Switzerland
IT should be remembered by those who contemplate a holiday in Switzerland, that this country has an all-the-year-round attraction. The Alpine meadows in spring- time make a picture not easily forgotten by any visitor, while the alpine flora of the mountains is remarkable. The climate in summer is excellent, and most resorts offer every sort of amusement, from climbing, to bathing and picnic excursions. In autumn one has the festivals connected with the grape harvest, and very quaint and interest- ing ceremonies they are. It is as a Winter Sports country, however, that Switzerland is best known to British visitors, and it is doubtful if any country in Europe can show such a variety of attractions in this respect, since Switzerland has, for many years, done everything possible to attract foreign visi- tors. Railways are good and the hotels everywhere welcome British visitors in a thoroughly practical manner. The question of language does not really occur, for Eng- lish is spoken at all the larger sports centres and hotels. A knowledge of French is useful in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva, Valais, and Neuchatel, while German is usually spoken in other cantons except Ticino, where Italian is used : but it is only in outlying districts that there is any lack of English - speaking staffs. Another point which sometimes causes hesitation about a visit to Switzerland is the matter of cost, and in this the visitor can make his holiday fit his purse. In the past this, question of expense was often a real one, but today it is possible to spend an enjoyable holiday at an expenditure of less than one pound a day inclusive of rail fares. Many tourist offices are offering tours which include lake-steamer season tickets, tickets on mountain railways, and even visits to lidos and similar " extras " at an inclusive charge which can be paid in advance, leaving the visitor to pay nothing extra unless he so chooses.
Those interested in history and ancient monuments will find plenty of scope for this subject. In the caves of the Jura mountains remains of prehistoric man have been found, while at Meilen on Lake Zurich discoveries have been made of lake-dwellers of the neo- lithic period, said to be amongst the oldest relics of prehistoric man. Traces of Roman occupation are still to be seen in many places, and almost every large town has ancient buildings well worth the visitors' attention, if only for the mellow beauty of the architecture.
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