5 reasons why Switzerland is everyone's all time favorite..

Switzerland...ohh! beauty.

“Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth is lying.” ha ha...

Well, that is the topmost reason why Switzerland is my all-time favorite European destination! :)

The amazing natural beauty of the majestic Alps, the placid lakes, quaint villages, cosmopolitan cities the euro trains, the gondola rides that’s just some of what Switzerland has to offer. How can I forget the shopping, wine tasting, delectable chocolates and cheeses.......and it gets even better. To get the true flavour of this beautiful country, here are some of the best places in Switzerland .

1. Grindelwald and Jungfrau- Grindelwald is a quaint town in the middle of Swiss Alps. It is about 2.5 hrs from Zurich by train and if you get me started about Swiss trains then I can go on and on :) We stayed in the lovely little place in Grindelwald for 3 days and what a bliss it was. I loved that I could see Mt. Eiger from my bed, I loved that Jungfrau was by my side while taking a gondola to Mt. First, I loved that I could breathe well, breathe fresh. I enjoyed my wine at Mt First, among the snow-covered swiss alps. Grindelwald is very close to Bernese Oberland (the last station to Jungfrau), it is close to Mannichlen where you can feel yourself in the lap of Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch (you can reach there by cable car), it is closer to Interlaken. You will enjoy the high Alpine wonderland of ice, snow and rock, which you can admire from the viewing platforms on the Aletsch Glacier or in the Ice Palace. It is also the base for mountaineers to start their treks up many a mountain in the Jungfrau region. It’s a great place for backpackers too with many adventure activities like canoeing, paragliding, sky diving and skiing.

2. Wengen and Interlaken-Wengen is a car-free village near Interlaken and Grindelwald. Its a laid back, sleepy town among swiss alps. I liked it, it has quaint cafes and restaurants. If you are just looking to relax and spend a few peaceful moments away from the hush-hush of cars and buses, Wengen is the place for you. On the other hand, Interlaken is very touristy and is full of tourist buses all round summer. You just can't miss it :) So, if you want to avoid all the crowd, then Interlaken is not the place for you.

3. Zurich- Zurich is Switzerland’s financial district. You could walk down the Bahnhofstrasse, which is probably one of the best shopping streets in the world. Zurich old town doesn't disappoint anyone. Peeking into the boutique fancy shops, getting a vibe of the city, talking to locals is what I enjoyed the most. It’s also a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Take a cruise on either Lake Zurich or the Limmat River or just explore the city on a bike or foot. The city has a lot to offer historically as well, visit the magnificent St. Peter’s Church.

4. Lucerne- On the banks of Lake Lucerne is the German speaking part of Switzerland, Lucerne has an old feel to it. This charming city has beautiful painted frescos on its public buildings and churches. You need to go to the old city of Lucerne to see those frescos. You can get around the entire town on foot and stroll across the beautiful Chapel Bridge, which is bedecked with flowers. Legend has it that an angel showed the first settlers where to build the chapel! Enjoy the Loewendenkmal Lion Monument, a magnificent work of art and one of the most photographed monuments in the world. Visit the chocolatiers along the lake. You will be amazed by the types of truffles and chocolates they showcase. Max, Laederach and Bachmann are my favorite.

5. Geneva- Geneva is slick and cosmopolitan and maybe that’s why it is often mistaken to be the capital of Switzerland. A beautiful city in the French speaking part of Switzerland, with the amazing backdrop of the Alps, Geneva is known for many things apart from watches, chocolate, cutlery and of course, its lakeside scenery. This historical city is the site for many UN agencies. St. Pierre, a medieval cathedral dating back to the 4th century is the highlight of the Old Town. Lake Geneva, with the impressive 140 metre fountain Jet d’Eau, is the symbol of Geneva. Go for many nature walks along the lake and through the Bois-de-la-Bâtie, a 30 acre forest in the middle of the city. Visit one of the many chocolatiers in Geneva to get a fill of your sweet cravings.

Does this sound exciting enough to motivate you to go to Switzerland? If not, wait until I go to Switzerland next and write my next blog :)