In the German language the word einsiedler means hermit, and Switzerland's greatest pilgrimage shrine, the abbey of Einsiedeln, derives its name from being the 'place of the hermits'. While legends indicate the site was sacred in pre-Christian times, its historical fame began in the early 9th century. In 835, Meinrad, a young nobleman who had been a monk in the monastery of Reichenau, left the monastery to live a hermit's life in the deep woods of northeast Switzerland. For 26 years he lived alone in the woods with two crows as his only companions. In 861, two bandits came upon Meinrad in his hermitage and murdered him. Legends tell that Meinrad's two crows followed the bandits, hovering and shrieking in a strange manner, until the bandits were captured in Zurich, 30 miles away.

The Mountain Hotel Hoher Kasten is sitting on its namesake mountain as if it were an eagle's nest. The panoramic view from this peak at the eastern rim of the southernmost Alpstein ridge is spectacular.

The spectacular highland path from Hohen Kasten via Staubern to the Bollenwees is the focal point of this scenic hike. Views over the Alpstein mountain range and the Rhine Valley are simply unbeatable - and information boards provide information on the geological development of the Alpstein.

 

 
Altitude: 1898m
Accessibility:
Train from Lucerne to Stans, on foot to the valley station (5 minutes), funicular rail with open-top carriages to Kälti, change of transport with the CabriO to the Stanserhorn
View: Over Lake Lucerne and the town, Pilatus, Bürgenstock, Rigi and Mythen across to Säntis, Tödi, Uri Rotstock and Titlis as well as the Bernese Alps
Attractions: CabriO trips on the open-top-deck of the double decker cable car, summit round hikes in the company of rangers
Culinary aspects: Rondorama revolving restaurant and Bucher & Durrer Stubli, serviced and self-service restaurants, Speciality: Älplermagronen (cheese macaroni with apple sauce) served in an Edelweiss pot
Overnight stays: Possible in Stans (none on the Stanserhorn)
Groups: Rondorama 200 people, Säli 50 people, Stubli 30 people, exhibition room, sun terrace 400 people
Winter: In operation from April until November
Special comments: Powerful location with 22,000 Bovis units measured

MLZD’s extension to the Historical Museum of Bern is the latest addition to ‘museum island’ – an area to the south of Helvetiaplatz that covers three city blocks and includes the Swiss Natural History Museum, Swiss Alpine Museum, Swiss National Library and Bern art gallery.
Designed by Neuchâtel architect André Lambert and completed in 1894, the original building was conceived as the Swiss National Museum and is inspired by architecture from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, as well as historic castles. The museum’s revivalist style is intended to recall the period from which its most important collections are derived.
Partly buried into the site, MLZD's competition-winning scheme comprises two principle elements. The first is a 1200 square metre exhibition hall, which is located beneath a new public plaza at the south-eastern corner of the museum. Access is provided by an underground passage leading from the main circulation space. Artefacts are stored on two levels below the exhibition hall. The proximity of the works to the display area combined with the use of a concrete structure ensures a safe and stable internal environment.

The Bernina Express has to be the most spectacular Alpine crossing since Hannibal and his elephants. Departing from Chur, the crimson-coloured train ascends to the Engadine before weaving its way behind the Bernina Hospiz (2253 metres) through the Poschiavo Valley into Valtellina in Italy. The first highlight awaits passengers near Filisur, where the train traverses an awe-inspiring landmark – the 65-metre-high Landwasser viaduct. The train continues through 55 tunnels and across 196 bridges, making short work of the gradients even without a rack-and-pinion system. The cross-border Albula and Bernina Lines between Thusis and Tirano owe their 2008 inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list to stunning scenery such as the Schyn Gorge, Morteratsch Glacier and Brusio spiral viaduct. And nothing can compare to that first glint of glacial ice on the horizon.

St. Peter's Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Pierre) is Geneva's partly Romanesque and partly Gothic church located in the heart of the old town.  John Calvin preached here from 1536 to 1564. The austere looking interior reflects Calvin's Reformist teachings.
Visitors to St. Peters Cathedral can climb the stairs to the top of the church steeple and enjoy a fabulous view of the Geneva skyline, the Swiss Alps and the surrounding old town.

At the northern rim of the Alps, in the midst of the Bernese Oberland, Lake Thun is surrounded by a fabulous mountain scenery, a myriad of cozy villages, and the charming cities of Thun and Interlaken. Water sports, walking and hiking along Lake Thun and on the panoramic mountains and sun terraces on both sides of the lake, as well as popular skiing areas in winter, make this holiday region a sought-after vacation and excursion destination.

The "Jet d'Eau" (water sprout) has always dominated the Geneva skyline. An awe-inspiring sight to see lake water pumped to a height of 140 metres, especially when there is a strong wind blowing.

Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, is a massive structure that measures 204 meters long. The bridge is located on the Reuss River, Lucerne City Switzerland; it is a major tourist spot in Switzerland. It is also recognized as Europe’s oldest wooden bridge.
The Kapellbrucke Bridge was built in the year 1333 to protect the city of Lucerne from their enemies. The bridge housed a number of paintings dating back to the 17th century highlighting events in the city of Lucerne.
A major part of the bridge was destroyed by fire in 1993. A number of paintings were destroyed, the bridge has been rebuilt since.
Kapellbrücke features the 140 foot Wasserturm (Watch Tower), an eight sided citadel made of bricks. It functioned as a treasury, watch tower, torture chamber, and prison. Both the bridge and tower are major landmarks in the city and also the countries’ most photographed monuments.

Rhine falls is among the largest waterfalls in Europe. This 150m wide falls tumbles from the Jurassic Limestone dropping 20m with water surging at 700,000 liters per second. As a landmark feature, the Rhine falls provides a fantastic environment for sightseeing, adventure, and exploration. If you are planning for a trip to the Rhine, then here are some activities to get you started.

 

Undoubtedly the prettiest Swiss castle, Chillon Castle (French:Château de Chillon, pronounced Shee-yon) sits on a rocky islet along the shores of Lake Geneva, near the border of Switzerland and France.
The castle looks like a fairytale fantasy, but it's an authentic Medieval site - and has foundations from back in Roman times. Over the years, it's passed between the hands of three noble families, who have shaped the castle into what you see today.
Around 330,000 tourists visit Chillon every year, 70% of them from countries other than Switzerland, and the castle is the foremost tourist attraction in the Lake Geneva region. One note: confusingly, Lake Geneva is rendered Lac Léman in French, which has baffled many tourists over the years.

Long before Switzerland had its famous mountain trains, there was one trip that was a must-do for any visitor – walk up Rigi (or if you’re Queen Victoria, get someone else to carry you up in a chair). So perhaps it’s not surprising that this 1797-metre peak near Lucerne was the first mountain in Europe to get its own train to the top. The line opened on 21 May 1871 and still runs on the same route today. It’s worth it just for the sense of history, not to mention the views.
The quickest and easiest way to the summit is from Arth-Goldau (with direct trains from Zurich, Zug and Lucerne) on the blue train that clambers up the back side of the mountain. But the most scenic route is from the other side. First catch one of the splendid old paddlesteamers from Lucerne and spend an hour gliding over the placid blue lake, enjoying the mountain scenery. Then hop off at Vitznau and switch to the little red train, the original Rigibahn - the blue one from Arth is four years its junior. This is where the fun starts, as the train chugs up behind the church, then seemingly through people’s back gardens. Don’t be surprised if it stops to let locals on and off; this is almost like their community bus and often the only way to reach their hillside houses other than on foot.

Switzerland is always famous for its view, watches, chocolates and also banking. The capital of Switzerland is Zurich which is situated near Lake Zurich around north east area. It offers the people of the world to live among its cities. First thing about this city that come to the mind that it is a street show. This event is totally full of excitement and fun. It is full of proof of freedom and grit, peace and love. In the year 1992, it began with only 1000 participants. Now it is known for the biggest party in Europe. This parade is for music fans, a ground meeting in huge numbers.
For night life, Zurich is outstanding. It contains a huge range of clubs, bars, full of entertainment, restaurants, cinemas and espresso bars. For every 180 citizen in the city there is one restaurant. Besides this place for entertainment, it is valuable for research and knowledge as well. Like, you can take an example of Albert Einstein; he studied in the University of Zurich with a professor as well. The payment of education in this university is very low cost only 1,200 dollar, so it is easily affordable for every person. It has a quite task to obtain an admission.

Altitude: 2119m
Accessibility:
Gondola railway from Kriens (Lucerne) via Krienseregg to Fräkmuntegg, cableway to Pilatus Kulm
Cog wheel railway from Alpnachstad (boat or train from Lucerne) to Pilatus Kulm
View: Lake and town of Lucerne, Rigi, Bürgenstock, Titlis, Stanserhorn; Central and Bernese Alps
Attractions: Secure rock path to Oberhaupt, Esel and Tomlishorn; high ropes park and summer toboganning on the Fräkmüntegg
Culinary aspects: Evening summit-rendezvous in summer (from Alpnachstad), Fondue enjoyment on the Pilatus incl. return journeys in winter
Overnight stays: Hotel Pilatus-Kulm: 27 modern rooms
Groups: Restaurant Queen Victoria 120, Cheminée Saal 70, Dohlenstübli 30, sun terrace 200, Restaurant Bellevue 160 places
Large and small seminar rooms with modern infrastructure
Winter: Cableways travel to Kriens in winter (taking over from the cog wheel train); Fräkmüntegg–Krienseregg toboggan run
Special comments: The world’s steepest cog-wheel railway and trips from Alpnachstad to Pilatus through spectacular walls of rock.

First Ascent: First ascent on July 14, 1865 by Edward Whymper, Charles Hudson, Lord Francis Douglas, Douglas Robert Hadow, guide Michel Croz, and the father and son guides Peter and Peter Taugwalder.

Matterhorn Fast Facts

The Matterhorn is the tenth highest mountain in Switzerland and one of 48 Swiss peaks that is above 4,000 meters in height.

Matterhorn's Name

Matterhorn, the German name, is from the words Matte meaning “meadow” and horn meaning “peak.” Cervino, the Italian name, and Cervin, the French name, derive from the Latin words cervus and -inus meaning “place of Cervus.” Cervus is a genus of deer that includes elk.

Jungfraujoch Mountain has the highest railway station in all of Europe, calling itself the Top of the World. Upon arrival you will find yourself, not only at the top of one of the highest peaks in Switzerland, but surrounded by a numinous Alpine winter wonderland.
The Jungfraujoch Mountain is situated between Monch and Jungfrau in the Bernese Alps. On our trip there we left from Interlacken, Switzerland taking a modern cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg at 6,762 feet. From there we took the Jungfrau cogwheel train to the Eiger Glacier Station and then through the Eiger tunnel. The tunnel is 7.3 km (4.5 miles) long. On our trip to the summit, the train stopped at a viewing window in the tunnel so we could take pictures. The ceiling, floors and walls in the Ice Palace are made entirely of ice but there are handrails to hold as slipping looks entirely too easy. It is a remarkable place with impressive sculptures of Eskimos, seals, igloos, eagles, etc.
Jungfraujoch Mountain is considered the ‘excursion mountain’. In the summer, hikers can explore the lower regions enjoying views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Climbing the mountain is an entirely different story. Jungfraujoch and the Eigerjoch are the most difficult passes in the Alps for mountaineers to traverse. Although we went by the easy route, on the cogwheel train, the experience of standing on the summit beside the Swiss flag flapping loudly in the wind was an overwhelming experience.

Lake Geneva is a marvelous lake in Switzerland and France. It is the largest lake in Western Europe. 60% lake is in Switzerland and the rest 40% lies in France. The lake is glacial and lies on the course of the Rhone. It has a crescent shape. A popular sport is Yacht racing. Excellent catamarans are developed specifically for the lake.

One of the best village to enjoy the Swiss Alps’s panorama is Gimmelwald Village. Gimmelwald is a beautiful mountain village located in the Bernese Highlands region of Switzerland, on the west side of the valley Weisse Lütschine just above Stechelberg. offers incredible views of the majestic cliffs, colorful mountains and impressive peaks. Aside from the beautiful surroundings, the tourists attracted by the peaceful setting and quiet laid back attitude. To get there, is possible by car ride from Interlaken (half an hour) or Bern (one hour). , There are lots of things to do in the area: whether is a hiking tour or a ski ride, a climbing session on a though wall or a paragliding experience.

Europe Alps Swiss had a lasting snow throughout the year. The mountains stretching from Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France to Germany. Mont Blanc is the highest peak located in the country of France. Now, we’ll review the Swiss Alps in Switzerland. all regions of the country at an altitude of 1,200 meters. Peaks of the Alps are altitude of 4000 meters and more than 1,800 glaciers with snow above 2,500 feet altitude.
Alps is the most famous tourist area in Switzerland. On the way to this place, we will pass several lakes. Switzerland has hundreds of lakes that formed naturally by the folds of the mountains and the glaciers. Many important town located on the banks of the lake, such as Zurich, Geneva, Nauchbtel, Montreaux, Lausanne and Lucerne. Interlaken is a small town located between two lakes, Bienzersee and Thunersee. A beautiful little town with a view of the peaks of the Alps, such as the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. From this town we headed for the last villages in the Alps or enjoy the water attractions at the edge of the lake. Water attractions is very popular tourist activities such as sailing and cruising.