Every single Indian visiting Europe would never forgo a visit to Switzerland! Thats the most beautiful place on earth as portrayed by Bollywood movies. It happens often that I tell my exotic travel stories back in India and get asked in the end "Have you been to Switzerland?". It becomes an embarrassing moment to say "No!". So I finally made up my mind to make an extensive tour of Switzerland and get to know the "Heaven!". For it being a small mountain country in the alps and I staying in Netherlands , the time couldn't have been better if not February. After heavy snow fall in mid-feb the small alpine country was covered with snow. I was lucky to get clear sky and sun-shine blazing in the snow-white countryside. I started and ended my journey in Geneva covering east (The Swiss!), west (French Speaking), north (German Speaking) and south (Italian Speaking) part of Switzerland.I arrived in Geneva on 23rd Feb, another huge concrete jungle. It was the first time I met my friend Ankit after almost two years. He cooked authentic grandmotherly north-indian sabji roti for me. Indian men have hidden talent for cooking, its sad we never realize it back in India. Also, his student housing was similar to our hostel in IIT. So nostalgia kicked in and we were back in old days.
The next day he headed for his work and I started my journey to the alps. For my surprise I was noticing women everywhere. I couldn't resist appreciating them! (I will come to this point later). I started my journey towards east, my first destination being Lausanne. I should note at this point that I had no plans for my travel and I didn't really have any destination. What I had was a rail pass which gave me unlimited travel opportunity for 4 days (out of my 7 day visit)!
Lausanne is an elevated city facing lake Geneva. Its known for its technical (EPFL) and management (IMD) institutes. After making the walk in the city center above and along the lake below, I headed for Bern (The Capital!) in the afternoon.
The old center of Bern is built on hilly peninsula surrounded by river Aare. The medieval city has been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Its possible to make a quick walk of the city center. Most noticeable sites are Time Bell, Munster (Gothic Cathedral) and view from there. One can visit Einstein's House when he was working in the patent office in Bern with his wife and wrote papers on special theory of relativity.
I headed south from Bern to a small town Thun located on one corner of lake Thun. There are high mountains in the south which run east-west along whole Switzerland. The most touristic thing would have been to visit Jungfrau- 4000 m (up from Interlaken) and Matterhorn- 4527 m (up from Zermat). Knowing my less touristic taste I was suggested by my host to try Niederhorn (up from Beatenberg) facing lake Thun that is not a common skii resort. So I went to Niederhorn the next day. 
I wouldn't say more and let the pictures tell the rest of the story (the first picture). I met a Musician from Bern who came to perform in Thun. Sadly I couldn't see him perform that evening. But he introduced me to typical swiss cousin (Hamme) on the mountaintop. Also I realized the importance of wearing sun glasses for the first time as ice covered mountains and bright sun was making it difficult to keep my eyes open and trust me I really wanted to. The view of the mountains (Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch...) is breath taking. I ate Maroni (roasted hazzlenuts) on my way back. Monica made me nice Fondue that evening, which was the perfect end to the perfect day.
......I should note here that the highest mountain in western Europe is Mont Blanc (4800 m), which I could see towards the west. If you happen to fly from/to Milan over swiss alps take appropriate window seat (right/left- I think) as they often take the plane from the side of Mont Blanc (they usually inform). Don't forget to take your camera in your handbag (because I didn't!)......
The next day he headed for his work and I started my journey to the alps. For my surprise I was noticing women everywhere. I couldn't resist appreciating them! (I will come to this point later). I started my journey towards east, my first destination being Lausanne. I should note at this point that I had no plans for my travel and I didn't really have any destination. What I had was a rail pass which gave me unlimited travel opportunity for 4 days (out of my 7 day visit)!
Lausanne is an elevated city facing lake Geneva. Its known for its technical (EPFL) and management (IMD) institutes. After making the walk in the city center above and along the lake below, I headed for Bern (The Capital!) in the afternoon.
The old center of Bern is built on hilly peninsula surrounded by river Aare. The medieval city has been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Its possible to make a quick walk of the city center. Most noticeable sites are Time Bell, Munster (Gothic Cathedral) and view from there. One can visit Einstein's House when he was working in the patent office in Bern with his wife and wrote papers on special theory of relativity.
I headed south from Bern to a small town Thun located on one corner of lake Thun. There are high mountains in the south which run east-west along whole Switzerland. The most touristic thing would have been to visit Jungfrau- 4000 m (up from Interlaken) and Matterhorn- 4527 m (up from Zermat). Knowing my less touristic taste I was suggested by my host to try Niederhorn (up from Beatenberg) facing lake Thun that is not a common skii resort. So I went to Niederhorn the next day. 
I wouldn't say more and let the pictures tell the rest of the story (the first picture). I met a Musician from Bern who came to perform in Thun. Sadly I couldn't see him perform that evening. But he introduced me to typical swiss cousin (Hamme) on the mountaintop. Also I realized the importance of wearing sun glasses for the first time as ice covered mountains and bright sun was making it difficult to keep my eyes open and trust me I really wanted to. The view of the mountains (Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch...) is breath taking. I ate Maroni (roasted hazzlenuts) on my way back. Monica made me nice Fondue that evening, which was the perfect end to the perfect day.......I should note here that the highest mountain in western Europe is Mont Blanc (4800 m), which I could see towards the west. If you happen to fly from/to Milan over swiss alps take appropriate window seat (right/left- I think) as they often take the plane from the side of Mont Blanc (they usually inform). Don't forget to take your camera in your handbag (because I didn't!)......
So amazed by the beauty of that place that I decided to make a long walk to nearby town Spiez (15 km from Thun) the next day. It was one of the most beautiful walk I ever made. View of lack Thun surrounded by mountains covered with snow was beautiful. My knees were hurting from day one and it got worse after I reached Spiez. So I sat down in Speiz the rest of the afternoon and evening and wrote postcards to my parents. I slept at my Brazilian host. He gave a Brazilian solution for a Brazilian problem- A lotion for horses and cattle brought all the way from Brazil. Not a joke- it did have picture of happy cattle grazing on the farm!! Instead of going to snowboarding with him the next I decided to take full day of rest (by sitting in the train!).
I spent the whole day sitting in the train and crossed swiss mountains from Brig to Chur (west-east) on Glacier Express, cutting swiss alps in the middle for hundreds of kilometers. It was one of the most beautiful and scenic experiences of my life. It climbs mountains and goes through bridges. The highest point of the Glacier Express was more than 2000 m. Glacier Express is the slowest express in the world, probably faster then the slowest train!!!!
I went through the mountains towards west and went on towards north-west of the Swiss to a small alpine country of Leichtenstein (160sq.km). It is a landlocked mountain country between Swiss and Austria. It is the fourth smallest country in I took a Bus from Sargans (swiss) to Vaduz (the Capital of Leichtenstein). There is no border control and you can get a visa stamp in the tourist office in Vaduz for 2 Euros! The picture on the right is The Palace of Royal Family in Vaduz. The country has only 35000 residents and it has more registered companies than citizens!
I ended my day in Zurich where I stayed with another friend of mine from university- Samir Berman. The next morning I spent walking in Zurich. I had to reach south of Swiss in the Italian speaking part the same day as I had plans with my friends from Geneva to spend our weekend there. So I travelled north-south crossing the mountains again to a city called Lugano on lake Lugano. 
We enjoyed another mountain city next to a beautiful lake. Italian part is very different from rest of Swiss. You get awesome food, Italian people fun and everything is super cheap on Swiss standards! The next day we went to Bellinzona (north of Lugano). It is famous for the three Roman Castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that are World Heritage Sites. I could barely walk but I did finish first 2 castles before time run short and we had to go back to Geneva. I spent my last day in University of Geneva- Dept. of Chemistry watching chemists working in their gloveboxes and uploaded pictures.We went to an Indian restaurent and enjoyed unlimited awesome food for just 10 bugs. Ankit dropped me at the airport and I said good buy to the Heaven!
Something Funny:
Indian Bollywood movies shoot songs in Thun-Interlaken area where I stayed 3 nights. Indians in hundreds dancing somewhere, wearing beautiful colorful dresses, becomes a turist attraction for locals every summer! At the same time it becomes pain in the ass for the hotel staff where they make big mess. Special arrangements have to be made for them. I wish I could be part of the Bollywood dance!
General:
Swiss is extremely expensive country. Lot of people in India want to visit Swiss thanks to Bollywood movies. I have seen many who plan to go there after they retire, particularly people from middle class who decide to go once abroad in there life. I would sincerely suggest to consider lot of other available options within India, in east Asia, or in Europe for that matter. Swiss is beautiful but so are lot of other countries. Himalayas goes as high as 9000m (mount everest) against 5000 m in swiss (Mont Blanc). So just go visit Himalayas if you want to see snow covered mountains. Its just not worth the price IF its your only trip ever abroad. Also, always check the weather condition of the place. Landscape will be very different in Summer (lush green) and Winter (snow covered). If its raining the time you go, you will really regret. Clear sky is very important when go want visit such a landscape.
To my surprise I found people of swiss very nice and friendly. I was impressed by swiss hospitality.
I went through the mountains towards west and went on towards north-west of the Swiss to a small alpine country of Leichtenstein (160sq.km). It is a landlocked mountain country between Swiss and Austria. It is the fourth smallest country in I took a Bus from Sargans (swiss) to Vaduz (the Capital of Leichtenstein). There is no border control and you can get a visa stamp in the tourist office in Vaduz for 2 Euros! The picture on the right is The Palace of Royal Family in Vaduz. The country has only 35000 residents and it has more registered companies than citizens!
I ended my day in Zurich where I stayed with another friend of mine from university- Samir Berman. The next morning I spent walking in Zurich. I had to reach south of Swiss in the Italian speaking part the same day as I had plans with my friends from Geneva to spend our weekend there. So I travelled north-south crossing the mountains again to a city called Lugano on lake Lugano. 
We enjoyed another mountain city next to a beautiful lake. Italian part is very different from rest of Swiss. You get awesome food, Italian people fun and everything is super cheap on Swiss standards! The next day we went to Bellinzona (north of Lugano). It is famous for the three Roman Castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that are World Heritage Sites. I could barely walk but I did finish first 2 castles before time run short and we had to go back to Geneva. I spent my last day in University of Geneva- Dept. of Chemistry watching chemists working in their gloveboxes and uploaded pictures.We went to an Indian restaurent and enjoyed unlimited awesome food for just 10 bugs. Ankit dropped me at the airport and I said good buy to the Heaven!Something Funny:
Indian Bollywood movies shoot songs in Thun-Interlaken area where I stayed 3 nights. Indians in hundreds dancing somewhere, wearing beautiful colorful dresses, becomes a turist attraction for locals every summer! At the same time it becomes pain in the ass for the hotel staff where they make big mess. Special arrangements have to be made for them. I wish I could be part of the Bollywood dance!
General:
Swiss is extremely expensive country. Lot of people in India want to visit Swiss thanks to Bollywood movies. I have seen many who plan to go there after they retire, particularly people from middle class who decide to go once abroad in there life. I would sincerely suggest to consider lot of other available options within India, in east Asia, or in Europe for that matter. Swiss is beautiful but so are lot of other countries. Himalayas goes as high as 9000m (mount everest) against 5000 m in swiss (Mont Blanc). So just go visit Himalayas if you want to see snow covered mountains. Its just not worth the price IF its your only trip ever abroad. Also, always check the weather condition of the place. Landscape will be very different in Summer (lush green) and Winter (snow covered). If its raining the time you go, you will really regret. Clear sky is very important when go want visit such a landscape.
To my surprise I found people of swiss very nice and friendly. I was impressed by swiss hospitality.
