I passed through Switzerland on my Europe trip in 2013. I had been told the country was absolutely stunning, but to say that is still a colossal understatement. I arrived into Zurich by train; the train journey itself was fantastic. The scenery that is offered as you wind through the Alps is jaw-dropping. Travelling through Europe by train is not only highly effective, but gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery in style. Even though I went in summer there was still snow at the top of the mountains to admire.
(Zurich - a perfect harmony of city and nature)
Zurich is a beautiful city. There are so many different landmarks and buildings to look at and snap pictures of. I visited the Grossmunster, Fraumunster Church, Park Platzspitz and the Botanic Gardens, to name a few. A lot of the buildings were a light concrete colour with gold detailing. I thought that the lighter colours of the buildings gave the city more of a bright, open feel.
(Fraumunster Church in Zurich)
After Zurich I travelled to Bern. This city made me fall in love with Switzerland. It is so stunning. It had a different feel to Zurich yet again, and a different, more relaxed vibe. If you can only visit one city in Switzerland, make it this one. You forget that you're in a city, as it has such a strong countryside feel to it. Switzerland is an expensive place to visit (I remember paying around $20 AUD for a cheeseburger meal), so I was looking for places I could visit that were free or affordable. I do not recall going inside any museums during my stay, choosing instead to focus my attention on the lovely scenery that Bern had to offer.
(The Old Botanical Garden, Bern)
The Old Botanical Garden is a sight that cannot be missed. It is so well manicured and cared for, and will instantly relax you. If you have a green thumb like I do, you will love and appreciate this city all that much more. Everything was so green! I do recall stunning views of the rest of the city from up at The Old Botanical Garden too. You'll do lots of walking here so make sure you wear supportive footwear and are reasonably fit!
(The Aare River, Bern)
I was staying in a well situated hotel right next to The Aare River. It was conflicting because I wanted to walk around and explore, but at the same time I wanted to just sit by the water and take it all in! I ended up doing both.
(View from the top of the top of The Old Botanical Garden, Bern)
All up I would rate Switzerland very highly on the list of countries I have visited. Sadly I cannot comment on any paid tourist attractions because I was on a cheap traveller's budget, however it really did feel like you didn't need to pay for anything. Everything that I did was highly enjoyable and cost effective. Food is something that could not be avoided, so you'll need to save some money for that. Please note: I did not have or even see any Swiss chocolate in Switzerland! I bought next to no souvenirs in Switzerland, which was a first for me! If you love the outdoors and walking, this is the country for you!
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