Switzerland

My husband and I will be riding the rails  through Switzerland and Italy in 2027.  Although we have not made final plans, I am doing a bit of research in anticipation!  There is nothing like the combination of trains and beautiful mountains, right?  

Switzerland is a tiny country, smaller than West Virginia in fact. Despite its tiny size it has three distinct cultures and four official languages with German in the north & east, Italian in the south, French in the west and a bit of Romansh in the southeast.  English is also widely spoken throughout the country.  

Lucerne, a city situated on a lake edge, is located at the base of the Alps, and provides dramatic views.  This city is an old medieval town, one of the loveliest in the country, and a natural base for exploration of the mountains. Zermatt is shadowed by the Matterhorn and provides skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.  Another city with fantastic mountain views, it has a relaxed pace and wonderful to visit.  Perhaps the most well -known city in the country is Geneva.  Anchored by St. Peter’s Cathedral, it serves as a global hub for finance and humanitarian organizations.  Museums are everywhere, there are fantastic restaurants, and the lakefront is lined with parks.

Oh, and then there are the Swiss Alps, located in the middle and southern part of the country, and covering 65%  of its land.  Switzerland is the most mountainous country in Europe.  The Alps have an alpine climate with long, snowy winters and short cool summers. Visit in the winter for cold weather sports such as snowboarding and skiing – take a look at St.  Moritz. The summer is also prime time for a visit.  The Aletsch Glacier is the largest in Europe-reachable by cable car or hike. Visit the Matterhorn by taking the Gornergrat Railroad from Zermatt.  Trains are always a great option and provide panoramic views.  Despite its small size this country provides a wealth of adventure and distraction!

And….have you ever been to Banff?  With its turquoise lakes and soaring Rocky Mountain peaks, it could easily be considered the North American equivalent to the Alps!