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Contents
Introduction
The tourism in Switzerland
Accomodation
The best places for the first visiting
Conclusion
Literature
Introduction
Switzerland is one of Europe’s most visited countries, but one of its
least understood. Pass through for a day or two, as most people do, and
you’ll get the quaint stereotype of Switzerland that the locals deem
suitable for public consumption – the Alpine idyll of cheese and
chocolate, Heidi and the Matterhorn.
Stay longer though and another Switzerland will emerge, the one which
the Swiss inhabit, and one which can be an infinitely more rewarding
place to explore. Sights are breathtaking, transport links are
excellent, costs are no higher than in Britain or Germany, and the
locals are unfailingly courteous.
Almost everyone speaks some English along with at least one of the
official Swiss languages (German, French, Italian, and, in the
southeast, Romansh).
Prestigious southern slopes of the Alpes near to Italy are considered.
The capital of winter Olympiads Saint-Moritz and Davos here is located –
the favourite place of rest of Russian nobility is no time. Many prefer
the most southern resort of the country – Cematte, where it is possible
to ski even in summer. Arriving to the country in summer months prefer
numerous lakes, and those who visits Switzerland an autumn were enjoyed
vineyards the Shaft or In.
The tourism in Switzerland
Accomodation
Caring for guests is a serious business in this nation of innkeepers.
Where almost anything will be done to make you feel welcome and at home.
With a reputation like this it is no surprise that many people come back
time and time again. From historic palaces to the tiniest pension, there
is definitely a place for every taste.
Of course, there is one thing we can’t do for you – pick exactly where
you will stay. But we present so many choices you will surely find the
perfect spot. Whether you are touring a specific region or staying in
one place for a week or so, there is an impressive range of
accommodation available.
Hotels
When it comes to Swiss hotels the choice is immense. Throughout the
country, you will find historic hotels, traditional hotels, country
inns, designer hotels, female only hotels right up to the most modern
business hotel as well as luxurious and theme hotels.
Apartments and Chalet Rentals
Accomodation is expensive, but nearly always excellent. Tourist offices
can generally book rooms for free in their area, and they normally have
a display-board on the street with details of the region’s hotels, often
with a courtesy phone. In many cases you’ll find these boards at train
stations. When you check in, you should always ask for a guest card:
these can give substantial discounts on local attractions and transport.
Switzerland is a country of chalets and apartments. A wide selection is
available in all tourist regions. In this menu you will find detailed
advice on how to locate and book your apartment or chalet.
Bed & Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast is a fairly new term in Switzerland, this type of
accommodation has always been on offer but was better known as 1* and 2*
hotels. This is a growing market in Switzerland and a specific web-site
has been set up for further information on Bed & Breakfast accommodation
in Switzerland.
Camping
Although it is only possible to camp on authorised camping sites in
Switzerland, you will always find a site in the area that you want to
stay in.
Group Accommodation
Group accommodation is widely catered for in Switzerland. Whether a
large family, a group of friends a school/club holiday or that
all-important corporate conference.
Hostel/Backpacking
Just about every Swiss settlement offers a choice of hotels, where
accomodation is of a uniformly high standard, and not excessively
expensive.
The Swiss Hotel Association (®www.swisshotels.ch) has a list of approved
establishments, and occasional offers. Double rooms with a shared shower
and toilet can cost as little as Sfr85, though a more usual average is
Sfr110. Ensuite hotel rooms cost from around Sfr135.
Hostels and campsites
If you’re travelling on a budget, a hostel I (Jugend-herberge; Auberge
de Jeunesse; Albergo/Ostello per la Giovent’) is likely to be your
accommodation of choice; Switzerland has an extensive network, with most
places offering very good value. You should definitely book ahead
between June and September. HI hostels (®www.youthhostel.ch) are of a
universally high standard and feature a good proportion of double rooms
as well as small dorms. Prices range from Sfr19 to Sfr40; the average is
Sfr25 for a dorm bed including breakfast and bedding. Non-HI members pay
Sfr5 extra. Note that under-25s are given priority and that there’s
usually a three-night maximum stay during summer in the towns. Meals,
where available, are around Sfr10. A rival group known as Swiss
Backpackers (®www.backpack-er.ch) has lively hostels that are less
Institutional, often in prime locations in the town and city centres,
and are priced to compete; they’re specified in the text as “SB”.
Outside the towns and cities, Naturfreunde hostels are a good budget
option, located in wilder areas well off any beaten tracks
(®www.naturfreunde.ch)
The typical Swiss campsite is clean and well equipped, although the
higher the altitude the more limited the opening times many close
altogether outside the summer season (June-Sept) Prices tend to be
around Sfr8 per person plus Sfr8-12 per pitch and per vehicle Many sites
require an international camping carnet Camping outside official sites
is against the law For those hiking in the mountains there’s a network
of Swiss Alpine Club huts, where dorm beds cost around Sfr30 per night
(®www.saccas.ch).
The budget accommodation market is very widely used in Switzerland.
Information for students is available on ‘Student Travel’ in this
section or to make an online reservation.
Switzerland Tourism is adopting the ranking, which appeared in the
SonntagsZeitung, allocated by the journalist Karl Wild and his team,
taking the following crtiteria into account:
Criteria for the hotel classifications:
Evaluation of the leading hotel and restaurant guides
Quality checks of the leading hotel organizations
Investment activity
The hotelier’s charisma and receptiveness to innovation
Hospitality
Character and originality of the hotel
Situation/surroundings and range of leisure facilities
Range of leisure facilities
Value for money
Offers specific to the categories
5 categories:
The 15 best Nice-Price holiday hotels
For example:
Arosa » 1. – Waldhotel National****
A bit above the town, surrounded by pine forests and with a glorious
view of the mountains. Friendly atmosphere, beautiful rooms, Wellness
centre.
Double room from 200 SFr. incl. breakfast (Your host: Steffen Volk).
Zermatt » 2. – Mirabeau****Pleasant atmosphere, spacious rooms and a
glorious view of the Matterhorn. The restaurant (16 “Gault Millau”
Points) is no less inspiring.
Double room from 229 SFr. with half-board (Your host: Sepp und Rose
Julen).
Ascona » 3. – Al Porto***
A dreamy romantic jewel on the Piazza: magical inner courtyards, a
secluded garden, tasteful rooms and excellent cuisine.
Double room from 225 SFr. incl.breakfast (Your host: Helene und Frank H.
Wolf).
Saas Fee » 4. – Au Chalet Cairn***
Very beautiful, charmingly rustic, and peacefully situated chalet with
informal character. The well-being of the guest is the prime concern.
Double room from 230 SFr. with half-board (Your host: Familie
Hopf-Brantschen).
Celerina » 5. – Misani***
A Modern Feeling hotel, which is run with commitment, and which has an
unusual design. Rooms in various basic furnishings can be arranged
oneself.
Double room from 170 SFr. incl. breakfast.
The 15 best City hotels:
Zuerich » 1. – Baur au Lac*****
Zurich’s most magnificent synthesis of the arts remains unequalled in
top position. This unostentatious temple of luxury stands up to every
comparison with the most beautiful hotels in the world.
Lugano » 2. – Villa Principe Leopoldo & Residence*****
Unique grandeur and extravagance in the former villa of Prince Leopold
of Hohenzollern. Enchanting terrace over the lake, attractive new junior
suites.
Lausanne-Ouchy » 3. – Bau-Rivage Palace*****
Magnificent Belle Epoque Palace in an enormous park on the bank of Lake
Geneva. The prices in the restaurants, which are less magnificent from
the culinary aspect, are worth considering.
Genf » 4. – Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhone*****
Luxury hotel renovated for over 60 million (Swiss) francs, with no
shortcomings, in central position. Splendid rooms and marble baths, the
most sophisticated technology.
Luzern » 5. – ArtDeco Hotel Montana****
Unique, extremely pleasant design hotel with enormous experience value”.
The best city four star hotel in Switzerland is a must for every hotel
lover.
Genf » 6. – Beau-Rivage*****
Traditional, magnificent inn, built in 1865, with a six-storey atrium
lobby. Slighlty eccentric hotel with friendly character and a lot of
charm.
Zuerich » 7. – Widder*****
Art, culture and high tech, spread over several old city houses, styled
to the last detail, in the heart of the city. A little less hustle and
bustle would occasionally be appropriate.
Lausanne » 8. – Lausanne Palace & Spa*****
Beautifully renovated traditional hotel with magnificent spa in the
heart of the city. There is no trace of the slight fuddy-duddyness of
the past.
Neuenburg » 9. – Beau-Rivage*****
The best hotel on Lake Neuenburg has added another point. A fascinating
mixture of a traditional luxury hotel and of simplicity.
Luzern » 10. – The Hotel
Spiritualism, combined with elegance and timeless design: Jean Nouvel’s
trade mark is omnipresent, it’s impossible to imagine the city without
this magnificent hotel.
Genf » 11. – Des Bergues*****
Despite all rumours of being up for sale (Four Seasons?). This first
class hotel, refurbished with million-pound investments, has again
managed the leap to be one of the best.
Luzern » 12. – Palace Luzern*****
Wonderful rooms with unique panoramic view, splendid lobbys and an
excellent restaurant: the million pound investments have paid off.
Double room from 465 SFr. excl. breakfast (Your host: Constancia und
Andrea Joerger).
Zuerich » 13. – Savoy Baur au Ville*****
Everything is just about perfect in the traditional, stylish hotel in
Paradeplatz. The omnipresent Manfred Hoerger personally guarantees that.
Basel » 14. – Kunsthotel Teufelhof***
This cultural and gastronomic multi-branch business with a small theatre
has, it’s true, slipped several places, but can still call itself the
best three star hotel in the country.
Zuerich » 15. – Romantik Hotel Florhof***
Charming boutique hotel in a beautiful patrician house with idyllic
garden restaurant. Still a secret tip with guests, who stay at luxury
palaces elsewhere.
The 15 best Family hotels like:
Losone » 1. – Albergo Losone
Unique subtropical paradise full of surprises: Diego Glaus’s Free
Republic” sparkles more than ever and remains the measure of all things
for family holidays.
Pontresina » 2. – Saratz****
There is no doubt that Daniel Fueglister will continue to successfully
manage this (family) holiday world, built by Adrian Stalder, and
situated in an enormous park.
Zermatt » 3. – La Ginabelle****
Informal, hospitable super chalet, where the whole family feels at home.
Spirits are high in the Pumuckel children’s club and youth club.
The 25 best Holiday hotels
For example:
Ascona » 1. – Eden Roc*****
Daniel Ziegler is setting new standards for the Swiss Holiday Hotel
Business in this fabulous marble palace on Lake Maggiore. Without doubt
it ranks number one.
St. Moritz » 2. – Kulm*****
Elegance, luxury and tradition, far removed from any blase attitude and
pomposity. Its jump to second positon is a well-earned reward for the
most uncomplicated top hotel in this classy spa.
Ascona » 3. – Albergo Giardino*****
The new Wellness section is superbly attractive. Franz Reichholf’s
magical romantic empire can now really get going.
Zermatt » 4. – Riffelalp*****
Stylish luxury, and exemplary hospitality in a tasteful and comfortable
atmosphere. In the king’s category that’s enough straight away for a top
position.
The 15 best Wellness hotels
Bad Ragaz » 1. – Grand Hotels Bad Ragaz*****
Complete Wellness and beauty facilities, casino, golf, top restaurants
and much more. This splendid resort has made a big name for itself far
beyond the Swiss borders.
Interlaken » 2. – Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa*****
Inspiring monument to the Swiss hotel business. The Wellness area is as
superb as anything in Emmanuel Bergers world-famous empire.
St. Moritz » 3. – Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains
This newly opened luxury hotel with casino, the first Kempinski in
Switzerland is, especially due to its extensive Wellness and beauty
range, an enriching addition to the top hotels in Engadine.
A transport system
Trains and buses
Travelling through Switzerland by train is invariably comfortable,
hassle-free and extremely scenic, with many mountain routes an
attraction in their own right. The main network, run by SBB OFF FFS
(Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Chemins de Fer Federaux, Ferrovie Federali
Svizzere), covers much of the country, but many routes, especially
Alpine lines, are operated by the smaller companies which pioneered them
a century or more ago. Buses take over where train track runs out. These
are generally yellow postbuses (www.post.ch), which depart from
train-station forecourts.
InterRail (also EuroDomino) and Eurail passes are vaild on SBB and most
smaller lines, but the discounts they bring are patchy on boats, cable
cars and mountain railways (specified in the text as IR for InterRail
and ER for Eurail). Postbuses are free to holders of all Swiss passes –
although certain Alpine routes command a Sfr5-10 supplement, along with
advance seat reser- vation) – but not to Eurail and InterRail pass
holders.
Boats
All of Switzerland’s bigger lakes are crossed by ferry services of one
sort or another. Most run only during the summer season (June-Sept), and
duplicate routes which can I be covered more cheaply and quickly by
rail. But if you have the time, cruising through the Alpine foothills to
Interlaken or between villages on the Lake Geneva shoreline beats the
equivalent train journeys hands down.
Berne, the Capital of the Swiss Confederation
Bern is Switzerland’s romantic political capital, the city of the bear
pits, flowers, fountains and museums, and the unique medieval Old Town
(UNESCO World Cultural Heritage).
The Bernese Old Town is situated on a peninsula of the River Aare. Its
centre is dominated by the imposing Government Building where the
parliamentary sessions are held. Museums, theatres, historical
attractions, restaurants and inns, shops and the weekly markets are all
easily accessible on foot. Bern’s 6 kilometres of arcades make it the
city with the longest weather-protected shopping promenade in Europe.
Bern’s Renaissance fountains were constructed in the mid-16th century.
The Zaehringer fountain was erected to the memory of Berthold V of
Zaehringen who founded the town in 1191. The Zeitglocke Tower with the
famous glockenspiel originates from the 12th century. The Bear Pit it
the City’s most popular tourist attraction.
Discover the city of Berne on a exciting guided tour in a riverrafting
boat on the river Aare.
The Old Town of Bern
The capital of Switzerland has many charms. Its quaint old town is
framed by the Aare River and offers spectacular views of the Alps. With
its 6 km of limestone buildings and medieval arcades,its Renaissance
fountains with colorful figures,and its beautiful cathedral surrounded
by picturesque rooftops,Bern, founded in 1191,i s truly a gem of
medieval architecture in Europe.
Swiss Alpine Museum Berne
The only museum dedicated to the Swiss Alps introduces the visitors to
cultural and natural pecularities of the alpine world. The journey of
discovery into history und present of the Swiss Alps is accompanied by
videos, commented slides, multivision, infos-stations, atmospheric
representations, and impressive originals.
The main features of the exhibition are relief art, geology, tectonics,
glaciers, climate, fauna, flora; cartography and survey; alpine
agriculture, folklore, settlement, house construction, development and
change of landscape; alpinism, tourism, wintersports; endangering and
protection of the Alps; paintings, and prints (dioramas from Ferdinand
Hodler 1894, paintings from Alexandre Calame, E.T. Compton and others).
The exhibition is throughout in four languages.
Geneva
1. The smallest of big Capitals
In Geneva there are a lot of hotels of all categories and the highest
density of restaurants in Switzerland, in comparison to the number of
inhabitants. Many among these are classified among the world’s best in
the famous guides. Geneva also proposes a large number of restaurants
with dishes from the whole world.
Sportsmen will love Geneva, especially golf players who have the choice
between 26 greens in the Geneva region.
There are a lot of possibilities for excursions in the surrounding
countryside, the Swiss Alps, to France and even to Italy.
2. The Assets of Geneva
Situated between the Alps and the Jura Mountains at the very south- west
part of Switzerland, Geneva has a very nice temperate climate. The
Canton with its 282 square km, with the lake and the river Rhone,
presents a marvellous surrounding to its visitors who can enjoy the
alpine mountains in the background of the environing green countryside.
A great number of International Organizations, among which the U.N. is
the most famous, have their head quarters in Geneva, making it to the
Capital of Peace.
With its over 40 museums its numerous art galleries as well as its
theatres and its opera where famous international artists perform,
Geneva is also an important cultural centre.
3. General Information
The town and the canton of Geneva have a population of 180’000 and
400’000 inhabitants respectively.
The official language is French, but many people in Geneva speak English
and German.
Geneva enjoys a temperate climate with average temperatures of 10°
Celsius in the winter and 23° in the summer.
Its altitude is 375 m above the sea level.
It lies in the time zone of Central Europe (Greenwich GMT. + 1) and
applies Summer Time (+ 1 hour, from the last week-end of March till the
last week-end of October).
The currency is Swiss Francs (CHF) one Franc is divided into 100
Centimes. Most credit cards are accepted in the majority of hotels,
restaurants and shops. The prices for hotels, restaurants and taxis
include taxes and service. Therefore tip is not indispensable, except
when the customer is especially satisfied with the service.
You will find more details on next page…
4. The “Jet d’Eau”
The Traveller, who discovers Geneva for the first time, will certainly
be fascinated by the Jet d’Eau, the water-fountain in the lake. This is
a 140 meters high water monument, sort of an exclamation mark dominating
the roadstead. A white column, constantly moving, mounting rapidly into
the sky and then falling down again in millions of drops as a curtain
with thousands of constantly renewed folds.
The Jet d’Eau of Geneva has a rich history. Originally it was the safety
valve for a hydraulic plant, at the time when electricity was still a
laboratory curiosity. Today it works through motor-driven pumps and its
capacity is 500 litres per second. It works from the beginning of March
till mid-October. When approaching the Jet d’Eau, the visitor feels a
mixture of an indescribable power and freshness. Coming closer he will
feel a draught filled with invigorating spray. After that he will get
conscious about the environing sites, the harmony of the quays, the old
town on the hills and the St Peter’s Cathedral. Later he will admire the
gentle lines of the Jura Mountains at the horizon. When going back in
the dark of the night he will see the many multicolour lights of the
town, emphasized by the line of the hundreds of small lamps along the
quays. The Jet d’Eau will add its vertical line to this peaceful
horizontal picture.
5.The Flower Watch
In 1955 the huge Flower Watch was created at the edge of the English
Garden. Together with the Jet d’Eau they are the main attractions every
year for the tourists visiting our town. The Flower Watch reminds us
about that Geneva is the birthplace of the Swiss clock and watch making
and that this industry has become internationally famous, as well
through the quality of the watches as through their elegance.
Carried out thanks to the initiative of the “Association des Interets de
Geneve (former name of Geneva Tourism), and with the financial support
by “l’Union des fabricants d’horlogerie de Geneve et de Vaud” (the
Geneva and Vaud watch maker’s Union), The Flower Watch reminds of
Geneva’s importance within the international watch industry and also
emphasizes the beauty of its parks with their magnificent flower beds.
Managed by the ” Service des Espaces Verts et de l’Environnement “,
(park and environment service) concerning the flower arrangements, and
the watch making society Favag of Neuchatel concerning the mechanical
part, the Flower Watch has the peculiarity to have the world’s longest
arm for seconds. It measures 2 meters 50. Each second it moves about 27
cm. It was important to considerate the slope of the face to assure the
preciseness of the watch. Its total circumference is 15,70 m, and its
diameter is 5 m. For each flower decoration about 6’500 different plants
are necessary.
6. Walks in Geneva
Discover Geneva, the world’s most international city, with a licensed
guide. There is much more to see than the “Jet d’Eau” and the flower
clock ! Stroll with us, back through history, in the Old Town; admire
our lakeside parks and elegant villas; discover our museums; learn about
Geneva’s unique role in diplomacy and peace making in the international
sector.
– Walks with Geneva Tourism’s Official Guides
– Audioguided Visit of the Old Town
– Geneva, the pleasure of water
– Escalade: walking tour through the Old Town New
7. Excursions
City tours
Our experienced official guides are at your disposal regardless of the
object of your stay in Geneva. It is possible to take a guided tour of
the town on foot from most of the hotels or other excursions a coach
will pick the group up at their hotel.
Consult our list on the following page…
Cruises
Get to know Lake Geneva and the Rhone-River Valley by choosing from our
wide range of cruises (some with commentaries) that leave from a variety
of embarkation points around the harbour:
– Cruses on Lake Geneva
– Rhone River Cruise
– Rafting down the Arve Rive
– Boat & Pedal-boat Rental
Excursions
Thanks to its exceptional location in the centre of Europe, Geneva
offers numerous possibilities for excursions. Whether by boat, train or
coach, they represent an excellent opportunity to set off in discovery
of the surroundings
– Excursions by Mini-train
– Excursions by Coach
– Excursions by Cable Car
8. Technical Visits
Geneva’s industries and commerces await your visit. They will enable you
to discover and learn about regional products. The next page will give
you wealth of ideas as well as details enabling you to carry them out.
More informations on the following page… (ONLY FOR GROUPS)
9. GenevRoule
Use free bicycles.
How can one discover the sights and lovely scenery of Geneva’s
surrounding countryside in a leisurely, ecological, healthy and
invigorating manner? On a bicycle, of course! Urban and suburban Geneva
boasts a large network of cycling lanes and signposted itineraries. A
few pushes on the pedals will take you out into the country amidst the
vineyards, forests, fields and brooks in no time. Do stop to relax in
one of the charming villages which dot the landscape.
Zuerich Downtown Switzerland
Zuerich is top for leisure and pleasure. Gentle hills, peaceful woods,
the unpolluted lakes and rivers, picturesque villages – and all just a
stone’s throw from the Alps. Zuerich is the ideal starting point for all
kinds of varied excursions.
Zuerich
Enjoy the pretty old town, the trendy new Zuerich West district and the
glorious lake.
With opera, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals, art exhibitions
in over 50 museums and 100 galleries, time never drags in Zuerich. The
famous Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai are a shopper’s paradise. Over
1,700 restaurants and bars serve both traditional Zuerich and Swiss
dishes as well as exotic specialties. The eveningswill leave you spoilt
for choice: indoors or outdoors, anything is possible as far as the
nightlife in Zuerich goes.
Winterthur
Winterthur has blossomed from a former industrial town to a lively venue
for all ethnic groups and types of culture. Winterthur is an important
museum town – it has 16 in all – and also offers a wide range of
culture, sports and entertainment. Amongst the numerous night clubs and
bars you will also find the only bar in Switzerland that opens 24 hours
a day, every day of the year. The Rhine Falls, the biggest waterfall in
Europe, is just a 20 minute drive from Winterthur.
Rapperswil & Lake Zuerich
Rapperswil, the riviera at the upper end of Lake Zuerich, will charm you
with its many attractions: the castle, the medieval old town, the
historical wooden bridge and Knies Children’s Zoo. Equally, however, the
Alpamare water park and Atzmaennig slide & trampoline paradise are just
as much part of this family-friendly destination. Summer or winter, the
Lake Zuerich region offers many opportunities for sport.
Baden
Baden, a historical city with a very lively present, is worth a visit,
not just because of the Grand Casino Baden.
The Zuerich region is unique, within everyone’s means and definitely
worth a visit. Live it. Love it.
The best places for the first visiting
First of all, it is necessary to see its mountains and the mountain
roads, coiling a streamer under hanging rocks and hiding in tunnels;
surprising cleanliness of lake, mountain rivers and raging falls. And
then it is necessary to visit its cities. Swisses have there is an
opinion, that Bern is a head, Zurich hands, and Lucerne – the heart of
the country. Bern is the capital not only for the same canton, but also
for all country.
As it is pleasant to pass on its medieval streets, decorated by arcades,
colonnades and fountains to see a symbol of city are alive bears. In
this large cultural and public centre the parliament, therefore Bern a
head sits. Further Zurich – the largest city of the country. The basic
here converge зкономические strings. And the central street of city
conducting to lake of Zurich, is considered one of the most beautiful
and expensive streets of Europe.
Here there are well-known Swiss banks in which “the Zurich gnomes” forge
riches of the country are located. Lucerne is the city of bohemia,
carnivals. It is singed of poets, artists and musicians. Having seen
once night Lucerne, you’ll forever keep in memory its graceful bridges,
a fortification, paved medieval streets.
And, at last, Geneva – city of numerous international establishments on
a coast of lake of Geneva. You will amaze well-known a 145-meter
fountain and flower hours at the English park. This city of the World
for a long time belongs to all mankind.
The biggest pride of inhabitants and the main sight of Zurich – church
over Peter. First, it is the most ancient temple of the city, second, it
the biggest in the world decorate a chiming clock (diameter of hours are
8,64 meters), and in the third, practical швейцарцы have thought up to
establish on bell tower churches also a post of firemen.
Besides monuments of architecture and expensive shops in Zurich huge
quantity(amount) of museums from which the most curious to me have
seemed the Museum of coffee, the Museum of toys with a private
collection of ancient toys and the Museum of porcelain. To finish
acquaintance to city it is necessary walk on river tramway over lake of
Zurich.
The most known and expensive mountain resort of Switzerland –
Saint-Moritz. Its mineral sources were known still in X one century
B.C., and to Middle Ages here already specially came to correct for
health. The best advertising to a resort under the legend was made by
daddy Lion X in 1519: he has promised full absolution by that who has
visited on waters of Saint-Moritz.
But where other legend of Saint-Moritz history that the building of most
luxurious hotel Carlton was constructed in the beginning of the last
century specially for Nikolay II is more pleasant for the Russian
person, but the last Russian tsar so never and has not visited the Swiss
residence …
Up to middle of the nineteenth century Saint-Moritz was a summer resort
– public came only on waters. But in 1863 a businessman Johannes Badrutt
has managed to persuade several Englishmen to arrive for winter. After
that case has constructed in city the first hotel, and the resort has
changed the image.
Now to Saint-Moritz come basically in the winter but to not ski, and to
breathe mountain air, to visit the refined society, to observe of game
in polo – the lake of Saint-Moritz depth of 90 m in the winter freezes
and on its ice will carry out matches. Two times – in 1928 and in 1948
in this small small town passed winter Olympic games.
Nearby from Saint-Moritz there is less known tourist small town –
Pontrezina. The silent and cosy place at the foot of Engandine the Alpes
has kept the traditional architecture. One of basic sights of Pontrezina
is the Alpine museum where there are flora and fauna of mountains, a
collection of minerals, mountain-skiing and climbing equipment from the
last centuries up to now is submitted, the life of an ancient Alpine
house is recreated.
Gold pass (Golden Pass Line) – one of the most tempting railway routes
in Switzerland. It connects the historical centre and the tops of area
of Jungfrau covered with snow to Montreux and lake of Geneva. The
250-kilometer route borrows 5 hours. At last, the Glacial express train
(Glacier Express) – a panoramic route through the Alpes in the heart of
Switzerland from Saint-Moritz in Cermartt, practically on glacier
Aletch.
Hundred millions years back forces of creation have lifted the Alpes
from sea depths and have uplifted these mountains on hundreds meters
closer to the sky. Huge glacier Aletch then was formed. The ice file
almost 24 kms in length goes with speed of 200 meters to one year… By
the way, this summer the area of glaciers of Jungfrau – Aletch was
recognized as UNESCO a nature sanctuary of the world’s heritage. The
status of the international natural reserve has received glacier Aletch
as the biggest and the cleanest.
Conclusion
Hardworking swisses thriftily have equipped the small country. They have
penetrated mountains by tunnels and have constructed bridges through
gorges, have built for rise on tops the gear railway, cable cars and
cable lifts. They are proud of a level of the traditional branches of a
facilities (an economy) – an agriculture (we shall recollect the Swiss
cheeses or chocolate), manufacture of well-known Swiss hours, they have
created a himiko-farmaceutical industry, exact mechanical engineering,
have mastered textile manufacture.
But, first of all, Switzerland is the classical country of tourism. The
infrastructure of this branch of economy is lead up to perfection. At
any time of year everyone will receive here a bouquet of offers for
rest. In winter thousands of tourists come directly in the Alpine
region. Here there is a lot of places for rest: from Interlaken on the
highest in Europe the railway can reach a viewing platform at the
glacier Alechnyi or in area of a glacier of Jungfrau where long ski
lines are prepared.
At any time of all year round tourists aspire to see fine Swiss cities
which names excite all: Basel, Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Locarno, Lugano,
Montreux, Lausanne, Lucerne. On short trip it is simply to impossible
visit each of them and thus to see mountains and valleys of Switzerland.
As Kozma Prutkov has noticed, – it is impossible to grasp immense.
However it is possible to make a route that the tourist had full enough
representation about Switzerland.
Literature
1. Драгунов Г. П. Швейцария: история и современность: Очерк новейшей
истории. – М.: Мысль, 2003.
2. Новая история стран Европы и Америки. Первый период: Учеб. для вузов
по направлению и специальности “История”/В. И. Виноградов, Н.М. Гусева,
А. М. Зверев и др.; Под ред.: И. М. Кривогуза, Е. Е. Юровской.-М.:Высш.
шк., 2003.
3. Перевощиков К. А. Швейцария вчера, сегодня, завтра: Очерки.-М.: Дет.
лит., 2004.
4. The Rough Guide to Europe. Published by Rough Guides. 2008 Edition.
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