Travel to Switzerland

1.) The Matterhorn, Zermatt

The most famous peak in the Alps, the Matterhorn in Zermatt stands 4,478 meters high. Mountaineers flock to this town to conquer this technically difficult peak, and Zermatt also offers skiing and beautiful views. There are also non-skiing activities, best restaurants and lots of energetic nightlife for visitors to enjoy.

2.) St. Moritz

A famous playground of the wealthy, St. Moritz is a winter resort which offers skiing and a variety of summer and winter sports as well as mud and mineral baths and mud therapies. Savor caviar and truffles in some of the resorts' fine restaurants or spa treatment at the Health Spa Centre. This town is also known for its active and expensive nightlife.

3.) Mt. Pilatus

Near the lakeside city of Lucerne stands Mt. Pilatus, a 2,120-meter-tall mountain. Tourists can take a cable car to reach its top and enjoy the thrilling view. It is also a great venue for walking with numerous trails, and the visitors here can witness the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps.

4.) St. Gallen

An Irish monk founded St. Gallen in 612 AD. What was once a medieval center has now grown into the seventh largest city in Switzerland, and this old town has a lot of picturesque buildings, with carved balconies, colorful murals, and relief statues. The large twin-towered cathedral has remarkable ceiling frescoes and stucco designs.

5.) The Rhine Falls

Situated near the town of Schaffhausen, Europe's largest waterfalls, is a magnificent natural wonder. Near the falls is the medieval castle, Schoss Laufen, which houses a restaurant, a youth hostel, and shops. On Swiss National Day, August 1, the Rhine Falls is host to fantastic display of fireworks which attracts thousands of tourists.

If you think Switzerland is all cheese, chocolate and clocks, think again, as this country has much more to offer its visitors than the traditional tourist's trinkets. Switzerland is famed for its dramatic scenery, friendly atmosphere and alpine lined towns, but it also offers up a plethora of fantastic winter sports in one of the most glorious settings in the world. So, if you've simply had enough of the sun and are desperate to hit the slopes then a trip to the beautiful country of Switzerland should be right up your street.

Switzerland has long been hailed as a neutral, peaceful country but, with the Alps right on it' doorstep, it's quickly making a name for itself as the top holiday spot for winter sports fanatics. The sheer variety of sports available in Switzerland draws in the crowds from across the globe and activities include tobogganing, ski gliding and snow biking, not to mention the traditional skiing and snowboarding. The country caters to beginners right up to Olympic athletes so if you're looking for top coaching and plenty of inspiration it can be the perfect place to get to grips with winter sports.

One of the most famous sports resorts, St Moritz, is definite favorite of the rich and famous with its steep mountainous runs and five star hotels. You'll be in excellent company here as the resort hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1928 and 1948, and is still favored by experienced skiers and snowboarders alike. Four Valleys is another area packed full of resorts that cater to the more experienced skiers. There are plenty of runs to try here and with 92 ski lifts to choose from you won't have to wait long to get your turn on the slopes. Don't be put off if you're a newbie skier as there are still plenty of nursery slopes where you can steady your legs before joining in with the big boys.

If you want to try something other than skiing then there are plenty of alternative options to choose from. Tobogganing is a traditional sport for the Swiss and can be a great way to join in the fun if you're not the best skier. Plenty of resorts have their own dedicated tobogganing areas and with trained instructors on hand it can be the perfect way to immerse yourself into the local traditions of Switzerland, whilst having tons of fun. Another tradition is that of snow shoes, many resorts are recognizing the popularity of this apparel and are laying on races and events to cater to the alternative sport hungry masses.

If you are heading to Switzerland on a winter sports holiday it's a good idea to book in some time to visit some of the country's beautiful cities and towns and from the luxury hotels Geneva has to offer to a cheap and cheerful bed and breakfast in Bern there will always be something to suit every budget here. So if you're looking for a great winter vacation packed full of winter sports then Switzerland is definitely the place to be.

When it comes to skiing and winter sports, Europe has more than its fair share of amazing resorts. From the greatly priced, to the more than reasonable, Europe has it all, and has so much to offer any skier. If you've never been to Europe on a skiing holiday, or if you're looking to expand your experience, you'll find something that catches your eye without too much research, and you might just end up joining the legions of skiing fans that wouldn't go anywhere else in the world for their vacation.

On mainland Europe, you have such a varied selection. From the world famous French skiing resorts to Austria, Switzerland and the tiny principality of Andorra, you've got such a wide range of skiing to choose from. France is known the world over as the true home of skiing, and the French really know how to do a quality vacation. With naturally amazing resources, and scenery that can take your breath away, France is an ideal location for a skiing trip.

Why not try the Courchevel resort, which has four different ski resorts within one, providing the perfect blend of quality and affordability in a skiing trip. From the grossly overpriced 1850 resort, the playground of Europe's film stars and playboys, to the seemingly remote 1350 at the bottom of the hill, you have so much to choose from in Europe's finest skiing country. With the kids or with your friends, France is truly a destination that will make for a memorable skiing vacation.

Or how about some of the Italian resorts? Italy, famous for being the cheaper way to ski, also benefits from a diverse range of resorts, like the tiny Alba resort, as well as some larger, more sizeable areas to ski. Famous for passion and a depth of culture, Italy is the ideal place to take a skiing break in Europe, and the weather's good too! Or how about Italy's neighbor, Croatia? A rising European nation, you'll find a Croatian holiday outrageously good value for money, not to mention top quality. From the international standard ski resorts to their world class restaurants, Croatia is certainly a country on the up, and its skiing facilities can only improve as more and more tourists flock to their slopes each year.

Additionally, Bulgaria is an excellent skiing destination to take the kids. With open arms, you will be welcomed by the Bulgarian people, who are more than eager to tell you about their rich and deep past, and welcome you as part of their future. In these expanding and developing European nations, you will come to appreciate the value of tourism, and the quality of treatment and service they are prepared to offer for your investment.

How about Austria for your skiing trip? When we think of skiing, we often imagine the Alpine ideal, with breathtaking scenery and fresh, clean air. Well, it simply doesn't come much better than Austria, and if you're looking for a skiing destination that has it all, why not try Austria for that touch of class with your skiing. Or why not pop over to Switzerland for their Alps experience? Skiing the alps in the home of chocolate and cuckoo clocks, you will be amazed at how picturesque this modern nation has managed to be, whilst still becoming a world leader in financial industry.

Skiing in Europe is the ideal way to spend your vacation. If you love skiing, you are guaranteed to find a great resort somewhere, within your budget that meets your needs, and caters for your ability. With most resorts also boasting strong training academies, you can also work to improve your skills while you are there, ensuring that your skiing trip is both useful and memorable. Whatever you are looking for, choose Europe as your number one skiing destination, for that perfect blend of quality, tradition and culture, and for a holiday that is truly breathtaking.