By Samai Haider
Published in ICE Today – Issue: September 2005
Photos: Samai Haider
Switzerland is a tiny speck of a nation, but it’s an enormous nature park. Nowhere else will you find so many worlds of experience in such a small space. Wherever you go, something magnificent, enjoyable and refreshing awaits you. The natural experience of Switzerland is unique and so varied it appeals to the palates of people all backgrounds.
For the nature buff
Holidays in the Swiss Mountains are impressive and often sufficiently breathtaking: glistening light on glacier ice. The air is tinged with the scent of alpine flowers and spicy herbs. Mountains and valleys are magnificently decked out. Summit clouds which throw small shadows on snow fields and clear blue lakes which compete with the blue of the sky. Places of extreme importance on a nature freak’s list should include the sunny regions of St. Moritz, Interlaken and Davos.
For the adrenaline junkie
In quiet valleys with unspoiled nature, or on lofty summits where you are away from everything, restorative solitude and peace reigns. But Switzerland is also known for its lively streak – the mountains and lakes are prime locations for hiking, cycling, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning, mountaineering, yachting, in short, challenges for every ambition. The Swiss consider the district of Interlaken as the Mecca of sporting activities.
For the cultured soul
Switzerland offers a rich artistic and cultural life. Concerts and exhibitions of the highest quality take place throughout the year. Summer festivals and parades give you a real taste of swiss culture. Jazz festivals are particularly popular, and pop up almost everywhere, the most famous of it being the Montreux Jazz Festival. Exceptional museums, operas and conservatories may be found in Geneva.
For the Shop – a – holic
A words of caution before you jump for joy at the prospect of shopping – Switzerland is an expensive country catering to the wealthy. But as with most Europian nations, Switzerland has on offer most well known brands and does carry something for everyone. If you are interested in watches and jewellery, Switzerland is the place to be. Most cities and towns alike abound in shops solely catering to watch enthusiasts and carry watches ranging from popular teen age brands like Swatch to the exclusive likes of Patek Philipp and Rolex.
Swiss cheese and chocolates are also specialties. In the land of Lindt, chocolate boutiques are spread across the nation and are truly a connoisseur’s delight.
Engraved cow horns and bells are in Switzerland’s forte. Swiss army pocket knives make for great souvenirs, but mind you that you pack it into your luggage and not in your hand baggage!
Geneva
Magnificently situated on the banks of the largest lake in central Europe, at the gates of the Alps, Geneva has all that is needed to charm one’s soul. The town is a true international capital and is often considered the world’s smallest metropolis. Also called the ‘City of Peace’, Geneva is the headquarters of a number of renowned humanitarian institutions. Its varied cultural activities, major congresses and exhibitions and beautiful countryside make it popular amongst tourists.
The lake itself is breathtaking and while you can spend hours sitting by its idyllic shores or strolling along its promenades, the city has much more to offer. Tours around the city operate for as low as Tk. 600. So take the opportunity to scour the city for its treasures.
Keep a lookout for…
- The Jet d’Eau This is an enormous water fountain situated on the lakefront, and is probably the most conspicuous landmark Geneva has to offer – it can be seen from almost all of Geneva and is perfect for deciding on a rendezvous point and even a quick drench under its sprays
- The Old Town It’s famos for its narrow, winding alleys, numerous art galleries, bistros and shops selling antiques and books.
- The Cathedral of St. Peter Situated in the Old Town, this magnificent cathedral was built in the 12th century.
- The UN Headquarters Step into the shoes of the world’s leaders by taking this enlightening tour, costing only about Tk. 500
- The Red Cross Museum Geneva is the birthplace of the Red Cross and this museum gives a whole new dimension to its history.
Getting there and Away
Getting there is half the fun and indeed it is so when traveling in Switzerland, whether by train or bus. Look out the window and watch the dramatic scenery roll by, or bask in the glorious landscape on a boat deck – it all makes for an exquisite travel experience, where the miles separate glaciers from palm trees.
The country’s rail and bus systems are clean, safe and reliable. But surreal as it is, traveling around Switzerland comes at a price – a one way train ride from Zurich to Geneva, a good four hour journey, will cost roughly over Tk. 2500. Depending on which part of Switzerland you are in, it might be necessary to brave the German or French languages that predominate all bus/ train schedules.
Paddle steamers, used both for transportation and recreation purposes, carry you across major lakes, where travelers sail along comfortably against a magnificent mountain backdrop.
Major airline operators in Bangladesh charge around Tk. 60,000 for a round trip from Dhaka to Zurich, but keep in mind that this is subject to change due to varied taxes and travel plan.
Some Travel Advice
- Visa
Before you embark upon the trip to the Swiss embassy in Banani for your Swiss visa, bear in mind that you might probably need health insurance. Be sure to apply for the visa about three weeks prior to your travel date; the probability of spending the better part of a couple of days running around gathering various documentation for the visa is quite high. The embassy carries out visa transactions from Sundays through Wednesdays.
- Clothing
Winters are near frigid so be sure to pack extra warm clothes, especially parkas and woollies to combat the chill of the luscious snow. In summer it gets quite warm, especially in the afternoons (a sun block is recommended for the complexion conscious), but it does get somewhat chilly in the evenings so it’s best to carry a light jacket. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you want to spare your fragile feet from the long climbs.
- Languages
Probably one of the biggest anomalies of the country is that it is neatly divided in half in accordance to its languages. German is spoken in the North, Central and East while French dominates the western part and Italian is spoken in the south. It would be handy to carry both German and French phrasebooks, but a number of people do understand English.
Swiss Must Sees
- Library of the St. Gall Convent, St. Gallen
There are 150,000 books and 202,000 original medieval manuscripts as well as a 2,700 year old mummy on display in the world famous library which is a part of an ancient monastery, steeped in history.
- Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschcorn
The splendor of this unique landscape of ice, rock, alpine flowers and forest can be intensively experienced by crossing the Aletsch Glacier.
- Castles of Bellinzona
The medieval castles Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro were built along an important line of defense of the ancient Romans.
