Do you have the mood to travel to a country with dramatic landscapes? How about a French, German, or Italian that is fascinating with unique cultures? Alternatively, you just want to hike along trails with breathtaking vistas. On the other hand, pamper yourself in the lap of luxury. Today we going to talk about Switzerland .When you are in Switzerland, you can take your pick from among any of these wonderful offerings. Switzerland offers great opportunities for the tourists to enjoy its great beauty, historical and cultural landmarks and many more great attractions this great country has to offer. No matter if you visit Switzerland in summer or winter you can do anything your mind conceives.

Listed below you will find Top 10 places every traveler coming to Switzerland should see.

1. Basel is a great vacation destination to embark on in Switzerland. The city of Basel if divided into 2 major areas called Great Basel and Little Basel that are separated by the Rhine River. They are connected by 6 big bridges. This beautiful city is home to many pharmaceutical companies. Despite the changes of the modern civilization, Basel still possesses the aura of the middle ages with the plethora of beautiful historical buildings and structures. Basel is best explored by the railroad system or ferries that will let you enjoy its ancient beauty from the water.

2. Bern, the capital of Switzerland is definitely worth seeing since it is a place where Einstein concluded his greatest mathematic formulas, the birthplace of chocolate bar Toblerone and finally the place where Emmental (Swiss) cheese was invented. Apart from that, Bern is simply a stunning place to see beautiful towers, sandstone buildings and gorgeous fountains. Do not miss swimming in the river Aare with its crystal clear water that is especially refreshing in the summer after you have visited Bern’s multiple historical and cultural landmarks.

3. Zermatt located at the foot of Matterhorn is a unique destination for any visitor to Switzerland. Where else can you go skiing in the summer? Zermatt offers multiple glacier skiing possibilities, hiking trails, cable cars and many more attractions. Zermatt ski resort could be easily explored by foot to admire its beautiful old streets, charming restaurants and plenty of shopping.

4. Geneva is a beautiful nature’s oasis that is also an international stage for hosting many important gatherings. Geneva is also a place with many head offices of major world organizations. Jet D’Eau is the absolute tallest fountain in the world that is a signature symbol of Geneva. Check out the Natural History Museum, Horology Museum and multiple cathedrals and rose gardens that will make you vacation in Geneva unforgettable.

5. Zurich is the financial, cultural and historical center of Switzerland and simply must be included when you visit Switzerland. Zurich is home to the largest selection of museums and art galleries. The Opera House is considered one of the central points to attract world class performers and trendsetters of the music world. The Old Town of Zurich is a collection of the most spectacular shops, high end dining places with old European flair.

6. Lucerne is a true symbol of Switzerland combining stunning picture worthy views completed with incredible historic significance. Downtown Lucerne is a perfect medieval setting with brick paved street, historical buildings and a myriad of hotels, restaurants and shops. The most famous attraction of this picturesque village is to take a tour along the Chapel Bridge laid over the river Reuss.

7. Lake Lugano is a spectacular area in Switzerland well known for its mild climate and a plethora of things to do for even the most demanding tourist. When Mediterranean climate and beautiful natural majesty is mixed with Swiss practicality, the result is always a breathtaking place to visit during your vacation. You will have plenty of opportunities to explore Lake Lugano area up to the mountains or down to the multiple Italian style villages with endless selection of shopping, entertainment and restaurants.

8. Altdorf is a capital of canton Uri in Switzerland and has rich historical and cultural influence mostly connected to William Tell story. The story takes its roots to the beginning of the 14th century when William Tell, an expert shot with a crossbow, killed Gessler the new ruler of Altdorf who was widely known for his tyranny and brutality. The assassination subsequently led to a rebellion and struggle that resulted in the formation of Swiss Confederation.

9. St Gallen metropolis has a charming old Europe atmosphere to it with the most sought after attraction, Baroque Cathedral with its famous Abbey Library which was made a UNESCO world heritage in 1983. St Gallen is a scholarly town with its main focus on economic sciences. Take a picturesque bike path to lead you to the gorgeous Lake Constance.

10. Chatteau de Chillon is simply a must see attraction while visiting Lake Geneva area. This stunning medieval castle could be reached by walking, riding a bus, biking or by boat to fully admire its strict beauty. This 13th century building is considered one of the best preserved castles in the world. It’s strategically protected by the mountains from one side and cold waters of Lake Geneva from the other making unnoticed attack virtually impossible. Take a personally guided tour to lead you through grand upstairs bedrooms, kitchen, and the Great Hall of the Count. Finally take steep downstairs to visit the dungeon that had imprisoned Francois Bonivard and feel its menacing atmosphere of the medieval times. Chatteau de Chillon should not be missed when you visit Switzerland.

“The Switzerland of Central America.” That is how some travel writers describe Costa Rica.

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.