Switzerland

Rating: ★★★★★ (4.8 / 5)

Switzerland is a small landlocked country at the heart of Europe that has built a remarkable reputation for precision, neutrality, banking, chocolate, and mountain scenery of almost implausible grandeur. The Swiss Alps contain some of the most famous peaks in the world, including the Matterhorn and the Eiger, and the country's network of mountain railways, cable cars, and hiking trails allows visitors to experience this landscape with extraordinary ease and comfort. Swiss cities are equally rewarding: Geneva sits beside its famous lake and is home to numerous international organisations, Zurich combines financial power with a thriving arts scene, Bern enchants with its medieval arcaded streets, and Basel is one of the great small cities of Europe for contemporary art.