Impressions

In Swiss German, we call the lake "Zürisee." In Zurich and the surrounding area, there are numerous lakeside resorts with excellent infrastructure. You can also swim in the lake outside of the outdoor pools.

The magnificent town hall (colored sandstone) is covered by a large Christmas tree during the Christmas season. The Christmas market in Basel
(see homepage) is among the top 15 in the world.

In German, we say Lake Geneva. View from the Château de Chillon, the most visited historical building in Switzerland. The castle is located near the town of Montreux, famous for its jazz festival.

The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne is the most photographed building in Switzerland. 
In the background, you can see the banks of the Reuss River with its numerous restaurants.

The Lauberhorn downhill is the most famous ski race in Switzerland.
At the World Championships in Saalbach and in the World Cup, the Swiss cemented their position as the best skiing nation in the world. British tourists and Norwegian ski instructors brought skiing to Switzerland in the 19th century.

By far the largest city in the country is Zurich. Zurich is considered an international banking center, expensive and diverse, nestled in magnificent natural surroundings with a lake, rivers, and views of the Alps. This city of art and culture is home to numerous museums and a variety of restaurants. Rents are high.

One of my favorite events is the ATP tournament in Gstaad. The players sit on chairlifts during breaks. Gstaad is a gem in the Bernese Oberland and lies on the French-German language border. The Swiss Open in Basel (tennis) is the largest sporting event in Switzerland.

Switzerland also has a lot to offer culturally: Basel and Zurich are art capitals. Many classical concerts take place every year at the KKL Lucerne. The concert hall is considered (along with the Tonhalle Zurich) to have the best acoustics. Basel has the most museums, Zurich has the most famous opera house.

Bridges and tunnels are typical of mountainous Switzerland. In the cities, there are numerous ancient bridges, and in the mountains, spectacular suspension bridges, like this one at the gateway to the Val d'Illiez, can be found.

Bridges and tunnels are typical of mountainous Switzerland. In the cities, there are numerous ancient bridges, and in the mountains, spectacular suspension bridges, like this one at the gateway to the Val d'Illiez, can be found.

Industry is also a key part of Switzerland. Basel and Birsfelden are home to Switzerland's largest port, and numerous freight goods are transported via the Rhine. Grenzach (Germany) can be seen in the background.

Switzerland is a quadrilingual country. Biel/Bienne, for example, is bilingual: German-speaking and French. This photo from Magglingen shows Lake Biel.