Who it's for
Is Switzerland right for your trip?
Every country is somebody's favourite. The honest question is whether it is yours, and for this trip.
This is your trip if…
- You want dramatic mountain scenery without giving up reliable transport.
- You enjoy walking, lakes, cable cars and changing weather more than nightlife.
- You can pay for the experience or are willing to simplify food and hotels.
- You want a clean route with no need to rent a car.
Think twice if…
- You need a low-cost trip with spontaneous hotel changes.
- You want a warm beach holiday or guaranteed mountain visibility.
- You plan to tick off the Matterhorn, Jungfrau and every lake in one week.
- You expect a scenic train ticket to be cheap just because it is public transport.
Best time to visit
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
June – September; December – March for snow. June to September is the main walking season, with July and August busiest. September is often the sweet spot for clear trails and fewer families. December to March is for snow and winter sports; spring and late autumn are shoulder seasons with more closures and softer weather.
- Best
Summer hiking
June – September
Most trails, lifts and mountain huts are open. July and August are busy, while late June and September often give the best balance.
- Mixed
Autumn
October – November
Lower valleys can be beautiful, but cable cars and mountain restaurants begin seasonal closures. Choose a city-and-lake route rather than a high-pass plan.
- Best
Winter
December – March
Reliable snow in high resorts, festive cities and excellent rail. Ski accommodation is expensive around Christmas, New Year and February school holidays.
- Mixed
Spring
April – May
Green valleys and waterfalls, but high trails remain snowy and many lifts are between seasons. Good for cities, lakes and lower walks.
Climate · monthly normals
Lowland Swiss weather; mountain valleys and summits are colder, windier and far more changeable.
For contrast
High Alpine resort: colder nights, less rain in the valley and snow well into spring.
Festivals and events
Calendar and cultural context
Dates a plan should either aim for or steer clear of. Both are useful; the second saves more money.
21 June
Fête de la Musique
Geneva, Lausanne and cities nationwide
Free outdoor concerts make the longest day feel communal and are a good reason to add a city night to a mountain route.
Programmes vary by city; reserve nothing except a room.
July
Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux
A world-class music festival beside Lake Geneva with a strong free programme even when headline tickets are gone.
Rooms on the lake fill months ahead.
1 August
Swiss National Day
Nationwide
Fireworks, bonfires and village celebrations give the country a warmer social side than its polished image.
Transport works, but mountain and lake viewpoints are busy.
February or March
Basel Carnival
Basel
Three days of lanterns, drums and masked processions in a city with a distinctive cultural identity.
Hotels fill and the city centre runs on a special schedule.
Where to go
Where should you go in Switzerland?
The places that earn their nights, most important first, with how long each deserves. Nobody needs all of them on one trip.
City and local guides
6 worked-out stopsMap numbers match the local guide cards.
01Zurich
Western Europe
city2 daysA compact old town, excellent food and direct trains to much of the country. It is useful rather than a substitute for the Alps.
Best time: May–June and September
Explore Zurich
02Lucerne
Western Europe
city2–3 daysA scenic gateway to Rigi, Pilatus and the lake. Stay a little longer than a photo stop and use the boats.
Best time: May–June and September
Explore Lucerne
03Bernese Oberland
Western Europe
travel base3–5 daysInterlaken is the transport hub; Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and Grindelwald are the landscapes. Choose one or two bases rather than moving daily.
Best time: June–September or December–March
Explore Bernese Oberland
04Zermatt
Western Europe
town2–3 daysA car-free mountain town with strong walking and ski access. It is expensive but earns its nights when the weather is clear.
Best time: June–September or December–March
Explore Zermatt
05Ticino
Western Europe
travel base2–4 daysLakes, palms, stone villages and Italian food make Ticino feel like a different country. Good for spring and autumn when high Alps are uncertain.
Best time: April–June and September–October
Explore Ticino
06Lake Geneva
Western Europe
travel base2–4 daysCombine Lausanne, Montreux and Lavaux by train and boat. The region works when you want scenery without a high-altitude itinerary.
Best time: May–June and September
Explore Lake Geneva
Things to do
What should you do in Switzerland?
The handful of things that make the destination distinctive, with the timing catch that stops people doing them well.
- 01
Take one mountain train or cable car
Rigi, Pilatus or Jungfraujoch
Pick one major ascent and one free valley walk. Buying every famous ticket is expensive and makes the day feel like a queue.
- 02
Use a lake boat as transport
Lucerne, Geneva or Thun
The boats are not only sightseeing cruises; they connect towns and give the landscape a different scale.
- 03
Walk below the postcard
Lauterbrunnen, Engadin or Ticino
A low or medium trail with a weather window is more rewarding than forcing a summit in cloud.
- 04
Eat across language regions
Ticino, Valais and Romandy
Fondue is not the whole cuisine. Look for rösti, mountain cheese, polenta, lake fish and Italian-influenced food.
- 05
Ride a scenic long-distance train
Glacier Express or Bernina route
The journey is the attraction, but ordinary regional trains often show the same landscape for less. Compare before paying for the brand.
How to get around
How do you get around Switzerland?
Use trains, boats, buses and cable cars; Switzerland is one of the few countries where public transport is part of the scenery. A car adds flexibility in remote valleys but is rarely essential.
SBB rail network
Frequent, integrated trains connect cities, lakes and mountain gateways. Check the full journey in SBB because the fare includes different modes in one timetable.
Rule of thumb: Any route with a rail line → train first.
Cable cars and mountain rail
Lifts are the expensive link to high walks and ski slopes. Check return times, weather and whether a cheaper lower trail gives the same view.
Rule of thumb: High mountain day → reserve the last descent before starting.
Lake boats
Boats connect towns on Lucerne, Geneva, Thun, Brienz and other lakes. They are slower than trains and often much better for a scenic day.
Rule of thumb: Town-to-town beside a lake → compare boat and train.
Rental car
Useful in Ticino, Valais villages and remote valleys, but parking and mountain roads cost time. Never rent one for Zurich, Geneva or Lucerne alone.
Rule of thumb: Three remote bases in one valley → car.
Passes and cards, honestly
- The Swiss Travel Pass can be good value for a train-and-boat-heavy route, but many mountain lifts are only partly discounted. Price the actual days.
- The Half Fare Card is powerful for longer stays and expensive mountain routes; it pays off only when you use it often.
- Regional passes around Jungfrau, Ticino or Lake Geneva can beat a national pass when the trip stays local.
Travel tips
What should you know before you go?
The things locals assume you know. Most travellers learn them by getting one wrong on day two.
- Weather decides the mountain day
- Keep the itinerary flexible and check lift and trail conditions. A clear lower walk is a success, not a failed summit.
- Quiet is valued
- Trains, villages and mountain huts are calmer than many European destinations. Keep voices down and follow trail rules.
- Four language regions matter
- Menus, names and local food change across Switzerland. Treat Ticino and Romandy as distinct places, not themed versions of Zurich.
- Punctuality is useful
- Connections are frequent, but mountain transport is not infinite. Note the last cable car or boat before starting a walk.
- Leave no trace
- Hiking paths cross working farms and protected landscapes. Close gates, keep dogs controlled and take rubbish with you.
Travel basics
Visa, money, SIM cards and more
The boring section, which is why it is the one people skip and then regret at the airport.
visa
Visa and entry
Switzerland follows Schengen entry rules. Many visa-exempt visitors can stay 90 days in 180 days; check your passport requirements before travel.
money
Money and cards
Cards work widely, but prices may be shown in Swiss francs even near the eurozone. Keep a small amount of cash for huts, lockers and rural buses.
connectivity
SIM and data
EU roaming is not automatically the same as EU countries; check your plan. An eSIM can be simpler for maps and mountain transport apps.
plugs
Plugs and power
Switzerland commonly uses type J sockets and 230 V. Europlugs often fit, while larger Schuko and UK plugs may need an adapter.
safety
Safety
The main risk is mountain weather and underestimating a trail. Check the forecast, wear proper shoes and do not rely on phone signal in every valley.
language
Language
German, French and Italian dominate by region. English works in tourism, but use the local greeting and name the valley correctly.
Trip costs
How much does a trip to Switzerland cost?
A mid-range trip usually needs about €150–€280 per person per day, before long-haul flights. Switzerland is one of Europe's most expensive destinations. Save by staying outside the headline resort, using supermarkets for one meal a day and choosing regional trains over branded panorama tickets.
Shoestring
€€95–150
per person / day
- Stay
- Hostel or simple apartment, CHF 45–85
- Food
- Bakery, supermarket and one casual meal, CHF 25–40
- Transport
- Regional trains, walking and selected lifts
Possible, but the mountain ticket is usually the line that breaks the budget.
Mid-range
€€150–280
per person / day
- Stay
- Good hotel or pension, CHF 150–250 for two
- Food
- Café lunch and one restaurant dinner, CHF 55–95
- Transport
- Half-fare rail plus a few boats and lifts
The useful level for a comfortable route with one or two paid peaks.
Comfortable
€€360–700
per person / day
- Stay
- Mountain hotel or design stay, CHF 350–650 for two
- Food
- Restaurants, wine and hut lunches, CHF 120–220
- Transport
- First-class rail, private transfers and premium lifts
Spend on the right valley and view rather than collecting luxury properties.
Sample itineraries
Starting points, not scripts
Use these as conditional starting points. Confirm current access, the operating transport and permissions before committing.
Zurich and Lucerne
6 days- Zurich
- Lucerne
- Rigi
A simple first route with two cities, one lake and one easy mountain day. No car, no heroic transfers.
Bernese Oberland
8 days- Lucerne
- Interlaken
- Lauterbrunnen
- Mürren
A concentrated Alps route with weather flexibility. Use Interlaken as transport, but sleep in a valley or mountain village if budget allows.
Lakes and language regions
12 days- Geneva
- Lausanne
- Zermatt
- Lugano
- Zurich
A northbound route through French, Italian and German Switzerland with scenic trains and a deliberate mix of high mountain and low lake days.
Common questions
Quick answers about travel in Switzerland
Short answers to the questions people ask before they book. Use the full guide for the detail and trade-offs.
- When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
- June – September; December – March for snow. June to September is the main walking season, with July and August busiest. September is often the sweet spot for clear trails and fewer families. December to March is for snow and winter sports; spring and late autumn are shoulder seasons with more closures and softer weather.
- How much does a trip to Switzerland cost?
- Plan about €150–€280 per person per day for a mid-range trip, before long-haul flights. Switzerland is one of Europe's most expensive destinations. Save by staying outside the headline resort, using supermarkets for one meal a day and choosing regional trains over branded panorama tickets.
- How do you get around Switzerland?
- Use trains, boats, buses and cable cars; Switzerland is one of the few countries where public transport is part of the scenery. A car adds flexibility in remote valleys but is rarely essential.
More destinations
Where else?
- JapanA megacity, a thousand temples and trains that leave to the second.
- ChinaImperial capitals, fast trains, regional tables and landscapes at continental scale.
- ItalyThree civilisations' worth of cities, and lunch takes two hours.
- SpainEurope's longest high-speed rail, five cultures, and lunch at three.
- PortugalTwo hilly cities, a valley of port and a long Atlantic coast.
- GreeceAntiquity, two hundred inhabited islands and a ferry timetable to respect.
- IcelandOne road, no trains, and weather that rewrites the plan daily.
- ThailandStreet food, temples, two coasts and Asia's cheapest good hotel room.
- VietnamTwo capitals, one slow railway and the best street food in Asia.
- MoroccoMedinas, the High Atlas and the Sahara, a ferry ride from Europe.
- MexicoA 3,000-year-old civilisation, the best street food on earth, and two coastlines.
- Costa RicaCloud forest, two coasts, volcanoes and wildlife best seen slowly.
- The BahamasShallow banks, island towns and water-led journeys between cays.
- BarbadosCoral coasts, Bajan food and an island with several speeds.
- CubaLayered cities, karst valleys and a journey that needs patience.
- Dominican RepublicCaribbean cities, mountain interiors and coasts beyond the resort gate.
- JamaicaMusic, mountain rain, strong food and coasts with different rhythms.
- FranceGreat cities, long lunches, mountains and a coast for every mood.
- United KingdomHistoric cities, wild coastlines and weather worth planning around.
- GermanyBig culture, small cities, forests and trains with caveats.
- NetherlandsCanals, art, cycling and small cities that reward staying longer.
- CroatiaAdriatic islands, stone towns, clear water and a crowded August.
- TurkeyMosques, markets, ancient cities and coastlines on a huge scale.
- AustriaImperial cities, Alpine lakes, music and excellent rail links.
- NorwayFjords, midnight light, coastal towns and beautiful long distances.
- SwedenArchipelagoes, forests, design and summer light that lasts.
- FinlandLakes, saunas, forests and a capital built for slow days.
- CzechiaBeautiful old towns, serious beer and an easy train route beyond Prague.
- PolandDeep history, lively cities, forests, lakes and mountain food.
- IrelandAtlantic cliffs, music-filled towns, green roads and weather in charge.
- AustraliaBig distances, old landscapes, city beaches and wildlife in the wild.
- New ZealandVolcanoes, fjords, coast roads and a country made for the outdoors.
- IndonesiaVolcanoes, rice fields, reefs and thousands of islands to choose from.
- South KoreaFast cities, quiet temples, mountain trails and food at every hour.
- United StatesHuge landscapes, distinct cities and a route that must respect the map.
- CanadaBig wilderness, thoughtful cities and distances that need their own plan.
- ArgentinaBig-city appetite, Andean wine country and Patagonia at full scale.
- BrazilAtlantic cities, living cultures and continental-scale nature.
- ChileDesert sky, Pacific cities, volcano lakes and Patagonian wind.
- ColombiaHighland cities, Caribbean history and coffee-country roads.
- PeruAndean cities, living food cultures and Amazon headwaters.
- IndiaMughal cities, desert forts, sacred rivers and a monsoon coast.
- Sri LankaTea hills, ancient cities and two coasts with opposite seasons.
- NepalHimalayan trails, Newar cities and lowland jungle in one country.
- MalaysiaHawker cities, tea hills, island coasts and Bornean rainforest.
- PhilippinesIsland archipelago where the flight map decides the trip.
- CambodiaAngkor's stone, the Mekong's rhythm and a country still healing.
- TaiwanNight markets, high-speed rail and a mountainous Pacific island.
- LaosSlow Mekong days, mountain roads and a new railway.
- United Arab EmiratesSeven emirates, two big cities and a mountain-and-desert hinterland.
- JordanPetra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea on one compact road.
- OmanForts, wadis, dunes and turtle beaches on the Arabian Sea.
- EgyptThe Nile corridor, Red Sea reefs and five thousand years in sequence.
- South AfricaTwo oceans, self-drive safari and cities with unfinished histories.
- KenyaSavannah, highlands and a Swahili coast, sequenced by rain.
- TanzaniaThe northern circuit, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, priced honestly.
- NamibiaSelf-drive desert, empty roads and Africa's darkest skies.
- BelgiumFlemish art cities, Brussels institutions and forested Ardennes valleys.
- DenmarkCopenhagen design, island villages and long Jutland beaches.
- HungaryThermal baths, Danube grandeur, wine hills and the Great Plain.
- SloveniaAlpine lakes, an emerald river, karst caves and a Venetian coast.
- GeorgiaCaucasus villages, eight-thousand-year wine and a serious table.
- MontenegroA fjord-like bay, limestone peaks and a short, crowded coast.
- AlbaniaOttoman towns, an Ionian riviera and a raw alpine north.
- RomaniaSaxon towns, Carpathian wilderness and Europe's largest wetland.
- BulgariaMonasteries, mountain villages and a working Black Sea coast.
- SlovakiaAlpine peaks, castle ruins and wooden churches on a rail spine.
- Bosnia and HerzegovinaOttoman bazaars, stone bridges and wild rivers between mountains.
- EstoniaMedieval Tallinn, bog boardwalks, island manors and long white nights.
- LatviaArt Nouveau Riga, castle valleys, a wooden spa coast and deep forest.
- LithuaniaBaroque Vilnius, a dune spit, lake castles and pine spa towns.
- MaltaLimestone capital, Neolithic temples, harbour ferries and Gozo's slow coast.
- CyprusDivided capital, mosaic coast, painted mountain churches and a wild peninsula.
- SingaporeA dense, humid city-state that rewards districts, not landmarks.
- MaldivesAtolls, reefs and two very different ways to stay.
- BhutanHimalayan valleys, dzongs and a daily fee that shapes everything.
- UzbekistanSilk Road cities linked by fast trains and desert roads.
- EthiopiaRock churches, highland monasteries and a distinct calendar.
- UgandaGorillas, chimpanzees, the Nile and crater-lake forests.
- RwandaGorilla volcanoes, tea hills and a compact, orderly country.
- BotswanaDelta floods, elephant rivers and empty Kalahari pans.
- ZambiaWalking safaris, wild rivers and the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
- MadagascarLemurs, baobabs and an island that evolved apart.
- MauritiusLagoon coasts, a volcanic interior and a Creole, Indian and Chinese island.
- TunisiaCarthage, medinas, Roman arenas and the Saharan oases.
- GuatemalaMaya highlands, volcano lakes and a Petén forest of ruins.
- PanamaCanal city, Caribbean archipelagos and cloud-forest coffee.
- EcuadorVolcano avenue, cloud forest, Amazon edge and the Galápagos.
- BoliviaAltiplano salt, Aymara cities and a wide Amazon lowland.
- UruguayCalm capital, Atlantic beaches and slow wine country.
- FijiReef islands, village life and two big green mainlands.
- SerbiaDanube cities, monastery hills and long-table hospitality.
- North MacedoniaOhrid's lake, Ottoman bazaars and mountain villages in a small compass.
- KosovoEurope's youngest country: café capital, Ottoman Prizren and alpine valleys.
- MoldovaUnderground wine cities, cliff monasteries and Europe's least-visited country.
- ArmeniaStone monasteries, Ararat views and a capital that stays up late.
- AzerbaijanCaspian capital, mud volcanoes and Caucasus villages above the tea plains.
- LuxembourgFortress capital, Moselle wine and Ardennes castles by free bus.
- AndorraPyrenean principality of ski valleys, Romanesque chapels and thermal spas.
- Faroe IslandsEighteen basalt islands of sea cliffs, tunnels and turf-roofed villages.
- GreenlandIcebergs, ice sheet and Inuit towns reached only by air and sea.
- KazakhstanTian Shan foothills, steppe capital and canyon country by air.
- KyrgyzstanYurt stays, alpine lakes and horse treks in the Tian Shan.
- TajikistanPamir Highway, Wakhan villages and turquoise Fann lakes.
- PakistanMughal Lahore and the Karakoram, planned region by region.
- BangladeshRiver delta, mangrove tigers, tea gardens and Dhaka's old city.
- Hong KongVertical harbour city, outlying islands and surprising country parks.
- BruneiWater village, gilded mosques and untouched Borneo rainforest.
- Timor-LesteReef walls, mountain villages and a young nation's coastline.
- Saudi ArabiaNabataean tombs, Red Sea reefs and a fast-changing kingdom.
- QatarA compact Gulf peninsula built around one polished capital.
- GhanaAtlantic forts, Ashanti heritage and a warm, workable West Africa.
- SenegalDakar's music, Gorée's memory and delta and river landscapes.
- Cape VerdeTen Atlantic islands of morna, volcanoes and trade winds.
- SeychellesGranite islands, coral atolls and Creole ease in the Indian Ocean.
- MozambiqueIndian Ocean coast, dhow islands and a restored savanna.
- ZimbabweVictoria Falls, walking safaris and Africa's largest ancient stone city.
- MalawiA freshwater sea, restored parks and high plateaus in one small country.
- EswatiniA small kingdom of royal ceremony, rhino reserves and highveld hikes.
- LesothoThe mountain kingdom: pony treks, high passes and Basotho villages.
- BelizeBarrier reef, Maya cities and Garifuna coast in one small country.
- HondurasBay Islands diving, Copán's carved city and cloud-forest highlands.
- El SalvadorSurf coast, volcano towns and a small country in rapid change.
- NicaraguaColonial cities, twin-volcano island and two very different coasts.
- Trinidad and TobagoCarnival, ibis and doubles on Trinidad; reef and calm on Tobago.
- Saint LuciaThe Pitons, rainforest ridges and Kwéyòl villages on one green island.
- ParaguayRiver cities, Jesuit ruins and the enormous quiet of the Chaco.
- SamoaTwo volcanic islands, village fales and fa'a Samoa on its own terms.
- TongaA Polynesian kingdom of four island groups, whales and strict Sundays.
- VanuatuActive volcanoes, kastom villages and eighty islands of Melanesia.
- Cook IslandsRarotonga's ring road, Aitutaki's lagoon and atolls nobody reaches.
- MonacoA harbour principality of palace lanes, sea gardens and vertical streets.
- LiechtensteinRhine meadows, princely art and a small Alpine mountain world.
- San MarinoThree ridge-top towers and a small republic beyond the day-trip crowds.
- MongoliaOpen steppe, ger hospitality and journeys measured in driving days.
- BahrainPearling lanes, Dilmun archaeology and a compact Gulf island culture.
- KuwaitA working Gulf city of souq lanes, modern culture and a long corniche.
- DominicaRainforest trails, volcanic pools and a Caribbean island built for walking.
- GrenadaSpice gardens, a handsome harbour and islands with their own pace.
- Antigua and BarbudaDockyard heritage, sheltered bays and Barbuda’s separate island rhythm.
- Saint Kitts and NevisTwo volcanic islands, a fortress coast and a quieter Nevis stay.
- Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesA green volcanic main island and a chain of small sailing worlds.
- GuyanaKaieteur, rainforest lodges and savanna journeys with Indigenous hosts.
- SurinameTimber Paramaribo, plantation rivers and rainforest stays with local hosts.
- AlgeriaMediterranean cities, Roman stone and a Sahara that needs its own journey.
- BeninRoyal history, Vodun heritage and lake communities along a southern route.
- TogoLomé markets, green hill country and Batammariba architecture.
- Côte d’IvoireAbidjan’s lagoon city, Grand-Bassam heritage and a rich southern circuit.
- The GambiaAtlantic beach bases and a river journey into birdlife and history.
- Sierra LeoneFreetown history, forest-backed beaches and locally guided island stays.
- LiberiaMonrovia’s complex history, surf at Robertsport and a working Atlantic coast.
- Guinea-BissauBissau’s riverfront and the tide-shaped world of the Bijagós.
- São Tomé and PríncipeCocoa roças, rainforest walks and two islands with distinct rhythms.
- ComorosLava-stone medinas, volcanic slopes and quieter island communities.
- GabonRainforest, Atlantic wildlife and park journeys built around skilled guides.
- PalauRock Islands, reef diving and a country where conservation shapes the visit.
- Marshall IslandsLow atolls, lagoon communities and journeys that follow rare connections.
- Federated States of MicronesiaFour island states, deep ocean distances and distinct local traditions.
- KiribatiLow atolls, maneaba hospitality and a country spanning the date line.
- TuvaluFunafuti’s narrow atoll and outer islands that follow the sea schedule.
- Solomon IslandsLagoon stays, community hosts and islands with a deep wartime history.
- AngolaAtlantic cities, giant waterfalls and the highland road south.
- CameroonA southern route of cities, coastal waterfalls and western cultural towns.
- Republic of the CongoRiver cities, coastal forest and specialist rainforest stays.
- Equatorial GuineaBioko’s volcanic coast and a separately planned mainland chapter.
- GuineaCoastal communities and the green highlands of the Fouta Djallon.
- MauritaniaAtlantic birdlife and ancient desert towns on a carefully checked route.
- DjiboutiSalt landscapes, volcanic plains and a compact Red Sea gateway.
- EritreaA heritage and access overview of Asmara and the Red Sea landscape.
- TurkmenistanSilk Road cities and desert landscapes through a current sponsored route.
- Papua New GuineaCommunity-led culture, volcanic coasts and a few well-supported bases.
- NauruA small raised-coral island with a history larger than its road loop.
- BermudaPastel villages, a historic harbour and a North Atlantic island rhythm.
- ArubaDry-island landscapes, easy west-coast stays and a strong local town culture.
- CuraçaoWillemstad’s harbour quarters and a dry island beyond the postcard.
- Sint MaartenA Dutch-Caribbean gateway with several distinct coastal districts.
- Saint-MartinFrench-Caribbean villages, food-led stays and a shared-island geography.
- Saint BarthélemySmall bays, village traditions and an island best explored slowly.
- AnguillaLow island shores, village food and a stay shaped by the right bay.
- MontserratNorthern communities, forest trails and an active volcanic history.
- British Virgin IslandsA few island bases and sailing routes with time for the sea.
- US Virgin IslandsThree main islands with distinct town, park and coastal rhythms.
- Cayman IslandsA main-island base and two smaller islands with different paces.
- Turks and Caicos IslandsLow cays, a few island bases and marine plans with room for weather.
- Puerto RicoOld San Juan, forested hills and island chapters beyond one beach base.
- GuadeloupeTwo main islands and smaller neighbours with distinct Creole identities.
- MartiniqueCreole towns, volcanic north and southern bays with different rhythms.
- Caribbean NetherlandsBonaire, Statia and Saba: three islands that need separate journeys.
- French PolynesiaA few island stays across a much larger Polynesian ocean.
- New CaledoniaLagoon city life, Kanak cultural landscapes and carefully checked island stays.
- NiueRaised-coral coasts, village hosts and a week that follows the sea.
- American SamoaTutuila’s harbour villages and outer islands with their own access plan.
- GuamChamorro heritage, a practical beach base and a southern island road.
- Northern Mariana IslandsSaipan’s different coasts and two separately planned island stays.
- Wallis and FutunaThree customary kingdoms and two island chapters far from a resort circuit.
- French GuianaA French-Amazonian coast of cultural towns, wetlands and supported forest stays.
- Saint Pierre and MiquelonFrench harbour life and a separate North Atlantic nature island.
- RéunionVolcanic cirques, Creole towns and a west-coast lagoon base.
- MayotteA lagoon territory with village, nature and current-access planning.
- Isle of ManHarbour towns, Manx heritage and a hill-and-coast week at a slower pace.
- JerseyGranite harbours, tidal coasts and village days beyond one beach stay.
- GuernseyA harbour island and smaller neighbours that deserve separate stays.
- GibraltarA compact harbour town, limestone heights and several distinct walking districts.
- Åland IslandsA Swedish-speaking Finnish archipelago of ferries, red granite and quiet stays.
- SvalbardAn Arctic community and operator-led fjord journeys under strict nature rules.
- Falkland IslandsSouth Atlantic wildlife, working farms and small-island stays arranged around the weather.
- Saint HelenaA remote Atlantic community of Georgian streets, volcanic walks and endemic cloud forest.
- Christmas IslandAn Indian Ocean rainforest island shaped by red crabs and a multicultural community.
- Cocos (Keeling) IslandsTwo inhabited islands, Cocos Malay culture and an Indian Ocean lagoon explored with care.
- Norfolk IslandNorfolk pines, a layered community history and green coastal walking.
- Pitcairn IslandsA remote Pacific community reached by a planned sea passage, with volcanic walks and dark skies.
- AfghanistanA mountain capital with layered urban history
- BelarusA capital shaped by reconstruction and civic space
- Burkina FasoThe capital's cinema, craft and everyday life
- BurundiLakeside commercial city and practical gateway
- NigeriaArt, music and a megacity spread over waterways
- MacaoSquares, churches and a living street network
- Vatican CityThe public approach and ceremonial space
- HaitiA capital with major cultural institutions
- VenezuelaA mountain-valley capital
- UkraineA Dnipro capital with layered sacred and civic history
- RussiaA capital of museums and monumental urban form
- IranMuseums and mountain-edge urban history
- IraqA Tigris capital with living literary traditions
- IsraelModern urban life and an older Mediterranean port
- PalestinePilgrimage traditions and agricultural terraces
- LebanonA coastal capital of neighbourhoods and cultural institutions
- SyriaAn ancient city with living religious traditions
- YemenHighland tower houses and an inhabited old city
- North KoreaA tightly controlled capital
- MyanmarA lowland city of religious and urban history
- Democratic Republic of the CongoA vast Congo River capital
- Central African RepublicAn Oubangui River capital
- ChadA capital at a major river confluence
- LibyaA Mediterranean capital and old medina
- MaliA Niger River capital with major music traditions
- NigerA river capital and national collections
- SudanA Nile confluence capital affected by war
- SomaliaA historic Indian Ocean capital
- South SudanA White Nile capital
- AntarcticaAn island group near the Peninsula gateway
- South Georgia & the South Sandwich IslandsHistory and administration in a sheltered bay
- Bouvet IslandA small exposed research and wildlife area
- Heard Island & McDonald IslandsA historic station area and exposed coast
- British Indian Ocean TerritoryA restricted military and administrative island
- French Southern TerritoriesA large subantarctic archipelago
- TokelauA northern atoll community
- United States Minor Outlying IslandsA wildlife refuge with historic significance
- Western SaharaAn administrative city in Moroccan-controlled territory
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Start planning SwitzerlandGuide last reviewed 2026-09. Check visa rules against your own passport before you book.