Federation has become a model of domestic efficiency and foreign neutrality for the entire world.

There are however 3 distinct cultural regions and 4 distinct languages historically. Roughly speaking the regions that touch France, Germany, Italy(and to a modest but debateable degree Austria and Lichtenstein) each have a distinct influence tantamount to each adjoining country. Consequently there are regions that speak predominantly French, German and Italian with a 4th indiginous composite dialect known as Romansch.

But enough with the geo-political banter. To my mind the most evident positive result of this international union is in the area of cuisine. I once had a spaghetti dinner with bratwurst and a souffle...washed down with a German beer and a French wine and oh yes..dessert was a choice between spumoni and an chocolate eclair. Out of respect for the international integrety of the Swiss federation I respectfully chose to have BOTH desserts. In the interest of complete fairness I felt there also should have been strudel. Its only fair;-) Check please!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Picture perfect and quaint
Cons:a bit expensive, but a good number of hostels
In a nutshell:Always has been my fondest travel memory

Intro Updated Nov 11, 2004
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Reviews (17)

And should you GET lost in the... - Switzerland

And should you GET lost in the... Local Customs (2)

And should you GET lost in the mountains, old Bernie will be there shortly;-) more travel advice

Switzerland is an expensive... - Switzerland

Switzerland is an expensive... Local Customs (2)

Switzerland is an expensive place: not Scandanavia-expensive but close. There are a limited number of youth hostels so... more travel advice

Things to Do (4)

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The top of Jungfrau. The... - Switzerland

The top of Jungfrau. The... Off The Beaten Path (2)

The top of Jungfrau. The railway takes you most of the way..after that youre on your own. Those little specs 1/3 of the... more travel advice

Comments (33)

globetrott Nov 13, 2004 at 10:39 AM Report Abuse

a lovely page & great pics, bringing back great memories !
barbskie Nov 10, 2004 at 2:24 PM Report Abuse

Great page! wonderful pictures! seems you know more as the swiss themselves ;-) thumbs up!
doreenellen Mar 25, 2002 at 1:26 PM Report Abuse

Page and photos show how beautiful it is - going one day
kristineb Feb 6, 2002 at 8:16 AM Report Abuse

you give a good impression of the beauty of CH!
gkitzmil Jan 14, 2002 at 11:39 AM Report Abuse

Great overview -- I love CH -- and send the dog after ME
shivan Dec 24, 2001 at 8:29 AM Report Abuse

swiss landscapes are marvellous
Aragina Dec 8, 2001 at 12:11 PM Report Abuse

Wondeful Pics
AndreasK Dec 8, 2001 at 8:06 AM Report Abuse

Great page !
5er Dec 6, 2001 at 7:22 AM Report Abuse

Great Page!!!! Thanks!
chrissyalex Nov 11, 2001 at 5:09 PM Report Abuse

breathtaking photos!