plastic, paper, glass, edibles) before you put something in it. Things You Should Know Before Moving to Switzerland. MOST IMPORTANT TRANSPORT TIP: SWISS HALF CARD. 7 Essential Things to Know About Switzerland. Switzerland’s entire population can fit in its nuclear shelters. An Air Force pilot in … Here’s a list of some of the facts I’ve found the most interesting. Geneva has a special charm its beauty one glimpse of the Geneva bay is enough to fall in love the city. This strong federalism underpins Switzerland’s direct democracy. And they are in no particular order. Together, these members elect the Federal Council – 7 members that collective represent the head of state. Switzerland is a beautiful place to go to, and full of delicious treats!!!!! Instead, the Swiss currency is known as the “Swiss Franc” but there are some shops that accept the euro throughout the country. to take back home. Visitors can look forward to regular-interval timetables with precise connections coordinated by 150+ transport companies, as well as world-renowned scenic rail trips with companies like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. You’ll get the best exchange rate at the banks. Pro packing advice for your next big adventure! No, this isn’t the result of some top secret Alpine experiment gone wrong. This is just one of the many awesome things the Swiss have given us. Fun fact! However, you don’t have to go first class to enjoy all the amenities of a Swiss train – second class in Switzerland is far more luxurious than first class in many other countries in the world. Recycling is the norm & visitors should conform. The Swiss may seem kind of paranoid, but they have been threatened during two World Wars so it’s rather understandable. Switzerland’s dairy industry owes a great deal of its success to alpine pastures – the frequent rain and mild sunlight, as well the diversity of plants means that Swiss milk has traditionally been richer and more flavourful than milk from flatter farming areas. At least for me, I consider it to be pricey. 10 Things to know in visiting Geneva Switzerland. "I hate when people say you don’t need alcohol to have fun. Switzerland: 10 Interesting facts to know before you go, I agree to receiving a personalised response via email, https://expatexplore.com/blog/europe-by-season-when-to-travel-where/, Europe seasons, weather and climate: When to travel where. You wouldn’t think a landlocked, Alpine country would have palm trees. Fun Fact! The alpine nation takes great pride in their world-renowned punctuality and visitors will quickly find this strict adherence to self-enforced timelines has to do with more than just national efficiency – it is, in fact, rooted in a deep respect for their fellow countrymen. We’ll deliver top travel tips, insider info and travel inspiration right to your inbox. Below, you will find 12 things I love about Switzerland. It’s hard to miss them as they make up about 65% of Switzerland. Among other things, Swiss manufacturers are exporting assault rifles, sniper ammunition and tanks to countries like Denmark, Germany, Saudia Arabia or Ukraine. Or that the country has 208 mountains above 3000 metres? By showing up on time, the Swiss are saying ‘I value you, and therefore, I value your time.’ So what does this mean for travellers in Switzerland? The Swiss public transport system is out of this world. One of my favorite countries. 20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MY SWITZERLAND TRAVEL TIPS: You probably didn’t even think of half of these. Don’t stress the transportation. Instead, you’ll see groups of young men in uniform fulfilling their national service, ready to defend their country if called upon (unlikely, we know). Weed growers tinker with other chemicals in the legal drugs so you still feel mellow. Velcro is a truly Swiss invention and the inventor is said to have been inspired by little seeds that became hooked on to his dogs fur when walking in the mountains of the Jura. (Dimitri). 15 Best Things to Do in Grindelwald (Switzerland) Picture a dream mountain resort and it would look a lot like Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps. In 2019, the country exported 728 million francs worth of weapons. Some of these things might be splendid, some unusual, and a few you should probably watch out for or keep in mind. Switzerland offers a wide variety of beautiful souvenirs that range from embroidered linen and woodcarvings, to pocket knives, drafting sets and other precision instruments that can easily be shipped back home. All you need is a 10% deposit to secure your seat! Visitors get great deals on Swiss Travel System tickets. At 41,285 km² is just as big as the greater Shanghai region in China or the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. OPTION 1: Switzerland trains, buses, and … Things to Do in Switzerland, Europe: See Tripadvisor's 2,348,900 traveler reviews and photos of Switzerland tourist attractions. Across Switzerland there are so many great cycling routes and over 12,000 kilometres of trails to follow. Depending on you requirements during your stay, you could for instance invest in the all-inclusive Swiss Travel Pass that gets you free travel on premium panorama trains, use of public transport in 90+ urban areas, admission to 500+ museums and up to 50% off on mountain excursions. Tina said 4 years ago. Its Alps are spectacular, the lakes are a dream, the snow is perfect during winter, and people here love to make chocolate and cheese. Swiss milk tastes great. This small, rugged European country, known for its irresistible chocolate, sturdy mountain cheese, and breathtaking beauty, has so many things to offer.Some of them you already know … Things went so far that in 2010 there was a referendum on whether animals should have lawyers. Switzerland is one of a kind. Specially-trained horses pull electric carriages that work similarly to an E-bike, generating kinetic power that lessens the load on the horse and stores energy for future trips at the same time! But that doesn’t hide the fact that the Swiss have an almost unhealthy bond with their cows. They Speak Different Languages: This country is a multilingual country in the sense they speak four different languages such as German, Italian, Romansh, and French. Things to Do in Switzerland, Europe: See Tripadvisor's 2,348,900 traveller reviews and photos of Switzerland tourist attractions. Posted on February 13, 2017 February 15, 2017 by cha. They are one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges. The Swiss have four national languages and a great variety of regional dialects, and most citizens are at least bilingual. It all depends on what you want to experience when you’re there? The Swiss do business with the Swiss Franc (indicated as CHF), but visitors will find that many prices are also indicated in Euro so they can compare prices. The four main languages are Swiss German (very different from actual German, with a vaguely French quality on the ear), French, Italian and Romansch. Hurrah! Once you get past the cliched notion of yodelling milkmaids, winding cuckoo clocks and silky-smooth chocolate, contemporary Switzerland is all about epic experiences and travel adventures. Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a beautiful and tranquil city full of museums, churches and historic buildings. A country made famous by its delicious chocolate, beautiful mountains and high living standards, Switzerland is the kind of place that many would like to visit. It’s all thanks to the Swiss Cheese Union – think a sort of cheese mafia – who aggressively advertised both Swiss cheese and fondue to ramp up their sales and profits. Over the years Switzerland has made a reputation of being an independent country that it’s not ready to gave up its neutrality. In spring and summer (April – September) is the perfect time to enjoy the lush, green landscapes and go hiking or paragliding. The tap water is often better quality than bottled water. Switzerland is not part of the European Union, so they do not have the common “euro” currency. Gratuity is included in the price of your meal at restaurants in Switzerland. Brier Rose Smith said 4 years ago. Most people wrongly assume that either Geneva or Zurich is the capital of Switzerland. Switzerland is neutral, but the country’s military is designed to mobilise at extremely short notice in the event of outside aggression. That pot of melted cheese that’s foisted on you at every opportunity in Switzerland only became popular in the 20th century. Head to the water. Moving is made of … But Switzerland’s fascinatingly diverse geography means it’s home to plenty of microclimates that allow the tropical plants to thrive in the southern regions, particularly in the canton of Ticino. Thank you, Hello Angelyn! Image Source: Pexels.com Jungfraujoch was expensive, but worth every penny. Is the weather in September favourable to visit Switzerland? Top Tip! This village is under the infamous North Face of Eiger, a monumental wall of rock that inspires and intimidates in equal measure. You can buy, and consume, weed legally over the counter in Switzerland, but the THC levels (the part that has the ‘high’ effect) has to be less than one percent meaning it won’t get you high. Peace loving Switzerland is actually a major weapon's exporter. Swiss Infodesk is an annotated link directory of selected online information about … Switzerland’s form of governance is officially known as parliamentary democracy with a direct democracy. Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world. But, like any destination, this Central … Image Source: Matheus Swanson/flickr.com Read more about Europe’s weather (and when to travel where) here: https://expatexplore.com/blog/europe-by-season-when-to-travel-where/. Here are the 20 things you didn’t know about Switzerland! The country’s Federal Assembly consists of the Council of States, which represents the various cantons, and the National Council of Representatives of the People. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Yeah, me neither. ! Hi Feven! Top Tip! You can read more about the refund process here. The southern canton of Ticino speaks Italian. Swiss punctuality is more than just a international punchline, it’s a way of life. That’s right, shoeless. Getting around in Switzerland is so easy, it’s almost like time travel. The western provinces (called cantons) that include Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Lausanne speak French. Switzerland is not part of the European Union, which means the country is not obliged to trade in Euro. Top Tip! You’re welcome to take a look at a helpful post here >> https://expatexplore.com/blog/europe-by-season-when-to-travel-where/. German, French, Italian and Romansh are the four national languages of Switzerland. The Swiss don’t just make clocks, they follow them. It’s kind of cool having a nuclear shelter (which is obligatory by law in Switzerland) particularly as it gives you somewhere to stock your stuff. On a clear day, you can see the highest mountains in Switzerland, Italy, and France from up here Another viewing platform you must visit in Zermatt is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The country is divided into 26 different areas (called cantons), much like the different states that make up the United States of America. These are the following things one has to know before migrating to Switzerland: 1. The Swiss are serious about sustainability and particularly fastidious about recycling. Weather in Switzerland. Certain shops and merchants may accept Euro, but they are not obliged to do so by law, and visitors can expect to receive Swiss Francs in change. presence switzerland - its mission is to convey knowledge about Switzerland, to create understanding and empathy for our country and to highlight its diversity and attractiveness. 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