Switzerland Tours & Vacations

May, June, September and October are wonderful months for seeing Switzerland, as the weather is typically mild, the mountain passes are still open and the country is less crowded than in the peak holiday months of July and August.

It tends to rain more in the months of March, April, October and November, and with snowfall usually present from December, this is the perfect time for skiers and snowboarders.

Landlocked Switzerland shares borders with Austria, Lichtenstein, Italy, France, and Germany.

A highly mountainous country, Switzerland's best-known ranges are the Alps in the south, with the mighty Matterhorn and iconic Eiger being the most well-known peaks.

Home to an abundance of rolling hills, lakes, glaciers, rivers, meadows and fields, Switzerland's landscapes are incredibly picturesque, particularly in spring and summer when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

• Saint Berchtold's Day

• Epiphany

• Republic Day

• Saint Joseph's Day

• Labour Day

• Ascension Day

• Pentecost Sunday

• Whit Monday

• Corpus Christi

• National Day

• Assumption

• Jeûne genevois

• Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer

• Day after the Federal Fast

• Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day

• All Saints Day

• Immaculate Conception

• St. Stephen's Day

• Restoration of the Republic

Please note that the dates of Switzerland's public holidays may vary.

1. Fondue

While not enjoying the same worldwide popularity that it did in the 1960s and 70s, this Swiss classic is still alive and well in Switzerland. Although not to everyone's taste, travellers should experience sitting around a communal pot of rich, melted cheese at least once.

2. Rosti

Who knew that a plate of grated, fried potato could taste so good? Considered to be Switzerland's national dish, Rosti was once relegated to the breakfast plate but is now served as an accompaniment to dinners too.

3. Bircher Muesli

This Swiss-German classic has taken off worldwide as a breakfast food, although it was originally created for hospital patients by a Swiss physician. Commonly eaten in the evening in southern Switzerland, it's a nutritious mix of oats, fruits and seeds.

4. Zopf

This brioche-like, plaited bread is a traditional Sunday morning treat in Switzerland. Dating back to the 15th century, this delicious bread can be found in bakeries all over Switzerland, especially on Sundays.

5. Cheese

Making hundreds of varieties of cheese, Switzerland is one of the best places in the world to indulge in a dose of calcium. Whether it's a chunk of hard Gruyere, a slice of Emmental or a bit of fruity Appenzeller, Switzerland has enough cheese shops to satisfy everyone.