Switzerland

Switzerland is the place where scenery and logistics are in a rare partnership. You can step off a train in a lakeside city, hop on a cogwheel railway and be standing among glaciers before lunch. The Alps dominate the south and centre, with the Matterhorn and the Jungfrau region as the big names, while the cities are surprisingly relaxed, with medieval old towns, riverside swimming and excellent museums. Four national languages mean the culture shifts as you travel, from German-speaking Zurich to French-speaking Geneva and Italian-feeling Lugano. It is not cheap, but the public transport network makes it easy to see a lot without a car.

Talking points

• Four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh, so signs and food change as you cross the country.
• The rail network is so dense that mountain villages, lake steamers and cable cars all connect to the timetable.
• Most big cities have clean rivers or lakes where locals swim in summer, right in the centre.
• Swiss mountain railways are attractions in themselves, from the Glacier Express to the Jungfrau line.
• Chocolate, cheese and watches are not clichés here: you can visit all three at their source.