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Updated: Monday, December 9, 2002 1:11 AM |
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The
west and southwest of Switzerland is French-speaking
and this French influence is very evident in the
cuisine and culture of the area. The city of Geneva
has its borders with France at the western end
of Lake Geneva (Lac
Leman to the French). Best known
for housing the headquarters of several major
international organisations such as the Red Cross
and United Nations, its major attraction for the
tourist is its lakeside setting. Lake Geneva is
the largest lake in Switzerland and boats set
off from Geneva for the towns along its shores
- a journey worth taking for the wonderful views
of the Jura mountains to the north and the Alps
to the south. |
| The
bustling city of Lausanne
on the north shore climbs steeply away from the
lake. The streets of the old town are picturesque
in themselves and afford spectacular views across
the lake to the Alps beyond. |
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Montreux, at the eastern end of Lake Geneva,
is the riviera town of the lake, with palms and
magnolias spilling down the steep hillsides to
the shoreline. Just outside the town is the famous
Chateau de
Chillon, dominating its surroundings
and inspiration to many, including Byron. In July
Montreux is home to perhaps the greatest annual
festival of Jazz in the world |
| The
Jura mountains are surprisingly little visited by
the British. This beautiful and accessible area
contains some of the best walking and cross-country
skiing in Europe. Whether exploring the green
and wooded heights of the Jura on relatively easy
paths or strolling along the picturesque shores
of Lake Neuchatel, you'll find peace and beauty
in plenty. The medieval streets of Fribourg, in the bi-lingual (French and German)
east of the region, cling impressively to the
steep banks of the river Sarine, and from here
you can enjoy wonderful walking or skiing in the
surrounding Fribourg mountains. Neuchatel enjoys wide boulevards in the French
style and a superb view of the distant Alps across
the placid lake. Outdoor activities abound, from
mountain biking to walking and skiing, whilst
almost every village around Lake Neuchatel has
its bathing beach. |
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Travelling
east from Lake Geneva along the Rhone
Valley the mountains become progressively higher
and more spectacular. Roads lead to the many ski
resorts, such as Leysin
and Les Diablerets.
The town of Martigny
lies at the juction to the Grand
Saint Bernard Pass, still accessible
by road although now bypassed by a tunnel.The
valley floor between Martigny and Sion is flat
and fertile and is one of the main wine-growing
regions of Switzerland. Sion itself is guarded by two impressive castles.
The mountains are now truly spectacular with a
multitude of world-class ski resorts; amongst
them Verbier,
Crans-Montana
and Saas-Fee, with fashionable Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. At the very end of the valley lies
Gletsch,
from where there is a stunning view of the Rhone
glacier. Enjoy perhaps the most stunning circular
drive in Europe, taking in the Nuffenenpass, Furkapass and St Gotthard pass. |
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