| chocolates, Swiss watches, Swiss Alps and even the | | | | Swiss banks maintain a neutral position to protect |
| Swiss banks… Switzerland has a unique cultural | | | | connections with its clients. The banks operate under |
| as well as professional flavor that people from all over | | | | the sometimes controversial conduct of banking |
| the world want to experience. The country's neutral | | | | secrecy; a tradition picked on in the Middle Ages and |
| stand on world disputes and affairs propels their | | | | still in effect; so if you've got a thousand or two to hide |
| mystique as well as their richness. Known to be good | | | | from the Mrs. you'll probably find Swiss banks a safe |
| natured, welcoming, and open minded you would | | | | haven for your World Cup trip money. |
| certainly enjoy interaction with the Swiss if you were | | | | Swiss Food: Healthy is Cheap |
| to try. When George Bernard Shaw used a Swiss | | | | Swiss food is quite simple, and the daily intake for an |
| soldier as the protagonist in Arms and the Man, he | | | | average Swiss is balanced and rich in vegetables, |
| showed the very same feature of this proud people. | | | | fruits, and bread. It is probably healthy because of the |
| Once you set foot in Switzerland, finding a language to | | | | ludicrous prices on restaurants' menus; you can pay as |
| communicate with the locals is not a tough job with | | | | much for a sandwich at a fast food joint as you would |
| four official languages; German, French, Italian, and | | | | for a feast in other European countries! Interestingly |
| Romansh. If you were to speak in your mother tongue, | | | | enough though, the people in Zurich and Geneva, |
| you'll most probably find someone to speak it within | | | | where the cost of living is fourth and sixth highest in |
| your radius since it is a country of diverse culture. | | | | the world respectively, have excellent purchasing |
| Swiss culture is heavily influenced by its neighbors, with | | | | power making the high prices negligible for the locals, |
| each canton or state practicing the standards denoted | | | | even if not for tourists. |
| by the language spoken. In French speaking cantons, | | | | Tourist Lodging |
| you'll notice that Edith Piaf's melodies are no strangers | | | | For a tourist visiting Switzerland, renting a room might |
| to their homes, and their food is enriched with their | | | | prove to be less costly than eating out, since |
| selections of antique wine. In Italian speaking cantons, | | | | accommodation rates are competitive. Houses in |
| you'll find that drinking cappuccino at the local cafes is | | | | Switzerland are run-of-the-mill except for the local's |
| heavenly. While in the German speaking ones, you'll | | | | fondness of growing flowers in pots and keeping their |
| realize that a lot people are more reserved and take | | | | doorsteps clean. |
| pride in polishing their German cars and their 'infallible | | | | Ski till you Drop |
| engine'. | | | | There is skiing to be had in Switzerland, even a child |
| Switzerland, the Unique | | | | will tell you that, but the sunniest plateau in the Swiss |
| The first wrist watch to be ever sold was | | | | Alps, Crans-Montana offers skiing by the night as well. |
| manufactured in Geneva by the famous Patek Philippe | | | | The fun is not just limited to the said resort though, |
| & Co. Chocolate was first manufactured in | | | | night time skiing is a craze elsewhere too. Locals take |
| Europe by Cailler – a Swiss factory - in 1819. | | | | pleasure in skiing and hiking, it would be wise to take |
| Cailler was later on acquired by no other than the | | | | their heed, however; be advised that they've been |
| famous Nestlé. If you've been told that | | | | born on those slopes, so baby steps are the key. |
| chocolate is bad for you, then it certainly isn't harming | | | | Switzerland makes a perfect vacation spot yet can hit |
| the Swiss that have a life expectancy of 83. Although | | | | your wallet pretty hard. If you're planning to pay the |
| Swiss chocolate is famous, almost half of it is actually | | | | Swiss a visit, make sure to pack your food and |
| consumed by the Swiss themselves, so if you're | | | | adventurous spirit for those along. |
| craving the exquisite taste, do it before it's too late! | | | | |