Travel for Kids Switzerland for Kids





		Switzerland



		Switzerland is small in size, but half the country is the breathtaking Swiss Alps, and as you travel Switzerland with kids you'll hear three different languages spoken – French, German and Italian. Cosmopolitan cities are situated on sparking turquoise lakes, villages nestle on steep slopes above green valleys, and high altitude trains zip up and down the mountains.

Central - Lucerne

Valais - Zermatt


			Ride the trains – Switzerland has some of the most amazing train rides in the world, with panoramic views of glaciers and snow covered peaks. Some trains go where there are no cars, such as the trains to Zermatt or Wengen. There's a variety of trains, from cogwheel railways or steam trains that inch up the mountains, to the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch railway that runs inside the mountain and arrives at a station high in the Alps.

			Wanderweg – Hiking with kids in Switzerland is a must do, even if it's just an easy stroll on a green hillside with cows grazing, panoramas of snow covered peaks in the distance. Everywhere in Switzerland are hiking trails, very well marked with yellow "Wanderweg" signs. Wherever you're staying, stop into the tourist office for free detailed Wandern hiking maps.


			Fun food –

			Sample the Switzerland's most famous dish, cheese fondue. It is a melange of cheeses, usually Gruyere, Appenzeller and Emmentaler. Kids will enjoy dipping bread, or sometimes vegetables, into the hot cheese.

			The Swiss are famous for their chocolates, and kids will want to sample them at every opportunity, plus hot chocolate is very good, year round.

			Ice cream. Think of all those cows, and yes, Swiss ice cream is delicious. Kids will want to try the local gelato (part of Switzerland is Italian speaking), as well as one of our favorites, Movenpick.

			Tip: The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc, and with the exchange rate, hotels and food cost more than other countries in Europe.

Travel for Kids has so many fun things to do with kids in Switzerland, but you'll need a fun place to stay.

Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels in Switzerland all styles and price ranges, in neighborhoods comfortable for families, and near to places you'll want to explore:


		Zurich		Interlaken

		Bern		Geneva

Dog Diaries: Barry
Kate Klimo, Tim Jessell

True stories of Saint Bernard dogs and monks who rescue people lost in snowstorms, or even buried in avalanches. Barry, the finest dog, attacks robbers, brings back a baby, saves more than forty lives. (Chapter book)

Dogs in the Dead of Night
Mary Pope Osborne

Jack and Annie are whirled back in time to the Great Saint Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps. Immediately buried by an avalanche, the children are rescued by Saint Bernard dogs and monks in the monastery. They meet Barry, the most heroic dog, and for a time, Jack and Annie find out what it's like to be a Saint Bernard. (Easy reader)

kids mountain climbing switzerland Banner in the Sky

Banner in the Sky
James Ramsey Ullman

In the Swiss Alps, a snow-covered mountain is one of the world's most challenging peaks, and no one has made it to the summit. Young Rudi Matt has seen this mountain every day of his life, and now he's going to try to climb it. (Chapter book)

Asterix in Switzerland
Goscinny and Uderzo

Asterix and Obelix go to Switzerland (Roman Helvetia) to hunt for edelweiss, where they visit Geneva after Julius Caesar burned down the bridge, swim in the lakes, climb mountains, and find out what happens when you lose your bread in fondue. (Cartoon book)

Heidi
Johanna Spyri,
Jeanne Willis, Briony May Smith

Retelling of best loved story of Switzerland, little Heidi comes to the mountains to live with her grandfather. She runs through alpine meadows with Peter and the goats, helps her friend Clara to walk again, and brings joy and love to her grandfather.

travel for kids | switzerland

travel for kids

your best choice for family travel