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Switzerland
Located in central Europe, Switzerland is bordered by Germany , Austria , Liechtenstein , Italy , and France . A small country, Switzerland's very name conjures up images of chocolates, cheese, watches, bankers, and snow-capped mountains.
Switzerland was inhabited by a Celtic tribe called Helvetia in the ancient times. It became a part of the Holy Roman Empire in AD 1032 but soon succumbed to the mighty Habsburgs of Germany. The death of the Habsburg ruler Rudolf I in AD 1291 led to the formation of the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland was declared a neutral state following the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 and was accorded permanent neutrality in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna. A new federal constitution came into force in 1848 and Bern became the capital city. The Swiss remained neutral in both the World Wars.
The picturesque city of Zurich , located on the banks of the Limmat River, is the intellectual and cultural capital of Switzerland and the hub of tourist activity. The 13th-century St. Peter's Church and the Fraumünster Church are two important sights. An evening walk along the banks of Lake Zürich or the alleys of the old town will cover almost all the attractions of the city.
On the banks of the River Rhône is Geneva , a city that houses over 200 international organisations. The ropeway journey to Mont Salève offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. The Cathedral St Pierre, Place du Bourg-de-Four, Museum of Art and History, Petit Palais, Museum of Old Musical Instruments, and the Horology Museum are some attractions of Geneva .
The three different parts (French speaking, German speaking and Italian speaking) of the country all have a very distinct atmosphere which makes it an adventure to explore. Switzerland is nature's playground and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. The Alps and the Jura slopes are great places for skiing. Hiking, mountaineering and ski mountaineering, paragliding and hang-gliding, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, rafting, and canoeing are some of the outdoor activities that you can undertake in Switzerland.
Since Switzerland is in the middle of the Alps outdoor opportunities like hiking or skiing are better than anywhere else. Only one drawback: it's not the cheapest of places to stay.
Geneva
Say 'Geneva' to a person and what will come up first? An inhabitant of the city itself will probably say that it is 'a continent on its own'. Say it to a foreigner and he or she will probably refer to the building of the United Nations located in Geneva. After the foundation of the Red Cross in 1864, Geneva became the home of many international organizations. The European head-office is located here still, together with departments of organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Particle Physics (CERN).
Geneva is divided in two parts by the Rhone river that flows out of the lac Leman (lake Geneva). The old city is located on the southern shore (rive gauche or left bank), the train station north of the river, and the airport north-west of the city,straddling the French border, but only a short bus ride away. Most sights are within easy walking distance and the public transport system (with busses and trams) is very reliable.
This 'smallest of the large capitals', as it is called, offers nearly everthing, ranging from extensive banking and shopping areas to rich artistic and cultural input. Geneva is packed with museums and, to a lesser extent, historical sights. When you have had it for the day, go to one of the many parks, largely created by the financial imput of many wealthy citizens. Most of the time during the summer, you can watch a free concert in one of the theatres or simply prepare yourself for the nightlife in Geneva.
Basel
Basel, the second largest city of Switzerland, is known as a pharmaceutical multinational centre. However, it would be a bit narrow-minded to leave it at that. Basel is an interesting arty city, split up by the river Rhine and its medieval past is endowed with some of the greatest minds of European history, including Erasmus, Ulrich Zwingli and later Friedrich Nietzsche and Hermann Hesse. Its long-standing patronage of the arts has resulted in a ponoply of first-rate museums and galleries, which are well worth visiting, as is its historic centre. The right bank (better known as Kleinbasel) is the more modern centre. On the left bank (Grossbasel), one can trace the history of Basel in the old town that is ruled by the Münster cathedral where the bones of the reformist Erasmus are buried.
Basel’s sights can be easily explored on foot. The highest concentration of sights is around the old marketplace and the cathedral. The hilly surroundings of the city offer some excellent views and walks. Don’t miss your chance to stand on the three countries corner (Switzerland, France and Germany). A good day-trip is a visit to Kaiseraugst, just some few kilometres from Basel. Here, you can visit the remnants of the oldest roman city on the Rhine.
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