The problem with writing about Switzerland is that so much of it has been done before, in so many places and ways, including on this Journey blog.
I could tell you that the scenery is extraordinary and spectacular (it is) or that the trains and public transport are miraculously punctual (they are). I could tell you that everything is tidy, clean and well-ordered (it is) and that Swiss cows make wonderful cheese and chocolate (they do, and God bless them for it).
I'll get on to all that later, I promise, but Switzerland is fascinating in so many other ways.
A landlocked alpine country in the heart of western Europe with a population of nine million, speaking four languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh) and bordering five other nations.
Switzerland is a wealthy federal republic composed of 26 cantons (regions). This makes for a structure similar to the USA, with a strong central federal government, but the cantons guarding their own rights. The constitution was designed to be amended by referendum: politicians can't just create laws and change without the permission of the Swiss people. Switzerland has followed a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century and has not fought an international war since 1815.
They have compulsory military service for males aged between 18 and 34. Afterwards, the soldiers become reserve militia, resulting in Switzerland having one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world (but virtually no gun-related street crime). Little or none of this occurs anywhere else in Europe, or the world, for that matter.
Those of you who have read my previous posts will know that the countries I enjoy visiting the most are those that challenge us in some way and make me question my preconceptions. Surprisingly, Switzerland is one of these. Next time you're in a major city, look around at the litter, graffiti, traffic jams, delayed trains and general decay and ask yourself if there might not be a better way to do things? There almost certainly is, and it has a name: Switzerland.
There is, of course, an alternate view of Switzerland. In the film The Third Man, Orson Welles' character says: "In Switzerland… they had five hundred years of democracy and peace. And what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."
He's wrong, of course (cuckoo clocks originate from Germany, and Switzerland has produced many famous and useful people) but… you sort of know what he means?!
Iconic railways of Switzerland
But enough of all that. I've recently been on tour in Switzerland with a group.
We took the Jungfraubahn, the cog railway that climbs up to the Jungfraujoch. At 11,332 ft above sea level, it's the highest railway station in Europe and above the permanent snow line year-round. It's a hard life!
We also rode the Gornergrat Mountain Railway for views of the Matterhorn, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express and the Gotthard Panorama Express, complete with a steam paddle cruiser across the lake.
Switzerland has so many scenic trains. You can always tell which ones they are because they have names instead of numbers like the regular trains. In most cases, they also have panoramic windows and, this being Switzerland, they keep the windows immaculately clean for photographs.
There are also many others that we didn't do on the tour, including the GoldenPass and the Arosa Line.
My favourite Swiss train
I have favourite that may surprise you… it's the Bernina Express, sometimes overlooked as people focus on the Glacier Express. Why is it my favourite? Let me tell you.
Most of the route is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the journey includes 196 bridges and 55 tunnels at a peak altitude of 7,392 feet.
Shortly before arrival in the Italian town of Tirano there is a steep descent down a valley and you pass over the spiral viaduct at Brusio, an effective way of descending quickly. You look out of the window and observe the back end of your own train going past, and in a different direction! Other Bernina benefits include a cute little metal chocolate box in the shape of the train (includes chocolates).
But best of all with the Bernina, when you get off… you're in Italy. Tirano has a pretty square with lots of restaurants and bars eager to sell you an espresso, gelato or whatever takes your fancy.
We usually have an hour or two there, time enough for my favourite pasta - spaghetti aglio e oglio, a glass of Barolo and an espresso to wrap it all up with.
Discover Switzerland with the experts
We took our first customers to Switzerland in 1977, and it's been a firm favourite ever since. With nearly five decades of expertise in the country, we know Switzerland like no one else.
From world-famous trains to mountaintop hotels; historic towns to turquoise lakes; iconic locations to hidden gems - we can take you there.
Discover our range of escorted Swiss holidays here.
