Switzerland: The Don'ts of Visiting Switzerland
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- Switzerland has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world. Whether you are visiting Zermat or Jungfrau or just taking the train through the Swiss Alps you will love so much of Switzerland. These are some of the do's and don'ts of visiting Switzerland. So, if you are in Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Luzern, or Interlaken we hope these tips can help you have a better time in Switzerland.
Filmed in Basel, Switzerland
Copyright Mark Wolters 2022
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As a Swiss guy it's always fun listening to tourists talking about Switzerland! With one thing I have to disagree: We're a lot into smalltalk, especially outside big cities and on hikes - almost everybody is greeting each other (Grüezi, hallo, hoi,...). I hike a lot and there's always one ore more strangers I get into a conversation with - while walking, having a break on a bench, sitting at a fireplace,... Most of them are elderly hikers. So, don't be shy!
That’s a good point. And I would say that even in cities, it’s definitely not common to chat up a stranger, but also not necessarily frowned upon. The other person won’t not want to talk back, they might just be confused because it’s unusual.
Actually had a funny experience on the train from Lucerne to Lugano today.
A bunch of Yanks were wondering about one of the views and when I explained it was the Rotsee they nearly ran from the compartment.
@@sw378 exact ! As a Swiss citizen I really enjoy chatting with tourists and give them local hints !😊✨
It differs from person to person though, I'm not into small talk with strangers at all. I greet people of course and if they have a question I try to answer it but more than that is kinda annoying. 😅
😂 as soon as ppl leave the “grüeziwegli” in the mountains it’s all free to chat.
(Grüezi is the formal greeting, and in more touristy or easy tracks you greet ppl that way. If you go beyond them it’s all way more casual and straight up first name basis (hoi being the greeting there).
Do not buy drinking water, because you get best drinking water for free from the tab or from any fountain outside.
True. Many Swiss, including myself, don't buy bottled water. I fill glass bottles from the tap and put them in the fridge.
Dann würde ich mal die neue Reportage vom SRF Kassensturz anschauen 😉 Bin froh hab ich noch nie "Hahnewasser" getrunken
@@cedi1401 Es sollte klar sein dass dieselben Stoffe, die ins Leitungswasser gelangen, auch ins Mineralwasser in den Flaschen gelangen. Auch da gabs in der Vergangenheit vom Kassensturz Berichte über Mineralwasser die mit verschiedenen Schadstoffen belastet sind. Das Grundproblem ist das gleiche.
@@bellissimo4520 nicht alle Mineralwasser sind betroffen. Muss halt zur not nur etwas tiefer in die Tasche greifen und an anderen Orten als im Supermarkt danach suchen. Gibt auch gute Methoden das Leitungswasser 99,9% unschädlich zu machen. Wiederum aber nicht erschwinglich für Jedermann das ist klar.
especially wells in mountain areas. It will be labled if it ISN'T drinkable, otherwise it is
As a Swiss Citizen, I approve of this video which is probably the best I saw on visiting Switzerland.
Agree.
i totally agree. Thanks for respecting our culture.
I'm from Basel. I usually roll my eyes over these tourist-videos. But this one was great! You nailed it.
Thanks for telling the people to not be loud
Would you vacation in Basel or Bern?
@@nostradamus7648 I love both of them, it really depends what you're looking for, I prefer Bern, it has more of a small town feel, beautiful scenery and a very cozy old town, but Basel is great too.
Switzerland 🇨🇭 is incredible in so many ways. Even their flag is a big plus.
And this emoji got it wrong lol our flag is square
The rectangular one is for the marine
It's really fun to watch this as a Swiss, this video is amazing. You really nail it all. I wish every tourist would watch this before they come! :) Here a few of my random thoughts:
- Yes, we are in some ways the "Japanese of Europe", we like punctuality, cleanliness and efficiency, we hate bad smells and noise and we are helpful and polite but a bit "reserved/shy"
- Yes, the environment is mindblowing. You would think you get "dull" to it, but you don't. Everytime I walk from my home over the nearby bridge and see the alps in the evening sun, I just have to stop and look and look more and go like "wtf how is this so beautiful" ... ongoing for 4 decades soon 😅 also on the trains, which I ride daily, I often look out and marvel at the beauty of many places
- Yes, more clichees that are true, I eat cheese Fondue often, other cheeses daily and chocolate almost hourly 😂
- Even more: I love watches and have quite a few nice ones
- I do like it a lot if tourists chat me up and ask me stuff. I speak a few languages, such as German, Finnish, French, English and Japanese and I am happy to have a chat about anything you would like!
- Hiking: veryyyyy important, go for it, but be careful. So many accidents happen, so select very very easy routes if you have little experience. Sadly too many people I used to know have died in the mountains, none of them were reckless. The routes are all excellently labeled and described etc. You can plan it perfectly and ask local guides if needed. Also here in Bern thousands of people swim in the river called "Aare" in summer and tourists think it looks fun and join in as they see 6 to 90-year-olds doing it, but we were born here and we have been doing it all our lives, we know every turbulence by heart and our swimming skills are on a different level than even many who consider themselves "very good swimmers", just because of the unusually harsh conditions we have been practicing since we were kids, it's just misleading when you see hundreds at once swimming out there, you might think this is something for the average swimmer. If you go, tag along with locals, we have unfortunately deaths every summer, almost exclusively tourists.
Lastly, apologies for the insane prices. I can only imagine how it must be, because conversely when my wife and I travel outside Switzerland, we are always baffled by how "food is almost for free, even in restaurants". Switzerland is crazy expensive. If you can, please visit our beautiful country, you will enjoy it, I am sure!
Super Antwort 👍🏻
Was Du da schreibst Kann ich alles unterschreiben ✍ 😌✋
So much fun that I thought "Hey what this guy is writing sounds so familiar!"... Until I realised my husband wrote it...
this is 100% true!!
100% I visited Switzerland as a kid (tourist from Belgium), then came for my physics studies at CERN (also a must-visit tourist location) in my early twenties, visited plenty of other countries in the following years as a researcher, but after experiencing each country, I returned here, founded a family and I don't even have a valid Belgian passport any more 😂.
I want to move there. I want out of America.
Loved the video and as a Swiss I totally agree with you.
Just one comment on the tipping culture here: we very much appreciate tips, even if they are tiny. For a coffee of 4.70 you’d usually round up to 5, or a dinner for 27.50, you might round up to 30. It’s not really the amount that matters but the gesture 😊
Except if you're rounding up a 199.90 bill to 200, that doesn't sit right with the servers. Tipping out of obligation is worse funnily.
Yes, but it has nothing to do with what's happening in America, where sometimes if you don't tip like three times what the food costs, the service people have to go hungry...
In Switzerland, you tip two franks, five franks, something like that, because you enjoyed the service. You don't tip 20 because the waitress is underpaid. She isn't.
goog tips. For swiss ppl most is well known, even though they most of the time forget the part of looking out of the window part… I ll try to follow that part next time
as a swiss person i can say that you are ALLOWED to flush the toilet at any time of the day 😂
As a Swiss too, if your neighbors are assholes they'll call the cops on you if you do it after 10pm. But to be honest they'll also call the cops if you sneeze more than 2 times after 10pm
@@papaVT That's some serious bünzli neighbors stuff... 😅
@@papaVT But that is a purely theoretical possibility.
@@gekko505505505 tell that to my former neighbor
Went straight to the comments to write the same 😂
I am Swiss, and your advice is excellent, especially about respecting quiet. Thank you!
"Don't make noise" , just wonderful❤❤❤❤❤❤ ..... I come from anarchic France where people are allowed to shout into their phones while on a public bus (or anywhere & everywhere)
i just want to double down on the "don't overestimate your hiking ability". switzerland has an amazing network of hiking trails covering the whole country, but the more advanced trails have considerable risks. people die while hiking in switzerland, mostly due to overestimating their ability.
So true. We had a number of locals stress to us that we have to make sure we talk about that. Thank you for adding this to help out with the emphasis. Hope you are doing well!
@@WoltersWorldShorts Brilliant, you also made the point about shoes. Dear Tourists: Flip-Flops or Crocs are NOT the right shoes for hiking in the mountains. They are never the right shoes, period! Even on lower grade hiking levels a firm outdoor shoe is required. Our hiking trails are almost always made out of natural resources, they can be slippery or rough and most of the times its gravel and meadow land. So please wear good shoes and also pay attention to all signs on the route. If it is mentioned to not trespass it is for a good reason, for example mother cow sanctuary. No, our cows are free here and also have their, depending on their race, very big horns. If you approach their calf they will attack you! So please NEVER enter a fenced area or just ignore the warning signs about this. Cows can lethally hurt you! It happened so many times.
About the loudness point. It really depends where you are. On Parties or folk fests the noise level is as high as everywhere else on the planet with music, loud talking etc. But no one wants to hear your drama story through 3 tram wagons or on the bus. There, you're right the noise level should be adapted to a lower level. Also do not forget even though you are tourist, the public transportation is first build for working people to go to the working place or go home from it. So imagine you are in the tram at 18.30h in the evening on your way home after 10h at work and then you have someone being that annoyingly loud when all you want is to reset and calm down from your hard working day ;-) So I hope this gives you a little bit the reasoning why we like it less loud in trains, trams and busses or delicate restaurants.
Yea, I took the trail from Äscher down to Seealpsee two days ago and there were tourists in football shoes or sandals. It’s no wonder people die on that trail every year
I have been out to the edges of the Alps and am surprised to see people just having a picnic barely TWO meters from the edge. The edge is basically a 500 meter drop! All it takes is one person scrambling to grab the bottle of wine rolling off the picnic blanket...
PS: how did I get up there - by cable car. The views are INSANE. You are a fool if you take the trip and forget to bring a camera or at least a cell phone with a minimum 10-12 megapixel lens.
From the French Speaking part of Switzerland here ! Yeah, we definitly don't speak all of our languages... we try our best though.
It's indeed not really a thing here to just come to somebody and start smalltalking. But if you've got a question, or need help with something, I think that most of us try to be helpful, so don't hesitate to ask. We won't be offended, and will do our best to overcome language barriers. We're kind of used to it in our own country.
See you here ! ^^
Spicy
Switzerland is gorgeous. We've been there last year, in summer, from Davos to St. Moritz, then with Bernina up to Tirano and futher to Lugano. On the way back, Chur, Zermatt, and then Montreux , Lausanne and Geneve. One of the most beautiful trips of my life. ❤
I visited Switzerland as a teenager in the 90’s. We stayed in Interlaken for 2 weeks and visited every site near there. It was beautiful. The lake we stayed right next too was a turquoise green colour and we’d rent a boat and jump off it for a swim. We went up the Jungfrau to see all across Europe and to ski, we visited the revolving cafe from the Bond movie and the Reichenbach Falls from Sherlock Holmes. There’s so much to see and it’s all so beautiful, clean and crisp….
@@K8E666 The name of this Lake is Brienz lake
Yes, we do not like loud people. Thanks! 🙂
@@99cya so… why swissgermans are so much loud?
Seriously… when they are in Ticino on holiday, they shout and speak very loudly….
But, it’s true that after a certain time you’re not allowed to make too much noise…..
@@amegafuru4428 i guess they have to make up for being silent all the time 😂😂😂
@@99cya i tell you… they’re not quiet at all!
As a swiss person, I can say the video is perfect. Try to follow these elements, and you will have beautifull vacations !
Agreed. And I'm Swiss too.
Thanks for clarifying the Swiss cheese thing and for helping keeping our noise levels down. For small talk - you always could talk to my mother - she needs to talk to everyone.. ;) Cheers from Zurich.
And I add: if you want to have fun in the evening in Switzerland, go to a university town. They may not be as noticeable as in other countries, but Lausanne and Zurich are full of clubs, pubs, bars and parties. This weekend in Zurich there was the "street parade" (a big techno party) and more than 500 thousand people were dancing in the streets!
There where 900 thousand people as per police estimation.
Sone chäs.
It's interesting how in all these videos, it seems nobody ever goes to Lausanne. It's always the German part and the occasional trip to Geneva. People can have a lot of fun in Lausanne, Fribourg, Neuchâtel etc. I'd say, it's even better to go there as you won't have too many tourists compared to Lucerne or Interlaken (personally Interlaken would be a don't. Too crowded, to touristy).
@@cedric7049 True! It is the same reason why many tourists go to Milan and not to Genoa or Pisa. Furthermore, in Switzerland there are many small villages, not very touristy, cheaper and much more beautiful and characteristic than cities like Zurich or Geneva. But we Swiss know these places and it is perhaps better that they remain a little known abroad ....
wow looked it up and that is an ultimate goal for a trip there! thanks
Great video! As two Swiss people we are always so impressed with how much knowledge you have over our country…you know it better than we do! 😄🥳🇨🇭
Thank you :) that is the highest compliment i could ask for. cheers!
the best country on earth... I never get tired of going to Switzerland.
Being from Basel it was lovely to see the city (and Switzerland in general) from your perspective. Thank you 😊
Basel is lovely, but why do you guys have to say IE instead of Ü ? It’s Grün not Grien 🤣🤣
@@balllee6959 That really depends on the Basel - dialect :P There are multiple as well. I say "Grüen".
First thought this might be an american talking very stereotypically about Switzerland. I was wrong and pleasently surprised. Great video!
Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭
Was in Switzerland earlier this month to climb my 1st 4000er (Alpine peak over 4000m). Stayed in a hostel in Zermatt and took the trains from Geneva to Zermatt and back.
Honestly never fallen in love with a country quite so quickly. And so many of the things you say in this video are absolutely spot on.
I have seen a lot of travel blogs about Switzerland but that’s by far the most accurate and well researched one.
Also the little thing. I’m fascinated.
Especially that we don’t like loud 😉
🇨🇭
Went to a few cities in Switzerland a few months ago and I cannot wait to return! Transportation is easy, the country is beyond beautiful, and variety of cultures is fantastic. We went to Geneva, Zermatt and Melide/Morcote.
Yep!
Morcote might be the most beautiful place in Switzerland.
Switzerland is by far my favourite place to be in the world 🇨🇭❤️.
As a swiss, I agree with all those tipps. I have never heard of somebody chocking on a cheese fondue however ;-). I you like cheese, Switzerland is indeed a paradise. Go into a cheese shop and ask for local specialities. There are so many different cheeses, so tell the person working there what you like (hard, soft, cow, sheep, mild, spicy etc.) and ask for recommendations. Buy some good bread in a bakery, maybe some grapes / pears / figs and a bottle of swiss wine, and you will have an excellent dinner.
YES to this! Get all that stuff and go sit by the lake or river. Super chill and nice
One of my dreams is to go to switzerland. I love it. Very beautiful everything. Flowers, mountain's, weather Just to see the pictures and videos I almost cry , is so grateful for my soul. My best wishes for Switzerland from Dominican Republic
best wishes back to the domenican republic from switzerland :) hope to see your country one day!
For years I had family who lived in Basel and I love to visit this jewel of a city. So much fun seeing familiar places!
It’s expensive, but one gorgeous breathtaking country! My nephew lives there, and I don’t think he’ll ever leave. 🤗
So true on both a counts
We visited Geneva and Grindelwald in early July and it was a transformative trip for me! The beauty of the Alps and countryside was breath taking. Can't wait to go back and explore more.
Same 😍 I can’t wait to go back!!
Yes Switzerland is also not cheap for swiss people here :)
I want to go to Switzerland because of my ancestral heritage, and it is amazing how some Swiss personality traits have carried through my family, such as not liking small talk. I HATE small talk. Amazing.
So true
I‘m Swiss and this was fun to watch! You are sooo right, we don‘t like noise or people who speak loudly😄
yes no loud ppl
Ride the trains at rush hour times and it’s not the tourists who are loud and yappy yappy.
@@peterldelong neither i like those people, thats why i avoid public transport and prefer the bycicle
Always nice to see my country through the eyes of someone that is not from here. Thanx for the video
I have lived in switzerland for over 20 years now, it's beautiful. but very dif from the US, especially in restaurants. they are more of the let you eat in peace then come ask you if you need anything. so if you want something you need to tell them, but its very nice. oh and love how the first train pictures were from lichtenstein and not actually switzerland. but do love the content
Perry's got no chill
One more tip coming from a native:
Don't waste your money on bottled water. Swiss tab water is safe and delicious and you will find public fountains almost everywhere. Just carry a water bottle with you and refill it when necessary. Restaurants will want to sell you bottled water, but you can always ask for tab water (eau du robinet in French, Leitungswasser in Germen, scheda acqua in Italian). They will sometime charge a small fee for it, but not the 7-10 CHF for a large bottle of mineral water that doesn't taste any better.
Scheda acqua ??? No, acqua dal.rubinetto
I think there was once even a study which found that the tap water is better than most bottled waters^^
@@markusstudeli2997 🎯😃👍
Yeah… Unless you live in a barn w rusty pipes…
Swiss fountains usually have permanently running water, so there's no time for the water to become stale and rusty. Trust me, it tastes wonderful and it's safe, unless indicated otherwise.
Loved Geneva when I visited recently. Definitely my kind of city. Just wished I went during a less packed season. Absolutely agree with the pass advice. I did not use any of the ones you mentioned but my Airbnb came with a complementary pass for the city of Geneva which included discounts and free fare on public transport. Super helpful.
Geneva is Switzerlands slum😂
I agree with what you say about riding Swiss trains. When I did, I took so many photos looking out the window! But the great views didn't stop, so I had to stop after awhile! LOL! I also agree with the advice about hostels. When I was in Zurich I stayed with a friend that lives there, so that wasn't an issue. But I was recently in Helsinki and stayed in a hostel to avoid high hotel costs. I was traveling to Finland with my grown son, and wondered if I was going to be the only "old person" in the hostel, but I saw all ages there. And it was kind of like living in a college dorm. We had a private room and had to go down the hall to the bathroom.
So I’ll add my two franks, since two cents would get you nowhere.
The view, even from “normal” trains is indeed very nice; you don’t even need to take a special panoramic train route.
A mountain hike certainly makes for a memorable activity. But just as was said in the video, there are a lot different levels of difficulty. Don’t overestimate your capabilities if you have no experience, don’t go on a difficult hike with inadequate gear, don’t go in dangerous weather conditions. If you didn’t pack any sturdy shoes or have reduced mobility, you can still experience the high mountains with all the famous cable cars and trains, don’t worry. I can recommend going on a bigger hike and visiting a mountain hut, but you really need to make a reservation way in advance, if you want to stay the night there. They have a limited capacity and cancel as soon as possible. The tenants of these huts have a small profit margin and would like to book other people. In addition, they will worry about you having an accident on the way, if you just don’t show up without cancelling.
You can get by speaking English in most touristy places and the cities and most people are more than willing to help you in English. For High German speakers don’t try to be cute and imitate the Swiss German dialects here, it comes of a condescending.
Concerning saving money, eating out is really expensive, so take advantage of lunch menus if you can. I would also recommend buying stuff at the grocery store, they have high quality cheese, bread, and chocolate and (Swiss) wine. Normally I would not endorse it, but renting an Airbnb or some such can really save some money, compared to hotels or even hostels, especially if you cook your own dinner with said ingredients.
If you break the rules, you will indeed get the stare of disapproval. But if you are not obnoxiously loud, you’ll be in a league way above other tourists. Concerning a lack of party culture. I mean, the bigger cities do have nightclubs and such that people visit on the weekend, maybe just not as many as in other countries? In the summer, we like to enjoy outdoor dining and drinking at pop-up bars. The cheaper alternative is to buy drinks at the store and enjoy them at the park or lakeside, it’s legal to drink in public. In winter, there is après ski and at local festivals, people always get wasted. So I think we do have parties, but you have to look a bit harder to find them.
Concerning tipping. It’s true, that you don’t have to, but it is polite to at least round up to the next number. So if something costs 18.90.- you round up to 19 or 20, depending. But insisting on the 10 cents is seen as cheap. Don’t use euros if you can help it at all. Most shops are not used to process foreign currency except in touristy places and along the border. It’s a hassle for the staff to deal with euros and they will give you a terrible exchange rate, if you insist. Also It’s a good idea to still carry some cash. The use of debitcards and contactless pay has increased during the pandemic and in a city you should be fine, but there are still cash only situations. You need coins for lockers or public bathrooms and some street food festival stands, restaurants or mountain huts are cash only or they prefer cash. And although creditcards are more widely accepted nowadays, we use debitcards in our daily live. In small shops, they often have a minimum purchases amount for creditcards, because they creditcard companies slap on a hefty fee for these small transactions, so don’t buy a pack of gum with a creditcard if you can help it.
Thanks for the input. Really useful
Adding to that, a simple "sorry" helps tons when you managed to get the stares of disapproval ^^
Wow. Does this book come in Paperback too?
About making friend, it really is tough to get past that barrier of reservedness but it’s not like people don’t want to talk. You just need a reason. But as a Swiss person, I can definitely confirm that it’s unusual to just chat up a stranger, but not necessarily frowned upon.
i just want to say thanks for bringing quality content for us over the years! i appreciate that you kept your format and no unnecessary introduction unlike the other travel channel. your channel is totally life saving for me whenever we are travelling to Europe :D
Thank you Wolter, you managed to make a good guide for Switzerland.
You nailed it really! I'm Swiss and I think you're absolute right!
Thank you so much for these helpful tips. With the information you shared, I hope to have an even more amazing trip.
As a (Briitsh) frequent visitor to Switzerland, I would agree with almost everything you say. But regarding credit cards, on my most recent visit (April 2022) I paid for almost everything by card, even when I bought just a sandwich or a newspaper! One very important additional DONT applicable to all the larger Swiss towns. Don't get on a tram or bus without already having purchased a valid ticket. City tram/bus drivers do not sell tickets, and there are (usually) no ticket machines inside the vehicle. (Another reason for buying the national Swiss Travel Pass is that it is valid on all urban public transport - so you will not need to buy a ticket from the machines at stops.)
Thanks for the heads up
I’m Swiss, i live in east of Switzerland, the buses i use have a ticket machine on them, i was recently in Montreux and the buses there had ticket machines too.
@@ilovesuisse1 I’m Swiss. Living in Lucerne. There are no ticket machines in the buses in Lucerne. And to my knowledge there are also no machines in the buses and trams in Berne and Zurich. You MUST buy your ticket BEFOREHAND at the machine at the bus/tram stop. If you get in a random control and you have no valid ticket on you, the controller will have no mercy on you (at least not here in Lucerne). Not knowing because you are a tourist won’t work as an excuse. 😉
@@ilovesuisse1 That is no doubt correct for where you live and for Montreux. But I am talking of larger swiss towns. In LARGER SWISS TOWNS THE BUSES AND TRAMS MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT HAVE TICKET MACHINES. I first visited Switzerland in 1971, and even back then in Luzern, Basel, Zurich and Bern, you had to buy a ticket BEFORE you got on.
@@ilovesuisse1 Montreux Vevey are exceptions.
Take it from a Swiss person:
The most important rule in Switzerland is to be polite in public. Don't blast your music and your TikTok from your phone in public transport and don't face time without headphones.
Also you are absolutely expected to tip. There are very few places which include a service fee. But you are not expected to tip like in the US. If you just get some drinks just round up. If you get something to eat in a sit down restaurant you are expected to tip about 5 to 10 % percent depending on the service.
One big advice for a budget is to not get everything from a stand or restaurant. You can buy some bread and there are places to get really good cheese or meat for a sandwich. Eating in public is absolutely tolerated in Switzerland. Also there are Migros and Coop restaurants which aren't particularly pretty but relatively cheap compared to a touristy restaurant.
About loud music in public. Have you been to Dietikon recently? Just moved here from Zürich and the difference is staggering
Wow super video for tourists! Thank you for your work. -a swiss
As a Swiss native who has spent half my life abroad and traveled extensively, I usually find travel vlogs unappealing. However, this video is exceptional and should be required viewing for anyone planning to visit Switzerland.
I am swiss, and you have so right, bravo! dear Walter!👍
Wonderful episode! Thanks for the 6/5 review… nothing further to add!
A. Speaking of cost, there is one way to keep it down. Once you stay at a hotel (or hostel or apartment for that matter), you will automatically receive a city card in which there is free public transportation within the locality you're in until the day of your checkout. Take advantage of it!
B. I've encountered so many friendly Swiss people in the services industry. I may be just lucky though.
C. I also made a lifelong Swiss friend during my visit. Definitely, I'll go meet him for some drinks the next time I go there. Once again, probably luck was on my side
This really depends on the city, most cities don't offer this type of card unfortunately...
Those train views just remind me of getting to work.
Enjoyed the video and looking forward to enjoying some of the Swiss Christmas Markets later this year.
that will be cool :)
Switzerland in a nutshell! Well done.
Swiss is gorgeous. I love switzerland.
Locano is nice. Train ride through mountains is nice. No excuse
My favorite "don't", don't be too loud. Grew up in Shanghai, and now live in America, loudness is one thing I can't bear, but always look stuck up when I go hide away from crowds/noise. I looooove how loudness level is regulated. And yeah, small talk shouldn't be a thing, either...
I really want to see the abbey in st Gallen, with the really old historic library! as soon as I found out about it I thought it was a neat little place that I had to check out!
Swiss germans do speak hoch deutsch too, it’s what they learn at school.
Swiss guy here:
Choking to fondue is something I have never heard, seen or expreienced. However looking at it as a nurse, there is definitely the posibility of choking.
Nice having seen you our coubtry :)
I just can say: your video is perfect! I‘m Swiss and everything you did mention it’s totally true! Thanks👏❤
The irony of posting a video today about Switzerland not being a place to party while the biggest techno party in the world is taking place in Zurich is unmatched :D
All the other information is very interesting and valuable, especially for me to see how other people look at the place where I grew up and live.
Thats what I also thought ;-). Yesterday was the Streetparade in Zürich. And even without the Streetparade, if you want to party, Zürich is pretty good for it.
I think he meant Switzerland is not a party oriented country like some other countries can be... Switzerland has some very strict noise ordiances/ laws that come with heavy fines.
Na ja - Molkepulver - he was wise to not even go there. Those people who he is reaching are not the ones who travel around the world to enjoy queuing up for hours and enjoy the feeling of being pushed and shoved and bombarded with mega loud sounds. All that is great indeed - but it is not "Switzerland" in the sense of a Tourist Country.
If you want to actually find some really nice spots aside from the all the superfrequented often mentioned tourist centered spots, check out the town of the Midlands/Plateau. A lot of castles can be found and most old towns rival other destinations. As you mentioned, swiss transportation is a dense network and you can usually get around without hassle. It may be that you need a bit of planning. But there are spots between the big cities that are well worth a visit. Also go in Summer. Between June and August a lot of towns have annual festivities.
Nice shering dear friend God bless you
Another advice, don't miss visiting Lavaux, the vignard région between Lausanne and Montreux, it is worth it
If you travel in the car from zurich to bern or geneva, stob by in wangen an der aare, wiedlisbach and solothurn the forme rtwo are little citys from before 1500 andmvery cuddly. Solothurnmis a very nice city from around 1800 it is absolutely worth it, in summer it has some kind of mediterranean feeling.
Also, don't underestimate the smaller mountains.
Many hikers die also in the pre-alps because they don't take the necessary precautions as it's "not the Matterhorn."
thank you - it's so nice to hear you talk about switzerland with such joy! hope to see you somewhere around
Very well explained!!! Before visiting Switzerland your video is a must.
I laughed when u brought up their issue with loud boistrous noise! I H@TE LOUD NOISE! 🤣🤣 i live in nyc and be pissed all the time at the amount of noise, loud pple, i combat everyday .. im moving to the south lol...
A little comment about the nightlife in Switzerland. There is definitely quite a good number of clubs and bars in every big city. Techno clubs and raves are quite popular in Zurich too. And also, Switzerland hosts the words biggest techno-parade every year in august called the street parade with over a million visitors.
One time we took our 12yo niece to Germany. The whole ride over there she was on her phone! She didn’t see anything of the beautiful landscape we drove through.
I remember when I was a kid and my parents took me to Germany and Austria, all I did was look out of the window. I loved it
I went on a school trip to Switzerland many years ago and I absolutely loved it .The scenery was so beautiful,I still have it etched in my mind ,I would have loved to go back there .
Hi from Switzerland. The video is spot on! The yellow hiking trails are usually easy and without special requirements. However, there is a risk of free falling on all white-red-white mountain hiking trails. In detail, the routes are classified in a system from T1 (hiking) to T6 (difficult alpine hiking). Without any experience, I would not go above T2. The tipping in a restaurant is not necessary, that's true. Nevertheless, it is still common. Otherwise you are sending out signals that you were dissatisfied with the service or the food. Drinks are often rounded up to the nearest franc.
I herewith dub this video as ‚Swiss Approved‘. Except for one urban legend (you CAN an SHOULD flush whenever needed, we resent foul odor even more than loud noise), this is spot-on. Well done indeed.
Congrats, as a swiss i habe to say, good quality work!
A little late but i just stumbled upon your video. I'm swiss and live near Zürich. You did an absolutely great job here! Fantastic video! Everything on point! Thank you very much.
I live in the Caribbean. I would love to visit Switzerland one day👍🏽💯
Oh, a Swiss lover!
Thank you for the informations for your american citizens.
I’ll be there in a week. Can’t wait! Thanks for the tips
it's good to watch such a nice video about my country !
I totally agree with you about the train views!!!!! I haven't been to Switzerland since 1974 but I vividly remember that every corner you turned was a like a postcard!!
I just came back from an amazing visit in Switzerland! It was like a paradise for me. This video represents well what I have seen during during my trip; a beauty of the landscape that you never get tired of. Polite people that do not talk much and a highly reliable train service.
Yes it is pricy but quality is there.
Next time I go I will focus on one or two cities and do hiking in the area. Interlaken seem to be the city of choice. I like colder temperature preferably with cloudy days and do not like rocky peaks covered in snow so rolling hills cover with trees is where I want to go for my hiking. Sunny days are not mandatory for me to enjoy nature.I like hiking, trail running and swimming.
I personnaly do not like partying nor going somewhere without a plan.
I make a plan and stick to it.
Thank you for this great video.
I have to disagree with the partying and talking to strangers thing. In the big cities there are lots of clubs and bars but it's mostly on friday and saturday night. When it comes to talking to strangers I think especially the younger generation has no problem with it. The older generation doesn't either but they may be a big more reserved because their english isn't the best. Otherwise very nice video, thumbs up! :)
For Americans it is important to mention that a fondue (or a raclette) is a social event, not just a meal. Expect to stay sat round the table for several hours, talking and drinking. In America, people eat and immediately leave the table - in restaurants you are even expected to get out as soon as your plate is empty. In Europe, the best part is the convivial chatter and slow enjoyment of wine, coffee, brandy, etc, whilst you are digesting your dinner.
Well done 👍🏻 tks from Zurich ❤️
I am impressed you said Rätoromanisch without struggle and accent. Sounded perfect German
Basel is one of the best party towns in Switzerland, besides being the art center of the country. You’ll find advertisements everywhere throughout town on the street, bars, cafés….
Don't go to Switzerland when it's raining and you can't explore the country. I was once there with my wife in the summer and we were very unlucky with the weather. But, of course, you never know before.
Would want to look up relatives
As a Swiss I must say: you nailed it! This is such a good video!
Partying is actually really big here 😂You just need to know where to go 👍🏻
Attending a vintage watch, clock & jewelery auction in Basel or Geneva is a terrific way to spend your time even if you don't bid
One of those unspoken rules that is really important to follow: Escalators Stand on the right and walk on the left. At Railway Stations specifically Please NEVER stand on the left side. Most of us have calculated their Schedule to the minute and a lot of people have a next train to catch and the time difference between standing or walking on an escalator might just be the reason to catch or miss the train/tram/bus.
I love the way you respect local culture and all those don'ts while filming a video :)
That's why they dig long tunnels, so people have a chance to look into their books for a few minutes!
That's very considerate of them 😀
As a swiss. Thank you for mentioning the cheese ! Indeed very important !!
As a Swiss from Basel I totally agree with you. Good video 👍. I have to add that a lot of Swiss people should watch carefully this video, because some are really loud, speaking on the phone everywhere, sometimes with the loudspeaker on. Regarding the tips: they earn really not much in the restaurants, with this income you can barely live. So if you can afford to come here, please round up a little bit. But only if the service is good.
I have to say that your analyse is pretty accurate
Great tips. I'd add most hotels will give you a city pass that covers local transport. Otherwise I don't actually find Switzerland much more expensive then US or neighboring Europe anymore with the lower inflation. Service anything is main one with higher wages, so limit restaurants and the tip to stay at hostels and then you're good.
As an American who lived in the suburbs of Basel and Zurich in the early aughts, these are great tips! When I took my sister back to visit in 2010, staying in hostels was one of the best ways to stretch our budget. Also, for snacks and lunches, don't overlook the local bakeries or the hot food section in the Migro or Coop grocery stores. Watching your video made me very nostalgic for Switzerland!
Enjoyed your video. You got me interested to stay in a hostel :) . We will be a family of 4 (adults)..will that be 1 or 2 rooms. Are bathrooms shared with many other travelers ? What is the link to the hostel and is it in Zurich near a train station or airport ? 2) The train ride is beautiful..which one is the one in the video and I will be taking a train from Fussen to Zurich ( with a day trip to Lucern) and wondering if I will see the beautiful ,green countryside already on that route ? thx. 3) any restaurant will offer fondue or should I be going to a specific one ( if so, which) ?