As an Australian who travelled Europe for 18 years, I recommend you go elsewhere; there are many places just as beautiful and interesting, which are not only cheaper but safer.
Switzerland is a beautiful country. I know, I lived there for 8 years and travelled all over.
Initially based in Geneva, I had weekend study groups in Zurich for my Open University MBA -- I also had friends in Zurich -- and I bought a house with a small vineyard in Valais.
Valais is a huge tourist destination : they make a lot of Swiss wines there, it's famous for Raclette AOC cheese, summer sports include mountain climbing (Matterhorn, Weisshorn), cycling; even fishing.
Then of course winter sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snow boarding, snow shoe walking -- you name it, it's there, and it's very beautiful.
Then you have the hot springs, the thermal stations like "Saillon les Bains", "Ovronnaz les Bains", Leukerbad... the list goes on and on.
Plus the festivals and shows : the Geneva Motor Show, Montreux Jazz Festival, Paleo Festival Nyon.
Yes the Swiss sure host a lot of international events that attract a lot of tourists.
I am here to inform potential tourists that if you are unlucky, you may never been the same again after a trip to Switzerland.
As beautiful as Switzerland may be, the Swiss psyche is beyond redemption.
As an Australian who travelled Europe for 18 years, I recommend you go elsewhere; there are many places just as beautiful and interesting, which are not only cheaper but safer.
I was earning a fortune there. I didn't mind paying stupid prices for rent, food, and compulsory medical insurance; because I thought it was safe, and having started a family, safety was paramount to me.
Switzerland is not safe. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, know that their police explicitly target foreigners. They will take a great deal of pleasure in putting you through a "forcing" -- which is their euphemism for 'enhanced interrogation techniques' or simply torture -- to make you confess to a crime they know you never committed.
That's what makes it fun for them. They truly despise non-Swiss people, and they never let go; once you are a suspect, they won't stop until you are in prison.
After 14 months of telling me I am innocent -- I was #FramedForMurder -- they continue to pursue me one way or another. They even tried to take our poor little baby girl away through social services. Please don't insult me by saying it's a coincidence.
So, take care, go elsewhere. I'm going to tell you about a load of fantastic places where the cops are nowhere near as badly behaved and cruel as Switzerland. The bonus is, these places are also seriously cheaper.
Happy trails!
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