Switzerland Beer Festivals

Entering a travel agency in search of an exciting world travel vacation you certainly won't think about this country, it doesn't seem to be exotic. I'm talking about Switzerland.

Switzerland is a small, landlocked country in the heart of Europe. It certainly has its fair share of cliches with irresistible chocolates, yodeling countrymen, humorless bankers, international bureaucracies, timeshare castles and a national persona of a cold and close-minded culture. Looking beyond those well known stereotypes, the Germans invented the cuckoo clock; secondly, the Swiss have won more Nobel prizes and registered more patents per capita than any other nation on earth.

Happily, you can be sure that your Swiss trains and postal letters will be on time, unlike many of their European counterparts. Among tidy, just so-precision of Swiss towns and villages, you are surrounded by the vast splendor of the picturesque which seem to be never ending.

February is known for Fasnacht or Carnival in Switzerland. The fascination exists because of the incredible participation and party atmosphere, the vivid colors of the carnival costumes, the stirring tunes of the drummers and the piccolo players, and the weird and wonderful music played by the brass bands. And because of the famous beer festivals, of course. Basel really funks up Fasnacht with its well known elaborate parades beginning at a bleary 4am throughout the week.

Enjoy the world renowned Montreux Jazz Festival which takes place in July along the picturesque waterfront of Lac Leman. National day, marked on August 1, is celebrated with fireworks throughout the country, and Swiss wrestling in the Emmental area east of Bern.

On the fourth Monday in November, Bern hosts its famous Onion Market (Zibelmarit), where traders take over the entire town center and many a tear are shed.

Whatever your pleasure, you'll find something to love in Switzerland. A decision to travel Switzerland may become one of the best you've made. It's really worth doing.