At a glance

Emirates gateways: Geneva International Airport and Zurich International Airport.

Time zone: Summer: GMT +2 hours, Winter: GMT +1 hour.

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). Credit cards widely accepted and ATMs regularly available.

Languages: There are four official languages – German in central and eastern areas, French in the west and Italian in the south and Romansh mainly in the southeast (especially the canton of Graubunden). English is also widely spoken.

When to visit

Switzerland enjoys a moderate four-season climate with no excesses either in heat or cold. The most pleasant time to visit is early on in the summer, with temperatures around 25C, but these can hike up to 30C. From January to February, temperatures can sink to around -2C but this varies according to altitude. Spring is also a lovely time to visit as the meadows turn green.

Did you know?

• The Rolex Company invented the first waterproof watch in Switzerland in 1927 today, Rolex is one of the best-known, most prestigious watch makers in the world.
• The Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland is the longest in the world. Measuring 57km long, it is located 2.3km under the Alps and took 17 years to complete.
• A Swiss jeweller once crafted a ring made entirely out of diamonds that sold for a whopping $68 million.
• The winter sport of tobogganing was invented in Switzerland in the late 19th century. At the 1928 Winter Olympics held in St Moritz, the toboggan run was one of the first events.
• Zurich is home to over 1,200 fountains. The water flowing out of the pipes is of drinking quality and can be consumed without problem.

Areas of Switzerland

Graubunden

While it may be home to the chic ski resorts of Davos and St Moritz - preferred winter playground of well-heeled bankers, celebrities and even royalty - there’s more to Graubunden than meets the eye. Forget catwalk glamour on the slopes, this region is actually a very down to earth place where it’s easy to escape the hype and find some peace and solitude in this vast and stunningly beautiful unexplored region. You’re just as likely to come across farmers tending to their crops, craggy mountain pathways, vistas that will take your breath away and pure mountain air to refresh and revive. This is also the area that inspired Swiss author Johanna Spyri to write Heidi, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time and perhaps Switzerland’s most famous piece of literature.

Lake Geneva

There’s no escaping Lake Geneva, the vast, crescent-shaped lake that covers an area of more than 580km. This area is known as the Swiss Riviera and there are many different towns to explore, each one of them with its own distinct character. Geneva itself is a pleasant stop off where you’ll find a cobble-stoned old town, lakeside restaurants, clutch of interesting museums and some grand architecture. Lausanne is a cool, vibrant city inhabited by a hip crowd and some incredible Gothic buildings; perhaps surprisingly, it is also reputedly the skate boarding capital of Europe. Montreux is also worth a visit, not least to experience its world-renowned annual jazz festival.

The Alps

Klosters and Verbier are the ski resorts of choice for the British royal family, while the Swedish royals have been known to head for the slopes of St Moritz. And it’s not hard to see why these resorts enjoy enduring popularity, with their traditional-style villages, extensive snow-sure ski areas, picture-perfect craggy peaks and excellent mountain restaurants. Gstaad is also up there with the best and offers one of the biggest ski regions in the Alps. Then there’s the mighty Matterhorn and possibly Switzerland’s most famous ski resort, Zermatt, one of the most expensive ski resorts in the region but also known for its unparalleled skiing conditions and Alpine chic.

Zurich

Expect art, culture and wealth to be on show in this vibrant city that has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years. The Kunsthaus is one of Europe’s great modern art museums and should be included on any itinerary. Then there’s regenerated Zurich-West, a former industrial district that is now home to contemporary art galleries, plethora of cool cafes and restaurants, design, fashion and cutting edge architecture. Zurich is also home to the spectacular FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich which will appeal to football fans of all ages. On top of that, mountains are within easy reach.

Jungfrau

Take a ride on Switzerland’s most breathtaking 19th century mountain railway – the Schynige Platte – to enjoy incredible alpine vistas, never ending pine forests, views of the famous peaks of Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau and wildflower gardens that will take your breath away. Or you may prefer to take a cable car ride on the Schilthorn, which offers stunning views of the Alps. If you’re looking for peace, solitude, excellent mountain hiking opportunities and huge, crystal clear mountain lakes, this area won’t disappoint.

Cuisine

Cheese, chocolate, wine - this country boasts an impressive list of foodie credentials. There is a rich farming tradition in Switzerland, so visitors can expect to feast on local, seasonal produce, much of it grown in the foothills of the Alps and surrounding areas. Fondue and raclette show off the country’s fine local cheeses perfectly and are the ideal dishes to feast on after a hard day on the ski slopes. The Swiss are huge chocolate lovers (and producers) and eat around 11kg each per year, more than any other nation.

Wildlife

Because of its position amongst some of Europe’s highest peaks, wildlife is varied and abundant. Expect to see chamois, ibex, mountain goats, cows, marmots, deer and mountain hares. There is a huge variety of birds of prey that are worth looking out for too, including eagles, buzzards, kestrels and falcons. And with over 50 freshwater lakes in the country, Switzerland is home to over 90 freshwater fish species.