Family skiing - the best resorts. What to see in Switzerland with children? What to visit in Switzerland with children in winter

The stereotypical view of Switzerland is that it is boring there - nothing interesting happens and only the cuckoo clock ticks monotonously. The Swiss themselves know about this opinion and do everything to make their stay in the country bright and impressive. For example, in Geneva, which traditionally seems like a sleepy resort town, there are places to go and things to do all year round.

Mysterious Geneva

It is interesting to spend time in the old city with the game "Mysterious Geneva", in which it is proposed to solve the mystery of the sudden disappearance of archeology professor Archibald Chimerion on one June night in 1893. The game begins in the office of the Geneva Tourism Company, where you are given a special booklet - which places, museums and streets you must visit in order to find clues and clues for the investigation. The tour lasts at least three hours, so we recommend you dress warmly in winter.

Address: Rue du Mont-Blanc, 18

Cost: The book costs 21 Swiss francs and includes tickets to all places to visit. If it is a group tour, there is an additional charge of CHF 7 per person. francs.

Cruise on Lake Geneva

One of the main treasures of Geneva is Lake Leman, the largest freshwater reservoir in Europe, with clear water and picturesque shores. Therefore, various yacht cruises on the lake start from the city piers dozens of times a day. The duration of trips can be selected according to taste, as there are short cruises to the famous fountain and back, there are two-hour tours with an overview of the surroundings, or a trip to several cities at once with a stop, for example, in Lausanne. The theme of the cruises is also diverse - here are tours with the history of Geneva castles, and gastronomic "swimming" with fondue tasting or haute European cuisine.

Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc

Cost: the price varies depending on the tour, check with the carriers

Large Hadron Collider

The complex regularly conducts excursions, both individually and for groups of up to 48 people. Unfortunately, non-specialists are not allowed into the underground department with a collider, however, for visitors, scientists have two permanent exhibitions about the smallest particles of the Universe, as well as lectures and discussions on various topics, for example, how to robotize a person. Since it is a sensitive facility, you must strictly follow the instructions: be sure to have your passport with you, come on the tour 15 minutes before the start, do not take luggage and animals with you, and do not wear high-heeled shoes, flip flops or sandals.

Address: 385 route de Meyrin

Cost: tours are free, but there are so many who want to book a tour 15 days in advance by filling out a form on the CERN website

Little Italy in Carouge

The southern suburb of Geneva Carouge is called "little Italy" - because of the special Mediterranean, Sardinian architecture, numerous shops, art and antique shops, local restaurants and cafes. In addition, there is an outdoor pool where daredevils swim even in winter, a park with bike paths for skiing, and on Wednesdays a market is held here, and local greengrocers and farmers bring out the freshest vegetables and fruits.

Address: Rue Ancienne - 1227 Carouge

Exhibition of watches Swatch

In the center of Geneva is the City of Time, the Cite du temps, home to the most complete collection of Swatch's iconic watches, from the company's founding in 1983 to the present day. In addition to thousands of bright, colorful, amazing plastic clocks, there is also an art gallery, where modern art, photography and special projects are regularly shown - for example, exhibitions for the release of the next James Bond film. In the "City of Time" there is also a cozy restaurant where you can take a breath and drink coffee.

Address: Pont de la Machine, 1

Cost: Admission is free

chocolate making

The boutique of the Stettler chocolate brand hosts chocolate making workshops from Monday to Friday. This is a complex and multi-stage business, so everyone is initiated into the history of chocolate, they show the huge fruits of the cocoa tree, they talk about all the stages that the ingredients go through on the way to chocolate candy. And, of course, it is proposed to form pralines on your own, stir hot chocolate in a large saucepan and try it.

Address: Avenue Blanc, 49

Cost: The price of a 45-minute session is CHF 30. francs, 1.5-hour lesson costs 120 Swiss francs. francs per person

Ethnographical museum

The best museums in Geneva are ethnographic, as outstanding collectors of household items and cults from different peoples of the world once lived here. MEG, the Ethnographic Museum of Geneva contains an extensive collection, which includes ritual masks, feather headdresses, and samurai armor, in a word, the most exotic garments that are traditionally worn in different parts of the Earth. For each exhibition, the museum hosts a lot of accompanying events, for example, as part of projects about the Amazon Indians, theatrical performances, children's excursions with dances and music, “shamanism sessions” with stories about the esoteric practices of the peoples of the world, as well as film screenings are held here.

Address: Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 65-67

Cost: Adult ticket price 9 CHF. francs, for children under 18 years old admission is free

Exhibition "Days of Dinosaurs"

There is always something going on at Geneva's largest exhibition center, Palexpo, and this autumn (October 1st to January 8th, 2017) it hosts Dinosaur Days, a massive show dedicated to prehistoric animals. On the territory of the 7th pavilion of the complex with an area of 4500 sq. m reproduced more than 60 types of dinosaurs - life-size, moreover, their three-dimensional images are animated, they can move and even growl! Giant footprints of dinosaurs and their paw prints are also shown at Dinosaur Days as proof of the life of these legendary creatures.

Address: Route Francois-Peyrot, 30

Cost: CHF 14.9-18.9 francs

Assembling a swiss knife

In the basement of the flagship Victorinox boutique in Geneva, there is a real workshop - with a workbench, a mass of parts and an engraving machine. Here, anyone can independently assemble the famous Swiss knife, of course, under the guidance of an experienced craftsman who will not let you put your finger in the clamp and will tell you which side to insert the nuts. You can also choose the color of the case, the inscription that will be engraved on your knife, its font and style.

Address: Rue du Marche, 2

Cost: CHF 19 francs

Botanical Garden

One of the main attractions of the city is the botanical garden with an observatory, covering an area of 28 hectares. There are up to 12,000 plant species here, including such exotic species as the “walking tree”, and in the collected herbarium there are six million flora samples! For children, there is the Enchanted Forest playground, a carousel of fairy tales, here you can admire the sheep nibbling grass, watch the bees in the apiary and play ball on a specially equipped playground.

Address: Chemin de l'Impératrice, 1

Cost: Entrance to the garden and observatory is free, but for 1 round of the carousel you need to pay 3 Swiss francs. franc

Where to live and what to eat

Most five-star hotels are very child-friendly: they not only offer special discounts, family rooms, but also try to make pleasant surprises. As the representatives of the Mandarin Oriental hotel tell us, “In the room of our little guests, sweet surprises prepared by our pastry chef will await. For special comfort, we have small bathrobes, bath accessories, high chairs, a bottle warmer and so on. Everything you need, we will prepare and deliver to your room.” Also, most hotels offer a children's menu and babysitting services, so staying in Geneva with children will be very comfortable.

Without fear, you can go with children to almost any Geneva restaurant: most of them have a children's menu. Special events are also offered: for example, the Parc Des Eaux-Vives has Sunday brunches with animators, and the special family restaurant Un R de famille hosts cooking classes and painting lessons, there is a children's corner with toys and books and a winter garden.

We thank the company Geneva Tourism and Albin Rassamakin for help in preparing the material.

Switzerland is a fertile country. Here you can relax at any time of the year. For example, in winter you can go with children to the south-west of Switzerland in the canton of Valais, where the highest mountains and dozens of ski resorts are located. Breathtaking views of snow-covered Alpine peaks, trails for every taste, an abundance of snow - all this attracts lovers of active winter recreation.

No less attractive is the summer vacation on the beautiful lakes of Switzerland. This is a worthy replacement and alternative for those who are tired of the heat, bustle and crowds of tourists in the southern resorts. On the lakes with equipped beaches, the necessary infrastructure, with areas for swimming, you can perfectly swim and sunbathe, getting a full portion of the sun and summer.

But today we will go on a virtual journey to the largest lake in the country - Lake Geneva. Connoisseurs note that it is enough to visit the banks of the Leman (as the locals call their main lake) to get an idea of the whole of Switzerland.

Here, aristocratic resorts, private estates and palaces-villas of stars, the rich and celebrities, palm trees, yachts and other attributes of luxurious life, as if descended from the cover of a bright glossy magazine, are closely intertwined with the completely democratic life of the region, where there is absolutely no place for pomposity and stiffness, with tiny villages and small farmhouses among green meadows, with endless vineyards along a modern railway, with snow-covered mountain peaks painted with a dense network of trails for leisurely hiking and fast skiing.

And the public, resting in the vicinity of the lake, is very diverse. From year to year, celebrities, music lovers and regulars of music festivals, lovers of outdoor activities and nature gather here. And those who are attracted here by new gastronomic experiences.

Lake Geneva with clear, calm and cool waters is located between French and Swiss territory. It is the largest in the Alps. And it's always great. And numerous towns and villages located in the canton along the northern part of Lake Geneva, east of Lausanne, attract tourists from all over the world. This region is literally created for relaxation.

Here is a unique microclimate of the coastal strip. At the very shore of the lake, protected from the cold winds by the Alps, palm trees grow in open ground even in winter. The surrounding hills are completely planted with vineyards. And at the beginning of April, it is already real spring here. The coastal strip along the lake is covered with a flowering carpet of colorful tulips, poppies, hyacinths, and daffodils. This magnificent unique spectacle impresses with its diversity and beauty. During the day, the temperature rises above +20°C, but the nights are still cool, so you need to take some warm clothes with you.

A lake with a mirror-like surface, mountains with snow-capped peaks, natural beauties, a unique climate, warm mineral waters, a high concentration of magnesium, sulfur, calcium and other useful active components, healing mud - all this attracts to these places those who want to restore health, rejuvenate, and even just have a good rest, have an interesting time and admire the beauty of these places.

A lot of different resorts are concentrated on the coast of the lake: prestigious and expensive hotels and more democratic and affordable ones, such as cozy apartments with friendly hosts.

By the way, they mostly speak French here.

Virtual tour of the Swiss Riviera

Our route will pass from Geneva to picturesque small villages and ancient resort towns located on the lake shore: Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, Villeneuve and their environs.

Due to the proximity of the airport and well-established public transport, it will not be difficult to move quickly, conveniently and easily. Direct flight Moscow-Geneva will take approximately 3 hours. The Swiss are very high and appreciate comfort in everything. And this is felt both on board the airlines that deliver tourists, and at the airport itself, where excellent conditions for passengers are created. You can go through passport control and get your luggage in a matter of minutes.

From here to the destination Montreux - 92 km. It takes a little over an hour by car. Around the same time, you can get there by a comfortable train.

Even if no one meets you, you can easily move from the airport area to the station area to board the train. It is very simple, because the airport is combined with the train station, and the whole scheme of movement is intuitive. When moving along the boarding platform and entering the car, there are no inconveniences with the transportation of luggage. Everything is done for the comfort of people.

By the way, about trains. They are very comfortable, and cars of any class. Travelers note the quietness and smoothness of movement. And there are even special cars of silence for those who need to work or just take a nap.

How you can save money: at Geneva airport, you can get a ticket for free in the baggage claim using the ticket machine. You can use this pass for 80 minutes on any transport throughout the city. During this time, you can almost get to any hotel. The savings are significant, because if you use a taxi to the city center from the airport, you will have to pay about 35 francs (about 2,000 rubles).

Charming Montreux

On the way to the resort, which stretches along Lake Geneva, pictures of the amazingly beautiful nature of Switzerland flicker outside the window with monumental snow-capped Alps that cannot leave anyone indifferent. And now - the famous resort of Montreux, in which we will stay longer.

This small, cozy and beautiful city, with the aromas of flowering plants, with quiet "postcard" landscapes, stretching for kilometers along the intricately curved shore of the lake, to which city streets rapidly descend directly from the mountains, is recognized as the unofficial capital of the Swiss Riviera.

It is extremely popular among tourists and is the center of resort life in this region. This magical place for life, creativity and inspiration was chosen by the most talented people from different countries. Vladimir Nabokov lived here, Lord Byron found inspiration here, and Freddie Mercury created his hits here.

In the city center is the oldest and most famous resort hotel - Montreux Palace. He is over 150 years old. P.I. once stayed in this hotel. Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky, Leo Tolstoy. Vladimir Nabokov spent 16 years at Montreux Palace with his wife. One of the apartments (by the way, residential) is dedicated to the writer. Photos of him and his wife are everywhere in the room, and his desk is also in the room.

Opposite the hotel is a small garden with a monument to Vladimir Nabokov. Here in the park on the alley of jazz stars there are sculptures by B.B. King, R. Charles, E. Fitzgerald, M. Davies.

Two more city sights are connected with music - the most popular monument in Montreux (and the only one in the world) to the cult musician Freddie Mercury, the leader of the band Queen, and his own recording studio (now the Recording Museum), admission to which is free. Here you can see the personal belongings of the members of the Queen group, their concert costumes, videos from concerts, letters.

Adding glory to this town is the annual world jazz festival held here in the summer with the participation of the best musicians from around the world. And therefore, someone, but music lovers all over the world know very well the name of this small resort on Lake Geneva, even if they have never been to it.

The embankment of Montreux deserves special attention. Along the shores of Lake Geneva there is an endless pedestrian road, which, literally, is immersed in various outlandish flowers and plants. Miles and kilometers of fragrance. Here, even simple walks in themselves give vivid impressions.

The embankment is the busiest place in the resort, which, like a magnet, attracts tourists and citizens here. Mothers with children walk by the lake, children ride scooters, couples bask in the sun on the emerald lawns, there are a lot of vacationers, and Freddie Mercury “waves” the ships passing by. And birds are everywhere. There are a lot of them here. Perhaps because the lake never freezes.

Right by the water, there are cute cafes and restaurants where you can have a bite to eat, drink coffee, eat delicious ice cream or dessert.

Sunny and warm weather and a stable mild climate add popularity to this resort, thanks to the special location of the city in a bay, surrounded on all sides by snow-capped alpine peaks and vineyards. The convenient location of Montreux with the ability to make numerous excursions around the lake and into the mountainous regions from here is another lure for curious tourists.

A small town on the shores of Lake Geneva has become famous for other striking sights. After seeing all the most interesting things in the city, you can go to its surroundings. And, at least, visit the Chillon Castle, sung by Byron in verse.

In the prison of this ancient fortress, the courageous and staunch Lord Francois Bonivard was once imprisoned, whose story inspired the poet to write the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon”.

Approximately 4 kilometers walk along the lake along a beautiful walking path, bordered by exotic plants and flowers - and we are at the goal. You can walk to the most famous castle in Switzerland in 30 minutes. For those who find this distance insanely tiring, you can get from the city to the castle by bus.

Chillon Castle is a very impressive building of the XII-XIII centuries, consisting of 25 buildings, 3 courtyards, surrounded by towers and fortress walls. It was originally the residence of the Dukes of Savoy.

The castle is located on a rocky small island ten meters from the shore and you can get into it by the bridge. Today it is a historical monument and a museum, where the interiors, ceremonial halls, bedrooms, underground vaults, painted walls of the XIV century, medieval furniture, ancient weapons, knightly armor, the famous prison dungeon are available for inspection.

It is unforgivable not to see this with children. Yes, and adults will be interested here. In addition to impressive exhibits, the museum has a wonderful souvenir shop. You can also buy rare castle wine here.

Fans of excursions, not staying for a long time in Montreux, are in a hurry to go to other interesting places.

From blooming subtropics to eternal winter

From Montreux, you can take a branded train on a cog railway with colorful rare cars from the station to the top of Mount Rocher-de-Nay. The journey will take no more than an hour. On the railway, which winds past meadows, forests and rocks, the train, rapidly climbing up, makes several turns, passes through tunnels.

And, at the same time, the view of the lake is constantly changing, being in the field of view each time from different sides, then to the right, then to the left along the train. And from the very top of the mountain there is an absolutely stunning view of Lake Geneva, its surroundings, the French and Swiss Alps.

If you are traveling with children, this trip must be included in the plan. In the mountains you can meet charming animals - marmots, which are bred on a special farm "Marmottes Paradise". These are alpine marmots that sleep in winter, and in summer, if you're lucky, you can get to know them better and even stroke and feed them with juicy leaves.

In a small alpine garden, laid out among the rocks in 1896, you can admire a collection of alpine plants and flowers growing in the mountains. There are almost 1000 species of them collected here.

Already in April you can sunbathe right on the snow among the dazzling glaciers. And then warm up with grog in a pretty restaurant Panoramique Plein Roc, which perched on the edge of a cliff. Here you can also taste delicious Swiss cuisine, such as the famous fondue.

From Montreux on the Golden Pass Classic (panoramic train) you can take one of the routes on a journey through the mountains and admire the famous alpine meadows, mountain peaks under snow caps, cute villages with fabulous chalets, famous vineyards right from the window.

Traveling by train on panoramic routes is an interesting and fun way to explore and get to know the country. In addition, this is perhaps the only opportunity to make an excursion to the mountainous regions of Switzerland, to places untouched by civilization, where, sometimes, other transport simply cannot be reached.

Trains are convenient for traveling. For trips with children, there are family carriages that provide games and entertainment for children. Organized meals.

The cost of such a trip depends on the distance and direction. It is not necessary to travel the entire route. You can limit yourself to only some part of it and use the panoramic route as a separate excursion to places that you especially want to see.

By the way, the Swiss railway is a very convenient, popular and comfortable mode of transport. This is quality, comfort and punctuality. Railroads run throughout the country, connecting the big cities and the smallest villages.

In addition, traveling by train can save you some money (Switzerland is a very expensive country and the prices for everything are high). To do this, you need to buy a special ticket for foreign travelers Swiss Travel Pass (“all in one”) - a ticket that allows you to travel on any city and intercity transport: by train, ferry, bus, trolleybus, as well as visit some museums for free or with discount.

You can buy such a tourist single travel card, valid for a certain time (depending on its cost), at travel agencies in Moscow or at Geneva airport upon arrival in the country. With a Swiss Family Card, children under 16 travel free of charge (only accompanied by their parents).

Accommodation in Montreux

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace 5 * is a luxurious old hotel for the most demanding clients.
Of the four - the elegant and classic Grand Hôtel Suisse Majestic, located on the lake near the station.
The Eurotel Riviera hotel is good for families (possible accommodation in spacious rooms with parents of two children).
Hotels for economical accommodation - a stylish and cozy hotel Tralala Hotel 3 *. Located in the historical part of the resort town.
All over Switzerland there are budget hotels SBH Swiss Budget (these can be mountain villas, small family hotels, guest houses) focused on an economical vacation with breakfast.

You can have lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant. And if you want to save money, you can dine on trains (if you spend your days traveling along a route drawn up in advance), and dine in inexpensive cafes near the hotel or right in your room with what was bought at the supermarket.

For the duration of your stay in any hotel, everyone is issued a coupon, according to which you can use public transport for free (except for electric trains) and for preferential or free admission to cultural events, museums and exhibitions. An example of such accommodation is a small cozy hotel 6 kilometers from Montreux in the town of Villeneuve - Hotel Du Port.

Villeneuve is a very small resort town with miniature streets in the Old Town, with medieval houses, a 12th-century church, and a city hall.

The attention of tourists is often attracted by a house with red shutters and clay cats of various sizes and shapes on all windowsills.

From Montreux, the road leads us to Vevey, an old city with a centuries-old history, where you can take a walk, make inexpensive purchases in numerous shops and replenish your photo archive with beautiful pictures. Travel time by bus from the hotel in Montreux to Vevey takes 25-30 minutes.

Cozy town of Vevey

The distance from the airport to the city is 84 kilometers (a little over an hour by car and train).

This miniature town, as well as Montreux, was visited by eminent guests and brilliant celebrities. For example, our compatriots - N.V. Gogol, F.M. Dostoevsky. Charlie Chaplin once lived and worked here. In memory of this, a natural-length bronze sculpture was installed in the city square.

Of the old architectural buildings, the Russian Church of St. Barbara, once built by Count Shuvalov, the Church of St. Martin (XVI century), attracts attention.

Of the modern objects, the monument to food "fork in the lake" is interesting. A giant fork (its height is 8 meters) rises directly from the lake. Nestle installed it in honor of its tenth anniversary, and left it that way. Now it is a recognizable symbol of Vevey itself.

The same Swiss chocolate company owes its appearance to another attraction - the Alimentarium Food Museum.

What you should definitely visit with children in Vevey is the Poyet chocolate factory. On an interesting excursion, you will be offered to taste the most exotic varieties of chocolate, such as chocolate with pepper, and take part in the preparation of chocolate yourself.

Vevey is famous for its peasant fairs, which are worth visiting. In the city center, farmers markets sell delicious country products: cheeses, pickles, wines, smoked meats, fruits, vegetables, freshly baked bread. And in the fall, on Sundays, winemakers here arrange wine festivals with tastings.

Tourists can stay in a respectable Le Mirador Kempinski 5* hotel with a unique location and the best panoramic views, in an elegant Grand Hotel du Lac 5*, in Trois Coronnes 5* with a huge wellness center, in a comfortable Astra4* hotel.

From the town of Vevey, you can continue your journey to Lausanne by train or by boat, which departs regularly from the waterfront. Departing by water, it will take more time, but the journey itself, past the magnificent Lavaux vineyards and mountainous alpine slopes, will be a pleasure. The bus ride from Montreux to Lausanne takes about 40 minutes.

Lausanne - the main city of the canton

You can get to Lausanne from Geneva airport (63 km) by car in 55 minutes, by train - in 45 minutes.

This dynamic city full of life is located on picturesque hills surrounded by vineyards. And at its foot is Lake Geneva with shady embankments planted with tropical plants.

The city has many architectural monuments, cultural and historical sights, a variety of museums: from history and painting to inventions and coins.

You can walk endlessly along the embankment and numerous parks of Lausanne, which are famous for their chic flowers and a variety of well-groomed plants, or slowly walk along the medieval streets of the Old Town, admire the Gothic Cathedral of St. Francis, the famous Cathedral, Ryumin Palace, the oldest beautiful fountain La Justis.

With children, it is interesting to visit the Museum of the History of the Olympics or go on an excursion to the Cailler chocolate factory, which produces Nestle’s Cailler brand chocolate.

You can stay in Lausanne in the oldest hotel where Coco Chanel once lived - Beau-Rivage Palace 5 *, in Lausanne Palace 5 * in the city center, in hotels - Chateau d'Ouchy 4 *, Moevenpick 4 *, Angleterre Residence 4 * .

Not far from Lausanne is the center of Swiss winemaking - the Lavaux region with terraced vineyards that stretch along the lake for tens of kilometers and occupy 830 hectares of mountain slopes. There are 14 small towns and small villages in this territory.

Having reached the village of Chebre, from there you can take a walk through the vineyards, which descend in numerous steps down the slope to the foot of the lake.

Admire the amazing views of the mountains, and at the same time spend a couple of hours outdoors in a pool of warm water by visiting the wonderful thermal springs of Lave-les-Bains.

A little about children's entertainment

In fact, there are a lot of places in Switzerland where you can relax and have fun with your children. But we will not deviate far from the route, and therefore we will focus only on those located near Montreux.

In the village of Le Bouvray (from Montreux by car it takes 20-25 minutes to get there) there is a park of railway miniatures "Swiss Vapeur Parc".

Here you can ride on small trains (on a scale of 1:4) along the same miniature railway among the trees and flowering plants of a green park on an area of 17 thousand square meters.

In the same village there is a giant water park. This is a huge area with various water slides, a special area with interesting entertainment for children, an area for parents with fitness, saunas, a solarium, massage, a tropical pool, as well as a coastal area with an outdoor pool, a beach and a children's area for outdoor games. .
Not far from Montreux there is another place that will be interesting for children - this is the children's park Pre Ver, located at an altitude of 707 meters, from where you can admire Lake Geneva, the Alps and vineyards. But the park itself is not boring at all. Lots of sports activities - rope rides, table tennis, mini golf, small cars from Formula 1, funny clown performances, dances and concerts. There is an animal corner where you can watch domestic animals up close, and if you go a little deeper into the forest, you can also see deer.

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Labyrinth Adventure Evionnaz (25 minutes drive from Montreux in the town of Evionnaz) is the largest open-air amusement park not only in Switzerland but also in Europe with more than 50 attractions and playgrounds. But the most important thing here is a green labyrinth built from a thousand thuja bushes.

A bit about Swiss delicacies

How can you do without cheese in Switzerland? You should definitely try fondue (one of the ingredients of this traditional dish is cheese). And who especially wants to find out everything about this product, you can go to the charming picturesque town with medieval buildings Gruyères (located 116 kilometers from Geneva) - the birthplace of the famous Swiss cheese of the same name.

This place is very popular among tourists, because right in the cheese factory you can watch through large glasses how the cheese making process takes place. And then taste it all and even grab something for future use.

And at the same time you can visit the Cailler House (near the village of Gruyères), which is both a museum and a factory, a milk chocolate shop or a Poyet confectionery in Vevey. The famous Swiss chocolate is still made by hand in historical pastry shops with the addition of completely unexpected and amazing ingredients: mountain herbs, tea, pepper, flowers, wasabi.

And, of course, it is impossible, having been in Switzerland, not to try the famous pastries and chocolate cakes. And adult tourists should know that real Swiss wine can only be tasted in Switzerland itself (only 1% of this production is exported). During excursions to the winery, you can buy excellent wine without extra charge and save up to 50% of its cost on one bottle.

This gastronomic paradise, which rightfully includes the Lake Geneva region, which has collected the largest number of Gault Millau points and Michelin stars in its collection in the country, is full of good restaurants and cafes. And quite a variety of museums on the topic of food.

It is clear that Switzerland is a country of amazing discoveries. And I hope that this short tour of its cities and resorts will help you when choosing the next route for traveling with children.

Most parents strive to enable their children to learn from the best education systems. For the decision to send a child, an additional bonus is living in a country with excellent ecology and a high standard of living. In this article, we will look at the top 5 things you need to know about studying in Switzerland.

This country has been famous for centuries for the most delicious chocolate in the world, elite watches, winter resorts and beautiful mountains, but few people know that graduates of educational institutions are Nobel Prize winners, famous researchers, influential people around the world. This is not surprising, because they were taught by the best teachers who apply effective and modern principles and teaching methods.

Russian students often ask themselves: “How?” — Yes, the organization process is complex and lengthy, but definitely worth it. The impeccable quality of education, a variety of training programs, moral education, the development of additional skills and the study of foreign languages - all this is available to any student in Switzerland. Among the world's elite and prominent personalities, there is a large percentage of school graduates and

The 5 most important things you need to know before sending your child to study in Switzerland

Education in Switzerland for children and schoolchildren: requirements, costs and prices

tourism
hotel business
banking
finance.

These areas are especially developed in Switzerland: there is no doubt that the higher education received here will have no equal - teachers use teaching methods that help you immediately start working after receiving education.

Free language lessons are often organized in schools, since Switzerland has a large percentage of foreign students, the Government takes care of maintaining a high level of knowledge of state languages. Some educational institutions offer paid language courses, which can also be combined with basic studies.

Swiss schools use modern teaching methods and principles, teachers are well versed in communication skills with foreign students, easily find a common language with them, increase children's readiness for learning, taking into account the peculiarities of education and training. With the youngest students in the primary grades, learning is done through play, so they enjoy immersing themselves in learning and engaging in extracurricular activities.

Admission to the best schools in Switzerland on the example of Ecole International La Garenne

As an example, let's take a look at the enrollment requirements and the cost of tuition in a private school.

Documents required for admission:

medical certificate with translation into English and French
last year's scorecard
recommendations from the director and teachers of the last place of study
return ticket.

Cost of education:

Prices for additional services:

In addition to academic studies, students lead an active lifestyle, have time for entertainment, play sports - all thanks to the developed infrastructure of the school campus. For an additional fee (490CHF/term), ballet, karate, ice skating or choreography classes with professional trainers are offered.

“What are the requirements for admission to a school or university in Switzerland” - this question worries every student who wants to study abroad, and when contacting SMAPSE, we will tell you everything. Every day, our employees help Russian children and schoolchildren to go to study in international educational institutions around the world, and a pleasant bonus is the absence of a commission for enrollment. The best international schools and universities in Switzerland cooperate with us under partnership agreements.

This year we decided to take our 10-year-old child on a three-day trip to Switzerland. In general, initially my husband and I planned to leave our son in the care of grandmothers in order to enjoy romance together, but then dad thought about it and decided that it was necessary to introduce the younger generation to world culture, otherwise, apart from animators in Turkey, the child by and large did not see anything in life . No sooner said than done, they took the child with them. We ourselves have already been to Switzerland, but my son was traveling for the first time, so his mouth at the station opened with admiration, and did not close until the end of the trip. For the child, we have developed a special route to make it interesting. Of course, the first on the list (a three-hour walk around the city, of course) was the Zurich Zoo.

The zoo is huge, all the animals are in excellent condition, the conditions are close to natural for all the inhabitants. Have you ever seen arrogant peacocks? And I saw it! They walk along the paths and do not even turn when you approach. From far away I saw how the peacock jumped on the table to the visitors, not at all embarrassed! And there was just no one in the zoo: penguins and inhabitants of the tropics, elephants and giant turtles, all sorts of animals from the Red Book. You can spend the whole day at the zoo in Zurich! We ate at a wonderful restaurant and continued our walk. We went to the zoolino pet farm, this is such a touching zoo - you can stroke and feed the animals. After were in Masoala - the tropical forest of Madagascar. We walked until closing time - until 18.00, and tired went to the hotel, however, on the way we wandered into a chocolate shop and enjoyed delicious fresh, still warm buns with hot chocolate. The child was happy.

On the second day we went to the private Toy Museum. The museum is small but rich. They wrote on the forums that there are always a lot of visitors in it, I did not believe, as it turned out, in vain. The museum has a lot of old toys produced during the war years in Germany. Amazing museum, highly recommend visiting it.

On the same day - the Paleontological Museum of Zurich. We looked at a collection of fish and marine reptiles that lived 240 million years ago. The exhibits are amazing, the son, as if spellbound, looked at the petrified skeletons, shells, shells ... Yes, what a child, the husband was no less amazed.

On the third day, early in the morning, we went to the Dinosaur Museum, and from there, after a delicious second breakfast in a cafe, straight to the Alpamare water park. It is located on a hill on the shores of Lake Zurich in the town of Pfäfikon, a 45-minute drive from Zurich. The slides, the tunnels, the wave pool, it's an amazing place. We stayed for two hours and felt impossibly tired.

These are the three absolutely gorgeous days we spent in Switzerland. It seems that we prepared a program for children, but we ourselves were very interested and I am glad that the child involuntarily forced us to look into the zoo and the museum of dolls, prehistoric sea creatures ... If someone, like us, wants to take a child with them to Switzerland, use our itinerary - you won't regret it.

The whole family will be interested in visiting the zoo, which is open all year round. A logical continuation would be a trip to the Zoological Museum. You will not regret going to the Kulturama Museum dedicated to the development of man and all mankind in general, the evolution of all life on the planet.

Then head to the city of Winterthur in the canton of Zurich, home to the large Technorama museum, where you will learn a lot about technology, the physical laws of nature, and in general about everything related to science.

In central Switzerland, in the city of Interlaken, there is a huge "Park of World Secrets", which contains all the mysteries and secrets of the world in the form of mechanical models, multimedia, 3D and, of course, live ones. The Egyptian pyramids, the Nazca plateau, even the mythical Atlantis are waiting for you from April to the end of October.

Not far from Inrelaken are the Beatus caves (Beatushoehlen) - a fabulously beautiful place with underground labyrinths, through which you will sail on a boat in the form of a dragon, admiring waterfalls, grottoes, suspension bridges, stalactites and gnomes "living" there - numerous compositions of gnome figurines, " mining" in the bowels of diamonds. There are places for games, restaurants and a museum of minerals.

You will not regret a visit to Melide - a Swiss park in miniature, located near Lugano. Here, all the famous Swiss castles, traditional houses, bridges, and even a railway are recreated in miniature, on which children ride in small wagons.

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Near the city of Montreux in the western part of the country is Labyrinthe Aventure - the largest Adventure Labyrinth in Europe. There are many attractions, entertainment, and most importantly, it is an open-air labyrinth with many obstacles and adventures.

Near Geneva there is another amusement park - "Grange" in the small town of the same name. This is the largest amusement park in the country, which includes about a dozen attractions of various types: walks under cascades of water in a small boat, roller coasters, etc.

Not far from the port town of Le Bouvre, near Lake Geneva, the Swiss Vapeur Parc is located on 1700 square meters. It has more than ten locomotives on the move - it remains to choose a route and go on a fabulous journey through the park.

On the very shores of Lake Geneva is the largest water park in Europe, Caribbean. It is conditionally divided into several zones, including purely children's entertainment, attractions for adults, and zones for joint leisure, including beaches, pools with massage, saunas, etc.

Another water park is located in the city of Pfaffikon - this is a huge indoor water park Alpamare, open to visitors all year round and even around the clock. You can come here even with the smallest children.

Bern is interesting to visit with children thanks to the Ballenberg ethnographic park-reserve, which shows visitors old Switzerland with ancient buildings, chalets and small peasant huts collected from all Swiss cantons. It is inhabited by over 250 species of domestic animals, which the Swiss have been breeding for centuries. Children will be able to watch ancient crafts, and even participate in some of them, and then try the products made here - freshly baked bread and homemade cheese.

Not far from Bern, you can visit the Papillorama Tropical Park, which contains all kinds of tropical fauna and flora, recreated rain and equatorial forests, a large exhibition pavilion "Night Tropics" and many representatives of the tropical animal world.