Life & Style | Travel
Swish and snowy Holiday
Switzerland will have an impact on visitors even if they have been to other European countries, says Sreeroopa Sudhir Kumar.
- By Sreeroopa Sudhir Kumar
- Published: 00:20 December 13, 2008
You know where we are going this summer, my Mum asked me.
Before I could answer, she said we would be visiting ten countries in 30 days — England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Vatican and France.
During our trip we would be visiting Oxford University and exotic locations such as the Black Forest, Mont Blanc Tunnel, Cologne, Florence, Venice, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo and Disneyland Paris.
I couldn't wait for the holiday to start. I started planning for the trip — buying a diary to write about my journey, arranging my accessories, keeping all woollens ready, etc.
My Dad said he had never seen me doing things so meticulously. My Dad, Mum and I started our European trip from London.
Choosing the best
After the exciting trip to ten countries, if any of you asks me which is the best and closest to my heart — no doubt it will be Switzerland — the best of Europe.
It's neat, manicured and green and has stunning landscapes and beautiful mountains.
It is a land of mouthwatering chocolates, waffles, ice-creams, cheese and watches.
Of flags and falls
Switzerland, previously known as “Confideration of Helvetica'', has 26 states.
The Swiss national flag is square shaped, which points to the country's neutral approach during the two world wars.
On the first day of our trip we went for a boat cruise at the Rhine Falls.
It was an amazing experience as we went to the topmost part of the falls. We saw the falls in its full glory and beauty.
Then we started for Zurich, the financial centre of Switzerland. We saw the Zurich Lake, Bahnofstrausse Street, Zurich Railway Station, St Peter's Church and Munstershof Church. These beautiful sites are popular locations for shooting movies.
Zurich Rail City has a big open market with all Swiss ethnic food and sweets — we tried all the breguels, brownies, waffles, cheese, etc.
So yummy. Then we went to Engelberg which is 3,500 feet above sea level. This location is like a beautifully sketched picture.
Next day we went to Mount Titlis.
The Mount Titlis cable car station is only a five-minute drive from the Terrace Hotel, where we were staying.
We took a cable car to Trubsee station which is 5,904 feet above sea level.
From the station we took another cable car to Stand Station which is at 8,036 feet.
Then we took the third and the last cable car — the first rotating cable car in the world. Mount Titlis, at a staggering 10,000 feet, is the highest peak in Switzerland.
It's an awesome experience to be at such a height in the snow-clad mountains.
I went to a glacier cave, took an ice walk and a ride on the ice flyer. We also saw beautiful ice carvings which looked very natural.
We also got ourselves photographed holding traditional musical instruments in the world-famous Nostalgie Studio dressed in Swiss ethnic dress.
Most visited
Lucerne is another well laid out city. It is one of the six most frequently visited cities in the world.
We visited Lake Luzern, museum, Schweizerhof Place Shopping Street, Kappelbrucke Bridge — the world's oldest covered wooden bridge, Lowendenkmal — a lion monument hewn from a lime stone cliff to commemorate the loyalty and bravery of Swiss guards.
Bought souvenirs like the popular cow bell, Swiss army knife, etc.
Jungfraujoch is a location not to be missed in Switzerland — it's often called the Top of Europe.
It took three hours by train to reach Jungfraujoch Station which is at 3,571 metres.
The snow is so lovely your heart just melts. It has the Ice Palace with a beautiful display of ice sculptures.
Then there is the Glacier Aletsh which I had seen only in movies.
I had a run of the place, sliding all over the snow and played with the dogs which pull sledges.
This was one of the most memorable experience of my life.
At a high
I sent postcards to friends and relatives from Europe's highest post office with its own special postmark.
We also had lunch at the restaurant at the highest altitude in Europe.
Then we went to Trummelbach which is a glacier waterfall inside a mountain.
There are about ten waterfalls at different levels. A huge elevator took us up to a certain height.
Then we took the steps to the top and back.
Geneva is another beautiful city to visit.
Lake Geneva, the floral clock, beautiful swans in the lake and the gardens and parks will remain etched in my memory forever.
The air is fresh and the atmosphere calm.
I also visited the UN building, World Health Organisation, ILO and the Red Cross. The Brunswick monument and the Brokenshire are not to be missed.
If I may sum it up I will say:
In Switzerland, you just cannot — but enjoy
In Switzerland, you just cannot — but eat
In Switzerland, you just cannot — but shop
In Switzerland, you just cannot — but relax
In Switzerland, you just cannot — but holiday
Go Swiss — Go ‘Switzerlanding'.
Sreeroopa Sudhir Kumar is a Grade 8 student of Our Own English High School, Dubai
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