3 Attractions to Visit in Switzerland besides Cheese and Chocolate

Switzerland. When we talk about it, we usually imagine luxurious and delicate chocolate by Rudolphe Lindt – a Swiss chocolate manufacturer who founded the Lindt chocolate factory by accident and the inventor of the conching machine and other procedures to improve the quality of Swiss chocolate. Add to the list, an expensive watch, for it is the Swiss people who invented the wristwatch and up to this day, the whole world recognizes that the Swiss wristwatch is the grandest. On top of that, the Swiss people are known to be the happiest people in the whole world. However, not only do they have some of the finest food, luxurious accessories, and happy people, Switzerland is also home to unique attractions that can only be found in the country.

If those mentioned above are not enough reasons to visit the country, then you are going to miss a lot! So pack your bags, take the next flight to this happiest nation and find yourself enjoying a fondue of various cheese in the comfort of an amazing chalet in Switzerland. For your convenience, we have enumerated at least three of the great outdoors of the country.

Often referred to as Mount Pilatus, this massive mountain overlooks Lucerne – a dense city in central Switzerland which is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and picturesque location. It sits in the middle of snow-capped mountains on Lake Lucerne. It is composed of several mountaintops, the highest stands at 6,982 feet and is named Tomlishorn which is situated about more than one kilometre to the southeast of the top cable car and the cog railway station. There are two peaks right beside the stations, the first is “Esel” – Donkey – which stands at 6,949 feet and lies just east over the railway station, the second one located on the west side is called “Oberhaupt” – Head-Leader – which stands at 6,906 feet.

The most special activity in Mount Pilatus is to ride the world’s sharpest cog railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus that has a 48% gradient, and to pass through the spectacular tunnel called “Eselwand.” This is sure to be an experience that you won’t soon forget.

Once you get to the top of Mount Pilatus, you will be welcomed by a breathtaking view of Lake Lucerne – a lake that is considered to have the greatest scenic variety in the nation. It has a German name of ‘Vierwaldstättersee’ which literally translates to “Lake of the Four Forested Settlements.” It is also a lake in Switzerland that is the fourth largest in the country. If you are thinking of the usual deep round hole surrounded by water, think again, for this lake has a complicated shape with numerous sharp curves and four arms that are all related to the conformity of the neighbouring mountains.

The lake can be navigated as well because it serves as an important part of Switzerland’s transport system for many centuries already, and at the very least since the opening of the first track across the Gotthard Pass in the thirteenth century, leading to the growth of trade with the opening of a new mail coach road across the pass in the nineteenth century. For travellers to yearn to get connected with nature and all the magnificence it can offer while getting surrounded by popular excursion mountains, Lake Lucerne is the perfect place for it is somewhat reminiscent of an inlet landscape. Adding into it the nice characteristic of a mild lake climate. For those who want to traverse the lake, guests can avail of boat cruises on board five historic paddlewheel steamers and fifteen stylish salon motor vessels which will surely add up to the wonderful lake experience.

After a tranquil visit to Lake Lucerne, we now get to have some thrilling boat ride to a historic falls known as The Rhine Falls, which is the largest waterfall in Switzerland and in Europe. The falls are located on the High Rhine between Zürich and the cantons of Schaffhausen. Due to shifts in Tectonic Plates in the Ice Age, the Rhine River was forced to become a new riverbed which dates back to more than 15,000 years ago. The Rhine Falls became what it is because of the transition point where hard chalk was turned into soft gravel due to force. Over an extent of 150 meters, hundreds of cubic meters of water rush into the lowest points at the rate of 23 meters per second. Just imagine how strong the current could be. Surely, no person can withstand that enormous amount of pressure.

In the middle stands an enormous rock that has withstood the forces of elements for thousands of years. The rock can be reached on a tour the around the Rhine Falls, where visitors can observe the natural display from nearby. Almost in the midst of the waterfall, travellers can stand on areas that protrude and partly hanging over the Rhine. The Wörth and Laufen castles of can be visited via riverboat, and visitors who dare to have a thrilling adventure can rent canoes.

Boat trips can be rented to go up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen. There are also viewing areas with sights of the falls built on either side of the Rhine. These can be reached via steep and slender stairs – access on the Schloss Laufen side is paid with a fee. Guided tours of various distances start from Schloss Laufen on the Zürich side of the falls.