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1. Rhine Falls

Formed by the last ice age more than 14,000 years ago, the Rhine Falls are located on the Upper Rhine between Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen. Not only are the falls the largest in Switzerland, they are also the largest plain waterfall on the European continent at 150 meters wide and 23 meters high. In the summer peak season, Rhine Falls pushes more than 700,000 liters of water over the edge each second! Visitors are welcome to stand on a platform feeling the spray of the roaring water or join a boating voyage to the island in the heart of the falls to feel the ultimate power of Rhine Falls.

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The Liskamm is almost 50 m higher than the Matterhorn and has a very long ridge. The mountain is nicknamed the “Man-eater” because in former days many climbers fell to their deaths from the snow cornices along the ridge. Locals attributed the numerous accidents to the forces of darkness.

Height
4,527 m

First ascent
19 August 1861

Origin of name
Until the 1940s, the Liskamm still bore names such as Monte Rosa, Monte Rosa summit, small Monte Rosa and Rosenhorn. Another name that the mountain still carries today is “Silberbast”. “Silber” means “silver”, and “Bast” designates the wooden pack-saddle that pack-mules carried when transporting goods. This saddle has raised parts at the front and back, rather like the Liskamm with its two summits. This name derives from the imagination of Canon Berchtold and was readily adopted by the Zermatt guides. Nevertheless, the name “Liskamm” suggested by Freiherr (Baron) Ludwig von Welden became established. The Lys is a river, 40 km long, which rises from the Italian side of the glacial arms of the Liskamm.

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This town is tucked away in the wild Bavona valley where no electricity lines reach .Since it is off the grid,Foroglio has retained only a few residence who dwell in the typical stone houses.The juxtaposition of small and large is ever present in this part of switzerland:there is the small town located at the foot of a huge waterfall.

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Geneva is a city in Switzerland that lies at the southern tip of expansive Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, the city has views of dramatic Mont Blanc. Headquarters of Europe’s United Nations and the Red Cross, it’s a global hub for diplomacy and banking. French influence is widespread, from the language to gastronomy and bohemian districts like Carouge.

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Because  its unparalleled landscapes, peaceful environments and cosmopolitan cities

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Foroglio Waterfall

Water

Ticino is rich in waterfalls. The most spectacular one is the Foroglio in the Bavona Valley, at the top of the Maggia Valley. The water plummets vociferously from a height of 110 meters through foam and splashes in a striking natural scenery. Nearby, a very charming village with houses gathered around a little church, reminding us of the life of past generations who practiced transhumance and lived in the Bavona Valley from spring to autumn. To fully enjoy this natural show, we propose an itinerary in a paradise of rock around the waterfall.

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Around two-thirds of the population are either Roman Catholic or Protestant (Reformed-Evangelical). Freedom of religion is a basic constitutional right in Switzerland. 38.2% of the Swiss population are Roman Catholic. 26.9% of the Swiss population belong to the mainstream Protestant church.

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Swiss neighbourhoods are compact and planned around local services and infrastructure. They are generally safe, clean, and orderly places, where failure to stick to ‘the rules' may be commented on.

As a newcomer, you are expected to make the first move and invite your neighbours over to introduce yourself. An introduction over a glass of wine and snacks is sufficient. The Swiss are reserved and generally limit their invitations to trusted circles. This is a sign of respect for your privacy and not intended to cause offence. They are usually delighted to be invited as a way of getting to know you better. Don't expect barriers to break down immediately: this will take time. Once you do get to know the Swiss better, there is great potential for lifelong friendship.

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Swiss people over the age of 30 generally greet each other by shaking hands on introduction, using family rather than first names, and addressing each other using the formal word for 'you' ('vous' in French or 'Sie' in German). Neighbours are greeted by name and a polite 'bonjour' / 'guten Tag' during the day or 'bonsoir' / 'guten Abend' in the evening. This courtesy is returned and greatly contributes to your being gradually accepted. When entering an establishment a greeting is expected, as is a goodbye or 'au revoir'/ 'auf Wiedersehen', on leaving.

Only start using the familiar form of 'you' ('tu' in French and 'du' in German) form once invited to do so by the person you are speaking to. When a Swiss colleague feels ready for a friendly relationship on a first name basis along with use of the familiar 'tu'/ 'du' form of 'you', you may be invited to partake in a special 'tutoyer/ dutzen' ritual, usually over a drink. After this, the use of first names and a dependable relationship will always be expected. Younger Swiss practise this less.

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The Alpine region of Switzerland, conventionally referred to as the Swiss Alps. Alps represents a major natural feature of the country and is, along with the Swiss Plateau and the Swiss portion of the Jura Mountains, one of its three main physiographic regions. The Swiss Alps comprise almost all the highest mountains of the Alps, such as

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The Dufourspitze is the highest peak in the Swiss Alps. The summit lies in the Monte Rosa massif, which has about ten 4,000-metre summits, depending on how they are counted. The highest is the Dufourspitze.

Height
4,634 m

First ascent
1 August 1855

Origin of name
Until the 1940s, the peak was also commonly called the Gornerhorn or Höchste Spitze. Once again, it was the Austrian general and topographer Ludwig von Welden who named the summit. Thanks to the accomplishments of General Dufour in the field of cartography, the Federal Council decided in 1863, on the request of leading mountaineers and members of the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club), to rename the mountain Dufourspitze.

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The Dom is the highest mountain located entirely on Swiss territory. The majestic peak is part of the Mischabel group.

Height
4,545 m

First ascent
11 September 1858

The third-highest peak in the Alps
The Dom is a massive and impressive mountain in the central axis of the Mischabel group, located between the Täschhorn and the Lenzspitze. It is the highest mountain entirely on Swiss territory. After Mont Blanc and the Monte Rosa (Dufourspitze, Nordend, Zumstein and Signalkuppe), the Dom is the third-highest summit in the Alps. It can also be climbed on skis: the first such ascent was on 18 July 1917 by the British skier Sir Arnold Lunn, together with the mountain guide Joseph Knubel, the first person to climb the north-east face of the Eiger.

Origin of name
The mountain is said to have been named in honour of the Domherr (“canon”) of Sion, Joseph Anton Berchtold, the first person to survey the Mischabel group in 1833.

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Although Switzerland is home to more than 1,500 lakes within its borders, Lake Lucerne offers some of the most picturesque views of the surrounding Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. Locally referred to as Vierwaldstättersee, it is an extremely popular destination for both native Swiss and tourists who want to explore the complex bends and arms of the lake by boat or paddle-steamer. From the water, visitors can take in the breathtaking background of jagged peaks and a three-dimensional vista of the steep cliffs dipping down into the sparkling blue waters. It is believed that the sublime beauty of the moonlight shining over the magical Lake Lucerne is what inspired the name of Beethoven’s most famous piece, “Moonlight Sonata.”

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Perhaps the notorious mountain in Europe, Eiger undoubtedly overshadows its taller neighbors of Monch and Jungfrau for its impressively severe North Face. As the ultimate challenge for the greatest mountain climbers from all over the world, the Eiger is more technical than the Matterhorn and considered the best Oberland ridge to climb. While many of the most advanced climbers have tried to reach the 3,970 meter summit, only a handful have reached the goal and many have lost their lives. As a result, the North Face has become known as the Mordwand, or Death Wall.

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Nestled between enormous rock faces and towering mountain peaks, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is considered the best impressive glacial valley in the Alps. While it is barely one kilometer wide, it is over 3 kilometers deep with its distinctive U-shaped cliffs and wide flat valley bottom. Lauterbrunnen Valley is home to 72 thundering waterfalls, including the popular Staubbach Falls, which is the highest free-falling waterfall in Europe plunging to almost 300 meters from an overhanging mountain. Visitors staying in the charming mountain inns within Lauterbrunnen can take in the peaceful, secluded valleys and the colorful alpine meadows in the largest nature conservation area in all of Switzerland.

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As part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site, Oeschinensee is a horseshoe-shaped tiny lake situated in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. While the lake may be small at just over 1 square kilometer, it has been perfectly formed by Mother Nature and ideally positioned above Kandersteg at an elevation of 1,578 meters. The shimmering turquoise waters of Oeschinensee also enable a mirror reflection of the peaks along its coast, towering more than 3,000 meters into the clouds. From Kandersteg, visitors can take the trek up to the lake by a gondola lift to catch some picture perfect views from every angle.

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In the eastern Bernese Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais lies the world-famous Aletsch glacier, a spectacular remnant of the last Ice Age that slowly carved out the Alps. With a length of 23 kilometers and a width of more than 120 square kilometers, the Great Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps and all of Europe. In fact, scientists have declared that this single glacier is comprised of 27 billion tons of frozen ice. The only way to catch an up-close view of the Aletsch Glacier is by cable car, overlooking the popular Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn.

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Straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, the Matterhorn stands proudly as the tallest mountain in the Alps at 4,478 meters. With its unique pyramidal shape, the mountain has four faces that face the four main compass points. Since the faces are so steep, visitors can notice the glaciers that have formed at the base of each peak, including the Zmutt Glacier on the west side. Not only does the Matterhorn stand out for its tremendous size, it is completely isolated from other neighboring mountains and appears majestic with its signature crooked peak. The glorious Matterhorn can be visited from the Swiss side in Zermatt or the Italian side in Breuil-Cervinia.

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Bring a small gift such as flowers, chocolate or a gift for the children when invited for a meal

Be on time (or even 5 minutes early) for appointments or cancel in time

When offered a glass of wine, wait for the host to make a toast before drinking

Before beginning a meal say 'bon appétit' / 'guten Appetit' ('enjoy your meal')

Call before dropping in for a visit

On the telephone: Swiss people introduce themselves first before asking to speak to someone or explaining the reason for the call.

If a workman is at your home for a longer period, offer him something to drink or eat

Sunday is a day of rest, and noisy activities are not appreciated

If you're planning a party, neighbours appreciate being informed or even invited

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Swiss folk music is more of a collective imagination that includes such phenomena as alphorn music, Ländler music, and yodeling. The world of Swiss folk music also includes folk singers from Ticino, choirs from Western Switzerland and songwriters from Bern.

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Swiss folk music is often equated with Ländler music, a key genre within instrumental folk music. Unlike in other Alpine countries, Ländler not only includes dances in three quarter time, but also marches, Scottish, mazurkas and foxtrot. Ländler music and the concept behind it gradually emerged with the invention and establishment, since around 1880, of the accordion, especially the Schwyzerörgeli. Up until then a colourful mix of tunes from many countries and periods had developed in Switzerland. In addition to German, Austrian and Italian melodies, opera and operetta themes were included – and sometimes even the courtly dances introduced by the Napoleonic occupation. Mercenaries and brisk trade relationshave always contributed to a lively cultural exchange with new and strange ways being readily adapted and used in the local style before being further developed and made to be one's own. The music was played by mixed dance bands consisting of 5 to 7 men who accompanied the dances with such instruments as the clarinet, violin, trumpet, cornet, tuba and contrabass.

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Standardisation & Regulation

The concept of the Ländler band dates back to around 1880, and from 1900 it only applied in respect to the playing of the clarinet (saxophone), Schwyzerörgeli (accordion), and the plucked bass. A further standardisation took place in the 1960s – with the unifying of the instrumentation and the distinction between the regional styles. Today there are seven recognised styles. The most important are the:

Graubünden style

The Graubünden style, which is not only limited to the canton of Graubünden, is noted for its use of the Ländler quintet (two clarinets, two Schwyzerörgeli and the double bass) as a feature. The two clarinets (in B, more often in A), produce the melody while the other instruments provide the harmonic and rhythmic accompaniment.

Central Swiss style

Typical of the Central Swiss Ländler style is the fast pace and the piano accompaniment with the melody not only being produced by the clarinet - often the somewhat garish clarinet in C, but by the chromatic accordion.

Appenzell style

Appenzell music today is still largely based on the music of the 19th century. Stringed instruments are very much in evidence in this type of folk music. The original Appenzell string music consists of two violins, dulcimer, cello and double bass, and should not really be described as Ländler music.

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Since 1971, Ländler musicians have been meeting up every four years at their SwissLändler music festival. They are organised as the Swiss Folk Music Association. Ländler music is harmonious and is mainly simple in form, which facilitates its ad-lib nature, much like a jam session in jazz. Held in restaurants, the meetings of the musicians are known as Stubeten or Musikantenhöcks.

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Swiss traditional clothing is versatile and varies from canton to canton, either differing slightly or greatly. The national costume of the nation actually refers to the dresses worn traditionally by the peasants as they wore clothes specific to the region’s environs. The Swiss aristocracy, however, wore costumes that did not differ significantly with that worn by the nobility of neighboring nations. The traditional costume for Swiss men has been quite simple and ordinary in most parts of the country. Leather shorts are favored by men living in the mountainous regions as it eases movements while hiking, climbing, hunting, etc. Men in the lowland areas wear shirts with long-sleeved jackets, breeches or trousers with stockings or woolen tights, and a headgear. Traditional costume for Swiss women is very feminine with colorful dresses having puffed sleeves. The look is complemented by elaborate headgears, laced aprons, bonnets, and embroidered bags. Another style involves a corset with a full-length skirt and an apron. Vibrant and fashionable jewelery accompany such dresses.

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The federal state of Switzerland has no state religion. The majority of the population of the country are Christians. However, adherence to churches has steadily declined over the years. Most cantons of the country, however, recognize the Catholic Church or the Swiss Reformed Church. As of 2015, about 68% of the country’s population are Christians, 23.9% are non-religious, and 5.0% Muslims, and the rest are adherents of other religions.

Holidays and celebrations differ in the Swiss cantons. Christian holidays and festivals are celebrated with great pomp and glory in the nation. The National Day, a secular holiday that is celebrated countrywide is observed on August 1.

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Traditional Swiss dishes are made of simple ingredients and are regionally influenced by Italian, German, and French cuisines. Potatoes and cheese are major ingredients of Swiss cuisine. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is a traditional Swiss dish that features cream sauce flavored mushrooms and veal strips served with Rösti, a potato dish. Pizza and pasta are popular here. Swiss cheese and chocolates are famous across the world. Appenzeller, Vacherin, Emmental cheese are some of the most noted variants of Swiss cheese. Cheese dishes like fondue are popular in the nation. Muesli and bread with jam or butter serve as common breakfast foods. Quiches and tarts are also consumed. Traditional Swiss restaurants usually built in rocky terrain and surrounded by forests are called grottoes and they offer traditional local dishes to the customers. Rivella, a lactose based drink, apple juice, Ovomaltine, a chocolate drink are some of the popular non-alcoholic beverages of Switzerland. Wine is produced in many parts of the country. Riesling X Sylvaner, Chasselas, Absinthe, Damassine, Bon Pere William are some of the indigenous alcoholic beverages produced in the country.

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Social Beliefs And Customs In Switzerland

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Social Beliefs And Customs In Switzerland

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Switzerland is one of the richest nations in the world with most of the citizens enjoying a high standard of living in the country. There is a large affluent middle class in the country. However, 80% of the private assets are owned by only 20% of the country’s richest people. Traditionally, the Swiss society has been a patriarchal one whereby the roles of men and women were clearly defined. However, modern times have witnessed such distinctions gradually disappearing. Marriages are presently based on the joint consent of the bride and groom and co-inhabitation prior to marriage is common. Divorces and re-marriages are also frequent in Swiss society. Female education and empowerment are still not at par with that of men but the situation is gradually improving. Although traditional Swiss households were large, modern households are nuclear in nature. Respect for the privacy of an individual and a polite behavior during social interactions are expected in Swiss society.

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Participation in sports activities is an integral part of the lifestyle of most Swiss people. Ice hockey and football are the most popular sports played in the country. Switzerland has hosted several major international sports events like the Winter Olympic Games of 1928 and 1948 and the 1954 FIFA World Cup. The winter sports facilities in the country attract professionals and tourists worldwide. Alpine skiing, competitive sledding, ski jumping, curling are some popular sports activities offered in Switzerland. Mountaineers worldwide also visit Switzerland to participate in mountain climbing activities. The country has 12 ice hockey teams comprising the National League and as of 2017, has hosted the Ice Hockey World Championships ten times. The national football team of Switzerland has a history of participation in seven FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships. The country serves as the FIBA headquarters and has a long tradition of participation in basketball games. Rugby is another popular sport played in Switzerland. Swiss tennis players like Martina Hingis and Roger Federer are well-known for their great achievements in the game. Race-driving, cycling, golf, sailing are other popular sports played by the Swiss people. Among the traditional sports of Switzerland are the Steinstossen (competition of stone throwing), Schwingen (Swiss wrestling), and Hornussen (influenced by both golf and baseball).

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Swiss folk art is kept alive all over the country, mostly through music, dance, poetry, woodcarving and embroidery. There are also many regional and local rites demarcating particular times of the year. Yodeling, despite being typically Swiss, is not widespread and is limited to only certain mountain areas. Similarly, the accordion is referred to as Schwiizerörgeli, or “Schwyzerörgeli”, implying that it is a Swiss musical instrument, rather than the German Handorgel. The violin, bass violin, clarinet and, in certain regions, the dulcimer or Trümpi (Jew’s harp), are very common. For centuries, Alpine folk music was passed orally from generation to generation. The oldest known Kuhreihen (rounds) are from Appenzell and were recorded in 1545. The Alphorn, also typically Swiss, was originally a musical and signaling instrument used by herdsmen, and also yodeling choirs that have been formed since the 19th century. In general, Switzerland has an extensive amateur music scene, and in virtually every village there is at least one choir or a brass band. This is a striking feature of the Apline culture. Let’s take another look at the alphorn. The alphorn, or the alpenhorn, is a trumpet-like musical instrument made of wood. The alphorn is very popular in mountainous regions, and like yodeling or the accordion, it has become an emblem of traditional Swiss music. The accordion is sometimes linked to Serbian national music, tango, Brazilian southern sertanejo music, and Texan country music. However, based on results of extensive scientific research, it came from the German-speaking Alpine region of Europe, which includes Switzerland. So, the nameSchwiizerörgeli might not be that erroneous after all. Say it to Šumadinians. It seems that, in some ways,  the Alps really are the centre of the world, as they influenced us in more ways than we would like to believe.

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The itinerary unfolds along cliffs, stony grounds, boulders and miniscule stone huts surrounded by meagre lawns. A landscape marked by nature: glaciers, rivers, floods and landslides have deeply moulded it. During the nice season the peasants of Bignasco and Cavergno moved to the Bavona Valley exploiting every single tuft of grass and used to go up the Calneggia Valley that opens up above Foroglio. The proofs of their activities are numerous and touching: every cleft, every boulder was used as shelter for people, livestock, cheese, hay and firewood. Humans' work and manmade constructions have admirably harmonized with the mineral and vegetal world, partially by adapting and partially by domesticating.