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| Description |
Fantastic routes, breathtaking
vistas: experiences that await the traveler on the Glacier-Express
from St. Moritz to Zermatt, across 291 bridges and through
91 tunnels, and on the William Tell-Express from Lucerne to
Lugano/Locarno, first by ship and then by train. Also unforgettable:
The Bernina, the Palm and the Golden Pass Express.
The glow of the Alps
at sunset
The world of the Swiss Alps is a world of wild beauty. Mountain
peaks soar more than 4,000 meters into the sky. Awe-inspiring
glaciers and gigantic rock-formations abound. Frothy streams
rush down mountains, without premonition of the oceans into
which they flow. Waterfalls thunder into valleys. The reflection
of windswept pines and larch trees shimmer on the blue surface
of mountain lakes. The vivid colors of mountain flowers dot
Alpine meadows. Sun-blackened chalets beckon by the roadside
and invite you to rest awhile. Cogwheel trains and airy gondolas
effortlessly reach the top of the highest peaks. Come on board,
wander back on foot on the mountain trails!
The delights of the
Alpine lakes
Crystal-clear water glitters in the sunlight, pristine beaches
entice you to go for a swim. Sailboats leave a trail in their
wake on the water. Steam boats travel from shore to shore.
Chalets and inns with shady gardens invite you to stay. Wherever
you go, the next lake is waiting around the corner! |
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Southern
ambience
South of the Alps Mediterranean style awaits you: Italian
"Dolce Vita", outdoor cafes on lively plazas, laughter,
conversation, happiness. Clean beaches with palm trees. Promenades
for leisurely walks. Romanesque churches. Houses with stone-dotted
roofs in pristine side-valleys. The most modern architecture
wherever you go.
Gently rolling hills
and vast valleys
Forests, hills, rivers, fertile soil and grazing cows, vibrant
cities full of hustle and bustle: this is the heart of Switzerland,
between the Alps and the crescent of the Jura mountains. Huge
farmhouses, adorned with window boxes full of colorful flowers,
define this region just as much as the large urban centers
of Zurich, Bern and Basel with their rich cultural offerings
and modern industry. Medieval arcades preside over stores
and boutiques aligned like pearls on a string and over the
pulsating life of the cities. Modern architecture can be found
next to original Old Town quarters: Botta and Le Corbusier
are to be seen not far from Roman ruins, Mediaeval castles
and Baroque cathedrals. Everything is close by and easily
reached.
French Flair
Vineyards stretch in a wide arc downhill toward Lake Geneva.
The shores of Lake Geneva are dotted with romantic villages,
castles with mighty ramparts and elegant cities with an urbane
culture. A whiff of Paris, a dash of France is in the air.
Here alpine panorama and southern vegetation unite in unique
harmony. And the pristine mountain world of the Waadtland
Alps, or the quiet peaks of the Jura are just a short journey
away. |
| Wintersports |
Located in the centre of
the Alps, we are the winter destination with an enviable history
of caring for our guests. Here, everyone is a treasured celebrity.
Our many different resorts offer everything from tranquil
car-free mountain villages to high action sport resorts where
the party never stops.
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| Climate |
Switzerland's climate varies
according to altitude. The Ticino in the south has a Mediterranean
climate, but most of the country has a central European climate,
with warm summers and cold winters. The Mittelland is often
covered by a dense blanket of fog during the late fall. The
only areas in Switzerland with permanent snow and ice are
the high peaks in the Alps.
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| Local
Time |
Switzerland is in the Central
European Time Zone.
Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT+1).
From 31 October 2004 until 27 March 2005 GMT+1
From 27 March 2005 until 30 October 2005 GMT+2 |
| Health |
| Drinking and eating-out is hygienic
and the tap water is safe. Immunization for contagious diseases
is only required if the traveler has been in an infected area
within 14 days preceding arrival in Switzerland. Personal travel
insurance is strongly recommended, including coverage of personal
accident, sickness, loss or damage to luggage and personal effects
and cancellation charges. |
| Customs
& Duty Free |
Allowances
& Restrictions
- Perfume...Reasonable for personal use
- Cameras...2 still / 1 movie or video
- Film...Reasonalbe for personal use
- Agriculture Items...Refer to consulate
- Currency...No restrictions
Visitors from EUcountries:
- Tobacco...200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of
tobacco
- Alcohol...2 liters of alcohol (up to 15%); 1 litre of
alcohol (over 15%)
- Gifts...Duty free allowance up to sfr100 (sfr50 for passengers
under 17)
Visitors from non-EU countries:
- Tobacco...400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of
tobacco
- Alcohol...2 liters of alcohol (up to 15%); 1 litre of
alcohol (over 15%)
- Gifts...Duty free allowance up to sfr100 (sfr50 for passengers
under 17)
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| Passport
& Visa |
Every traveler must have a valid passport.
Visa are required for a continuous stay of more than three
months. If your stay is shorter than three months you only
need to bring your valid passport with you. This applies to
citizens of the following countries: countries of the American
Continent (except Belize, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Peru),
Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Important
All persons holding a valid national passport and a valid
Dutch (Type A, C, D) or a (Type I or II), do not need a visa
to enter Switzerland for tourist purposes (for a stay of up
to 90 days). Holders of a Dutch Traveldocument (refugees)
instead of a valid national passport however do need a visa.
Procedure for tourist,
business and visitor’s visa
For stays up to 3 months maximum; work or gainful activities
are not permitted.
Please submit to the Swiss Embassy (not more than 3 months before
planned entry):
- 1 application form (completed and signed by the holder
of the passport submitted)
- 1 passport photograph (undamaged and of recent date)
- Passport or travel document valid for 3 months after the
intended stay in Switzerland
- Valid resident permit Vergunning tot verblijf for the
Netherlands
- student identity card (for students) accompanied by:
- Travel ticket (air, rail, bus/coach) to and from Switzerland
(or via Switzerland to final destination); package tour
confirmation by travel agent; car registration (authorisation
from the owner if this applies) and hotel reservation.
- Proof of sufficient means to cover the costs of your
stay, such as a bank statement of account, savings book,
credit cards, traveller’s cheques etc. (min. requirements
Sfr. 100/€ 70 for each day or Sfr 50/€ 35
for each day for students producing a student identity
card or a letter from their university).
Business visa
Proof of existing business connections or an invitation letter
from a company or business partner in Switzerland for example;
business correspondence, invitation, telefax confirmation.
Visitor’s visa
Declaration of guarantee from a resident of Switzerland stating
that all the applicant’s expenses during the specified
duration of his/her stay in Switzerland would be met by the
host. The invitation must be approved, stamped and signed
by the Cantonal Aliens Police (Kantonale Fremdenpolizei -
Office cantonal des étrangers) for the canton in which
the host is resident. The guarantee forms are available at
this Embassy. |
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