Switzerland in Western Europe is a destination sometimes overlooked by tourists who automatically think of France, Germany and the UK as prime places for a vacation; however, Switzerland has an amazing history and much to offer the discerning traveler. Here are some of the most interesting things to see and do on a trip to this country of mountains and lakes.

The Alps: the Matterhorn and Zermatt

An iconic Swiss symbol, the Matterhorn rises 2.8 miles into the clouds and although this is not the highest mountain in Switzerland, it is undoubtedly the most famous. Many climbers have ascended every face of the mountain, although even the easiest route to the summit is still considered difficult.

The tiny village of Zermatt is the starting point for hikes into the Alpine mountains and is a well-known, bustling ski resort. While in town it is worth visiting the Matterhorn Museum, which includes a reconstruction of a mountain village comprising 14 houses, a church, a hotel, several huts and granaries. The museum relates the history and development of Zermatt, including the story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn by British mountaineer Edward Whymper and his colleagues.

To preserve the air quality in the village, it is a car-free zone. Electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages are used instead, and most visitors arrive here by train or helicopter.

The Plateau: principal cities

With the Alps to the south of the country, and the Jura mountains to the north, the central plateau is the location where the majority of the population lives and where the principal cities can be found. A great way to discover the cities is to search out the best car rental deals and take a road trip from Zurich in the north-east to Geneva in the south-west, visiting Basel, Berne and Lausanne along the way. This is a journey of about 210 miles in total, and offers the opportunity to linger in the places that are of most interest.

Zurich is more than 2,000 years old and is rich in history as well as being a busy cosmopolitan center. The Kunstmuseum in Basel has an amazing collection of work by world-class artists, including Monet, Picasso and Chagall, as well as the largest number of works by the Holbein family.

The medieval city of Berne has charming clock towers and quaint arcaded squares, and the Old Town of Geneva has narrow streets that meander among its medieval buildings. The streets are lined with numerous sidewalk cafés.

Take a quick detour to see the famous castle Chateau de Chillon, near Montreux, which has 100 buildings and spectacular views over Lake Geneva from its four great halls. Further along the shore, the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces mark Switzerland’s most famous wine-growing region.

Getting around

With its many spectacular lakes and mountains, and its cities that have both contemporary and historic areas, it is a joy to travel by road to see the variety of landscapes across the regions. There is a high density of convenient and well-maintained expressways in Switzerland.

Swiss people are keen train travelers and the railway network is excellent. The AlpTransit project is currently focused on the construction of new base tunnels, several hundred meters below the current tunnels, to provide faster north-south rail links under the Alps. This is an important boost for the Central European rail network.