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Tourist information for south-eastern Switzerland
Switzerland is one of Europe's most beautiful countries. The mighty
Alpine peaks dominate the whole country, lending a fairy-tale appearance to even
dour cities like Zurich. In the north, away from the mountains, the scenery
remains stunning, with rolling green pastures and chocolate box villages. As
well as the lure of the mountains, Switzerland's cultural diversity lends a
distinct character to its great cities, from French-speaking Geneva to German
Bern to Italian Lugano. The people are famed for their efficiency, their strong
sense of independence and their tradition of neutrality, yet this is combined
with a warm welcome for the many tourists. Although Switzerland is a wonderful
winter sports destination, the lakes, clean air and flower-filled meadows
attract visitors throughout the year. Whether you're looking for the beauties of
the mountain lakes, excitement in the high mountains or lazy walking in the
meadows, you'll find it here.
Towns and places of interest in south east Switzerland:
Southeast Switzerland is a land of high alpine mountains and a cultural
diversity represented by its three languages - German, Italian and Romansh.
Bellinzona guards the entrance to the region and is worth visiting for its
three spectacular castles as well as for the city itself. The nearby town of
Biasca leads to the Valle Blenio, one of the many wild and rocky valleys of
the Ticino where there is still a flavour of a by-gone age, although many of the
former peasant dwellings are now second holiday homes.
Switzerland's most easterly canton, the Graubunden, contains the famously
fashionable winter sports resorts of Saint-Moritz, Davos and
Klosters, as well as a number of other lesser, but still excellent, resorts
such as Arosa and Pontresina. Chur is the main town and
gateway to the region and in nearby Maienfeld Heidi was supposed to have
enjoyed the Alpine delights. Chur is worth visiting for its massive cathedral
and narrow streets. The ski resorts of the region are situated at the top of
deep valleys isolated from each other by towering peaks. Go to Arosa for
down-to-earth friendliness, Saint-Moritz for expensive chic, while Klosters and
busy Davos are somewhere between. They all offer superb skiing. In the summer
this region is wonderful for high meadow walking and climbing.
Beyond Saint-Moritz is the beautiful Engadine Valley, with the resorts of
Celerina and Pontresina. Here also is the Parc Naziunal Svizzer, a
spectacularly beautiful area of woods and mountains. Every type of outdoor
activity associated with the mountains can be enjoyed here all year round.
The Ticino is the Italian speaking southern part of Switzerland, cut off
from the rest of the country by the alps and reached across the Saint
Gotthard or San Bernardino passes. Although you could almost be in
Italy, the region retains the order and tidiness of the rest of Switzerland. A
lovely holiday region, especially in spring and autumn, when the temperature is
just right for walking, biking and climbing, or in summer when you could be on
Mediterranean shores, relaxing among the palm fringed beaches of Lakes
Maggiore and Lugano and enjoying the Italian food.
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