Many people only visualize ski slopes when they hear Switzerland; however this country has much to offer beyond the slopes in the urban cities of Zurich, Lucerne and Lausanne. These cities offer wonderful and interesting art, colorful old towns and beautiful waterfront settings worthy of a visit on your way to the slopes.

Zurich is located in the north and is Switzerland’s largest city and a major transportation hub. Like most Swiss cities, Zurich visitors and residents alike enjoy a huge body of water, Lake Zurich, provides the opportunity for romantic walks, bike rides and cruises. A great way to see the town is on a riverboat which functions similar to a city bus.

Known as one of Europe’s most “fountainous” cities, Zurich is sprinkled with more than 1200 fountains, a stream of cafes and streets with a
colorful ambiance. One of the city’s art treasures is a set of Chagall stained-glass windows depicting Bible scenes located in the Fraumunster

Church in the center of Zurich.

There is no better way to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon than to stroll through Backer Park which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and lush in all of Zurich. Once you have had your fill of the outdoors, head to the very interesting Indianermuseum where you can trace the history of the Native American culture. For a different type of culture, go over to Langstrasse, Zurich’s red light district. As dusk falls, it is great to stop for a drink at Long Street Bar or get in a few laughs at Volkshaus Zurich comedy club.An hour south of Zurich lays the beautiful city of Lucerne. A covered, medieval Chapel Bridge forms the centrepiece of the city’s townscape and is considered to be one of the oldest, covered wooden bridges in Europe. Approximately 100 colorful paintings, some replicas and some dating from the 17th century, hang under the bridge’s rafters, showing scenes from Lucerne’s history. Swans often cluster near the bridge and locals will tell you the swans arrived in the 17th century as a gift from Louis XIV in appreciation for the protection the Swiss Guards provided him.Historic houses are decorated with frescoes which line the numerous picturesque town squares such as ‘Weinmarkt’ square.

Picasso fans will want to see Lucerne’s Rosengart Collection which showcases several dozen black-and-white candid photographs of the artist.

Here you will see Picasso in the bathtub, getting a haircut, playing dress-up and horsing around with children.

Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. The Jesuit church dating from the 17th century is regarded as Switzerland’s first sacral Baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape. The figure of a dying lion which was chiselled from rock in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack on the Tuileries in 1792, is one of the best-known monuments in Switzerland.

Tradition and modern life stand side-by-side with ease in Lucerne, as the town has also earned a reputation for itself with innovative design. The futuristic Culture and Convention Centre, the KKL, designed by leading French architect Jean Nouvel, is one of the architectural highlights of the town. The Center is also a landmark of Lucerne and a venue for a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year.

Lucerne is the ideal starting point for many excursions to the highlights of central Switzerland. A trip up one of Lucerne’s regional mountains, the Pilatus or the Rigi – the queen of mountains – is a must. But excursions up onto the Stanserhorn, or a steamship cruise on Lake Lucerne with its many bends and arms are worthy experiences.

The Wilhelm Tell Express originates in Lucerne and ferries its passengers to the foot of the Gotthard pass via Lake Lucerne and then continues by rail into Ticino, south of the Alpine ridge. The “cherry road” leads from Lucerne through the landscape of cheery trees.

Lausanne is perched elegantly above Lake Geneva and has been home to the International Olympic Committee since 1915. The museum here
displays a colorful history of the games complete with a century of ceremonial torches and medals. The evolution of sports equipment is evident here containing Carl Lewis’ track shoes and Sonia Henie’s ice skates.

Lausanne’s city centre spans several hilltops, linked by bridges spanning deep, river less gorges. Place St. Francois dominates the hilltop district known as the Bourg, formerly the wealthiest part of the city and still known for its upscale markets and boutiques. To the north the hill of The Old Town, crowned by the Cathedral, dominates the city. Expansion during the nineteenth century broadened the city scope to the east and west. The pedestrian walking zone lies north of the train station and provides great entertainment for shoppers and locals alike.

The waterfront area is the happy domain of commoners, office workers and roller skaters. The locals nicknamed their town the San Francisco of Switzerland for all its hills as it seems to be a trek each direction.
If you are a shopper, items to purchase in Switzerland may include pottery, watches, crystal, embroidered items, wood carvings, clocks (including cuckoos), Swiss army knives, liquors (Williamine, the best thing that can be done with a pear), lace, textiles, folklore souvenirs (such as music boxes), cowbells, cheese, antiques, stainless-steel cutlery, ski equipment and clothing, leather goods, shoes and of course chocolates!Whether you enjoy displays of modern art or wish to explore Old World charm, the cities of Switzerland seem to have it all. While most people come to enjoy, explore and ski the alpine peaks, there is more to this country to be found in its glorious urban areas.

But, is that comparison accurate?

Surely, the little Latin American country is not in the same economic league as Switzerland. I mean its per capita income is less than twenty percent of its European counterpart. One is a First World Country; the other not even close.

Now, if the measure of wealth, Switzerland will never want to become an European Costa Rica. On the other hand, is that the only measure?

What comes to mind for most people are two things when comparing these countries. Each is tiny and has magnificent mountains and scenery.

But, the world might be better off when the day comes that Switzerland can be known as the “Costa Rica of Europe.”

For my money, Costa Rica is far wealthier. Here is my case.

It starts with vision.

There was a time when both countries had abundant wildlife. Switzerland had magnificent lynx, wolf packs, and european bears, chamois, and deer but the predators were killed off to make way for progress. In 1904, the last luckless bear, perhaps one that unwittingly trespassed into the country, was destroyed.

Somewhere, it is Said: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. ”

But, apparently, good is a relative term. There simply was not room enough in this bucolic country for all of God’s creatures and Man.

Some might say that Switzerland lacked vision back then. So, today, a vacationer can enjoy great chocolate and trains that run on time but not the thrill of wilderness.

Costa Rica could have emulated Switzerland but took a radically different approach. You see, while Switzerland is now almost devoid of animals, little Costa Rica is bursting at the seams. Just the size of West Virginia, so small it can be driven from the Nicaragua border to Panama in a few hours, Costa Rica has nearly twenty percent of all animal and plant species on earth.

All in all, somewhere between 500,000 and a million species of animals and plants, including more than 2,000 different kinds of orchids exist in
the Land of Pura Vida!

One of every five kinds of plant on earth calls Costa Rica home. A startling fifth of every kind of animal in the world is found in Costa Rica. The African continent has a lot of different kinds of butterflies but Costa Rica has more: more than South Africa, more than Namibia, Mozambique,Tanzania, more than all of the countries combined in Africa. There are nearly as many species of birds in Costa Rica as in the entire 48 continental states. 35% of all whale and porpoise species are in its waters and all but one of the species of turtles nest on its beaches.Of course, there was a time when several Central American countries were like Costa Rica. Verdant forests traversing the Caribbean to the Pacific. Mountains, jungles, beaches, and waters filled with life. Wild, remote, extraordinary diversity of life, Tropical Eden.Easy pickings. Real temptation. One after the other, countries from Mexico to South America chose exploitation. Quick gain, quick wealth. The great forests were slashed and burned, north to south, east to west, coast to coast, under the illusion that unfettered development would bring prosperity. Unfortunately, it perpetuated grinding poverty to most except huge landowners, many of which were huge multinational businesses.

Wildlife was terribly exploited. Manificent tropical birds were brought to the edge of extinction for the American and European pet trades. The
great cats were slaughtered for their hides. Great caravans of mules and horses carried off hundreds of millions of turtle eggs each year until some beaches went from more than 100,000 nests a year to just two. Sea turtles were mercilessly slaughtered so that a portion of their shell could be sent to Japan and Italy as a decoration on expensive shoes or knick knacks in American tourist shops.

While its neighbors were burning their forests and destroying their natural heritage, Costa Rica elected to restore its jungles. In place of
exploitation, it set its sights on sustainability. Within the last 30 years or so, and despite a per capita income just a fraction of Switzerland or other

First World countries it has:

a. Become one of the most stable countries in the Western Hemisphere and a world class tourist destination. You see, it learned that ecotourism in Costa Rica brings a lot of money along with it. Turtles, birds, orchids are worth far more alive and sustained than dead or caged;
b. Set aside more than a quarter of the country as parks, reserves, and refuges. No other country has even come close;
c. Announced that by 2021 it will be the world’s first carbon neutral country (something the wealthy Swiss will not commit to doing);
d. Created the world’s largest green sea turtle preserve on its Caribbean Coast and the world’s largest olive ridley sea turtle preserve on its Pacific Coast;
e. Risen to the very top of the world’s “Happy Index”, a measure of a country’s health, satisfaction with life, and devotion to preservation and development of sustainable resources;
f. Planted so many trees that its forests have grown more than 20%, resulting in the return of wildlife not seen in decades.

Which brings us back to Switzerland and the issue of defining wealth.

Imagine the day when a Swiss hiker hears of a wolf’s howl in the night. or sees the first bear track in more than a century. Whether he or she is financially well off or not, there will be a chill up a spine.

A year later, will that person remember how much money he or she had that day? No

Will the hiker still remember the sight or sound of wilderness? Absolutely.

So, what will that be worth? The answer is obvious: priceless.

So, which country is the wealthiest? For my vote: Costa Rica.

Maybe the time will come when Switzerland will be called “The Costa Rica of Europe” if it takes to heart the lessons the little Latin American
country has to offer about real wealth.

It only requires vision.

The Chillon Castle is located on the shore of Lake Geneva, the Chillon Castle is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland. Consisting of 100 buildings, it dates back to the 11th century and is the former residence of the Savoy nobility. It also has three courtyards and four great halls which offer magnificent views of the lake beyond. Although there are many beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt stands out as one of the top Switzerland tourist attractions because it is located at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most famous peak of the Swiss Alps. Even if you’re not into skiing, you can still enjoy the view while dining at a gourmet restaurant or shopping around the town.

Geneva Jet D’eau fountain in the heart of one of Switzerland’s major cities is one of the tallest fountains in the world, projecting water up to 140 meters high. Built in 1891, it is also considered one of the symbols of the city of Geneva. While in Geneva, you might want to see other tourist spots, too, particularly the museums. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is one of the most popular museums in Switzerland, and is definitely worth a visit, along with the Cathedral de St. Pierre and other historical buildings. Although you cannot pitch a tent and spend the night at Swiss National Park, you can certainly appreciate the different views of the Alps as you go hiking, which is why it is one of the Switzerland tourist attractions worth seeing. It is also Switzerland’s only national park, covering almost half the area of the entire country.

Swiss Transport Museum is located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum is home to an exhibit of locomotives, ships, aircraft, automobile and other modes of transport and communication. It also houses an extensive collection of the works of Hans Erni, a Swiss painter and sculptor. You’re sure to enjoy the Planetarium and the IMAX theatre, too. Indeed, Switzerland has many sights waiting to be discovered. Aside from visiting Switzerland tourist attractions, don’t forget to immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture, too by participating in festivals or simply mingling with the Swiss. You’re sure to have a wonderful time and many golden memories to take home with you.

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.

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.

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.

There are spectator sports galore in Switzerland. The sports are traditional and some are quite unusual.

You will not run out of fantastic things to do in Switzerland before you run out of time!

For shoppers, Bahnhofstrasse is a great place to shop. Other key highlights of Switzerland vacations are The Opera House, Swiss National Museum, Great Church and Gothic cathedral.

Make your Switzerland vacations more enjoyable by the lip smacking delicacies. Don’t miss the world famous sauces used in the mouth-watering dishes of Switzerland. Another popular delicacy is the popular Swiss chocolates.

If you are worried about the accommodation facilities in Switzerland, then you need not bother. Vacationers are provided with wide range of options and one can choose in accordance with his/her pocket. For instance, you can go for luxury hotels, deluxe hotels or the pocket friendly apartments. Switzerland hotels are mainly categorized as historic hotels, golf hotels, wellness hotels etc. Various hotels in Switzerland are also known for providing user-friendly online reservation services.

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.

Although Switzerland is a beautiful destination all through the year, summer is most suitable if you are looking forward to spend some time outdoor and indulge in open-air activities. Summer in Switzerland begins from June and ends in the month of September. Being the peak tourist season, during this time around you will find a heavy crowd of tourist and visitors. Prices of hotels in Switzerland soar very high, availability of hotel rooms dip and places of interest becomes crowded. But if you visit Switzerland during the months of April to May and from late September to October, you will find relatively much rates and less crowded places of interest, restaurants, hotels and location. If you are looking forward to indulge in winter sports then do check into any of the resorts located in the region of Alps.

Since we would only be skiing for a few days during our trip, we opted to rent our ski equipment rather than check it on the plane, and then carry it on the train enroute to Arosa. On a bright, sunny morning, our driver from the Tschuggen Grand Hotel drove us to Carmenna Sport where Barbie one of the technicians at the shop, outfitted us with skis, poles, and boots. Although we get along very well, we decided that for the sake of our sanity, as well as in the best interest of all parties involved, that (Edward) should have someone other than (Debra) teach him how to ski. By the time (Edward’s) Ski Instructor, Kurli Zippert-Elderkin of the Schweizer Ski- und Snowboardschule (Swiss Ski and Snowboard School), arrived at Carmenna Sport to pick us up, we were fully equipped and looked every bit like skiers, and anxious to hit the slopes.

Although Switzerland is a beautiful destination all through the year, summer is most suitable if you are looking forward to spend some time outdoor and indulge in open-air activities. Summer in Switzerland begins from June and ends in the month of September. Being the peak tourist season, during this time around you will find a heavy crowd of tourist and visitors. Prices of hotels in Switzerland soar very high, availability of hotel rooms dip and places of interest becomes crowded. But if you visit Switzerland during the months of April to May and from late September to October, you will find relatively much rates and less crowded places of interest, restaurants, hotels and location. If you are looking forward to indulge in winter sports then do check into any of the resorts located in the region of Alps.