Where to Go and When in Switzerland

Travel Switzerland you always are in the thick of things as, regardless of the season, this country offer you a great number of attractions and festivals. Whenever you come, there is something new and breathtaking to experience in Switzerland. Here is a little calendar of Swiss all-year-round attractions:

In April Zurich celebrate the Sechselaeuten festival inaugurating the spring season. Guild members put on historical costumes and parade through the streets. The culmination of the festival is the incineration of Boegg effigy which symbolizes winter.

June is marked by the exhibition of avant-garde works from the most prestigious and famous galleries in the world, which takes place in Art Basel. The event has a great echo, hence The New York Times called it "Olympics of art world".

All the lovers of music shouldn't miss the yearly Jazz Festival in Montreux where rock, blues and soul performances are presented nowadays too.

An exciting competition is held every August in Chur's Brambrüesch district. 60 men from the Alps gather in the oldest city of Switzerland to compete for the title of best and longest beard. Considering the fact that the participants live in the mountain region, a big beard for them is not just a beautiful male decoration but effective protection against the cold.

The harvest time came and that's a good opportunity to visit European Biggest Pumpkin Championship taking place in Zurich's Jucker Farmart in October. The gardeners all over Europe bring their pumpkins some of which reach over 340 kg!

Developing the subject of vegetables one should mark the Räben-Chilbi Turnip Festival in November. A month after Pumpkin event the Swiss do honor to other earth gift - a turnip. Thousands of lanters carved of white turnips illuminated houses during the parade, which got into the Guinness Book of Records in 1998.

For Samnaun dwellers December means Santa Claus World Championship. 100 Fathers of Christmases compete in gingerbread decorating, chimney climbing, races on scooters and other important disciplines. While brave Santas are engaged in competition, the guests are enjoying music, dances and skiing.

Now you see that, even planning a month tour around Switzerland, you can stay here for the whole year, moving from one festival to another and enjoying this endless adventure.