Switzerland, federal republic in west central Europe, bounded on the north by France and Germany, on the east by Austria and Liechtenstein, on the south by Italy, and on the west by France. Its largest city is Zurich.

This is the country of cool meadows, green valleys, onyx rivers and pine forests. This is the country of cable cars, cog railways and funiculars. This is the country of precision engineering, clear-eyed neutrality, and rock-solid banks. This is the land of the alpenhorn. This is the land of the Swiss knife, Swiss guards and Swiss miss. This is the land of the fondue (cheese or meat) of legendary chocolate and cheese and a growing wine industry. Buy a watch, watch the flowers grow. Ride a husky. Spot a chamois. This where you can do it all.

Because of the traditional neutrality of the country, Switzerland became the favored site of international conferences and the headquarters of many organizations. The main office of the International Red Cross was established there in 1863, as was that of the League of Nations following World War I (1914-1918).

Important Destinations In Switzerland

Zurich

This is not the capital of Switzerland even if it is the centre of the business world of Europe. This is where the wheels of commerce are greased by the oil of neutrality. The bankers of Zurich have been mythologised in fiction and film until the phrase Swiss bank account has become a byword for hidden money. Through the 20th century, the city has drawn a huge range of intellectuals who came to Zurich drawn perhaps by the knowledge that no one wants to upset the world's monetary applecart. These included Trotsky and Lenin, Tristan Tzara and Hans Arp and even James Joyce who is buried here.

A city of museums and cafes, perched on the banks of Lake Zurich and bisected by the Limmat river, Zurich is an experience you will not forget easily.

Geneva

As Talleyrand, the famous French diplomat put it: "There are five parts of the world: Europe, America, Asia, Africa and ... Geneva!" He was right in a way (even if he was geographically illiterate or just being mean to Australia) for Geneva is very much an international city. But even if it weren't a city in which the world's diplomats meet, it would be a beautiful city.

At almost every point, you see the glint of Lake Geneva and the fountain that is known as the Jet d’Eau, thousands of tonnes of water and rainbow. There are some spectacular shops, some brilliant restaurants (including Indian and vegetarian ones) and a dizzying selection of museums. If you're lucky, you might even get to watch a Japanese couple get married here. Driven out of Japan by the custom of buying expensive presents for all and sundry, many young Japanese couples prefer to plight their troth in Geneva, by the side of an Alpine lake with a huge symbolic fountain as a backdrop.

Geneva belongs not so much to the French-speaking Switzerland as to the whole world. Over 40% of residents are non-Swiss and many world organisations are based here, not least the European headquarters of the United Nation.

Lucerne

Ideally situated in the historic and scenic heart of Switzerland, Lucerne is a great base for variety of excursions. It also has plenty of charm in its own right, particularly the medieval town centre. The River Reuss runs through it, as it has done for the last 1,000 odd years. Lucerne is quintessential Switzerland, antiseptically clean, picture postcard pretty, poised, elegant, self-possessed. It is a city that has managed to balance the mediaeval past with the post-modern present. It gives you the chance to lark it up on the lake and a moment to swan down to a chic restaurant. Lucerne is what you make of it.

Berne

If the first hunter had shot a pig, the city of Berne might have ended up being called Schweine. But when King Berchtold V of Zaehringen was clearing the land to set up his trading city, he simply declared that it would be named after the first animal killed on the royal hunt. A bear was shot and Berne achieved its name. Berne hasn't forgotten. There are bears everywhere, on the city seal, on the fountains, on the walls and even five live bears inside a bear pit just near the rose gardens. But the bears aren't all Berne has to offer. A well-preserved mediaeval city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital of Switzerland (no, it's not Zurich) it has 6 km of shopping arcades, a lovely river, Emmental cheeses, Toblerone chocolate, an elegant Gothic cathedral and the largest collection of the modern master, artist Paul Klee in the Kunstmuseum.

Engelberg

Engelberg, home to a Benedictine monastery since 1120, is underrated for a winter holiday, particularly for families. The skiing may not be as extensive as some resorts but it has some impressive off piste for advanced skiers, the most notable being the 1000 m drop from the shoulder of Titlis. There are also good opportunities for intermediates and beginners and it is worth noting that Engelberg's slopes are mainly north facing and the majority of the skiing is above 1800 m.

Children's facilities are excellent and for those who have had enough of their skis, they can always slide down the fantastic 2.5 km toboggan run or use rubber tubes on the Wet, Wild snow amusement park. Other attractions include a 25 m indoor swimming pool, and the famous revolving cable car. The resort is traffic free and is a mixture of nineteenth century and more modern buildings. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs abound, and there is even a casino.

Interlaken

Interlaken is the largest resort in the Bernese Oberland with excellent amenities and is an ideal base for groups of skiers and non-skiers as it lies at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland and is perfectly located within 40 minutes of three of the top Swiss ski resorts, Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren. Access to the ski areas is via the impressive Jungfrau train network or by bus. Non-skiers will find plenty to do and the train service up the mountain means that they can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery and meet friends for lunch in the mountain restaurants.

Most people use Interlaken as a base and take advantage of the Jungfrau regional lift pass which covers Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren, there is also a smaller ski area at Beatenberg closer to the resort which is suited to beginners.Begginners should head to Wengen for the best selection of nursery slopes, and gentle slopes to graduate on to. Intermediates are spoilt for choice and will find excellent skiing throughout the area. Experts will find a selection of challenging runs in Wengen and Murren and when the snow conditions are right there is some excellent off piste.