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Switzerland
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People who tell you Australia is the best country in the world haven't been to Switzerland. Along with
being the most beautiful country in the world there is a unique atmosphere that is only found in this
country of safety and peace that is emitted from the fact that Switzerland is neutral and hasn't been to war
since before the two world wars. Just because they're neutral doesn't mean they don't have an army. On the
contrary there neutrality may give them no enemies but it also gives them no allies so serving in the military
is compulsory and you may come across aircraft carriers and tanks hidden as you hike through the beautiful mountains
and countryside. The probability of Switzerland ever being attacked is lessened dramatically by the fact that most
countries, terrorist organisations and anyone with weapons probably has money stored here in accounts.
Swiss Army Knives (if you buy one make sure it's kept out of your unchecked in backpack when going on things like planes)
cuckoo clocks and Swiss precision watches can be found everywhere. The best chocolate in the world is also created here
and though some things in Switzerland may be a little more expensive than elsewhere chocolate is not one of them. Cows are
pretty popular here in fact a lot of farmers look after the cows in Summer and work on the ski fields in winter with the
cows living under their houses for added heat. Cows have huge bells around their necks that ring whenever they move driving
them insane from the days of when cows wandered wherever they wanted so the bells allowed the farmers to find them. The bigger
the bell the more competitions the cow has won and the more it is worth.
Four official languages are spoken in different parts of Switzerland.
Two thirds of the country and the main tourist areas lie within the Deutsche (German) region.
Major cities in this region include Zurich, Interlaken, Luzerne (Lucerne) Lauterbrunnen, the Junfrau region of the Swiss Alps
and the capital city Bern.
French is spoken in the west (don't worry the people in these areas are nothing like the French and will gladly speak English,
Deutsche etc) taking in cities including Geneva, Basel and Montreux.
Italian is spoken in the South and Romanian although in small numbers can still be heard in some areas although you are very
unlikely to come across it. I doubt you will ever come across a Swiss person who does not speak English and probably clearer than
people from most countries where English is the official language.
In the train stations similar although not as simple as the ones in Germany computers allow you to see the price and timetables of
trains throughout Switzerland. Swiss trains are extremely good, comfortable and pretty much on time. In major stations there will
be signs on the platforms telling you which cars (1st or 2nd class) will stop at which parts of the platform.
McDonalds not only has restaurants here but has hotels as well called Golden Arch Hotels.
Their existence is usually met with shock horror although you will usually find their criticizers
eating in their restaurants. For more information look at their website at
Golden Arch Hotels and form your own opinion.
Information on Switzerland's Cities and Areas
Visit Switzerland Cities - Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch
Visit Switzerland Cities - Luzerne, Zurich, Kreuzlingen, Bern and Geneva
Photographs of Swiss Cities and Areas
Bern
Geneva
Interlaken
Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)
Lauterbrunnen
Luzerne
Swiss Alps
Zurich
Swiss Map and Backpacker Hostels
Map & Hostels
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Written and photographed by James Simpson