Switzerland

from 2013-11 Sydney (2)

Serene and striking Switzerland

Today with a population of 7.5 million, Switzerland stands as one of the most progressive and rich nations in the world pocket-sized principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth smallest country in the world, was highly rewarding. Its capital Vaduz is only a short journey by train and bus from Zurich. Measuring 25 km in length and 6 km in length, it’s remembered mostly for its stunning natural beauty that aptly competes with neighbours Switzerland and Austria. The nation is governed by a friendly Prince whose home, a magnificent castle, is the main sight in the capital while a visit to his winery is grandly stimulating after tasting some fabulous reds and whites.

Though small in size, one visit is not enough to savour everything the region offers. So I left Switzerland with a taste of cheese and chocolates in my mouth, a cuckoo clock in my bag, several photos in my camera, the extraordinary scenery of mountains and lakes frozen in my brain, and a strong desire to return locked in my mind.

Golden Pass train. It not only presented the best of the scenery comprising of mountains, lakes and waterfalls, but also showcased the typical Swiss countryside with small villages and grazing cattle powdering rolling green valleys intermittently sprinkled with conifer forests. The setting and even the colour of every view came out exactly as I have seen on picture postcards and many Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

I knew that Albert Einstein developed his famous theory of relativity while living in Berne, and that notion inspired me to visit the nation’s capital, particularly to see this great scientist’s dwelling. Berne is a beautiful city with grand medieval arcades; the buildings, monuments and fountains lining its cobblestoned streets are striking as architectural gems. Einstein lived in a modest apartment which has now been converted to a museum, a café downstairs called Einstein Kaffee, serves refreshing doses of caffeine.

Switzerland boasts of several architectural marvels that represent an array of styles from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, a fine example of the last being the St Gallen Cathedral which was originally established in 747 AD.