When most people think of Switzerland, they picture snow-capped mountains, luxury ski resorts and eye-wateringly expensive prices.
I certainly did.
Before my first trip, I'd convinced myself it would be a "once in a lifetime" destination. Somewhere I'd save up for, tick off the bucket list and probably never return to.
Instead, I've found myself going back again and again.
What surprised me wasn't just the scenery, although it's every bit as spectacular as the photos suggest. It was how easy the country is to explore, how reliable the transport is and how many different types of trips you can build without ever hiring a car.
I've travelled through Switzerland on panoramic trains, explored mountain villages, visited lakeside towns, spent time travelling solo and even used it as a gateway to visit France's famous Christmas markets.
This guide brings together everything I've learnt so far. Whether you're planning your very first Swiss adventure or looking for inspiration for your next trip, you'll find all of my Switzerland guides in one place.
Switzerland is one of the easiest countries in Europe to fall in love with.
Within just a couple of hours, you can travel from palm trees on the shores of Lake Geneva to glacier-covered mountain peaks. One morning you might be sipping coffee beside a lake, and by the afternoon you're crossing alpine passes on one of the world's most scenic train journeys.
For me, the biggest surprise wasn't just the scenery.
It was the simplicity.
The trains run with incredible reliability, stations are well signposted, villages are connected by buses, boats and mountain railways, and almost every journey offers incredible views through the window.
Unlike many destinations, Switzerland doesn't feel stressful to explore.
I've completed several trips using nothing more than public transport, and I honestly think it's one of the easiest countries in Europe to visit without hiring a car.
Whether you're travelling as a couple, with children or completely on your own, Switzerland makes independent travel feel incredibly straightforward.
Switzerland completely surprised me as a Christmas destination. Between the lakeside markets in Montreux, panoramic trains travelling through snowy landscapes and easy day trips into France from Basel, it's become somewhere I keep returning to every festive season.
Few countries pack so much variety into such a small area. Within a single trip you can experience mountain railways, medieval towns, crystal-clear lakes and some of Europe's most spectacular scenery
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One of the reasons I keep returning is because Switzerland completely changes with the seasons.
As the snow begins to melt, waterfalls are at their most dramatic and mountain villages become much quieter than during the ski season.
Summer is perfect for hiking, lake cruises, mountain railways and panoramic train journeys. It's also the busiest time of year, so accommodation should be booked well in advance.
Autumn brings beautiful colours, fewer crowds and often lower prices. It's a fantastic time for scenic train journeys.
Winter is magical.
Even if you don't ski, Switzerland becomes one of Europe's most festive destinations, with Christmas markets, snow-covered mountain villages and panoramic trains travelling through incredible winter scenery.
Switzerland completely surprised me as a Christmas destination. Between the lakeside markets in Montreux, panoramic trains travelling through snowy landscapes and easy day trips into France from Basel, it's become somewhere I keep returning to every festive season.
It's one of my favourite times to visit, and this year I'll be heading back once again to explore even more of the country.
If this is your first visit to Switzerland, I'd recommend starting with one of my itinerary guides before worrying about individual destinations.
These cover the routes, transport and timings that worked well for me.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Switzerland is that you need a car.
You really don't.
In fact, for many visitors, public transport is actually the easier option.
The rail network connects almost every major town and tourist destination, whilst buses, boats and mountain railways fill in the gaps.
During my own trips I've travelled extensively by train and rarely felt like I was missing out by not driving.
One thing I particularly like is how well everything connects.
Arrive at a station and your next train, bus or boat often departs just a few minutes later.
If you're planning several long train journeys, it's also worth looking at the Swiss Travel Pass, although it isn't always the cheapest option depending on your itinerary.
I've put together a full guide explaining exactly when it's worth buying.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a longer holiday, these itineraries should give you plenty of inspiration.
A complete route covering many of Switzerland's most famous destinations using public transport.
Perfect if you're short on time, combining Montreux, Interlaken and Grindelwald.
Everything I recommend seeing in one of Switzerland's most beautiful lakeside towns.
A guide to making the most of one day in the adventure capital of Switzerland.
A scenic day exploring one of Switzerland's best-known mountain villages.
A suggested itinerary for anyone who loves trains and spectacular scenery.
One of my favourite discoveries. Basel works brilliantly as a base for both Switzerland and neighbouring France, making it ideal for Christmas market trips.
If there's one thing Switzerland does better than almost anywhere else, it's scenic rail travel.
Even ordinary regional trains often feel like attractions in their own right.
The famous panoramic trains simply take that experience to another level.
The Bernina Express is probably Switzerland's best-known train journey.
Crossing glaciers, mountain passes and UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, it's an experience I'd recommend to almost anyone visiting the country.
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The GoldenPass route links Montreux with the Bernese Oberland through vineyards, lakes and alpine scenery.
It's also home to the beautiful Belle Époque carriages, one of my favourite rail experiences in Switzerland.
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Switzerland has far more than two spectacular railway lines.
If you're looking for inspiration, I've rounded up my favourite scenic train journeys from across the country.
Bucket List Train Journeys in Switzerland
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I've now completed several trips around Switzerland without hiring a car, and I've honestly never felt like I needed one.
In many countries, hiring a car gives you far more freedom.
In Switzerland, public transport often does exactly the same thing.
The railway network reaches almost every major destination, whilst buses, boats, mountain railways and cable cars connect even the smaller villages. Connections are usually well timed, stations are easy to navigate and travelling by train means you can simply sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than concentrating on mountain roads.
For me, that's become one of the biggest attractions of travelling in Switzerland.
Instead of worrying about parking, toll roads or winter driving conditions, I simply enjoy the journey.
Many of my favourite memories in Switzerland have actually been on the trains themselves.
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This is probably the question I'm asked most often.
The answer really depends on the type of trip you're planning.
Perfect if you enjoy lakes, vineyards, beautiful promenades and scenic rail journeys.
It's also where the GoldenPass route begins and home to one of Europe's most beautiful Christmas markets.
Ideal for first-time visitors wanting easy access to mountain scenery, lakes and day trips.
It's one of the easiest places in Switzerland to base yourself.
A mountain village with spectacular scenery and one of the country's most iconic settings.
Often overlooked, but one of the best transport hubs in Switzerland.
I originally flew there simply because flights were cheaper than Strasbourg. It turned out to be one of the most useful bases I've discovered anywhere in Europe.
Every time I visit Switzerland, my list of favourite places seems to grow.
If I had to recommend just one base for a first visit, Montreux would be right near the top. Sitting on the shores of Lake Geneva, it has beautiful lakeside walks, easy rail connections and is the starting point for the spectacular GoldenPass route. Visiting during the Christmas markets only made me love it even more.
Grindelwald is exactly what many people imagine when they picture Switzerland. Dramatic mountain scenery surrounds the village in every direction and it's one of those places where you constantly find yourself stopping to take photographs.
Interlaken is one of the easiest places in Switzerland to use as a base. From here it's simple to reach Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and numerous mountain excursions, making it ideal if you're planning several day trips.
For scenery alone, the Bernina route is difficult to beat. Whether you travel on the Bernina Express or a regional train, it's one of the most memorable rail journeys I've experienced anywhere in Europe.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all. I originally flew into Basel simply because the flights were cheaper than Strasbourg. Instead, I discovered a fantastic city with excellent transport links, making it one of the most practical bases I've found for exploring both Switzerland and neighbouring France.
 I still feel like I've only scratched the surface. Switzerland is one of those countries that keeps drawing me back.
Geneva may not be the Swiss city I've spent the most time exploring, but it's one of the airports I've used most often. With excellent flight connections from the UK and a railway station directly inside the airport, it's an incredibly easy entry point for exploring western Switzerland.
Within an hour, you can be in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, whilst destinations such as Lausanne, Interlaken and even Chamonix in France are all within easy reach by public transport. If you're planning your first trip to western Switzerland, Geneva is one of the easiest places to start.
There's no getting away from the fact that Switzerland is expensive.
Accommodation, restaurants and mountain railways can quickly increase the cost of a trip.
However, after several visits I've discovered plenty of ways to reduce costs without reducing the experience.
Choosing regional trains instead of panoramic services, staying in hostels, flying into different airports and using supermarket meal deals can make a surprisingly big difference.
If you're worried about your budget, don't let it put you off completely.
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I've now completed several solo trips across Switzerland and it remains one of my favourite countries to explore alone.
Everything simply works.
Stations are easy to navigate, trains are punctual, people are helpful and I never felt uncomfortable travelling between destinations.
If you're considering your first solo adventure, Switzerland is somewhere I'd happily recommend.
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Is Switzerland Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
My Solo Trip to Montreux, Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen
Although many people visit Switzerland during summer, winter is the season that completely won me over.
Christmas markets, festive train journeys, illuminated lakeside promenades and snow-covered mountains make it feel like stepping into a Christmas film.
I've already returned once for Christmas markets and have another festive trip planned because I still feel like I've only scratched the surface.
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