Fantastic Country! - M.Polley. Date of travel: Oct 2006
I spent three months in Switzerland from October to December and had a fantastic trip. The Swiss people we met were so generous and laid back and have such a liberal view on life. We ate Raclette and fondue, drank delicious wines from local vineyards, went snowboarding in Nendaz, enjoyed kirsch, the cherry liqueur on winter evenings and generally just had a wonderful time. The first thing you realise about Switzerland is the nature. The country is green, there are rolling hills on the edges of the cities, large lakes and mountains that are snowcapped all year round. The cities of Geneva and Zurich were great, beautiful architecture, interesting people, upmarket shops, great bars, and you can drink on the street. But the magic of Switzerland really lies in the towns on the outskirts of the city, (there are skate ramps in the most isolated villages in the mountain which was unbelievable for my boyfriend who struggles to find places to skate in the cities in South Africa) where everybody at the bar knows each other and there is a real sense of community. I now love Switzerland dearly and will definitely be back to swim in the lakes in summer and cruise down the pristine slopes in winter.

Dillon Merringer. Date of travel: Jul 2003
I loved Lausanne with the swans on the lake and all the outdoor dining areas and easy atmosphere. In the region you must also take time to drive through the vineyards above the town on the steep slopes overlooking the lake and definitely pay a visit to Chateau de Chillon, the famous castle on the lake.