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Sunburst Vacations :: Vacation packages to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, and Bermuda - Book online today! Enter your email address to receive travel offers & exclusives for FREE! Go To My Itinerary Retrieve Itinerary Antigua Aruba Bahamas Grand Bahama Nassau Paradise Island Barbados Bermuda Dominican Republic La Romana Puerto Plata Punta Cana Santo Domingo Grand Cayman Jamaica Montego Bay Negril Ocho Rios Mexico Acapulco Cabo San Lucas Cancun Cozumel Ixtapa La Paz Manzanillo Mayan Riviera Mazatlan Puerto Vallarta Puerto Rico St. Kitts St. Lucia St. Maarten/St. Martin U.S. Virgin Islands St. Croix St. John St. Thomas Flight & Hotel Hotel Only Flight Only From Airport Search Destination Select Your Destination Acapulco (ACA) Anguilla (AXA) Antigua (ANU) Aruba (AUA) Bahamas - Freeport (FPO) Bahamas - Nassau (NAS) Bahamas - Paradise Island (NAS) Barbados (BGI) Bermuda (BDA) Bonaire (BON) Cabo San Lucas (SJD) Cancun (CUN) Cancun - Mayan Riviera (CUN) Cayman Islands (GCM) Cozumel (CZM) Curacao (CUR) Ixtapa (ZIH) Jamaica (MBJ) Jamaica - Montego Bay (MBJ) Jamaica - Negril (MBJ) Jamaica - Ocho Rios (MBJ) La Paz (LAP) La Romana (LRM) Manzanillo (ZLO) Mazatlan (MZT) Puerto Plata (POP) San Juan (SJU) Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Punta Cana (PUJ) Puerto Rico (SJU) Santo Domingo (SDQ) St Barths (SBH) St John (STT) St Kitts (SKB) St Lucia - Vigi (SLU) St Lucia - Hewanorra (UVF) St Maarten (SXM) St Martin (SXM) Turks & Caicos (PLS) US Virgin Islands - St Croix (STX) US Virgin Islands - St John (STT) US Virgin Islands - St Thomas (STT) US Virgin Islands - US Virgin Islands (STT) Vieques Island (VQS) Departure Date anytime morning afternoon evening Return Date anytime morning afternoon evening Airline All Airlines Aero California Aeromexico Air Jamaica America West Airlines American Airlines Cayman Airways Delta Air Lines Mexicana Airlines US Airways Service Class coach business first Rooms 1 2 3 Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Children 0 1 2 3 Please select child age below. under 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 under 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 under 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 infant in seat infant in lap infant in seat infant in lap infant in seat infant in lap 0) location.href=this[this.selectedIndex].value;" Choose Your Destination Acapulco Cabo San Lucas Cancun Cozumel Ixtapa La Paz Manzanillo Mayan Riviera Mazatlan Puerto Vallarta 0) location.href=this[this.selectedIndex].value;" Choose Your Destination Grand Bahama Nassau Paradise Island St. Thomas Wyndham Sugar Bay 35% OFF Bahamas Westin at Our Lucaya Every 3rd Night FREE Cabo San Lucas Presidente 30% OFF Melia Cabo 30% OFF Westin $25 Credit Barbados $500 Air Credit & FREE Night! Almond Beach 40% OFF Jamaica Couples Resorts 35% OFF Puerto Rico El Conquistador 50% OFF St. Lucia Coconut Bay $100 Resort Credit! Bermuda Fairmont Southampton FREE Upgrade Cabo San Lucas Costa Real Cabo Spa 30% OFF Manzanillo Gran Costa Real 20% OFF Casinos Golf Luxury Spa Vacations | Destinations | Travel Agents | Contact Us For Reservations & Information Call 1-800-SUNBURST Terms & Conditions | Travelers Edge | Optional Trip Cancellation | Privacy Policy | About Us powered by EzRez release-4-3



Chicago vacation. You'll get

Go Chicago Card, Chicago Attractions, Things to Do in Chicago What is it? Featured Attractions Shopping and Dining Chicago Guidebook Products and Pricing What They Are Saying Frequently Asked Questions Corporate Information Travel Agents -- Log In In The News Attraction Spotlight The Adler Planetarium Free admission with the Go Chicago Card The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum continues to be on the leading edge of science museums since founded by Max Adler in 1930. Blast off to the stunning Sky Pavilion, where nine state-of-the-art exhibition galleries chronicle modern space exploration and the history of astronomy. Fly through a dazzling star-filled night sky in the StarRider Theater, the world’s most technologically advanced, audience-interactive planetarium. Or get Stranded in an Alien Lab, where a cosmic twist puts a spin on the search for extraterrestrials – in this lab, the aliens are looking for Earthlings! The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is America’s first planetarium. It has inspired more than 35 million visitors in it’s mission to stimulate the public’s interest in astronomy. Unlimited Admission at over 25 Chicago Attractions and Tours! LAST MINUTE SALE! Save 15% on 2, 3, 5 and 7-Day cards. FINAL TWO DAYS! Sale Ends Thursday, Dec. 29th Only on this site. Go Chicago™ Card is the perfect way to save on your Chicago vacation. You'll get unlimited FREE general admission to over 25 attractions and tours for one low price, as well as discounts at some of Chicago's top retailers and restaurants! Highlights include: Adler Planetarium The Field Museum Shedd Aquarium Museum of Science and Industry The Art Institute of Chicago The Notebaert Nature Museum John Hancock Observatory Sears Tower Sky Deck Frederick C. Robie House Chicago Children’s Museum Museum of Contemporary Art 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley pass Gray Line Grand Chicago Tour Gray Line North Side Tour Gray Line South Shore Tour Chicago Architectural Foundation walking tours Chicago Historical Society tours and Museum admission Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Cruise Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise Navy Pier IMAX Navy Pier Attractions and much more! Plus save up to 20% on shopping and dining around the city and get a FREE full color guidebook to help you plan your visit. PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that the Shedd Aquarium will be closed for the day on Monday, January 9, 2006 due to a private function. What is it? | Featured Attractions | Shopping & Dining | Chicago Travel Guide Hotel and Vacation Packages | What They Are Saying | FAQ | Purchase the Card | Sitemap Corporate Information | Related Travel Sites | Other Travel Resources | Become an Affiliate Go Chicago Card is perfect for the Chicago vacation and offers unlimited admission to museums, tours and sightseeing for one low price. Also includes an Illinois travel color pocket guidebook. Hotel and Vacation packages are also available. Makes a great holiday Christmas Present. ©2005 Go Chicago™ Card 800-887-9103, 111 West Washington Street, Suite 1770, Chicago, IL 60601 Go Chicago Card is owned and operated by Smart Destinations, Inc .



Switzerland Travel Guide, climate:

Switzerland Travel Guide - Information and Advice Switzerland Travel Guide Information and Advice Switzerland Pictures | Switzerland Map Guerba can take you walking in the very best parts of Switzerland with three itineraries ranging from 8 to 13 days. Guerba Tours | Swiss Alpine Trails | High Trails of Mont Blanc | Swiss Walking and Montreux Jazz | Free Brochure Switzerland Travel Guide, climate: Best: June-Sept for summer activities and Dec-March for winter sports. Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: Zurich or Lucerne for a romantic weekend, or Zermatt for a sports break. Recommended: 10 days to get totally knackered at your choice of activity. Switzerland Festivals Guide: Snow freaks have plenty of wacky winter festivals to attend, such as: pop festivals at 1,800m in deep snow [Fuchstival, mid March or Kleine Scheidegg early April]; dog sled racing [Zinal, mid March or Chandolin early April]; Waterslide Contest [Bettmeralp, late March or Valais, April]; downhill mountain bike races [on snow] from 3,600m [Allalin, early April]... Feb/March, Fasnacht [carnival] - especially colourful in Basel, but makes an appearance elsewhere too. July, Montreux Jazz Festival. August 1, Swiss National Day - with various activities including fireworks. For some precise dates see: European Festivals or Arts Festiva ls . Activities Guide: Hiking: With magnificent views of mountains, flower-carpeted alpine valleys, waterfalls and superbly organised and supported trails, this is a must-trek destination. Possibilities are too many to list with 50,000 kms of footpaths out there! Biking: There are over 150 well designed mountain bike routes in Switzerland, ranging from the easy to the insane, and all with staggering views. For regular bikes there are over 3,000 kms of track. Inline Skating: Around 600 kms of specially asphalted, reasonably flat, scenic routes , such as the Rhine, the Rhone and the Mittelland, make this possibly the world's best skating destination. Windsurfing: Wind can be erratic due to altitude or rock interference, but some popular spots are these lakes: Leman, Bieler, Urner, Alpenmacher, Maggiore [north], Lugano. Canoeing: The Muota River [Schwyz] and the Doubs [Jura] are most wanted. White-water rafting: The Rhine and Saane rivers are well known but the Alps provides many more possibilities. Mountaineering: Zermatt, Pontresina and Meiringen are areas favoured by serious climbers. Gliding: yet another use for those huge hunks of rock...hang and paragliding are well provided for in most larger resorts. Snow sports: Vast quantities of the white stuff are just about everywhere of course, but what makes this country a bit special is a] doing the white thing in the shadow of a truly awesome mountain, like Zermatt/Matterhorn, and b] that in some places the snow is around nearly all year. Zermatt and Verbier are best targets for skiing and nightlife. Wellness: With pure alpine air and a teutonic attitude to health, Switzerland offers a mass of spas, saunas and therapy centres in stunning locations. More unusual activities: Switzerland goes in for some off-the-wall sports too, such as canyoning , zorbing [rolling down a mountainside in huge transparent ball] or house running [abseiling down tall buildings at high speed]. Interlaken and Lucerne are centres for these mad moments. Switzerland Star Guide: Monuments * Shopping and souvenirs *** Walkability ***** Food Quality and Variety **** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value ** Beaches lakes Wildlife *** Landscape ***** Local People ** Architecture **** Safety ***** Nightlife and Clubbing **** Health Problems none Museums **** Accommodation Guide: Tourist offices are efficient in listing local rooms/hotels available, often with boards placed outside rail stations. They also hand out 'guest cards' that secure various discounts. Hotels are not necessarily expensive but hostels are, of course, the cheapest option , though still good quality. Campsites are good too, mostly open only in summertime. Free camping is not permitted. Cuisine Guide: If you're a non-dairy eater then you'll have a big problem if you travel in Switzerland, though vegetarians will be unusually fulfilled. Cheese appears frequently and is the star of Swiss specialities like fondue [dipping bread or potato into melted cheese], raclette [similar] and rosti [cheese-topped grated potatoes]. Lake fish are a popular dish and vegetarian restaurants common. Those on a budget can find good value set lunch menus or self-service restaurants in department stores. Why Travel to Switzerland? Yet another quirky little European country, Switzerland is unique, spectacular and well worth a trip or two. Clichés perhaps, but some of the best Swiss experiences involve incredible mountains and lakes, stunning sports - summer or winter, stylish, lively towns, quaint hillside villages , and all tied together with a supremely efficient transport system . In addition it's super-safe , just about everyone speaks two or three languages , including English, and it's loaded with terrific beers, rich food and amazing pastries and chocolate . Is that a good thing? You choose. Downside: - this not a cheap destination . - don't try anything remotely illegal , [such as crossing the road when the little man is red], this is a very law-abiding state. - Swiss people - about 65% Germanic - though extremely polite, are, like their climate, cool towards foreigners. Where to travel in Switzerland: South-west [Lake Geneva]: ** Geneva , attractively situated at the southwest tip of Lake Geneva and near France, is cultured and metropolitan, but more of a business and diplomatic centre than party place. It does, however, offer a great selection of museums and some decent architecture including the ubiquitous old town. ***Lausanne, on the other hand and the other side of the lake, really knows how to play, due partly to the university's youth contribution. Steeply tiered, it 's stylish and pleasantly walkable [going down or along the waterfront] and alive with varied street action and nutty cafés. On the east side of Lake Geneva lie three smaller locations of interest: *Vevey is a small, appealing market town with a lively Street Artist's Festival in late August; *Montreux , 6km down the road is bijou but wealth-oriented and not particularly hospitable apart from July's Jazz Festival; the 13thC ***Chateau de Chillon is the star attraction in this area, a beautifully located and well-preserved castle popularised by Lord Byron's ' Prisoner of Chillon .' The middle [Mittelland ]: **Bern's tiny, quiet, riverside elegance is not at all what you would expect of Switzerland's capital. The old town's cobbled streets and arcaded buildings date from the 11thC to the 18thC, and there is life there still... Just south of Bern the Lake Thun area affords castle freaks the opportunity to pleasure themselves repeatedly on fine 12th and 13thC fortifications. ***Lucerne [Luzern] is more than just another gorgeous Swiss city. Mix lake with river with mountain with alpine meadows with well-preserved old town, throw in some stunning new architecture, a lively youth-oriented street culture, plenty of adventure sports [mostly 1 hour by train uphill to Engelberg ], simmer gently and you've got the young traveller's #1 Swiss role model. The area also provides the country's most spectacular ferry rides. *Basel is wealthy, cultured and convenient, with a pleasant old town and fine museums, but too preoccupied with business to be much fun. ***Zurich, up north, is a far, gnomic cry from it's stuffy banking image these days. Gorgeously located astride a river and boxed in by Lake Zurich and distant snowy mountains, the city is a buzzing hive of creativity and charm, with a lovely medieval old town and a huge variety of imaginative new establishments to relieve you of your wad. The miniscule principality of Liechtenstein is two hours away but offers little of interest. The Alps mountains [south] : *** The Jungfrau Region towards the country's centre offers the highest and most scenic rail trip, connecting three peaks, the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, though some argue that the Schilthorn cable-car is cheaper, quicker and more scenic. **Murren and **Grindelwald towns are good bases for both winter and summer sports, but Interlaken is too busy to be enjoyable for those who value tranquility. ***The Matterhorn is a Swiss icon and the original model for Toblerone chocolate, while traffic-free *** Zermatt - at it's foot - is the place to stay and base for any number of staggering view experiences, including year-round snow sports and the day-long, panoramic Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St Moritz. **St Moritz. Very posh, very beautiful, and very expensive, though St Moritz-Bad would be less bad for your wallet than snooty St Moritz-Dorf. Ticino, the Italian region, south of the Alps: Warmer and culturally very different from the rest of Switzerland , Ticino sports palm trees, piazzas and pizzas along with the usual lakes, woody hills and medieval old towns. Prime targets are **Locarno and ***Lugano, both on lakes, with the latter offering more views, style and sights. Switzerland Tours Tour operators offering travel around Switzerland can be found in our listings here: Switzerland Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Europe Map Visas: EU citizens and nationals of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan do not need a visa for up to 3 months, though you should carry your passport. Electricity Guide: Electric sockets are 230v and are built for three round pin plugs but will accept the usual 2 round pin plugs , fortunately. Safety Guide: Switzerland is just about the safest place on the planet. Apart from overeating and snow accidents the biggest dangers are likely to be altitude sickness [AMS] or hypothermia if you overestimate your climbing/hiking ability . Language: Not a problem in this country which has more multi-lingual ability than any other on earth . A twisted German is the dominant tongue and French second, but everyone can handle English. Local Transport: Swiss transport is brilliant and trains are the way to go if available. InterRail or Eurail passes offer well-discounted travel, though not on a few spectacular mountain routes. Lake ferries are famously scenic [only June-Sept]. International Transport: Roads and railways from the rest of Europe are superb , while boating from Germany, France and Italy is also possible . Buses are a less comfortable option. Money: Contrary to expectations, the local currency is the Swiss Franc [also used by their little brother Liechtenstein], but most places in tourist areas will accept the Euro. Tipping is not necessary anywhere as 15% service charge is applied to just about everything including taxis. Costs are on the high side, though cheapish travel in Switzerland is possible if you eat fast food, use a railpass and stay in hostels. Pictures are courtesy of Switzerland Tourism. If you plan to travel Switzerland you may find these other Bugbog guides useful: Germany Travel Guide Austria Travel Guide France Travel Guide Italy Travel Guide Czech Republic Guide Hungary Travel Guide Belgium Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog



Chicago vacation. You'll get

Go Chicago Card, Chicago Attractions, Things to Do in Chicago What is it? Featured Attractions Shopping and Dining Chicago Guidebook Products and Pricing What They Are Saying Frequently Asked Questions Corporate Information Travel Agents -- Log In In The News Attraction Spotlight The Adler Planetarium Free admission with the Go Chicago Card The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum continues to be on the leading edge of science museums since founded by Max Adler in 1930. Blast off to the stunning Sky Pavilion, where nine state-of-the-art exhibition galleries chronicle modern space exploration and the history of astronomy. Fly through a dazzling star-filled night sky in the StarRider Theater, the world’s most technologically advanced, audience-interactive planetarium. Or get Stranded in an Alien Lab, where a cosmic twist puts a spin on the search for extraterrestrials – in this lab, the aliens are looking for Earthlings! The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is America’s first planetarium. It has inspired more than 35 million visitors in it’s mission to stimulate the public’s interest in astronomy. Unlimited Admission at over 25 Chicago Attractions and Tours! LAST MINUTE SALE! Save 15% on 2, 3, 5 and 7-Day cards. FINAL TWO DAYS! Sale Ends Thursday, Dec. 29th Only on this site. Go Chicago™ Card is the perfect way to save on your Chicago vacation. You'll get unlimited FREE general admission to over 25 attractions and tours for one low price, as well as discounts at some of Chicago's top retailers and restaurants! Highlights include: Adler Planetarium The Field Museum Shedd Aquarium Museum of Science and Industry The Art Institute of Chicago The Notebaert Nature Museum John Hancock Observatory Sears Tower Sky Deck Frederick C. Robie House Chicago Children’s Museum Museum of Contemporary Art 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley pass Gray Line Grand Chicago Tour Gray Line North Side Tour Gray Line South Shore Tour Chicago Architectural Foundation walking tours Chicago Historical Society tours and Museum admission Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Cruise Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise Navy Pier IMAX Navy Pier Attractions and much more! Plus save up to 20% on shopping and dining around the city and get a FREE full color guidebook to help you plan your visit. PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that the Shedd Aquarium will be closed for the day on Monday, January 9, 2006 due to a private function. What is it? | Featured Attractions | Shopping & Dining | Chicago Travel Guide Hotel and Vacation Packages | What They Are Saying | FAQ | Purchase the Card | Sitemap Corporate Information | Related Travel Sites | Other Travel Resources | Become an Affiliate Go Chicago Card is perfect for the Chicago vacation and offers unlimited admission to museums, tours and sightseeing for one low price. Also includes an Illinois travel color pocket guidebook. Hotel and Vacation packages are also available. Makes a great holiday Christmas Present. ©2005 Go Chicago™ Card 800-887-9103, 111 West Washington Street, Suite 1770, Chicago, IL 60601 Go Chicago Card is owned and operated by Smart Destinations, Inc .



Switzerland Travel Guide, climate:

Switzerland Travel Guide - Information and Advice Switzerland Travel Guide Information and Advice Switzerland Pictures | Switzerland Map Guerba can take you walking in the very best parts of Switzerland with three itineraries ranging from 8 to 13 days. Guerba Tours | Swiss Alpine Trails | High Trails of Mont Blanc | Swiss Walking and Montreux Jazz | Free Brochure Switzerland Travel Guide, climate: Best: June-Sept for summer activities and Dec-March for winter sports. Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: Zurich or Lucerne for a romantic weekend, or Zermatt for a sports break. Recommended: 10 days to get totally knackered at your choice of activity. Switzerland Festivals Guide: Snow freaks have plenty of wacky winter festivals to attend, such as: pop festivals at 1,800m in deep snow [Fuchstival, mid March or Kleine Scheidegg early April]; dog sled racing [Zinal, mid March or Chandolin early April]; Waterslide Contest [Bettmeralp, late March or Valais, April]; downhill mountain bike races [on snow] from 3,600m [Allalin, early April]... Feb/March, Fasnacht [carnival] - especially colourful in Basel, but makes an appearance elsewhere too. July, Montreux Jazz Festival. August 1, Swiss National Day - with various activities including fireworks. For some precise dates see: European Festivals or Arts Festiva ls . Activities Guide: Hiking: With magnificent views of mountains, flower-carpeted alpine valleys, waterfalls and superbly organised and supported trails, this is a must-trek destination. Possibilities are too many to list with 50,000 kms of footpaths out there! Biking: There are over 150 well designed mountain bike routes in Switzerland, ranging from the easy to the insane, and all with staggering views. For regular bikes there are over 3,000 kms of track. Inline Skating: Around 600 kms of specially asphalted, reasonably flat, scenic routes , such as the Rhine, the Rhone and the Mittelland, make this possibly the world's best skating destination. Windsurfing: Wind can be erratic due to altitude or rock interference, but some popular spots are these lakes: Leman, Bieler, Urner, Alpenmacher, Maggiore [north], Lugano. Canoeing: The Muota River [Schwyz] and the Doubs [Jura] are most wanted. White-water rafting: The Rhine and Saane rivers are well known but the Alps provides many more possibilities. Mountaineering: Zermatt, Pontresina and Meiringen are areas favoured by serious climbers. Gliding: yet another use for those huge hunks of rock...hang and paragliding are well provided for in most larger resorts. Snow sports: Vast quantities of the white stuff are just about everywhere of course, but what makes this country a bit special is a] doing the white thing in the shadow of a truly awesome mountain, like Zermatt/Matterhorn, and b] that in some places the snow is around nearly all year. Zermatt and Verbier are best targets for skiing and nightlife. Wellness: With pure alpine air and a teutonic attitude to health, Switzerland offers a mass of spas, saunas and therapy centres in stunning locations. More unusual activities: Switzerland goes in for some off-the-wall sports too, such as canyoning , zorbing [rolling down a mountainside in huge transparent ball] or house running [abseiling down tall buildings at high speed]. Interlaken and Lucerne are centres for these mad moments. Switzerland Star Guide: Monuments * Shopping and souvenirs *** Walkability ***** Food Quality and Variety **** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value ** Beaches lakes Wildlife *** Landscape ***** Local People ** Architecture **** Safety ***** Nightlife and Clubbing **** Health Problems none Museums **** Accommodation Guide: Tourist offices are efficient in listing local rooms/hotels available, often with boards placed outside rail stations. They also hand out 'guest cards' that secure various discounts. Hotels are not necessarily expensive but hostels are, of course, the cheapest option , though still good quality. Campsites are good too, mostly open only in summertime. Free camping is not permitted. Cuisine Guide: If you're a non-dairy eater then you'll have a big problem if you travel in Switzerland, though vegetarians will be unusually fulfilled. Cheese appears frequently and is the star of Swiss specialities like fondue [dipping bread or potato into melted cheese], raclette [similar] and rosti [cheese-topped grated potatoes]. Lake fish are a popular dish and vegetarian restaurants common. Those on a budget can find good value set lunch menus or self-service restaurants in department stores. Why Travel to Switzerland? Yet another quirky little European country, Switzerland is unique, spectacular and well worth a trip or two. Clichés perhaps, but some of the best Swiss experiences involve incredible mountains and lakes, stunning sports - summer or winter, stylish, lively towns, quaint hillside villages , and all tied together with a supremely efficient transport system . In addition it's super-safe , just about everyone speaks two or three languages , including English, and it's loaded with terrific beers, rich food and amazing pastries and chocolate . Is that a good thing? You choose. Downside: - this not a cheap destination . - don't try anything remotely illegal , [such as crossing the road when the little man is red], this is a very law-abiding state. - Swiss people - about 65% Germanic - though extremely polite, are, like their climate, cool towards foreigners. Where to travel in Switzerland: South-west [Lake Geneva]: ** Geneva , attractively situated at the southwest tip of Lake Geneva and near France, is cultured and metropolitan, but more of a business and diplomatic centre than party place. It does, however, offer a great selection of museums and some decent architecture including the ubiquitous old town. ***Lausanne, on the other hand and the other side of the lake, really knows how to play, due partly to the university's youth contribution. Steeply tiered, it 's stylish and pleasantly walkable [going down or along the waterfront] and alive with varied street action and nutty cafés. On the east side of Lake Geneva lie three smaller locations of interest: *Vevey is a small, appealing market town with a lively Street Artist's Festival in late August; *Montreux , 6km down the road is bijou but wealth-oriented and not particularly hospitable apart from July's Jazz Festival; the 13thC ***Chateau de Chillon is the star attraction in this area, a beautifully located and well-preserved castle popularised by Lord Byron's ' Prisoner of Chillon .' The middle [Mittelland ]: **Bern's tiny, quiet, riverside elegance is not at all what you would expect of Switzerland's capital. The old town's cobbled streets and arcaded buildings date from the 11thC to the 18thC, and there is life there still... Just south of Bern the Lake Thun area affords castle freaks the opportunity to pleasure themselves repeatedly on fine 12th and 13thC fortifications. ***Lucerne [Luzern] is more than just another gorgeous Swiss city. Mix lake with river with mountain with alpine meadows with well-preserved old town, throw in some stunning new architecture, a lively youth-oriented street culture, plenty of adventure sports [mostly 1 hour by train uphill to Engelberg ], simmer gently and you've got the young traveller's #1 Swiss role model. The area also provides the country's most spectacular ferry rides. *Basel is wealthy, cultured and convenient, with a pleasant old town and fine museums, but too preoccupied with business to be much fun. ***Zurich, up north, is a far, gnomic cry from it's stuffy banking image these days. Gorgeously located astride a river and boxed in by Lake Zurich and distant snowy mountains, the city is a buzzing hive of creativity and charm, with a lovely medieval old town and a huge variety of imaginative new establishments to relieve you of your wad. The miniscule principality of Liechtenstein is two hours away but offers little of interest. The Alps mountains [south] : *** The Jungfrau Region towards the country's centre offers the highest and most scenic rail trip, connecting three peaks, the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, though some argue that the Schilthorn cable-car is cheaper, quicker and more scenic. **Murren and **Grindelwald towns are good bases for both winter and summer sports, but Interlaken is too busy to be enjoyable for those who value tranquility. ***The Matterhorn is a Swiss icon and the original model for Toblerone chocolate, while traffic-free *** Zermatt - at it's foot - is the place to stay and base for any number of staggering view experiences, including year-round snow sports and the day-long, panoramic Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St Moritz. **St Moritz. Very posh, very beautiful, and very expensive, though St Moritz-Bad would be less bad for your wallet than snooty St Moritz-Dorf. Ticino, the Italian region, south of the Alps: Warmer and culturally very different from the rest of Switzerland , Ticino sports palm trees, piazzas and pizzas along with the usual lakes, woody hills and medieval old towns. Prime targets are **Locarno and ***Lugano, both on lakes, with the latter offering more views, style and sights. Switzerland Tours Tour operators offering travel around Switzerland can be found in our listings here: Switzerland Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Europe Map Visas: EU citizens and nationals of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan do not need a visa for up to 3 months, though you should carry your passport. Electricity Guide: Electric sockets are 230v and are built for three round pin plugs but will accept the usual 2 round pin plugs , fortunately. Safety Guide: Switzerland is just about the safest place on the planet. Apart from overeating and snow accidents the biggest dangers are likely to be altitude sickness [AMS] or hypothermia if you overestimate your climbing/hiking ability . Language: Not a problem in this country which has more multi-lingual ability than any other on earth . A twisted German is the dominant tongue and French second, but everyone can handle English. Local Transport: Swiss transport is brilliant and trains are the way to go if available. InterRail or Eurail passes offer well-discounted travel, though not on a few spectacular mountain routes. Lake ferries are famously scenic [only June-Sept]. International Transport: Roads and railways from the rest of Europe are superb , while boating from Germany, France and Italy is also possible . Buses are a less comfortable option. Money: Contrary to expectations, the local currency is the Swiss Franc [also used by their little brother Liechtenstein], but most places in tourist areas will accept the Euro. Tipping is not necessary anywhere as 15% service charge is applied to just about everything including taxis. Costs are on the high side, though cheapish travel in Switzerland is possible if you eat fast food, use a railpass and stay in hostels. Pictures are courtesy of Switzerland Tourism. If you plan to travel Switzerland you may find these other Bugbog guides useful: Germany Travel Guide Austria Travel Guide France Travel Guide Italy Travel Guide Czech Republic Guide Hungary Travel Guide Belgium Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog




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