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History & Culture |
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The first human activity in the area now occupied by Switzerland, is from the Paleolithic Age. In the canton of Neuchatel, cutting tools have been found that date back between 20,000 and 4000 BC to the age of the Neanderthal man. Farming sites from the Neolithic age (around 3000 BC) have also been found. Tracks through the mountainous regions were made during the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, which enabled trade.
A Celtic tribe called the Helvetii, left southern Germany in the 1st century BC and settled in the Swiss region. In 107 B.C. the Romans claimed the land as their own, but due to the rough terrain weren''t able to keep a hold on the region and were pushed back by the Altemanni. The Burgundii and the Altemanni, two Germanic tribes, controlled the area during the early middle ages and then later the Franks gained control. In 1032 the Holy Roman Empire again claimed the land but control over the area was never very firm.
The Hapsburg rulers, a Germanic family, instituted central control over the land in the 13th century and became the most influential and powerful family in Central Europe. This dynasty was headed by Rudolph I and after his death in 1291, local leaders organized a resistance against the Hapsburgs. This pact between representatives from the forest communities of Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden, did not suggest defiance of the Hapsburgs, but instead opposed any judicial or administrative system. This alliance is regarded as the birth of the Swiss Confederation. Other communities such as Lucern, Zurich, Glarus, Zug, Bern, Fribourg, and Solothurn joined the Confederation. As the Swiss slowly expanded, they eventually gained their independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. With this new independence the territories of Basle, Schaffhausen and Appenzell soon joined the Confederation. After their success against the Hapsburgs the Swiss tried to expand even further and took on a military made up of French and Venetians. The Swiss soon realized they weren''t strong enough to take on these large powers so in 1515, they halted expansion and announced their neutrality.
The Reformation caused a division within Switzerland and the rest of Europe. Zwingli taught Protestant ideas in Zurich, Calvin taught in Geneva, while the middle of the country stayed primarily Catholic. The Swiss kept neutral during the 30 years war despite the religious division. In 1648 the Treaty of Westphalia signified the end of the thirty years war and recognized Switzerland formally as an independent neutral state. After Napoleon Bonaparte took control of northern Italy, he needed the passageways through the Alps for a direct route from Paris to Milan. He invaded Switzerland despite their neutrality in 1798 and the Old Confederation collapsed. In 1803 the new cantons of Sankt Gallen, Graubunden, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud and Aargau joined the Federation. Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in 1815 and the Congress of Vienna renewed the old alliance guaranteeing Switzerland''s independence and declaring them a permanently neutral Federation. With this came the additional cantons of Geneva, Valais, and Neuchatel.
The Swiss Constitution was signed in 1848 and Bern was established as the capital. Soon after rail systems and roadways were built to make alpine regions more accessible and to increase tourism. In 1863 the Red Cross was founded in Geneva and the government began free education. Switzerland stayed neutral throughout WWI and WWII and in 2002 became a member of the United Nations. In an effort to maintain neutrality Switzerland decided not to become a member of the European Union.
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International Airports |
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You can travel to Switzerland direct from a number of US and Canadian cities: the main points of entry are Zurich and Geneva, although there are plenty of connecting flights on to other Swiss cities from those two gateways. Prices are competitive, making Switzerland a feasible entry-point for Europe as a whole. Many airlines and agents also offer ''open-jaw'' tickets, enabling you to fly into one Swiss city and out from another, traveling overland in between. Flights to Zurich are readily available from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, Newark and New York. Depending on your geographical location you may have one stop over, but rarely more. Though you may choose to take advantage of regional low cost carriers to reach your final destination you should certainly consider hitting the open road as car rental in Switzerland is exceptionally easy and provides the best way to truly explore each unique region.
Major international airports in Switzerland include:
Zurich Kloten International Airport- (ZRH)
Geneva Cointrin International Airport- (GVA)
Regional airports in Switzerland include:
Basel- Mulhouse (MHL)
Bern (BRN)
Lugano (LUG)
Samefan (SMV)
Sion (SIR)
St Gallen (ACH)
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Shopping |
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Shops throughout Switzerland are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. through 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with morning hours generally available on Saturdays. Shops are likely closed on Sunday. It is important to note that outside of the cities you will find shortened business hours and limited weekend hours as well. Prices are reasonable throughout Switzerland and the quality of goods is high. Some excellent purchase options are: clocks, watches, knives, lace, textiles, ski equipment, leather goods, antiques, gourmet cheeses, wine, liquor and other food products. Also, your proximity to Austria lends well to competitively priced crystal, while throughout the country though you are apt to find local vendors and craftspeople offering regional specialties.
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Food & Drink |
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The land of fine chocolate and cheese offers a wealth of natural and delicious dishes which are sure to please travelers in Switzerland. From ubiquitous fondue to the Birchermuesli of the breakfast table Swiss cuisine is renown for its emphasis on fresh, naturally produced foods and its impeccable amalgamation of German, Italian and French influences.
The basics of Swiss cuisine
Though cuisine in Switzerland is most definitely influenced by the German, Italian, French and Austrian cultures, Swiss food in unique. The most obvious differences are the Swiss dedication to using the freshest, natural ingredients and the fine regionally produced cheeses that can be found while traveling the various regions of Switzerland. The primary staples in the Swiss diet include breads of all sorts, fresh milk, cream, cheese, butter and yogurt, locally produced beans, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes and spinach, sausages, veal, beef, pork and chicken and a variety of fresh fruits including apples, pears, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. The culmination of these ingredients produces fine Swiss meals that are delicious, satisfying and most importantly healthy.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Breakfast is generally served between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. and will likely consist of Birchermuesli with fruit and yogurt or pastries with butter and jam. The traditional morning beverages include coffee and tea, but more prominently than other destinations you will find the Swiss enjoy sweet chocolate, warm or cold.
Lunch is a more indulgent affair and is served nationwide between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.. This midday meal is called ''dinner'' by the Swiss and depending on the season your meal can range from a warm hearty soup or casserole slope side or a sandwich of fresh meats and cheeses with a variety of local produce.
The Swiss eat supper between 8:00 and 11:30 p.m. which may be a bit later than the US, but relatively comparable to European standards. The evening meal is generally a more casual affair for Swiss families, but the wide range of restaurants throughout Switzerland offer you the perfect chance to take advantage of a leisurely evening meal complete with fondue and fine Swiss wines.
Fondue
While in Switzerland you simply will not be able to avoid the ubiquitous fondue. This delicious treat is a nationally celebrated tradition, one all travelers must surely indulge in. Traditional fondue is a mixture of fresh local cheeses such as Gruyere and Emmental, which are melted together with garlic, pepper, white wine and kirsch, which is a cherry flavored liquor. The culmination of these elements is warm delicious liquid cheese which is kept piping-hot at your table in a chaffing dish and consumed using bits of bread dipped with long forks. This community hot pot of fondue is a delicious and relaxing practice and tradition says if you should loose your bit of bread in the community pot you must buy wine for everyone at your table, or kiss ALL the members of the opposite sex in your party. Variations of fondue can be made with gravy enjoyed with bits of meat or rich Swiss chocolate enjoyed with bits of fruit and cakes. This delicious indulgence is a truly exquisite experience and one you should surely enjoy on your travels in Switzerland!
Drinking
As Swiss wines are commonly not exported, they remain one of the country''s best kept secrets. Swiss dedication to high quality and traditional methodology greatly influence the production of wine in Switzerland. Vintners across the country produce variations of red and white wines. The terraced vineyards of Valais offer Switzerland''s most famed wines; the white Fendant and red Dole being most notable. Other Valais wines include Ermitage, Mavoisie and Pinot Noir. In the canton of Vaud you will find the ubiquitous Chasselas along with the fine Chablis from Montreaux. Your proximity to France and Italy also affords you a great opportunity to find world-class wines at reasonable prices.
German influence is remarkable in Switzerland''s beer menu, particularly in Basel where Feldschlosschen is the beer of choice and in Fribourg where Cardinal is most popular. You are likely to find a staple beer in every region you explore during your trip to Swtizerland, many are flavorful lagers which seem to be the most popular. Alternatives to draught beer include the panaché which is a mixed beer-lemonade shandy. Alcoholic cider is also popular specifically in regions where apples are available in abundance.
Switzerland offers an array of locally produced spirits that vary regionally and make a great souvinir to bring home to remember your travels. Perhaps the most famous of Swiss liquors is kirsch, a strong, flavorful cherry liquor used to infuse fondue, desserts as well as being a popular beverage. Each canton''s specialty is a unique blend of flavors from the plums and quetshces which combine to make Zwetshgenwasser to the eau de vie or Damassine from Jura. You will also taste the Italian influence in Ticino''s offering of grappa. Keep in mind that, as when travelling in any country, over indulgence and public drunkenness is deemed highly irresponsible and should be avoided while touring Switzerland.
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