SWITZERLAND
a trip to

By Mohini Narain

If you are looking out for a land that is picture perfect-then Switzerland is the place for your holiday! The fresh sparkling peaks and crystal-clear lakes, with pretty houses and windows bedecked with flowers, is just what the doctor ordered, to take all your stress away. This country is studded with magnificent peaks such as the legendary Matterhorn, Mt. Titlis of James Bond fame, Jung frau and many others which will enthrall you.
Imagine an entire country which is spotlessly clean, where often not even a blade of grass appears out of place! The trains are simply amazing and work with clock-work precision. Here you can plan your time of arrival at any location in the country to the second! It is not surprising that the watches of Switzerland are the preferred timekeepers of the world. If you are not on a package tour, an unlimited train pass is highly recommended for your stay; this allows you to access buses and steamers too. The ultra-modern train system will surprise you; every trip brings you a train with unique interior designs, allowing you splendid unobstructed views from expansive windows. It is indeed a super efficient and comfortable ride every time. Some of the most breathtaking rides can be found on the 'Glacier Express', 'William Tell Express' and other scenic trains.

Interlaken
Our flight arrived at Zurich -famed for being the cleanest, most icily calm and efficient city in Europe. Here one can walk on crowded, multi-ethnic streets, buy a kebab, get a drink after midnight….. it's a city throbbing with art and culture. From Zurich we headed for our chosen destination Interlaken. A charming city set between two lakes - Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It is in the Bernese Oberland. This Swiss winter wonderland is also a summer playground. Snow-frosted peaks tower above charming towns and villages. It's a perfect base for cable car rides up Jungfrau, MÂsnch and Eiger or for hikes from traditional villages. Do try some exciting summer diving and sailing too.
Jungfrau Railway boasts Europe's highest station. Here at the Ice Palace one can see magnificent ice sculptures and enjoy the stunning glaciers. Towering at 11,333 feet (3,454 meters), you're officially at the top of Europe! The cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen via Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch,Europe's highest railway station, is a memorable experience! Here you can experience the breathtaking panoramic view from the Sphinx Observation Terrace overlooking the Aletsch Glacier (Europe's longest glacier) and the snow-capped peaks of the neighbouring countries.
Here views from the top abound, from the highest railway station in Europe to the world's first revolving restaurant. Winter brings skiing and toboggan rides, while summer welcomes paragliding and hiking among the ibex at nearby Neiderhorn. A lengthy boulevard lined with exclusive boutiques, watch shops and hotels beckon year-round.
At Interlaken one enjoys idyllic clear mountain streams and waterfalls running off the hills and into the lakes. One can find limestone caverns at Hohenzollen.…. kids are spellbound with tales of Dragons inhabiting the cave and hiding behind the eerie stalactites and stalagmites! There are water sports too, throughout the year. If you ever got bored of sliding and skiing, you can always enjoy anything from a cruise on a lake steamer to just feeding the ducks. For those interested in extra-terrestrials, a visit to Erich Von Danikens theme park is a must. You will come away convinced that you originate from another world and there is evidence to show for it !
Pollution -free Zermatt
From Interlaken, one can take a scenic train to Zermatt, a beautiful town withno cars and no pollution! Charming horse carriages enchant one, creating a romantic fairytale mood. The rising Matterhorn, the ultimate Swiss icon (the mouthwatering Toblerone chocolate trademark) looms over Zermatt. It has old-fashioned brown chalets and winding alleys. Electric vehicles provide transportation. None can escape the call of the Alpine peaks, a magnet for skiers and hikers, include the iconic Matterhorn- range from 3,000 to 15,000 feet and spread across three-fifths of the country. Abundant glaciers, scenic valleys and gorgeous alpine lakes! The 'Glacier Express' train travels the7.5-hour route through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz, passing through fairy-tale villages and over 291 bridges along the way. It's truly a breathtaking journey. At St. Moritz, try the cable cars and ascend to three nearby mountaintops. Hundreds of miles of ski trails and frozen lakes abound. One can also try one of the city's mineral springs, such as St. Moritz Bader.
Mount Titlis is another not to be missed attraction. The Alps offer splendid and unmatched views from such great heights. Children will enjoy a cable car ride to the summit, and a trip to Lucerne. From Lucerne one can visit Mt. Pilatus. At Engelberg, the breath-taking journey skywards begins. Children will be thrilled with the Rotair, a rotating cable car offering panoramic views of alpine glaciers and ice boulders as you ascend 10,000 feet. They will also enjoy the Ice Grotto, the Ice Flyer and the Fun Lift for a close viewing of the ice crevasses. Up here the restaurants offer multi-cuisine food including Indian curries! In Switzerland, chocolates and a visit to the Nestle chocolate factory is a big draw for kids. A cheese fondue makes a memorable family meal!
A Day in Chamonix
Another highly recommended trip, in the Swiss mountains, is a day-trip from Geneva to Chamonix, one of Switzerland's most famous villages. You can drive through the mountains, take a trip in a cable car to Aiguille du Midi for breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc and the surrounding Alps and board the charming red train to Montenvers. Geneva is centred around the point where the River Rhône flows out of Lake Geneva, flanked on one side by the Jura ridges and on the other by the first peaks of the Savoy Alps.
There is so much to see and do in this land of surpassing beauty, perfection and precision Lucerne, Basel, Davos, Berne, Valais and so many places which have their own quaint charm, will call you again and again to this beautiful country. However, be prepared, for after your trip to Switzerland, it will take some time to readjust to the imperfections of other lands !