- Language is always a concern for foreign travelers, and this can be a complicated issue in Switzerland. The most common spoken language is a German dialect. The dialects of German vary from region to region in Switzerland and can be so different from standard German that many visitors from Germany struggle to understand the Swiss in some parts of the country. French is spoken in Switzerland in the east, along the French border, while Italian is spoken in the south near the border with Italy. Romansh is spoken by a small percentage of Swiss, primarily in the east. Visitors can get by with English in the larger cities and tourist destinations but may struggle to communicate
in small villages.
Switzerland is not on the Euro. The currency is the Swiss Franc, abbreviated CHF. Currency exchange can be done at airports, hotels and train stations as well as banks.
The country has a well-developed network of public transportation including rail, bus and trams. The train is the most popular way of getting around. Train passes, called SwissPass, are available for multi-day travel. See the links below the article for more information. - If you are looking for dining, shopping or the arts, the big cities in Switzerland are the places to be. Zurich, best known for being a global financial center, hosts a large shopping district with boutiques from European designers and restaurants running the gamut from casual cafes to fine dining.
The pace is a little slower in Bern, and the city looks less modern than Zurich. There are many art museums here, as well as many nightclubs and live music venues. This is the city most bands hit when they are on tour in Europe, so it can be a great place to catch a live performance.
Geneva is a relatively small, yet cosmopolitan city. Almost half the city's residents are foreigners, from all over the world, which gives the city an international air. Geneva is known for its dining, museums and activities on Lake Geneva. - green swiss lake image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
Boating and fishing on Lake Geneva and other, smaller lakes in the Geneva region are popular activities with visitors to Switzerland. Tourist accommodations along the lakes are available.
Despite the beautiful lakes, however, the real outdoor activity that draws most to Switzerland is skiing. The Swiss Alps offer slopes for beginners to the very advanced and draw everyone from celebrities and royals to people on less extravagant budgets. See the links below the article to find the slopes and accommodations that fit your skiing prowess and your budget.
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