a> provides
superb opportunities for sightseeing, shopping and traditional folk entertainment
while the largest city,
Zurich leads
the way in arts, design and nightlife, from opera and world-class theatre to
stylish bars and nightclubs.
While browsing in the elegant boutiques along Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, one
of the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe, you'll notice that the streets
may not be paved with gold, but you can be certain that a couple of meters
below, unimaginable treasures are lying in underground vaults. Visitors can
spend days exploring Zurich's cobbled streets, wandering through its museums,
exploring its flea markets or walking away with free gifts from its chocolate
factories.
With a pleasant setting, green parks, colorful gardens and lakeside promenades, Geneva is
considered one of the healthiest places to live in the world. The city sits
astride the River Rhône, where it streams into Lake Geneva, and is set
against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake's south shore the Jet
d'Eau shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier - the city's
landmark attraction and Europe's most powerful fountain.
The Alps contain some of Switzerland's most dramatic landscapes, in a country
already well endowed with spectacular scenery and fabulous alpine vistas. Situated
at the heart of the Alps, Switzerland shares the mountain range with France,
Italy and Austria and provides winter and summer time enjoyment for skiers,
snowboarders, walkers and climbers.
Switzerland boasts the first ever ski resort, and since then over 200 first
class resorts have attracted thousands of Swiss and international downhill
and cross-country skiers as well as snowboarders. The tradition of skiing goes
back two centuries. Today, with more than 1,700 mountain railways and ski lifts,
renowned ski schools and instructors, the best ski equipment in the world,
and outstanding slopes and facilities catering for all levels of ability, it
deserves to be called 'Europe's winter playground'.
The ideal resort for beginners or families is Grindelwald in
the Jungfrau region, while intermediates and snowboarders head for the twin
resorts of Davos and
Klosters, with miles of excellent ski terrain and acclaimed to be one of the
top snowboarding destinations worldwide. Expert skiers can enjoy the challenge
of 7,200 ft (2,700m) vertical drops on the Klein Matterhorn at Zermatt,
and the ski valley of Verbier is ideal for shoulder-season skiing as its location
provides early snow that lingers late into the spring. The stylish resort of
St Moritz offers the most energetic and varied nightlife out of all the Swiss
resorts. The ideal ski season runs from January to late March, but is most
crowded during the Christmas holidays and the month of February.
Beautiful wedding and honeymoon destinations extend from the warm Riviera-style
resorts of Ticino to the snowy slopes of the Swiss Alps. There are romantic
hotels, resorts and chalets countrywide to accommodate couples. Seasonal, and
regional, weather differences ensure there will be a time to suit most preferences.
Switzerland has many things to see and do for wedding and honeymoon couples.
The medieval
castle, Château de Chillon,
is romantically set on the shores of Lake Geneva against an exquisite mountain
backdrop. Still in Geneva, the Jet d'Eau is the tallest fountain in the world
and definitely worth seeing. Old Town in Zurich is also beautiful, with historic
buildings lining it's charming streets. Skiing in the Swiss Alps is a world-famous
option for couples, and then of course there's the Swiss cheese, and chocolate...