When you think of Switzerland, why do you only imagine long alpenhorns, yodeling, cuckoo clocks, and Ricola? This alpine confederation is a land of German, French, Italian, and Romansh speakers. It has spectacular natural scenery with 49 mountain peaks above 4,000 meters, 7,000 lakes, and green hillsides. Swiss engineering is also impressive with 1,300 tunnels and 2,400 aerial gondolas in its mountains.
| Must Sees: Lucerne | Must Sees: Mount Titlis | Must Sees: Lugano | Food | My Future Plans |
MUST SEES: LUCERNE
Löwendenkmal
The Lion of Lucerne honors the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending the French royal family during the Revolution. In his lair above a pond, the lion slowly perishes from the broken spear in his back.
Kapellbrücke
The Chapel Bridge is Europe’s oldest covered bridge, built in the 14th century. Observe the 158 triangular paintings depicting scenes from Lucerne’s history. The bridge also connects to the octagonal Water Tower, a former prison and treasury.
Jesuit Church
This is a Baroque church on the edge of the Reuss River. During the Counter-Reformation, the Jesuits started building in 1666 in response to the emerging Protestantism. Later, they added the green copper onion domes in 1893.
MUST SEES: MOUNT TITLIS
Rotair
Soar to the top of Titlis in a revolving cableway. Above Engelberg is a field of cows, alphorns, and green slopes. In addition to skiing, you can hike, mountain bike, or ride a snowtube. Enjoy the views or have a meal from the observation tower.
Glacier Cave
Walk inside the illuminated glacier cave, which looks like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Explore the cavernous network of tunnels inside the mountain itself. The icy walls have an incredible blue and purple glow.
Cliff Walk
Test your courage and admire the mountain backdrop from Europe’s highest suspension bridge.
MUST SEES: LUGANO
Lugano
Lugano has a Mediterranean flair. Most people speak Italian and many colorful buildings are of Baroque or Renaissance design. This town has a shopping street parallel to the lake. The double linden tree-lined promenade has gardens, sculptures, and fountains.
Lake Lugano
Mountain peaks surround Glitzy Lake Lugano. The glacial lake has the Melide causeway to the south and a waterjet at the western end of the promenade. In the summer, there are fireworks shows in the middle of the lake on certain weekends.
FOOD
Fondue
Gruyère and other cheeses melt with white wine in a traditional fondue pot called a caquelon. Once the cheese is rich and chewy, you use a special fork to dip chunks of bread and vegetables.
Raclette
Racelurs expertly scrape melted cheese from a half wheel of cheese onto a plate. It is accompanied by boiled new potatoes, pickled onions, and pickled cornichons.
Rösti
In German-speaking areas, they fry a flat cake of grated potatoes. Switzerland has cultural lines based on cuisine. Röschtigraben separates German and French speakers, while Polentagraben is the boundary between Italian and German speakers.
Chocolate
In 1875, chocolatier Daniel Peter blended milk with chocolate. In 1879, Rodolphe Lindt invented the conche, a machine that produces smooth and fragrant chocolate. Switzerland has been crafting melt-in-your mouth chocolate ever since.MY FUTURE PLANS
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is the highest European mountain station at 11,362′. It’s next to the famous Eiger in the Alps, overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Visit Grindewald. Explore the Bond villain’s base atop Schilthorn. Follow the Royal Walk to the crown-shaped platform on Männlichen.
Haute Route
The Haute Route is a legendary 12-day Alpine trek from Chamonix in France to the iconic Matterhorn by Zermatt. You already know the triangular Matterhorn from Disneyland and the former packaging of Toblerone chocolate bars.
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