AAA Traveler Feb/Mar 2022 ACG - 37

perhaps Switzerland's biggest
wow-the breathtaking views over
Swiss, Italian and French Alps.
Back at lower altitudes, it's a must
to try the quintessential Swiss dish of
fondue-local cheese and wine heated
over an open flame. Dip long forks with
bread chunks into the communal pot and
sip a perfectly paired crisp white wine
produced from terraced vineyards seen
on your train journeys. Fondue is heartily
enjoyed in Geneva, the lovely city of
lakeside promenades, elegant cafés, the
headquarters of the International Red
Cross and the European headquarters of
the United Nations. Wood-beamed rustic
restaurants serve up the bubbling classic in
convivial settings overlooking the lake.
Another classic Geneva experience is
a boat cruise on Lake Geneva. There are
graceful Belle Epoque paddle steamers,
fast ferries (called mouettes) and regularly
scheduled boats that link the hamlets.
With dramatic mountains as a backdrop
and the lake's " jet d'eau " water fountain
shooting 459 feet into the air, you'll find
great photo ops at every turn.
Take a short, two-hour train ride and
you're in the village of Gruyères, with
its cobblestone streets lined with red
geraniums in pots and cheese makers-
fromagers-stirring cauldrons as they have
for generations.
Chocolate Lover's Delight
Of course, a Switzerland visit wouldn't
be complete without at least a bit of
chocolate indulgence. The Swiss have been
making chocolate since the 17th century,
and their homegrown version took off
worldwide with Daniel Peter's invention
of milk chocolate in 1876, with the help of
Henri Nestlé, founder of Nestlé. Shops are
everywhere, from well-known names such
as Lindt and Frey to small mom-and-pops.
They are all worth a stop for a delectable
sample-or two.
It's even possible to experience
the country's famous rail system in
combination with its most famous sweet.
The Chocolate Train carries visitors along
Lake Geneva and between Montreux and
the Maison Cailler factory and museum
for a deep dive in chocolate making.
More to See
About two hours east of the bustling
city of Zurich, Switzerland's main
international air gateway, is the small
country of Liechtenstein and a wonderful
opportunity to explore the last existing
remnant of the Holy Roman Empire. Its
capital city of Vaduz and centuries-old
cobblestone streets, regal castle, towering
cathedral and postal museum are among
the main attractions of this postcardperfect
country, the sixth smallest in the
world.
Less than an hour southwest from
Zurich is Lucerne, another beautiful
lakeside city with loads of historic
character and snow-capped mountains as
a backdrop. Relax and stroll the oldest
covered wooden bridge in Europe and
through the old quarter, dotted with
water fountains and squares, medieval
houses decorated with frescoes, centuriesold
churches, quaint cafés and homey
restaurants. With the mighty Alps above,
it's another ideal place to soak up Swiss
atmosphere and experience one of those
perfectly wow Swiss days.
Want to learn more about Switzerland?
Listen to our Well-Traveled with AAA
podcast on Apple or Spotify.
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-traveled-with-aaa-switzerland/id1491534962?i=1000548380315 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4X1iv5W63ziuOgTsPAsVXZ
AAA Traveler Feb/Mar 2022 ACG

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