Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Bern
Swiss Franc (CHF)
German, French, Italian, Romansh
May–Sep
CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)
Welcome to Switzerland, a country where snow-capped Alps, pristine lakes, and charming villages create postcard-perfect scenery at every turn. The Matterhorn's iconic pyramid peak rises dramatically above the resort town of Zermatt. Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne offer stunning alpine backdrops alongside charming lakeside towns. Switzerland's extensive train network, including scenic routes like the Glacier Express, offers effortless access to dramatic mountain scenery. Zurich and Geneva blend cosmopolitan sophistication with easy access to nature just beyond the city limits. Traditional Swiss villages showcase wooden chalets, dairy farms, and centuries-old alpine traditions. World-class skiing and hiking make Switzerland a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Switzerland invites travelers to experience alpine beauty at its most refined and pristine.
No API URL found for post ID 140598.
Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Switzerland's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Cheese Fondue is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Raclette is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Rösti is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Älplermagronen is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Bircher Müesli is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Basler Läckerli is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Nusstorte is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Swiss Chocolate is a well-known part of Switzerland's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Syria is home to Damascus, widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with archaeological evidence suggesting the city has been settled for over 11,000 years, making it a contender for the longest continuously occupied urban site on Earth. The country's ancient city of Palmyra was once a major trading hub linking the Roman Empire with Persia, India, and China, and its extraordinary ruins, including grand colonnaded streets and monumental temples, made it one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Middle East before suffering severe damage during the country's civil war.
Syria has endured a devastating civil war since 2011, one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century, which has caused one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, displacing millions of Syrians both internally and across international borders. Despite this modern tragedy, Syria's historical significance runs deep, having been part of the Fertile Crescent, one of the regions widely credited by archaeologists as a birthplace of early agriculture and some of humanity's first urban civilizations.
Syria's Krak des Chevaliers, a massive Crusader-era castle, is considered by historians and architects to be one of the best-preserved medieval military fortresses in the world, admired for its sophisticated layered defensive design.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.
Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"—a centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.
