Switzerland is a fertile country. You can relax here at any time of the year. For example, in winter you can go with children to the south-west of Switzerland in the Valais canton, where the highest mountains and dozens of ski resorts are located. Breathtaking views of snow-capped alpine peaks, trails for every taste, an abundance of snow - all this attracts lovers of active winter recreation here.

Summer holidays on the beautiful lakes of Switzerland are no less attractive. This is a worthy replacement and alternative for those who are tired of the heat, bustle and crowds of tourists in the southern resorts. On the lakes with equipped beaches, the necessary infrastructure, with areas for swimming, you can swim and sunbathe perfectly, getting a full portion of the sun and summer.

But today we will go on a virtual trip to the largest lake in the country - Lake Geneva. Experts say that it is enough to visit the banks of Lehmann (as the locals call their main lake) to get an idea of ​​the whole of Switzerland.

Here aristocratic resorts, their own estates and palaces-villas of stars, the rich and celebrities, palm trees, yachts and other attributes of luxurious life, as if descended from the cover of a bright glossy magazine, are closely intertwined with the completely democratic life of the region, where there is absolutely no place for pomp and stiffness, with tiny villages and small farmers' houses among green meadows, with endless vineyards along the modern railway, covered with snow mountain peaks, painted with a dense network of trails for leisurely walks and fast skiing.

And the audience, resting in the vicinity of the lake, is very diverse. From year to year, celebrities, music lovers and regulars of music festivals, lovers of outdoor activities and nature gather here. And those who are attracted to this new gastronomic experience.

Lake Geneva with clean, calm and cool waters is located between French and Swiss territory. It is the largest in the Alps. And it's always great. And the numerous towns and villages located in the canton along the northern part of Lake Geneva to the east of Lausanne attract tourists from all over the world. This land is literally created for relaxation.

There is a unique microclimate of the coastal strip. On the very shore of the lake, protected from the cold winds by the Alps, palm trees grow in the open ground even in winter. The surrounding hills are completely planted with vineyards. And at the beginning of April there is already real spring. The coastal strip along the lake is covered with a flowering carpet of colorful tulips, poppies, hyacinths, daffodils. This magnificent unique spectacle amazes with its diversity and beauty. During the day, the temperature rises above + 20 ° C, but the nights are still cool, so you need to take something warm with you.

A lake with a mirror-like surface, mountains with snow-capped peaks, natural beauty, unique climate, warm mineral water, a high concentration of magnesium, sulfur, calcium and other useful active ingredients, healing mud - all this attracts those who want to restore health, rejuvenate, and just have a good rest, it is interesting to spend time and admire the beauty of these places.

A lot of various resorts are concentrated on the coast of the lake: prestigious and expensive hotels and more democratic and affordable ones, such as cozy apartments with friendly owners.

By the way, they speak here mainly in French.

Take a virtual tour of the Swiss Riviera

Our route will pass from Geneva to picturesque small villages and old resort towns located on the shores of the lake: Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, Villeneuve and their environs.

Due to the proximity of the airport and well-organized work public transport it will not be difficult to move quickly, conveniently and easily. A direct flight Moscow-Geneva will take approximately 3 hours. The Swiss highly value comfort in everything. And this is felt both on board the airlines that deliver tourists, and at the airport itself, where excellent conditions for passengers are created. You can go through passport control and receive your luggage in a matter of minutes.

From here to the destination of Montreux - 92 km. It takes a little over an hour to get there by car. About the same time you can get there by a comfortable train.

Even if no one meets you, you can easily move from the airport area to the station area to board the train. It is very simple, because the airport is combined with the train station, and the whole movement scheme is intuitive. When moving on the boarding platform and entering the carriage, there are no inconveniences with baggage transportation. Everything is done for the comfort of people.

By the way, about trains. They are very comfortable, and wagons of any class. Travelers note the quiet and smooth movement. And there are even special carriages of silence for those who need to work or just take a nap.

How you can save: at Geneva airport, you can get a ticket for free in the baggage claim using the ticket machine. With this pass, within 80 minutes you can travel by any transport throughout the city. During this time, you can almost get to any hotel. The savings are significant, since if you take a taxi to the city center from the airport, you will have to pay about 35 francs (about 2,000 rubles).

Charming Montreux

On the way to the resort, which stretches along Lake Geneva, pictures flash outside the window surprisingly beautiful nature Switzerland with the monumental snow-capped Alps that will leave no one indifferent. And now - the famous resort of Montreux, in which we will stay longer.

This small, cozy and beautiful city, with the aromas of flowering plants, with quiet "postcard" landscapes, stretching for kilometers along the bizarrely curving lake shore, to which the city streets swiftly descend from the mountains, is recognized as the unofficial capital of the Swiss Riviera.

It is extremely popular with tourists and is the center of resort life in the region. This magical place for life, creativity and inspiration was chosen by the most talented people from different countries. Vladimir Nabokov lived here, Lord Byron found inspiration here, and here Freddie Mercury created his hits.

The oldest and most famous resort hotel, the Montreux Palace, is located in the city center. It is over 150 years old. P.I. once stayed at this hotel. Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky, Leo Tolstoy. Vladimir Nabokov spent 16 years at Montreux Palace with his wife. One of the apartment rooms (by the way, residential) is dedicated to the writer. There are photographs of him with his wife everywhere in the room, and his desk remains in the room.

Opposite the hotel is a small garden with a monument to Vladimir Nabokov. Here, in the park, on the alley of jazz stars, there are sculptures by B.B. King, R. Charles, E. Fitzgerald, M. Davis.

Two other city attractions are connected with music - the most popular monument in Montreux (and the only one in the world) to the cult musician Freddie Mercury, the leader of the Queen band, and his own recording studio (now the Recording Museum), which is free to enter. Here you can see personal belongings of Queen members, their concert costumes, videos from concerts, letters.

Adding glory to this town is the annual world jazz festival held here in the summer with the participation of the best musicians from around the world. And therefore, someone who, and music lovers all over the world, knows very well the name of this small resort on Lake Geneva, even if they have never been to it.

The Montreux embankment deserves special attention. An endless pedestrian path runs along the shores of Lake Geneva, literally drowning in various outlandish flowers and plants. Kilometers and kilometers of fragrance. Here, even simple walks in themselves give vivid impressions.

The embankment is the busiest place in the resort, which, like a magnet, attracts tourists and townspeople here. Mothers with children walk by the lake, children drive scooters, couples bask in the sun on emerald lawns, there are a lot of tourists, and Freddie Mercury "waves" to passing ships. And birds are everywhere. There are a lot of them here. Perhaps because the lake never freezes.

There are nice cafes and restaurants right by the water where you can have a snack, drink coffee, eat delicious ice cream or dessert.

The popularity of this resort is added by sunny and warm weather and a stable mild climate, thanks to the special location of the city in a bay, surrounded on all sides by snow-capped alpine peaks and vineyards. Convenient location of Montreux with the opportunity to make numerous excursions from here around the lake and in mountainous areas- another bait for curious tourists.

The small town on the shores of Lake Geneva is famous for its other striking sights. After seeing all the most interesting in the city, you can go to its surroundings. And, at least, visit the Chillon castle, sung by Byron in verse.

In this prison ancient fortress once the courageous and staunch Lord François Bonivard was imprisoned, whose story inspired the poet to write the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon".

About 4 kilometers on foot along the lake along a beautiful walking path lined with exotic plants and flowers - and we are there. Walking to the most famous castle in Switzerland can take about 30 minutes. To whom this distance will seem insanely tiring, you can get from the city to the castle by bus.

Chillon Castle is a very impressive structure of the XII-XIII centuries, consisting of 25 buildings, 3 courtyards, surrounded by towers and fortress walls. It was originally the residence of the Dukes of Savoy.

The castle is located on a rocky small island ten meters from the coast and you can get into it via the bridge. Today it historical monument and a museum, where the interior rooms, state rooms, bedrooms, underground vaults, painted walls of the XIV century, medieval furniture, ancient weapons, knightly armor, the famous dungeon with a prison are available for inspection.

It is unforgivable not to see this with children. And adults will be interested here. In addition to the impressive exhibits, there is a wonderful souvenir shop on the territory of the museum. And here you can also buy rare chateau wine.

Fans of excursions, without staying for a long time in Montreux, are in a hurry to go to other interesting places.

From blooming subtropics to eternal winter

From Montreux, you can take a branded train on the cogwheel railway with colorful vintage carriages from the station to the top of the Rocher de Neuis mountain. The road will take no more than an hour. On the railway, which winds past meadows, forests and rocks, the train, rapidly climbing the top, makes several turns, passes through the tunnels.

And, at the same time, the view of the lake is constantly changing, appearing in the field of view every time from different sides, then to the right, then to the left along the course of the train. And from the very top of the mountain there is an absolutely stunning view of Lake Geneva, its surroundings, the French and Swiss Alps.

If you are traveling with children, such a trip must be included in the plan. In the mountains you can meet charming animals - marmot, which are bred on a special farm "Marmottes Paradise". These are Alpine marmots that sleep in winter, and in summer, if you're lucky, you can get to know them better and even stroke and feed them with juicy leaves.

In a small alpine garden, laid out among the rocks in 1896, you can admire a collection of alpine plants and flowers growing in the mountains. Almost 1000 species are collected here.

Already in April, you can sunbathe directly on the snow among the dazzling glaciers. And then warm up with grog in a pretty restaurant Panoramique Plein Roc, which nestles on the edge of a cliff. Here you can also taste delicious Swiss cuisine, such as the famous fondue.

From Montreux on the Golden Pass Classic (panoramic train), you can go along one of the routes to travel through the mountains and admire the famous alpine meadows, mountain peaks under snow caps, cute villages with fabulous chalets, famous vineyards right from the window.

Traveling by train on panoramic trails is a fun and exciting way to explore and discover the country. In addition, this is, perhaps, the only opportunity to make an excursion to the mountainous regions of Switzerland, to places untouched by civilization, where, sometimes, other transport simply cannot be reached.

Trains are convenient for travel. For trips with children, there are family carriages, which provide games and entertainment for children. Food is organized.

The cost of such a trip depends on the distance and direction. It is not at all necessary to travel the entire route. You can limit yourself to only some part of it and use the panoramic route as a separate excursion to places that you especially want to see.

By the way, the Swiss railway is a very convenient, popular and comfortable mode of transport. These are quality, comfort and punctuality. Railroad tracks run through the whole country, connecting big cities and smallest villages.

In addition, traveling by train, you can save a little (Switzerland is a very expensive country and prices are all high). To do this, you need to buy a special ticket for foreign travelers Swiss Travel Pass ("all in one") - a ticket that can travel on any city and intercity transport: by train, ferry, bus, trolleybus, as well as visiting some museums for free or with discount.

You can purchase such a single travel pass, valid for a certain time (depending on its cost), at travel agencies in Moscow or at the Geneva airport upon arrival in the country. Children under 16 travel free of charge with the Swiss Family Card (only accompanied by their parents).

Accommodation in Montreux

• Fairmont Le Montreux Palace 5 * is the oldest luxury hotel for the most discerning clients.
• Of the fours, the elegant and classic Grand Hôtel Suisse Majestic, located on the lakeside near the train station.
• Eurotel Riviera is good for family vacation(accommodation in spacious rooms with parents of two children is possible).
• Hotels for economical accommodation - stylish and cozy Tralala Hotel 3 *. Located in the historical part of the resort town.
• All over Switzerland there are SBH Swiss Budget budget hotels (these can be mountain villas, small family hotels, guest houses) focused on an economical vacation with breakfasts.

You can have lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant. And if you want to save money, you can dine on the trains (if you spend your days traveling on a pre-arranged route), and dine in inexpensive cafes next to the hotel or right in your room with what was bought in the supermarket.

For the duration of their stay in any hotel, everyone is given a ticket, according to which you can use public transport (except for electric trains) and for preferential or free access to cultural events, museums and exhibitions. An example of such an accommodation is a small cozy hotel 6 kilometers from Montreux in the town of Villeneuve - Hotel Du Port.

Villeneuve is a very small resort town with miniature streets in the Old Town, with medieval houses, a 12th century church, and a city hall.

A house with red shutters and clay cats of various sizes and shapes on all windowsills often attracts tourists' attention.

From Montreux, the road leads us to Vevey - Old city with a long history, where you can walk, make inexpensive purchases in numerous shops and replenish your photo archive with beautiful pictures. Travel time by bus from the hotel in Montreux to Vevey will take 25-30 minutes.

Cozy town of Vevey

The distance from the airport to the city is 84 kilometers (a little over an hour by car and train).

This miniature town, like Montreux, was visited by eminent guests and brilliant celebrities. For example, our compatriots, N.V. Gogol, F.M. Dostoevsky. Charlie Chaplin once lived and worked here. In memory of this, a bronze sculpture of natural growth was installed in the city park.

Of the old architectural buildings, the Russian Church of St. Barbara, once built by Count Shuvalov, and the Church of St. Martin (XVI century), attract attention.

Of the modern objects, the “fork in the lake” food monument is interesting. A giant fork (its height is 8 meters) rises directly from the lake. It was installed in honor of its tenth anniversary by Nestle, and left it that way. Now it is already a recognizable symbol of Vevey himself.

The same Swiss chocolate company owes its appearance to another attraction - the Alimentarium Food Museum.

A must-see with kids in Vevey is the Poyet Chocolate Factory. On interesting excursion You will be offered to taste the most exotic types of chocolate, for example, chocolate with pepper, and to participate in the preparation of chocolate yourself.

Vevey is famous for its peasant fairs, which are well worth a visit. In the center of the city, farmers' markets sell delicious village products: cheeses, pickles, wines, smoked meats, fruits, vegetables, freshly baked bread. And on Sundays in autumn, winemakers organize wine festivals with tastings here.

Tourists can stay in the respectable Le Mirador Kempinski 5 * hotel with a unique location and the best panoramic views, in the exquisite Grand Hotel du Lac 5 *, in Trois Coronnes 5 * with a huge wellness center, in the comfortable Astra4 * hotel.

From the town of Vevey, you can continue your journey to Lausanne by train or by steamboat that departs regularly from the waterfront. Taking a boat trip will take more time, but the journey itself past the magnificent Lavaux vineyards and alpine slopes will be a pleasure. You can get from Montreux to Lausanne by bus in about 40 minutes.

Lausanne is the main city of the canton

You can reach Lausanne from Geneva Airport (63 km) in 55 minutes by car, and 45 minutes by train.

This vibrant city is full of life, nestled in picturesque hills surrounded by vineyards. And at its foot is Lake Geneva with shady embankments planted with tropical plants.

The city has many architectural monuments, cultural and historical sights, a variety of museums: from history and painting to inventions and coins.

You can endlessly walk along the promenade and numerous parks of Lausanne, which are famous for gorgeous flowers and a variety of well-groomed plants, or leisurely walk along the medieval streets of the Old Town, admire the Gothic Cathedral of St. Francis, the famous Cathedral, the Rumin Palace, the oldest beautiful fountain La Justis.

It is interesting with children to visit the Museum of the History of the Olympics or go on an excursion to the Cailler chocolate factory, which produces Nestle's Cailler chocolate.

You can stay in Lausanne in the oldest hotel where Coco Chanel once lived - Beau-Rivage Palace 5 *, in Lausanne Palace 5 * in the city center, in hotels - Chateau d'Ouchy 4 *, Moevenpick 4 *, Angleterre Residence 4 * ...

Not far from Lausanne is the center of Swiss winemaking - the Lavaux region with terraced vineyards that stretch along the lake for tens of kilometers and occupy 830 hectares of mountain slopes. There are 14 small towns and small villages on this territory.

After reaching the village of Chebre, from there you can take a walk through the vineyards, which descend by numerous steps along the slope to the foot of the lake.

Admire the amazing views of the mountains, and at the same time spend a couple of hours outdoors in the pool with warm water by visiting the wonderful thermal springs Love-les-Bains.

A little about children's entertainment

In fact, there are a lot of places in Switzerland where you can relax and have fun with your children. But we will not deviate far from the route, and therefore we will focus only on those located near Montreux.

• In the village of Le Bouvray (it takes 20-25 minutes to get from Montreux by car) there is a park of railway miniatures "Swiss Vapeur Parc".

Here you can ride a lot on small trains (on a scale of 1: 4) along the same miniature railway among trees and flowering plants of a green park on an area of ​​17 thousand square meters.

• In the same village is located giant water park... This is a huge area with various water slides, a special area with interesting entertainment for children, a parent area with fitness, saunas, solarium, massage, tropical pool, as well as a coastal area with an outdoor pool, a beach and a children's area for outdoor games ...
• Not far from Montreux, there is another place that will be interesting for children - this is the Pré Ver children's park, located at an altitude of 707 meters, from where you can admire Lake Geneva, the Alps and vineyards. But the park itself is not boring at all. Many sports entertainment- rope rides, table tennis, mini golf, small cars from Formula 1, funny performances of clowns, dances and concerts. There is an animal corner where you can watch domestic animals up close, and if you go a little deeper into the forest, you can also see deer.
– the largest amusement park in Switzerland. It is located in the town of Grange, about an hour's drive from Montreux.

• Labyrinth Adventure Evionnaz (25 minutes drive from Montreux in the town of Evionn) is the largest open-air recreation and amusement park not only in Switzerland, but also in Europe with more than 50 attractions and playgrounds... But the most important thing here is a green labyrinth built of thousands of thuja bushes.

A little about Swiss goodies

How can you do without cheese in Switzerland? You should definitely try fondue (one of the ingredients of this traditional dish is cheese). And for those who especially want to find out everything about this product, you can go to the charming picturesque town with medieval buildings of Gruyères (located 116 kilometers from Geneva) - home of the famous Swiss cheese of the same name.

This place is very popular among tourists, because right in the cheese dairy, you can watch through large glasses how the cheese making process takes place. And then taste it all and even grab something for future use.

And at the same time, you can visit the Cailler House (near the village of Gruyeres), which is simultaneously a museum, and a factory, and a milk chocolate shop or Poyet confectionery in Vevey. The famous Swiss chocolate in historic pastry shops is still made by hand with the addition of completely unexpected and amazing ingredients: mountain herbs, tea, pepper, flowers, wasabi.

And, of course, having visited Switzerland, it is absolutely impossible not to taste the famous pastries and chocolate cakes. And adult tourists should know that real Swiss wine can only be tasted in Switzerland itself (only 1% of this production is exported). During excursions to the winery, you can buy excellent wine at no extra charge and save up to 50% of its cost on one bottle.

This gastronomic paradise, which rightfully belongs to the Lake Geneva region, which has collected the largest number of Gault Millau items and Michelin stars in the country, is full of good restaurants and cafes. And there are enough different museums on the topic of food.

It is clear that Switzerland is a land of amazing discoveries. And I hope that this short tour of its cities and resorts will help you when choosing the next route for traveling with children.

Other questions about the resorts of Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful Alpine countries. The Matterhorn is the symbol of Zermatt and Switzerland.

- How to get a visa to Switzerland?
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, with a Schengen visa you can enter Switzerland.

All representative offices of the Schengen states on the territory of the Russian Federation will accept biometric data (fingerprints and a face picture) of applicants for a short-term Schengen visa. The data will be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 59 months. If you have not submitted biometric data before, personal presence at one of the visa centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Rostov on Don, Novosibirsk is mandatory. If you have already submitted your fingerprints to a representative office of any of the Schengen states and they can be copied, you will not have to re-submit your fingerprints for new applications within 59 months. Documents for a Schengen visa (categories A and C) must be submitted to an external outsourcing company, which will deliver them for consideration to the Swiss Embassy in Moscow. Passports with ready-made visas can be collected at the same visa center where the documents were submitted. The operator of the visa centers is TLScontact. The service fee is EUR 22 per applicant in addition to the visa fee (RUB equivalent). To obtain a tourist visa, you must provide the following documents:
- One fully completed application form (in German, French, Italian or English) with the personal signature of the applicant.
- A foreign passport valid for at least three months from the date of departure from the Schengen area and having at least two free pages.
- A copy of a foreign passport (a copy of the pages with a photo, full name and signature).
- If available: copies of the last two Schengen visas.
- 2 identical recently taken Schengen color photographs; stick one on the questionnaire, attach the second additionally.
- Health insurance policy valid for the entire period of stay in the entire Schengen area. The sum insured must be at least EUR 30,000.
- Confirmation of hotel reservation or apartment rental and confirmation of prepayment.
- Proof of employment (for example, a certificate from the place of work) and income (certificate of wages or income); for students: student ID (original and copy).
- Confirmation of solvency (bank statement for the last three months, or a statement from the bank about the account balance, or traveler's checks - original and copies). Each applicant must prove that they have at least CHF 100. fr. (or an equivalent amount in another currency) for each day of stay.
- Confirmation of the type of transport by which the round trip is planned (copy of the ticket reservation).
- Information about the final purpose of the trip and the route of the trip (for the entire period of stay in the Schengen area)

For children under 18:
Additionally to the list:
- Birth certificate (original and copy translated into German, French, Italian or English and notarized)
- If the child travels unaccompanied by one of the parents, it is necessary to provide the parent's consent to travel abroad (original and copy, translated into German, French, Italian or English and notarized).

All travelers are required to have ski medical insurance for the entire duration of the requested visa.

When traveling on own car must be submitted to the consulate:
- a copy of the international driving license;
- a copy of the car registration certificate;
- original and copy of the international insurance policy for motor vehicle liability (Green card).

The consular fee for all types of short-stay Schengen visas for applicants over 12 years old is 35 euros, for children from 6 to 12 years old - 35 euros. Children under the age of 6 and children under the age of 16 are exempted from paying the consular fee, if they are entered in the parents' passport.
Visa Section of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow:
Prechistenskaya emb., 31

There may be changes in the rules for obtaining a visa - we recommend that you contact the consulate or visa center to obtain the necessary information on visa issues.

- What is the most convenient way to travel around Switzerland, which is better - rent a car or go by train?
Switzerland is justly proud of its railways, which are distinguished by their accuracy, comfort and excellent information system. The local bus schedule takes into account the train schedule, and train connections are optimally selected. From the cashier you can get a printout of the nearest train and transfers, indicating platform numbers and exact connection times. Free booklets with train timetables can be borrowed from ticket offices and information stands. Many ski resorts have train stations, while others can be quickly reached from the nearest station by bus / funicular. Skis and other luggage can be sent directly to the resort or hotel by pre-ordering this service on the website sbb.ch .

Passes can be purchased from travel agencies, airports and train stations.

Detailed information:
About Switzerland in Russian
Swiss travel system
www.sbb.ch - train timetables, connections and ticket prices.

It is quite convenient to travel around Switzerland by car, the country's roads are in very good condition, the average price of diesel is 1.5 CHF, gasoline is 1.5-1.55 CHF. However, remember that the serpentines leading to the resorts can be prone to traffic jams, especially during snowfalls and before weekends. To use the expressways, you must pay an annual toll of 40 CHF and receive a "vignette" confirming the payment. The vignette is sold at gas stations, in border shops, post offices, at points of sale at customs, it is valid for a year from the date of purchase (there is no shorter period), the vignette must be glued to the windshield of the car. Car rental in Switzerland usually includes a vignette; if the car is rented outside Switzerland, such a coupon can be purchased at the border. Don't forget about speed limits - the fines for exceeding them are high.

Pros:

- Switzerland is a rather expensive country. How to save money when traveling?
The myths about the incredible high cost of Switzerland are successfully dispelled on the very first trip. Of course, in this country there are also truly luxury resorts that bohemians love, and the price level for them is appropriate. But in general, a well-planned trip to Switzerland will cost less than a vacation of the same level in France, and, as a rule, not more expensive than a vacation of the same level in other Alpine countries. For example, what in other countries costs 4-5 euros (for example, mulled wine or cappuccino), in Swiss ski resorts will cost 4-5 francs, i.e. somewhat cheaper. A similar ratio applies to other prices. The Swiss franc exchange rate is approximately 0.92 euros per franc, 1 euro = 1.09 CHF, when exchanging at banks, hotels and currency exchange offices, a commission is charged (from 5 francs) and the rate may be slightly lower. Where to change money does not really matter, the rate is usually about the same. As a rule, it is easiest to exchange money (euros or dollars for francs) either at bank branches (check their opening hours) or at the ticket office at the railway station. On weekends, banks are closed, money can be changed at the station, withdrawn from an ATM, or simply asked to exchange the amount at any major hotel.

–How to make a trip to Switzerland on a budget:
- If possible, choose a low season for travel. Many Swiss resorts open early, in early December and earlier, and offer very humane accommodation prices and discounts on everything else before Christmas week (often special offers include the cost of ski passes). The lowest season is mid to late January. Prices for accommodation and air tickets are also falling rapidly at the end of the season, in March - April (just do not choose the European Easter week for an economical trip - even if the price level is normal, the number of people skating at this time increases dramatically).
- Purchase a ready-made tour from major operators / agencies working with Switzerland. Usually, independent trip turns out to be not cheaper, and in many cases even more expensive than a tourist package and special offers. When organizing a trip on your own, you need to be prepared for a significant investment of time. True, and the result you will get is very predictable and absolutely the one that you yourself planned. Large tour operators redeem hotel rooms in advance, and it is often cheaper to buy accommodation from them, rather than directly through booking systems or the websites of tourism offices. Many travel agencies offer special packages for independent travelers, those who have already bought flights and are only looking for accommodation (or vice versa). Also, hotel chains and many resorts regularly form profitable special offers .
- If you are a supporter of the "do it yourself" system, try to catch special offers of airlines or buy tickets much in advance (for the New Year period it is better to buy tickets in spring and summer). The same applies to the most demanded housing. Regular sales and promotions are carried out by airlines SWISS... With transfers to Zurich and Geneva, you can fly on a budget by the largest European carriers and discounts.
- Choose inexpensive resorts, estimate the cost of the ski pass and the price level of the region, determine your preferences for skiing. For beginners, it doesn't make much sense to travel to a huge region with an expensive ski pass.
- If you want to ride in a large ski area near an expensive resort, choose accommodation in neighboring villages - such options are much cheaper, and many lifts lead from small villages located in the vicinity of the "main" resort. For example, you can ski in the Four Valleys and on the pistes of Verbier, choosing accommodation in the small resorts of Nendaz, Veysonnaz or Le Chable.
- If you are planning a trip with children, choose resorts where children ride for free or with significant discounts (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Villars, Les Diablerets, Leysin, Leukerbad and others).
- When traveling with a large company or a family with children, choose an apartment - this will save both on the cost of housing and on food. The apartments can be booked on the websites of the resorts, in Interhome, at Russian tour operators .
- If you intend to cook the food yourself, go for large-scale purchases in a supermarket in a nearby valley or city, the price level will pleasantly please you. Large hypermarkets are usually located at the entrances to cities.

- What are the largest ski areas in Switzerland?
The longest runs in Switzerland are:
1) Portes du Soleil- 650 km of pistes divided between France and Switzerland. Resorts on the Swiss side: Champery, Le Crozet, Champuissant, Morgen. There are no luxury resorts on the Swiss side, small villages mainly offer accommodation in apartments and small hotels (maximum category - 3 *)

3) Zermatt-Cervinia- The Swiss-Italian region offers 360 km of slopes of various levels and perhaps the most beautiful views in Switzerland. The tracks are completely connected by lifts.

4) St. Moritz- the most famous and expensive Swiss resort. Together with the slopes of the Engadine Valley - 350 km. True, a significant part of them are scattered across the valley and are not completely connected by lifts. One of the best places for freeriding, international freeride competitions are held on the tracks above the resort.

5) Davos- the highest mountain city in Switzerland is surrounded by different ski areas, in total - 310 km of tracks, the main and most interesting areas are separated from each other, to move between them you need to use a train / bus. One of the most attractive resorts for snowboarders. Snow resort, excellent off-piste skiing opportunities.

6) Skipass Gstaad operates on 210 km of slopes, although not all of them are connected by lifts. The shared ski pass, also valid on the slopes of Villars, Grillon and neighboring resorts, includes 420 km of slopes. There are small ski areas in the valley around the resort; the general ski pass of Gstaad also includes the Glacier3000 glacier (in Les Diablerets).

7) Samnaun- the same ski area with the Austrian resort of Ischgl - 235 km of tracks, mostly of medium difficulty. Samnaun is Switzerland's only duty-free ski resort with duty-free shops.

8) Flims-Laax-Falera- a dynamically developing region in Graubünden with modern lifts - 220 km of slopes, mostly red and blue. Great place for snowboarders and families.

9) Alps of the Lake Geneva region: a single skipass connects 225 km of slopes above the resorts Villars, Grillon, Le Diablerets, Leysin, Le Moss... The slopes of Villars-Grillon and part of the slopes of Les Diablerets are connected by lifts (125 km of slopes), the rest of the resorts must be reached by car or bus.

10) Jungfrau Region - Grindelwald, Wengnen and Murren offer 213 km of slopes, mostly of medium difficulty. The tracks of Grindelwald and Wengen are connected by lifts, you need to get to Murren by bus.

- Which resorts are best suited for families with children?
The best resorts for families with children in Switzerland are awarded the “Families Welcome” certificate of quality. These are not just advertising "gimmicks" of the resorts, it is a strict certification system for a number of parameters, and resorts with these certificates are regularly tested.

What to look for when choosing a family resort:
- an abundance of blue tracks;
- availability of training trails near hotels / apartments;
- the presence and location of playgrounds;
- the presence of kindergartens and ski schools not far from the residence;
- climate (high-mountain resorts are not very suitable for rest with babies);
- the duration of the transfer;
- the presence of apartments or a kitchen (if it is necessary due to the diet or due to allergies);
- the opportunity to walk with a stroller (look at the map of the walking paths, do not choose the resorts located only along the main road in the gorge).

In the central part of the canton of Graubünden, there is the small resort of Arosa, which offers good conditions for families with children. It is considered one of the sunniest in Switzerland and is located at an altitude of 1800 meters. Every week, the resort hosts events and activities for families with children (free for all holidaymakers). Many hotels are equipped with their own wellness centers with pools and spas, there are playgrounds next to the slopes, a special children's club operates in the resort, toboggan runs and walkways for pedestrians are laid around the resort. The trails are quite varied and located at an optimal height, making it a great option for a weekend trip.

Another child-friendly resort is located in the Jungfrau region, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the country and in the Alps. The largest of the region's resorts - - is located at an altitude of 1034 meters. Together with , St. Moritz and Grindelwald is part of the Best of the Alps club. This resort is very much appreciated by lovers of toboggans: around Grindelwald there are very long and picturesque toboggan runs of varying difficulty (over 50 km). There are not many extra-class hotels in this resort, it offers a good selection of chalets and apartments, the resort has one five-star hotel and several good hotels of the 4 * and 4 * super categories. The ski area around Grindelwald mainly offers blue and red pistes, which are comfortable and very scenic. In addition to all the possibilities for active recreation, the resort offers a new service for thrill-seekers. Those who wish can fly 800 m down at a speed of 80 km / h on a special attraction - First Flyer. This unique, absolutely safe analogue of the "bungee" will appeal to those who love speed.

Small resorts in Portes du Soleil are also great for families with children, just don't look for luxury accommodation and five-star hotels there.

- I want to go skiing, but my wife doesn't like skiing and wants to go to the spa resort. Where is the best place to go?
- One of the best resorts for those who want to ski and swim is Leukerbad, located in the Valais canton. The resort in the full sense of the word corresponds to the saying "what the doctor ordered." Skiing and others winter fun in Leukerbad - rather a supplement to the local thermal springs, known since Roman times. With skiing in Leukerbad, things are not bad, although experts, accustomed to hundreds of kilometers of trails, may frown with disgust - only 50 km of trails. However, the ski area of ​​the resort is quite beautiful and great for intermediate skiers. Spa lovers will appreciate the Alpentherme's Welsh Bath Village. In small traditional huts, built of old wood, there are baths and saunas with different temperatures, a hammam, a waterfall and a plunge pool with ice water. Families with children will love the Burgerbad Thermal Complex: waterslides, pools and various attractions. For adults, in addition to various hydromassages, there is a pool with unfiltered hot water directly from the source (it is strictly dosed for medicinal purposes). A visit to the spa's thermal facilities is included in the Snow and Spa ski pass, and after skiing, most of the guests go to the pools and saunas. Many hotels have their own thermal springs in Leukerbad, and, in addition to the standard set for any wellness center, guests are offered a variety of exotic treatments. The 6-day Leukerbad ski pass includes 1 day of skiing in the neighboring resort of Crans-Montana, it will not take too much on the road to other Valais resorts.

Resorts of Central Switzerland:

Other materials:

This year we decided to take our 10-year-old child on a three-day trip to Switzerland. In general, initially my husband and I planned to leave our son in the care of grandmothers in order to enjoy the romance together, but then dad thought and decided that it was necessary to introduce the younger generation to world culture, otherwise, apart from animators in Turkey, the child, by and large, did not see anything in life ... No sooner said than done, took the child with them. We ourselves have already been to Switzerland, but my son was traveling for the first time, so his mouth opened with admiration at the station, and did not close until the end of the trip. For the child, we have developed a special route to make it interesting. Of course, the first on the list (a three-hour walk around the city, of course) was the Zurich Zoo.

The zoo is huge, all the animals are in excellent condition, the conditions are close to natural for all inhabitants. Have you ever seen impudent peacocks? But I saw it! They walk along the paths and don't even turn off when you approach. From far away I saw how the peacock jumped on the table to the visitors, not at all embarrassed! And who in the zoo just was not: penguins and inhabitants of the tropics, elephants and giant turtles, all sorts of Red Book animals. You can spend the whole day at the zoo in Zurich! We ate at a wonderful restaurant and continued our walk. We went to the Zoolino pet farm, this is such a touching zoo - animals can be stroked and fed. Then we were in Masoala - the rainforest of Madagascar. We walked until closing time - until 18.00, and we went to the hotel, tired, however, on the way we wandered into a chocolate maker and enjoyed delicious fresh, still warm buns with hot chocolate. The child was happy.

On the second day, we went to the private Toy Museum. The museum is small but rich. On the forums, they wrote that there are always a lot of visitors, I did not believe, as it turned out, in vain. The museum has many old toys released during the war years in Germany. Amazing museum, highly recommend visiting it.

On the same day - Zurich Paleontological Museum. We saw a collection of fish and marine reptiles that lived 240 million years ago. The exhibits are amazing, the son looked at the fossilized skeletons, shells, shells as if spellbound ... But the child, the husband was just as impressed.

On the third day, early in the morning, we went to the Dinosaur Museum, and from there, after a delicious second breakfast in a cafe, straight to the Alpamare water park. It is located on a hill on the shores of Lake Zurich in the town of Pfafikon, a 45-minute drive from Zurich. Slides, tunnels, wave pool - an amazing place. We stayed for two hours and felt that we were impossibly tired.

These are the three absolutely gorgeous days we spent in Switzerland. It seems that we prepared a children's program, but we ourselves were very interested and I am glad that the child unwittingly forced us to look into the zoo and the museum of dolls, prehistoric sea creatures ... If someone, like us, wants to take the child with him to Switzerland, use our route - you won't regret it.

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How to travel on a budget in Switzerland and a budget vacation in Switzerland

Switzerland is a very versatile country. On the one hand, there are majestic mountains, delicious fondue and chocolate, large banks where the richest people on the planet keep their savings, world-famous Swiss watches, and an organized society. But on the other hand, just incredible prices in Switzerland that can shock any tourist: $ 8 for a cup of coffee or a glass of beer, $ 50 for a steak, $ 15 for a menu at McDonald's, $ 35-40 for a bed in a hostel!

Switzerland is considered the most expensive country in the world among tourists, and Geneva and Zurich are two of the ten most expensive cities for life.

Due to the high cost, it is easy to understand why so many people are afraid to travel to travel in Switzerland on your own and wait until they get older and richer. Therefore, when you say that even Switzerland can be visited by a budget tourist, many will shake their heads in disbelief and twist their fingers at their temples :).

At first glance, Switzerland will be a real challenge even for experienced tourists who are used to traveling on their own and not expensive. Switzerland is a country with a strong currency and high taxes, a Mecca for wealthy bankers, international organizations, wealthy residents, and tax havens.

Switzerland will never be a “cheap” country to visit that travelers can visit for just a few dollars a day, but to your surprise, you will be able to realize that it is possible to travel around the country for a relatively small amount. It is difficult, but doable!

Find cheap flights to Switzerland

Here are some effective ways to save your budget, but at the same time enjoy the trip and avoid wasteful expenses:

1. Use Couchsurfing

With hostel beds starting at $ 30-40 per night, you will clearly need to find cheap accommodation in Switzerland. Couchsurfing is one of the ways to significantly save on accommodation. This is a service that allows travelers to stay with locals for free. This can be a lifesaver to keep your expenses within your planned budget. Since many travelers use this service, we recommend that you send inquiries to landlords in advance.

2. Use BlaBlaCar

Transport in the country is very expensive, even more expensive than the cost of living. Most intercity trains cost around 50 CHF (Swiss francs). True, he is very fast! Instead, use the popular BlaBlaCar service, with which many of our compatriots are already familiar, to avoid the cost of trains, and at the same time chat with the locals. This service allows you to share your travel costs with multiple fellow travelers, and each trip can save you a decent family budget. It is important to remember: be careful, trips can often be canceled by the driver, even at the last minute. Therefore, try to be flexible in making decisions. But if you use the service, you will be satisfied with your trip.

3. When traveling with a company, use Airbnb

If you are traveling together or in a group, and prefer independent accommodation, then we advise you to pay attention to the service where you can rent inexpensive and comfortable accommodation in Switzerland. At about $ 50 a night, you can split the costs for two - it's only $ 25, which is much cheaper than a hostel!

4. Less alcoholic beverages (and it's better not to drink at all)

It's not cheap to drink here. Most beers cost around CHF 8. Most wines cost between 10-25 CHF per bottle. If you do decide to have a drink, the cheapest place will be at the hostel's bar, where so-called “happy hours” are often held, where you can have 2 drinks for the price of one, or just get a cheap cocktail - about CHF 5.

5. Prepare food yourself

The cost of a meal in a restaurant will cost you an average of about 40 CHF per person. And since this is a lot of money for a budget tourist, we advise you to buy food in local supermarkets. A food set for a week (bread, pasta, rice, eggs, vegetables, cheese, meats for sandwiches, fruit platter) will cost you about 75-100 CHF. Major supermarkets are Migros, COOP and Spar. COOP is the most expensive.

6. Enjoy vegetarian meals

The meat is very expensive in Switzerland. Swiss and expatriates say they sometimes limit their meat consumption due to the high cost of meat. Therefore, eat vegetables and avoid buying meat (especially beef). A pound of meat in a supermarket costs an average of 12-14 CHF!

7. Take advantage of special offers in the cafe

If you are going to eat in a cafe or restaurant, it is better to do it during lunch, when most of the dishes of the day cost around 10-19 CHF. Also, do not hesitate to visit ethnic restaurants such as Chinese, Oriental, Indian, or Thai - here you will get huge portions for a reasonable price (on average for 10 CHF you will be full of food). Meals of the Day are a great way to save your budget by enjoying delicious meals for less. As a result, we advise you to cook breakfast and dinner yourself, and you can also dine in a cafe.

Switzerland is an expensive country - there is no doubt about that. The smallest possible budget with which a tourist / budget traveler can travel to Switzerland is around $ 75 dollars. For that budget, you can visit major attractions, stay in a budget hostel, and enjoy outdoor adventures and activities. A smaller budget will significantly limit your ability to truly enjoy what Switzerland has to offer.

But whatever your travel style, following the tips above will save you a lot of money on traveling in Switzerland by cutting down on unnecessary expenses and focusing your hard-earned cash on your interests - museums, beer, adventure, or a pound of meat 🙂

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The stereotypical idea of ​​Switzerland is that it is boring there - nothing interesting happens and only the cuckoo clock ticks monotonously. The Swiss themselves know about this opinion and do everything to make their stay in the country bright and impressive. For example, in Geneva, which traditionally seems like a sleepy resort town, there is where to go and what to do all year round.

Mysterious Geneva

The game "Mysterious Geneva" will help you to spend an interesting time in the old city, in which it is proposed to reveal the secret of the sudden disappearance of the professor of archeology Archibald Kimerion on one June night in 1893. The game starts in the office of the Geneva Tourism company, where you are given a special booklet - what places, museums and streets you should visit in order to find there evidence and clues for the investigation. The tour lasts at least three hours, so winter time we recommend to dress warmly.

Address: Rue du Mont-Blanc, 18

Cost: The book costs CHF 21 and includes tickets to all locations. If a group tour is envisaged, there is an additional charge of CHF 7 per person. francs.

Lake Geneva cruise

One of the main treasures of Geneva is Lake Leman, the largest freshwater body of water in Europe, with clear water and picturesque shores. Therefore, a variety of yacht cruises on the lake start from the city berths dozens of times a day. The duration of the trips can be adjusted according to taste, as there are short cruises up to famous fountain and vice versa, there are two-hour tours with an overview of the surroundings or a trip to several cities at once with a stopover, for example, to Lausanne. Cruise themes are also varied - there are tours with the history of Geneva castles, and gastronomic "voyages" with tasting fondue or haute European cuisine.

Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc

Cost: the price differs depending on the tour, check with the carriers

Large Hadron Collider

The complex regularly hosts excursions, both individually and for groups of up to 48 people. Unfortunately, non-specialists are not allowed into the underground department with the collider, however, for visitors, scientists have two permanent exhibitions about the smallest particles of the Universe, as well as lectures and discussions on various topics, for example, how to rob a person. Since it is a secure facility, you must strictly follow the instructions: be sure to have your passport with you, come on an excursion 15 minutes before the start, do not take luggage and animals with you, and also don’t wear high-heeled shoes, flip flops or sandals.

Address: 385 route de Meyrin

Cost: the excursions are free, but there are so many people who want to book a tour 15 days in advance by filling out the form on the CERN website

"Little Italy" in Carouge

The southern suburb of Geneva Carouge is called "Little Italy" - because of the special Mediterranean, Sardinian architecture, numerous shops, art and antique shops, local restaurants and cafes. In addition, there is an outdoor pool, where daredevils swim even in winter, a park with bike paths for riding, and on Wednesdays there is a market, and local greengrocers and farmers bring out the freshest vegetables and fruits.

Address: Rue Ancienne - 1227 Carouge

Swatch watch exhibition

In the center of Geneva is the "City of Time", Cite du temps, where the most complete collection of the famous Swatch watches is located, from the company's foundation in 1983 to the present day. In addition to thousands of bright, multi-colored, striking the imagination plastic clock, works here and art Gallery where contemporary art and photography are regularly shown and special projects are done - for example, exhibitions for the release of the next James Bond film. In the "City of Time" there is also a cozy restaurant where you can take a breath and drink coffee.

Address: Pont de la Machine, 1

Cost: Free entry

Cooking chocolate

The Stettler chocolate boutique offers chocolate making workshops from Monday to Friday. This is a complex and multi-stage business, so everyone is dedicated to the history of chocolate, the huge fruits of the cocoa tree are shown, and they tell about all the stages that the ingredients go through on the way to chocolate candy. And, of course, you are encouraged to shape the praline yourself, stir the hot chocolate in a large saucepan and taste it.

Address: Avenue Blanc, 49

Cost: The price of a 45-minute lesson is CHF 30. francs, 1.5-hour lesson costs CHF 120. francs per person

Ethnographical museum

The best museums in Geneva are ethnographic, as outstanding collectors of household items and cults of different peoples of the world lived here at one time. MEG, the Ethnographic Museum of Geneva contains an extensive collection, which includes ritual masks, feathers, and samurai armor, in a word, the most exotic garments that are traditionally worn in different parts of the world. For each exhibition, the museum hosts a host of side events, for example, theatrical performances, children's excursions with dancing and music, "shamanism sessions" with stories about the esoteric practices of the peoples of the world, as well as film screenings are held in the framework of projects about the Amazon Indians.

Address: Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 65-67

Cost: Adult ticket price CHF 9. francs, for children under 18 years old admission is free

Exhibition "Days of the Dinosaurs"

In the largest exhibition center There's always something going on at Geneva Palexpo and this fall (October 1 to January 8, 2017) hosts Dinosaur Days, a massive show dedicated to prehistoric animals. On the territory of the 7th pavilion of the complex with an area of ​​4500 sq. m reproduced more than 60 species of dinosaurs - in full size, moreover, their three-dimensional images are animated, they can move and even growl! Dinosaur Days also show giant dinosaur footprints and paw prints as proof of the life of these legendary creatures.

Address: Route François-Peyrot, 30

Cost: CHF 14.9-18.9 francs

Assembling a swiss knife

In the basement floor of the flagship Victorinox boutique in Geneva, there is a real workshop - with a workbench, tons of parts and an engraving machine. Here everyone can independently assemble the famous Swiss knife, of course, under the guidance of an experienced craftsman, who will not let you put your finger in the clamp and will tell you which side to insert the nuts. You can also choose the color of the body, the inscription that will be engraved on your knife, its font and style.

Address: Rue du Marché, 2

Cost: CHF 19 francs

Botanical Garden

One of the main attractions of the city is a botanical garden with an observatory, which occupies an area of ​​28 hectares. There are up to 12,000 plant species here, including such exotic species as the "walking tree", and the collected herbarium contains six million flora specimens! For children, there is a playground "Enchanted Forest", a carousel of fairy tales, here you can admire sheep nibbling grass, watch bees in an apiary and play ball on a specially equipped playground.

Address: Chemin de l'Impératrice, 1

Cost: Entrance to the grounds of the garden and observatory is free, but you have to pay CHF 3 for 1 round of the carousel. franc

Where to live and what to eat

Most five-star hotels are very child-friendly: they not only offer special discounts, family rooms, but also try to make pleasant surprises. As representatives of the Mandarin Oriental tell us, “Sweet surprises prepared by our pastry chef will await our little guests in their room. For extra comfort, we have small robes, bath accessories, highchairs, a bottle warmer and so on. We will prepare everything you need and deliver it to your room. " Also, most hotels offer a children's menu and babysitting services, so staying in Geneva with children will be very comfortable.

You can safely go with children to almost any Geneva restaurant: most of them have a children's menu. Special events are also offered: for example, Parc Des Eaux-Vives has Sunday brunches with animators, and the special family restaurant Un R de famille offers cooking and painting classes, a children's corner with toys and books, and a winter garden.

Thank the company Geneva Tourism and Albin Rassamakin for help in preparing the material.