Moderately continental and Alpine. Powerful mountain systems cause differences in climatic conditions of different regions of Switzerland. In the mountains, not too hot in the summer of 16 to 18 C in the lowlands and in the northern part of the country's warm enough from +18 to +27 C. In Geneva, the average January temperature is about 0 C, July - 19 C. Annual precipitation of 800 mm. on the plains to 2500 mm. a year on the western slopes of the mountains. Traveling around the country at any time of year.
TIME:
The time difference with Ukraine lags behind by 1 hour.
CAPITAL:
Bern.
LANGUAGE:
German (shvitserdoych), French, Italian, retormansky.
POPULATION:
The indigenous population of Switzerland is about 7 million people.
RELIGION:
46% Protestant, Roman Catholic 45%, 6% other religions.
Entry-exit rules:
Upon entry to Switzerland are allowed duty free import of personal items: clothes, photos, cameras, sports equipment, musical instruments, the stock of food on a daily, presents a $ 200 doorman. Franks, 2 liters of alcohol strength of 15 °, 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco). Tobacco and alcohol may be brought by persons not less than 17 years. When leaving Switzerland restrictions on the export of the goods there.
MONEY:
Swiss franc (CHF), equal to 100 centimes (RAPP in the German-speaking Switzerland). In circulation are banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 francs, and coins of 5, 2, 1 franc, 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes. In many stores you can pay with hard currency, we accept all major credit cards and traveler's checks. Change money in any bank branch, in the evening - in the exchange offices of major department stores, airports, and some travel agencies. Better to change money abroad, because in most Swiss national currency is overvalued. Value-added tax in Switzerland is 7.5%. In hotels and restaurants in the invoice amount includes all taxes. When buying in a store in excess of 500 francs you can get a VAT refund. To do this, get a check in the store "Tax-free Shopping Cheque" (passport required), in which on leaving the country must pay VAT in the bank at the airport or a stamp. In this case, upon return to form with a stamp to mail a check for the reimbursement of VAT. In large stores of VAT refunded on the spot, upon presentation of a passport.
TRANSPORT:
The system of internal rail is very modern and high-quality, but also very expensive (Grade 2 Zurich - Geneva - 77 CHF, Zermatt - Geneva - 100 CHF, a trip to the first class has 50% more expensive). Reservations are recommended only for special trains, tickets are usually sold freely in all directions. In the ordinary train tickets are booked for large groups. It is convenient to buy a single ticket "Swiss Pass", acting in Switzerland to travel on buses, trains and boats, as well as giving a 25% discount on cable cars and other benefits. When purchasing it is automatically issued "Swiss Family Card" (family card) entitling the holder to transport free of charge for children under 16 years of age. "Swiss Pass" is valid for the selected period and does not allow removal or addition of the days. "Swiss Pass" are of two types - "Swiss Flexi Pass" and "Swiss Card". "Swiss Flexi Pass" is valid for any three days of this month. "Swiss Card" offers a 50% discount when purchasing tickets on all directions "Swiss Travel System", plus entitles you to two free trips (when entering and leaving the country). The public transport system consists of buses, trams and, in many places, trolley buses. Tickets are sold in vending machines (accepting coins only), installed at each stop. In the vehicle can not buy a ticket. For stowaway charged a large fine. 2,2 CHF ticket entitles you to travel for an hour, the number of transplants is not limited. Passengers under 16, women over 62 years and men older than 65 years old 50% discount. 1,5 CHF ticket entitles you to travel to 3 stops with the return in half an hour. Ticket "carte journaliere" (5 CHF) entitles you to unlimited travel within the city center for one day. It can be purchased at newsstands with the inscription "Transports Publics Genevois (TPG)". The owners of the ticket "Swiss Pass" can travel on public transport in Geneva free of charge. Public transport in Zurich - a network of tram routes ("VBZ-Zuri-Linie"), which operate from 05:30 to midnight, with an interval of 6 minutes in the "peak" and 12 minutes at other times. At bus stops are machines where you can buy route maps, tickets for one trip, as well as a ticket for one day worth 6,4 CHF. Taxis can be ordered by phone 022/321-22-23, 022/794-71-11, 022/331-41-33. The base fare when boarding - CHF 5 per passenger, then charged at CHF 2 per km. In the evenings and on Sundays there is an additional charge.
CAR RENTAL:
Rent a car available at all airports, train stations and large cities have rolled firms. In addition, international companies that rent to rent a car, have offices in all countries, pre-booking, in which visitors can reserve a special rate for a car, while still in their country.
Swisscom - Switzerland's largest telecommunications company. In order to pay for the call, you can use a credit card. Taxcard Cards and International Prepaid Card is also used to pay for a call from a pay phone. This card can be purchased at the post office, railway station, in a booth at a gas station and other places. In all shops in Switzerland Swisscom. In them you can rent a cell phone. When phone calls from Russia to Switzerland, dial, please 08/10/41 + code corresponding to the city without a scratch (with the conversations in the Swiss city has a code corresponding to a 0). For a phone call from Switzerland to Russia, dial 007 + area code corresponding to the city, and then the destination number.
KITCHEN:
Swiss cuisine emerged as a result of a complex, lengthy and controversial development under the influence of many people living in the country. Especially great influence of French, Italian and German culinary traditions. A distinctive feature of the local cuisine - an abundance of cheese and dairy products, and meat with various seasonings. Be sure to try the traditional "foie gras" or "cheese fondue" - melted in boiling white wine and cheese "Gruyere" or "Emmental", flavored with spices. Is this dish should be served hot, dipped in the cheese slices white bread, and to be "squeezed" white wine. Another popular dish of cheese - "raclette", a specially toasted cheese with crunchy pickles, and potatoes in their jackets. It is extremely popular, "Bernes Platter" - fried slices of beef and pork with green beans or sauerkraut, as well as "lyurih leshnettseltes" - thin slices of veal in a sauce. Widely used mouth-watering sausages of all kinds, especially the famous sausage from the cantons of St. Gallen, and Bern, as well as the huge two-meter sausage from Zurich, lovely bacon and a specially prepared potatoes "Rasht", which is best served in conjunction with the Munich white sausages "bratwurst." Swiss chocolate and desserts "hyuhli" and "krepfli" well known throughout the world. Worth a try, and a specially prepared very strong coffee "ristretto". In the southern canton is used almost exclusively Italian cuisine, with its "paste", "Pizza", "carpaccio" "Scampi" and "risotto" with lots of greens and olive oil. Swiss wine and beer are great. Among white wines stand out "Yohannioberg", "Ferdan", "Lavyu" among the red - "Lamey", "Crowns" and "Dol". Good liquor, "Kirsch", "Pflyumli" and "Vilyamin," but they are very strong.
SIGHTSEEING / EXCURSION:
If you go to Eastern Switzerland, you will certainly see one of the most spectacular beauty of the country - Rhine Falls (the average water consumption - 1100 m3 per second). Near the falls is an old beautiful city of Schaffhausen. This part of the country is replete with colorful floral carpets unusual: alpine rose (Rhododendron), edelweiss, Saxifraga, Androsace. Small towns and villages that have discreet charm, perfectly fit into a natural landscape. In central Switzerland, one can admire Mount Pilatus - a favorite place and residents and foreign tourists.
Top ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt, Crans Montana, Saas Fee, St. Moritz. Flims (Flims), Laax (Laax) and phaleras (Falera) - resorts that make up the largest ski area in Switzerland called "Alpine Arena". Located in the canton of Grisons, on a sunny plateau between the mountains Forab (3018 m) and Flimzershtayn. The region offers a variety of ski runs of varying complexity. From the village of Flims on a chairlift to get to the stations Foppa (1420 m) and Naraus (1843 m). Here, feel at ease mid-level skiers. From the top to the village Forab lasts the longest trail in the region - Der Weisse Shus (Der Weisse Schuss, 14 000 m, elevation 1900 m).
Glacier offers athletes Forab 7 km of slopes. Attract skiers from the mountain slopes Casson, as well as trails leading into the moss from the top of Grauberg (2228 m). Beginners will be able to overcome in the hills with Grauberga Nagens. The most difficult descent - Fachas FIS (FIS Fatschas, 4800 m, elevation 140 m) - runs from Krap, dormice-Gon. It can be reached by train from the station Laax-Murshetg located at the village of Laax. Near-Krap dormice-Gon, as well as on the glacier Forab equipped with "half-pipe" for snowboarders. Cross-country skiers are invited Trues 46 km, and the trails Ner (Ner, 3000 m) three times a week covered in the evenings. The resort: ice skating, hang gliding, ballooning, horseback riding. Visitors can swim in the pool, take tennis, shooting, karting, squash, visit restaurants and bars. In the village phaleras preserved church built in the 15th century. In the nearby town of Chur can see museums and Romanesque cathedral.
The main city in Central Switzerland - Lucerne has retained its medieval appearance. The fortress wall (870 meters) there is a 1400. Among the numerous monuments of greatest interest is the first in Switzerland, a large Baroque building Iezuitenkirhe (Jesuitenkirche).
600 Swiss museums are waiting for their visitors at any time of year. The most popular of them - Swiss Museum of History (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum) in Zurich and a museum of Art Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich.
Diverse and rich cultural life of the country. Every big city has its own theater and a symphony orchestra. From musical theater best known opera house in Zurich, Grand Theatre (Grand Theatre), Geneva and Basel City Theater. Summer in Switzerland - it's time festivals are held in Lausanne, Zurich, Montreux and many other cities. In addition to world-renowned international music festivals held annually in Lucerne Carnival. The holiday always begins Thursday and lasts until the first medium of Lent.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Police - 117
Ambulance - 117
Fire Brigade - 118
Emergency Service - 144
Help with car accidents - 140