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Switzerland -- Crowning Glory of the Alps - By- M. J. Neela SM.J. Neela is a Freelance writer and works from home. She characterises herself as a post-modern non-linear thinker. She believes each of us should make a contribution to our society, even if just by way of our own unique influences through positive thinking. M.J. Neela is married to an Air Force Officer and has a seven-year-old son. She holds an M.Phil degree from JNU (New Delhi) in International Politics. she loves to write on a variety of subjects. Issues concerning women and children in today's socio-political realm are of special interest to her.

Switzerland has a rich heritage of regional cultures and a historical background that stretches over several hundreds of years. The country comprises of various communities of Wills and has four national languages. In the picturesque settings of the country it is easy to forget that Switzerland is a landlocked country and is poor in natural resources. The conditions do not cater for an easy life. And yet, the Swiss have surpassed their difficulties with years of hard work and industrious labour. The result, Switzerland is one of the worlds most beautiful and prosperous countries and a tourists' delight. Knowing what a country is and understanding its people gives an added quality to the beauty of a place as one perceives it through all the glitter and fancy offered to a travel connoisseur and vacationing visitor.

The Floral Clock at Geneva

Our (me, my husband and our five year old son) pleasure trip to Switzerland in the summer of 1999 is an unforgettable experience. We landed in Bern on the 15th of August that year. A friend of ours working at the Embassy of India in Bern invited us to the Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy. I found the event pretty much a waste of time. The party appeared to drag and I did not enjoy the Indian food laid out for the guests. I was impatient to go around feasting on the renowned Swiss sights, the tinkling cowbells on the hill slopes, and taste the famed Swiss cheese and chocolates. I had a reasonably satisfactory share of all of these in the wonderful 10 days that we got to spend in Switzerland.

Our first outing in this beautiful country was to Neuchatel Lake, the same afternoon. Apart from boating, there are all sorts of fun water sports one can indulge in while feasting on the lovely backdrop of green mountains on one side and a view of building rooftops on the other. The kids had fun in the kiddie games lined up on the shore. The next day we spent roaming around Bern.

Bern - the capital of Switzerland since 1848, is neat, compact and organised and full of history. Legend has it that a 12th century Duke (Duke Berchtold V of Zahringen) founded the city, while he was out hunting bears - and therefore the name "Bern", and the animal's insignia on the Swiss coat of arms. A stream flows through the city, which is ringed by a city wall and contains watchtowers that were built in the medieval days for protection. Heritage of the city's late-gothic style cathedral - the Munster - can be traced back to 1421. Its impressive filigree, spire up prominently through the old town rooftops. At the heart of the old town is another impressive work of art - the tower, Zytgloggrturn. In 1984, Bern was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it is easy to sight see Bern by car or trams, I personally recommend a bicycle tour or just walk. I look back with happiness, at our decision to hire bicycles to go around Bern through the clearly marked cyclist-friendly roads.

Based in Bern, we were able to plan out and see the other fantastic locations in Switzerland. On one such trip to Geneva, our car broke down at Vevey. Contrary to expectations, we were able to tide over the mishap with remarkable ease. Within half an hour, the "TCS" service gave us a replacement car while the one we were in was taken away for servicing. Indeed, I got to see the roadside vineyards up close, while we sipped on our chai provisions in that short span of time.

Geneva was quite unlike Bern. It has that big city look in spite of its well-preserved old sites. Buildings containing international organisations' headquarters figure prominently in the city. The city's most recognisable landmark is the fountain on Lake Geneva. Called the "Jet d'Eau", the fountain spouts water over 450 feet into the air. The other symbolic sight that I found remarkable is the floral clock. This floral clock has a giant 5-metre diameter face that supposedly requires 6500 plants every season, to decorate. I picked up my cowbell souvenir at Geneva.

We coupled our trip to Geneva with a tour of Lausanne and Montreux - both lying on the shores of Lake Geneva. Apart form its beautiful structures and sites; Lausanne is a centre of big business. Lausanne is the centre of the Olympic movement and I enjoyed going through the famed Olympic Museum. Montreux offers an excellent view of the Swiss Riviera. The Lake Geneva offers several waterborne fun. We spent a long time at the Montreux Lake side.

Interlaken, situated at the foot of the Alps mountain peaks is a spectacular place. It is the base from where one can go to Jungfrau - a tourist hot spot. Except that one should be sure about the weather. We had to skip the adventure and sport in Jungfrau because of bad weather conditions. Interlaken I believe is a favourite base for Indian filmmakers. And, having been there myself, I can understand why. Few other spots can equal the beauty of Interlaken. Besides, the place is well connected and abounds in good hotels to stay in. It is close to the mountains, to the lakes, to adventure sports and excursion bases, and is laden with beautiful flowers all over. So many spots, for our bollywood types to run around and sing to each other in. Interlaken also has a floral clock to boost of - clocks after all, are the hallmark of Swiss industries.

The Impressive Wooden Bridge at Lucerne

The trip to Lucerne offered me a twin delight of driving through the Swiss countryside and villages, and of having seen a city full of history and life. Lucerne I am told, has featured in the works of several writers and composers. I was most impressed with the "Kapellbrucke" - Lucerne's Chapel Bridge. This wooden bridge over the river Reuss dates back to 1333. The amazing thing about it is that the bridge was burnt down and has been reconstructed using age-old mediaeval building techniques. The Swiss are a proud people, and take enormous pride in their heritage.

There are other wonderful locations that we could not go to, for lack of time. But the wonder of Switzerland is that it is a country that looks beautiful from wherever one is looking. There was one thought that came to my mind as I took in the sights - that Switzerland looks a lot like one giant golf course. An absolute delight, for the heart and soul. Next travel spot in our agenda was Germany, and we hired a car to drive through the Autobahn, to Berlin. But all that, for at a later time.

Catch you on sawf travel time.

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