Cultural Switzerland

Switzerland is so diverse - it has 4 official languages and the different cultures to match. I've visited the Tessin - a mainly italian speaking Canton and also enjoyed a ski-trip to Grindelwald in the german-speaking part. Had a great time and can highly recommend a visit to this tiny country.

This country is a microcosm of European traditions and customs, a melting pot with its own distinctive regional differences and it has more than it's fair share of historic sites too. Because of its small size it's easy to get around and squeeze an enormous amount of diveristy into a short time. Appart from being a great ski and biking destination, the national passion for all things musical, folkloric and theatrical offers a wide spectrum of festivals to visit.

Here are just a few events to whet your appetite: in January it's the Gourmet Festival in St. Moritz; in March the Easter (classical) Music Festival in Lucerne; in April Berne hosts the Internation Jazz Festival; in June you can enjoy the European Beer Festival in Lausanne; July boasts the famous Montreaux Jazz Festival; Locarno is the palce to be for the International Film Festival in August; in October there's a Wine Festival in Lugano; back to Berne to the Traditional Onion Market in November and visit Geneva for the Historic Festival Escalade in December.

For more information e-mail Chris Boecker