Travel To Switzerland | Switzerland Guided Tour

TRAVEL IN SWITZERLAND

When they were dishing out natural beauty, Switzerland was right at the front of the queue. This is a country that's home to some of the world's most idyllic lakes and iconic mountains like Lake Geneva, the Eiger and the Matterhorn. The cities aren’t too shabby either with the likes of Bern and the medieval old town of Basel holding up against the very best of European architecture.

Throw in world class events like the Montreux Jazz festival, and the famously chic shopping in Zürich and Geneva, and you’ll realize there's a lot more to Switzerland than cuckoo clocks, yodelling and chocolate.

Fast Facts

Language: German, French, Italian & Romansh
Currency: Swiss franc
Electricity: 230v
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Switzerland.
Dialing Code: +41
Time Zone: (GMT+01:00)

ABOUT CONTIKI

From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.

See more about Contiki

THINGS TO DO IN SWITZERLAND

For such a small country, Switzerland isn't lacking places to go and things to see. Whether it's culture, sightseeing or winter sports, a Switzerland travel adventure will keep you busy. Here's our rundown of the best things to do in Switzerland.

EXPERIENCE THE ALETSCH GLACIER

This UNESCO World Heritage site really has to be seen to be believed. They say the Aletsch glacier is the longest and the largest in Europe, but no stat can prepare you for this vast sea of ice and bottomless crevasses.

Take a ride to the top of either the Bettmerhorn or Eggishorn cable cars to get the best views, or get your mountaineering game on by hiking up the glacier itself. Whichever way you see it, prepare to experience one of the best things to see in Switzerland.

SEE LUCERNE AND CONQUER MT. PILATUS

The cobbled streets and quaint buildings of this pretty lakeside city make it perfect for a walking mission. Wander its twisting lanes, taking in the famous 14th century Kapellbrücke bridge and the twin-spired Church of St. Leodegar, or take a scenic boat ride on the lake. Fancy something more adventurous? The cog railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus is the steepest of its kind in the world, where the views are nothing short of spectacular. If you're planning Switzerland travel 2015 then make sure this is on the shortlist.

See all trips that visit Lucerne

RIDE EUROPE'S HIGHEST RAILWAY

A cog railway ride up a snow-covered Alpine peak? You don’t get that every day. But that's just how they roll in Switzerland. At 3454m, the Jungfrau railway is the highest in Europe and travels through a tunnel deep within the belly of the Eiger - one of Switzerland's most iconic mountains - that took 16 years to build. Along the way, it stops at stations offering unforgettable views of the Bernese Alps.

See all trips that visit the Swiss Alps

SEE CHÂTEAU DE CHILLON

The beauty of Chillon Castle is unrivalled by any other castle in Europe, and its setting, on the idyllic shores of Lake Geneva at the foot of the towering snowcapped Alps, is every bit as impressive. The view as you stroll along the winding lakeside path from Montreux is one of the country’s most iconic - small wonder it ranks as Switzerland's most visited historic monument.

TAKE A BOAT RIDE ON RHEINFALL

At 150m wide and 23m tall it may not compare in scale to Niagara or Victoria Falls, but Rheinfall is so beautiful it had artists such as Turner and Mary Shelley quickly reaching for the paintbrush and typewriter.

Viewing platforms either side of the falls offer excellent views, but for many the best way to experience the power of Europe's biggest waterfall is by taking a boat ride up the Rhine. This is definitely one of the must-see places in Switzerland.

TOP 5 FESTIVALS IN SWITZERLAND

Whether you're looking for classic music or visual arts, rock-n-roll or cutting edge electronica, Switzerland's festival scene will dish up the goods with stunning scenery to boot. Here's our pick of the best Swiss festivals for Switzerland travel.

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

The second largest jazz festival in the world, the Montreux Jazz Festival has hosted some of the biggest names in music history, like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. Held on the eastern shore of the Lake Geneva, this two-week festival is a great place to get up close and personal with the artists. Festivalgoers can enjoy music workshops, concerts and boat rides with the charming backdrop of the Alps.

For more information on Montreux Jazz Festival, click here.

ART BASEL

Each June, the beautiful Swiss city of Basel art enthusiasts and collectors from across the globe flock to Art Basel, a festival showcasing the works of thousands of the world's leading modern and contemporary artists. Visitors can admire a dizzying variety of works including paintings, drawings, sculpture, prints, video and digital art, installations, photography and more.

For more information on Art Basel, click here.

PALÉO FESTIVAL, NYON

This hugely popular six-day festival is Switzerland's biggest outdoor music event. Here you can catch practically any genre of music, from reggae to classical, rock and roll to hip-hop and world music, and everything else in between. Over 100 craft food stands and restaurants will keep the munchies at bay, and free camping is available. Just remember to bring your dancing shoes.

For more information on the Paléo Festival, click here.

LUCERNE FESTIVAL

Lake Lucerne is a truly stunning location for a festival, with a roster of the best classical music performers from around the world. No wonder it packs em in each year. It's so popular, in fact, that they hold it on three separate occasions per year, with a slightly different emphasis for each installment.

For more information on the Lucerne Festival, click here.

GENEVA FESTIVAL

One of the big Geneva attractions, this month-long city festival offers you the chance to catch one of hundreds of free concerts over four main stages and channel your inner-child with a ride on one of over 70 merry-go-rounds. All this without donning a pair of wellies or so much as setting foot in a muddy field. Don't miss the grand finale - a massive 55-minute firework display with accompanying soundtrack that lights up Lake Geneva.

For more information on Geneva Festival, click here.

TOP 5 MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES IN SWITZERLAND

It may be small but Switzerland is not lacking in culture, with a host of excellent galleries and museums throughout the country. Here's our pick of the best.

RIETBERG MUSEUM, ZÜRICH

Zürich's third largest museum, the Rietberg is the only museum in Switzerland dedicated to non-European art. Set in the beautiful Rieterpark in central Zürich, it offers a fascinating collection of art from Asia, Africa and Ancient America.

For more information on the Rietberg Museum, click here.

ZENTRUM PAUL KLEE, BERN

Zentrum Paul Klee is a museum dedicated to local hero Paul Klee, one of Switzerland's most famous artists. It's housed in an impressively modern building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, and features almost half of the artist's lifetime works.

For more information on the Zentrum Paul Klee museum, click here.

MUSÉE ARIANA, GENEVA

Another of the essential things to see in Geneva, this museum of ceramics and glass arts is worth the visit for its stunning architecture alone. Its collection of over 20,000 exhibits from the past twelve centuries will make you glad you took the time to visit, though it's worth noting that written descriptions of exhibits are in French only.

For more information on the Ariana Museum, click here.

MUSÉE DE L’ELYSÉE, LAUSANNE

One of the first museums in Europe dedicated purely to photography, Musée de l’Elysée houses over 100,000 photographs from the likes of Irving Penn, Ella Maillart and Sebastião Salgado. Housed in an 18th century mansion amidst beautiful gardens on the shores of Lake Geneva, its setting is as impressive as some of those mind-blowing images.

For more information on the Musée de l'Élysée, click here.

MUSÉE D'ART ET D'HISTOIRE, GENEVA

This four-storey behemoth is Geneva's largest art museum, and houses an impressive array of art from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century. Expect to see paintings by Rembrandt, Cézanne and Picasso and sculptures by Rodin, as well as a collection of Byzantine art, Mesopotamian artifacts and an ancient Egyptian mummy dating from the 9th century BC.

For more information on the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, click here.

FOOD IN SWITZERLAND

As befitting a true mountain nation, Switzerland's food is all about comfort. Traditionally, its cuisine tends towards the simple and the hearty, with meats and cheeses - Emmental, Gruyère, Vacherin to name the big three - figuring heavily on dining tables throughout the country. Tarts and quiches are also a fixture of Swiss cuisine, as well as starches like polenta and the humble potato, the main ingredient of the famed Swiss rösti. Switzerland also gave the world muesli, and of course no discussion of the country's food would be complete without a mention of chocolate, which many reckon is up there with the best in the world.

Here's a selection of classic Swiss dishes to get make your mouth water.

RÖSTI

This simple, iconic Swiss dish is made of thinly sliced pan-fried potatoes. Perfect to eat at any time of the day, this is one food in Switzerland that you really cannot miss. Top it with salty bacon and eggs for a true taste sensation!

Best eaten at - Restaurant Le Mazot, Bärenplatz 5, 3011 Bern

FONDUE

What's not to like about a giant pot of melted cheese infused with wine and garlic? Possibly the most famous Swiss food, fondue is best enjoyed in the frigid winter months. Grab some rustic Swiss bread and get stuck in!

Best eaten at - Pinte Besson, Rue de l'Ale 4, 1003 Lausanne

ZÜRCHER GESCHNETZELTES

If you've visited Switzerland without trying Zürich's classic dish, you've missed a trick. A ragout of mushroom and veal cooked with onion, white wine and cream, it's a hearty meal that's more than a match for any Swiss winter.

Best eaten at - Enrique Becerra, Gamazo 2, 41001 Seville.

ESCUDELLIA

This hearty stew made with meat, potatoes, beans, potatoes, cabbage and sometimes pasta is Catalan cooking at its finest.

Best eaten at - Zeughauskeller, Bahnhofstrasse 28A, 8001 Zürich

RACLETTE

Raclette is traditional Swiss food at its very best. A large wheel-shaped cheese made from cow's milk, it's heated in front of a special grill or an open fire until melting, then scraped onto diner's plates and served with potatoes, pickles, charcuterie and - for the true Swiss experience - a crisp and chilled white wine.

Best eaten at - Raclette Stube, Zähringerstrasse 16, 8001 Zürich

MERINGUE

While the argument still rages about exactly where meringue was invented, the small Swiss town of Meiringen has a fairly convincing claim. And not just for the name. With only two ingredients - egg whites and sugar - creating the perfect meringue is a real art form, with only a true master able to achieve just the right mix of air, crunch and chewiness. Serve with a generous helping of La Gruyère double creme for the definitive Swiss take on this wonderful dessert!

Best eaten at - Boulangerie Angélo Rime, Route de Botterens 147, 1652 Botterens

WHAT TO PACK?

Hiking boots - It'd be a shame to ruin a good mountain hike with aching feet. If your boots are already nicely broken in, so much the better.

Sunscreen - Switzerland's lofty altitudes mean plenty of UV exposure. Take care not to get burned!

Swiss francs - Unlike almost all of its neighbours, Switzerland isn't part of the European Union hence it doesn't use the Euro. Swiss francs are the order of the day here.

An adapter plug - Switzerland uses its own 3-pin plug, but fear not! A European standard 2-pin adapter will do just fine here.

A camelbak - It's easy to become dehydrated when hiking the mountain trails. Make sure you drink plenty of water.

PLACES WE VISIT IN SWITZERLAND

GENEVA

LUCERNE

SWISS ALPS

OTHER COUNTRIES WE VISIT IN EUROPE

BELGIUM ALBANIA AUSTRIA BELARUS BULGARIA CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK FINLAND

HUNGARY MONTENEGRO POLAND RUSSIA SERBIA SHOW ALL SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SWEDEN EGYPT

ENGLAND FRANCE GERMANY GREECE ICELAND IRELAND ITALY MOROCCO

NETHERLANDS NORWAY PORTUGAL SCOTLAND SPAIN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UNITED KINGDOM

REGIONS WE VISIT

ASIA AUSTRALIA

EUROPE LATIN AMERICA

NEW ZEALAND

THE USA & CANADA

5 REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH US

More Choice

More Time

18-35 Only

Better Experiences

Unbeatable Value

More Choice

More Time

18-35 Only

Better Experiences

Unbeatable Value