Professional Documents
Culture Documents
POPULATION
7,782,900
AREA
15,940 sq. km
LANGUAGE
German, French, Italian, Romansch
CURRENCY
Swiss Franc (CHF)
www.HolidaysToEurope.com.au
CONTENTS SWITZERLAND
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DOCUMENTATION TELEPHONES
January March May July September November Phoning Australia/New Zealand FROM Switzerland
(Australia’s international telephone code is 61,
-1°C 5°C 13°C 18°C 14°C 4°C
New Zealand’s is 64):-
Example: To call a Melbourne (Australia) number,
TIME ZONE dial as follows:
00 61 3 9999 9999 – note that you DO NOT dial the
Switzerland is in the Central European Time zone (CET) ‘0’ in the area code
which is GMT +1.
INTERNET ACCESS
Daylight saving takes effect in Switzerland from the last
Sunday in March (when the clocks go forward by an hour) Internet cafes are common in larger cities and
through to the last Sunday in October (when they go towns. McDonalds restaurants and Starbucks cafes
back by an hour). (which are generally only found in cities and larger
towns) offer free Wi-Fi.
ELECTRICITY
Most accommodation houses offer WiFi access if
Switzerland operates on a 230 volt electrical current. you are travelling with a laptop but connection
A two-pin European adapter is required to use charges can vary widely.
Australian/New Zealand electrical appliances.
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TIPPING
SHOPPING
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At the supermarket: Most supermarkets in Value Added Tax (VAT) Refund
Switzerland require you to weigh and price your own
fruit and vegetables. Each variety has its own Non-EU residents who purchase goods over €75.01 in
‘code’ (displayed next to the fruit or vegetable) one purchase in a store can apply for a refund of the
which you punch into the scales located in the fruit Value Added Tax (VAT) paid if they leave the country
within 3 months. To do this, you must ask the sales staff
and vegetable section, and a price sticker prints to provide you with the completed paperwork. This
out. When you get to the checkout, the operator paperwork is then presented (with the goods
then just has to scan the prices. purchased) to customs officials when departing the last
EU country on your trip. Further information can be
Meat, small goods and delicatessen items such as found at http://www.globalrefund.com
cheeses, are all priced per 100 grams not per
kilogram, as is the case in Australia.
You will also find that most supermarkets charge for FOOD AND DRINK
plastic shopping bags so it's a good idea to take
some of your own re-usable bags from home. And Local specialties: Cheese features prominently in Swiss
don't expect the checkout operator to pack your cuisine with some of the country's best known dishes
groceries into bags - that's for you to do! using the tasty Swiss varieties. In fact, there are 450
different varieties of cheese in Switzerland!
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International Driving Permit (IDP): If you are planning Petrol stations in many small towns and villages are
on driving in Switzerland you will need to obtain an closed for a two hour lunch break , and most are
International Driving Permit prior to your departure also closed on Sundays, so make sure you have
from Australia. An IDP is an internationally enough fuel in the tank if you plan on travelling any
recognised form of identification, and in many cases distance on a Sunday. In some cases, fuel can be
is a pre-requisite for hiring a car. purchased by pre-paying with a credit card at
special pumps when the petrol station is
IDPs can be purchased from your local motoring unattended.
organisation (RACV, NRMA, etc) by presenting your
current drivers licence and a passport-sized Winter driving: Alpine winters often make driving
photo. The International Driving Permit is valid for 12 more difficult. You should equip your car with winter
months, and at the time of writing costs around tyres and snow-chains, and check road conditions
AUD$35. A valid drivers’ licence from your country of prior to departure. Snow chains are obligatory in
residence must also be presented at the time of hire some winter conditions.
car collection or if requested by the Police.
Traffic Accidents: If you are involved in a traffic
Child seats: Children under the age of 7 must be accident involving injury to any person, you must
secured in a child car seat. Children between 7 and immediately report the accident to the police.
12 must use seat belts or child restraints which are Accidents involving material damage must only be
appropriate to their size and age. reported when mutual identity has not been
established.
Fuel: In Switzerland, unleaded regular-grade 91
octane petrol (‘Benzin’), as well as Euro-Super Vehicle Breakdowns: In the event of a breakdown,
(unleaded 95-octane) petrol, and diesel, are assistance can be requested 24 hours a day by
available at all petrol stations. dialling 117. Accidents involving material damage
must only be reported when mutual identity has not
been established. The TCS patrol can be contacted
on 140 in the event of a breakdown. Non-members
are charged a fee for this service. The Automobile
Club of Switzerland (ACS) offers members’
breakdown assistance across Europe.
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Emergency numbers
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Emergency road service: 140
Fire brigade: 118 Switzerland’s major cities and larger towns have a
Police: 117 good public transport system operated by both
Ambulance: 144 local authorities and private companies. Bus and
Mountain rescue (helicopter) 1414 tram services are most common in the cities.
Children under 6 travel for free on all public
transport in Switzerland.
RAIL TRAVEL
Cable cars and funiculars are abundant in alpine
areas, offering an easy and scenic way to reach
Travelling around Switzerland by train is a the mountain peaks all year round. Boats and
fantastic way to not only get from A to B, but steamers are a relaxing way to enjoy Switzerland’s
it’s also a most relaxing and scenic form of many lakes.
transport. The Swiss Railway (SBB) has a
fantastic network of rail services around the
country and on all major routes an hourly or
two-hourly service operates.
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OTHER USEFUL INFO MAJOR CITIES IN SWITZERLAND
Public Toilets: Throughout Europe, including Bern - Switzerland’s capital, Bern, is often overlooked
Switzerland, it is not uncommon for a fee to be on a European itinerary, but it is a city with plenty to
charged to use public toilets. In some instances, a offer the visitor. Located in the Swiss Mittelland
voluntary system applies where you put a few coins (middle land) region, Bern is within easy reach of
in a container but in other cases an attendant will many of Switzerland’s more popular destinations but
collect a designated fee (usually less than CHF1). warrants at least of couple of days to discover this
Fees for toilet usage often also apply at road side historic city which was added to UNESCO’s world
service stations and some railway stations. heritage list in 1983.
McDonalds (and other) restaurants often keep their
toilets locked and you need to ask the staff for a The clock tower, which dates back to the early
code to access the toilets, but in these instances, 1400’s, was the city’s first gate and is one of the most
there is generally no charge. important landmarks in Bern. More than 800 years
later, visitors can watch the clockwork figures perform
REGIONS OF SWITZERLAND every hour, and admire the intricate clock face
which was added in 1530.
The Swiss Confederation consists of 26 Cantons. The
major tourist regions are: Other sights worth visiting include the Altstadt (old
town), and wandering the Laubengange, consisting
•Basel •Lake Geneva region of nearly six kilometres of covered arcades. It is the
•Bernese Oberland •Neuchatel/Jura/ longest covered shopping promenade in Europe and
•Central Switzerland Bernese Jura houses cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, boutiques,
•Eastern •Schweizer Mitteland galleries and more. It’s easy to while away a few
Switzerland/Liechtenstein •Ticino hours window shopping or enjoying a coffee whilst
•Fribourg •Valais you decide which Swiss watch to buy!
•Geneva •Zurich
•Graubunden
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A leisurely ten minute walk towards the River Aare
and over Nydeggbrucke (Nydegg bridge) takes you
to the home of Bern’s symbol, the brown bear. The
Barengraben, is home to a number of Pyrenean
brown bears. The bear ‘garden’ features a large
grass area, two small forests, three caves and a pool
parallel to the Aare allowing the bears to enjoy the
closest thing to a real bear’s life.
It’s worth taking the time to stop and take in the Beautiful Bern
views as you cross back over the Nydeggbrucke. The
Aare winds its way in a U-shape around the city, and Zurich - Perfectly situated on Lake Zurich, the city of
from the bridge you can really appreciate the city’s Zurich offers a unique mix of urban and rural
medieval history and architecture. Below you, the pleasures. From downtown Zurich you can enjoy
rushing blue-green waters of the Aare thunder by. views of the snow-covered Alps on the horizon whilst
partaking in a spot of retail therapy from some of
Back in the old town, head for the Berner Munster the world's best known brands.
(cathedral) for more great views. Building started in
1421 and today the Munster is the largest sacred The city skyline is dominated by the famous
building in Switzerland. Climb the 100 metre tower to Grossmünster church, which has become the city's
see the city from above, and take a look at the 12 landmark. With its twin towers, it certainly makes an
metre-high stained glass windows. impressive statement, whilst nearby St Peter's is
home to the largest clock face in Europe.
Just around the corner from the Munster you can visit
Einstein’s house where the physicist lived when he With more than 50 museums and 100 galleries to
developed the theory of relativity. visit, Zurich offers plenty for art lovers, whilst the city's
Opera House and Concert Hall are the venue for
many world-class performances.
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A stroll through the old town is the perfect way The best way to see Geneva is by foot. With the
to discover Zurich's 2000 year history, and at city being so compact, it's easy to shop till you
the same time become aquainted with the drop in the Old Town and then be by the lakeside
bookshops, bars and boutiques that line the in only a few minutes. Boat trips are popular on
narrow alleyways. Lake Geneva and visitors have the choice of
cruising on an historic paddlesteamer or travelling
Right on the city's doorstep, Lake Zurich, offers from shore to shore on one of the 'mouettes'
a multitude of things to do. Boat trips are (shuttle boats) that traverse the lake.
always popular and in summertime the Lido is
the place to be seen - and to cool off! For fabulous city views, climb the 175 steps up the
north tower of St. Peter's Cathedral and take in
the panorama of Lake Geneva and the city. And
for views further field, you can take the cable car
Geneva - As the world headquarters for the Red up to Salève (in France) and enjoy the 360-
Cross, the International Olympic Committee, World degree views that stretch across the Alps to Mont
Health Organisation and the European seat of the
Blanc and even as far as Annecy.
United Nations, Geneva is a truly international city.
Situated on the border of France, Geneva is a mix of
both countries and most residents are bilingual in
both German and French, and often many other
languages as well. In fact, with so many international
organisations housed here, there's barely a
language you won't hear!
Lake Geneva
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Rural Switzerland HOLIDAYS TO EUROPE’S FAVOURITES
Switzerland is surely one of the most picturesque Lucerne - Nestled between a backdrop of towering
countries in the world and the magnificent rural mountains and a sparkling lake, Lucerne is one of
Switzerland’s most visited cities. Ideally located in
scenery never fails to impress. Amongst Europe's
central Switzerland, Lucerne is easily accessible from all
highest mountains, the Swiss Alps make a
parts of the country and beyond. Only an hour or so
spectacular backdrop to the sparkling lakes and lush from both Bern and Zurich, Lucerne makes an ideal day
green meadows where, more often than not, you'll trip for those with limited time, but also offers plenty to
hear the jangling of cow bells. see and do for visitors staying a few days. Highlights
include Chapel Bridge, the Old Town, the Dying Lion
With so many mountain paths and ski runs to choose monument, Verkehrhaus, lake cruises and of course,
from, you'll never want for something to do. For trips to Mt Pilatus, Mt Rigi and Mt Titlis.
stunning views from above, there are an endless
number of cable cars to take you high up the Lauterbrunnen - Lauterbrunnen is a typical Swiss
mountains. Why not get up high and sip a coffee chocolate box village – quaint alpine houses and
whilst you take in all of Switzerland's beauty? chalets are surrounded by towering snow-capped
peaks, even in Summer. Situated in a valley with sheer
rock faces either side, over which waterfalls tumble, the
village has a ‘cosy’ feel to it. Lauterbrunnen is a great
starting point for many of the region’s most popular
attractions including visits to the Jungfraujoch, the
Schilthorn, the alpine gardens at Schnyige Platte as well
as the surrounding towns of Interlaken, Brienz,
Grindlewald and Wengen.
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USEFUL LINKS
Alpine flowers