Destination: Switzerland

Official Name: Swiss Confederation
Established: 1291
Population: 8.3 million (2019 estimate)
Country Size: 41,291 square kilometers
Religion: Protestant (51.3%)
Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Capital: Bern
Order of Visit: Sixteenth
First Visit: 31 May 2006
Last Visit: 7 June 2006
Duration: 8 Days
Times Visited: 1 (2006 with another visit planned 2026)
Next Planned Visit: 08 December to 15 December 2026 (8 days)
Highlights: Lake Lucerne, eating delicious Swiss Chocolate, admiring the stunning Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls, enjoying the high-altitude scenic train to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), and standing in awe before the snow-capped mountains.
Places Visited: Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Bern
Planned to Visit: Basel, Interlaken, Murren, Zermatt, Zurich
Switzerland Journal Entries
First Published: 02 January 2010 | Updated: 02 August 2026

Location and Geography

Switzerland is a landlocked country located at the intersection of Central, Western, and Southern Europe. Germany borders Switzerland to the north, France to the west, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Italy to the south. Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Alps, the Swiss Plateau, and the Jura Mountains.

Switzerland encompasses diverse landscapes and climates across its 41,291 square kilometres.

History and Culture

The establishment of the Old Swiss Confederacy dates to the late medieval period, resulting from military successes against Austria and Burgundy. The Federal Charter of 1291 is considered Switzerland’s founding document and is celebrated on Swiss National Day. Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire was formally recognised in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

Since the 16th century, Switzerland has maintained a strong policy of armed neutrality; it has not fought an international war since the 1815 Congress of Vienna, when European powers agreed to recognise Swiss neutrality permanently, and has allowed Switzerland to be active in peace-building processes around the world.

There are four main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh, but the majority of the population is German-speaking. Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world, with the highest nominal wealth per adult and the eighth-highest per capita gross domestic product, with banking as a major industry.

Switzerland was not invaded during either of the world wars. During World War I, Switzerland was home to Vladimir Lenin. During World War II, the Germans drew up detailed invasion plans, but Switzerland was never attacked. Switzerland was able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence, concessions to Germany, and good fortune as larger events during the war delayed an invasion. During World War II, the Swiss Air Force engaged aircraft of both sides.

Switzerland is part of the European Schengen treaty that allows easy travel throughout the European Union; however, Switzerland is not a member of the EU. Women were only given the right to vote at the federal level in 1971.

What I experienced

2006

I visited Switzerland once for 8 days as a backpacker during my epic 2006 world trip. Switzerland is an incredibly beautiful and clean country with friendly locals who all appeared to speak English as a second or third language, or at least the locals I spoke to. It is an extremely expensive place to visit, but luckily the beautiful outdoor areas are free for everyone to enjoy.

The Swiss Alps were truly amazing; just bring cold weather gear even in summer. I loved the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls, stunning.

*Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland – Waterfalls (Taken 03 June 2006)*

I picked up some Swiss Army knives and checked out some magnificent clocks and watches while visiting.

Switzerland is well worth a visit, but maybe better to go when you can afford to do more.

*Jungfraujoch, Switzerland – Top of Europe (Taken 02 June 2006)*

What has drawn me to visit Switzerland again?

In short a chance to visit Switzerland in winter. I’ll start with the ending of a Rhine Christmas River cruise finishing in Basel before moving onto independent travel around Switzerland using a Swiss Travel pass and visiting Interlaken, Murren, Zermatt, Zurich.

A big focus on this visit is visiting Zermatt to experience the Matterhorn in person.

*Zermatt, Switzerland – The Matterhorn in the background*

Hiking, using public transport around the Alps, exploring caves and lakes- this is a nature visit. Obviously I’m hoping to survive the winter cold in a country that I associate with cold weather. In fact, I found it cold on the previous time I visited in summer!. I’m also hoping to have fondue at some point to warm me up.

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