Without wanting to stereotype buyers too much, the list of desires used to be made up of things like good weather; close to the beach; not too far to travel; relaxed lifestyle; low cost of property and cheap living expenses. With the way the world has changed, people still want all of those things, but are also now just as concerned with things like green credentials, capital appreciation and rental yields. How do buyers go about finding all of these things in one property overseas?

One of the most often overlooked solutions to this is buying in Switzerland. This famously-independent nation is not only rich in monetary terms; it has the stunning mountain scenery of the Alps, great food and a family-oriented lifestyle. The country is also one of the easiest in Europe to reach, acting as a hub for many of Europe’s airlines, a destination for high-speed trains and is well-served by road links should you prefer to take your own car. Further servicing the requirements of the modern buyer, Switzerland has some of the cleanest air and natural water supplies in Europe, is perfectly placed as a year-round holiday destination, and has a loyal and growing following among tourists from across the world.

Perhaps in the current climate, the financial part of things is more important than ever, and the fact that Switzerland can offer true year-round rental potential is an important consideration for investors. Holiday home website holidaylettings.co.uk has just published the findings of survey of its members and their motivations for letting out their property. The survey discovered that 84 per cent of their customers rent out their property (in the UK or overseas) out of a necessity to cover their costs or in order to generate extra income. With one third of their customers having a mortgage which is 76 per cent LTV (loan-to-value) or higher on their second property, this is understandable.

The longer buyers are able to generate income from their property, the more potential rental income they can make in any given year. In other words, the length of the rental season can be directly related to the amount of money that can potentially be made from short-term lets. As Switzerland is perfectly set up to take advantage of both the winter skiing and summer outdoor activity seasons, and has great options for access, the potential for rentals is about as good as can be found in Europe.

Those searching for somewhere away from the stress and pollution of living in the UK’s cities will also find that Switzerland offers fresh, clean mountain air and clear meltwater streams of fresh water. Switzerland is famously strict on pollution from cars and industry alike. Even though the beach in a traditional sense is hundreds of miles away from landlocked Switzerland, the huge numbers of mountain lakes make getting to lay out in the summer sunshine next to the waves and enjoy a swim in the bracing waters easy.

A trip to Switzerland is in your future and maybe you are wondering how to spend your time. There are so many things to see and do in this country. Hiking is one of the most exciting things to do in Switzerland. Once the snow melts the Swiss Alps become extremely crowded but you can not imagine the beauty until you have experienced it, crowded or not. If you are looking for something a little less crowded you can always find more isolated areas where you can hike in peace.

There are many regional celebrations in Switzerland. You can check online sites before you travel and find out which celebrations will be in progress during your visit. Get a real feel for the country, the people and the culture by attending one of these events. Dining in this country is a culinary thrill. German, French and Italian foods are on the menus depending on which region you are in. You can enjoy many diverse foods including cultural choices. You will have quite the time experiencing unique foods in fantastic settings.

While you won’t be able to find many bargains while shopping in Switzerland you will find some really fantastic treasures. Look for clocks, watches and Swiss army knives. The chocolate made in Switzerland is outstanding as are the linens and cottons. You will also find beautiful Swiss decoupage items, music boxes and pottery.

Spectacular skiing is available in Switzerland. The scenery is outstanding and the slopes are literally out-of-this world. It doesn’t matter what your skiing ability is, you will be able to find a place to enjoy this sport. You may even enjoy spending some time watching others ski. Don’t forget to pack your camera! There are spectator sports galore in Switzerland. The sports are traditional and some are quite unusual.