Switzerland

This land of Milka cows, banks, clocks, wooden chalets, mountains and lakes is a veritable paradise for out-door enthusiasts. Switzerland’s Alps have not only ensured its independence and neutrality ever since Wilhelm Tell shot an apple off his son’s head, but also provide a pleasing backdrop to its inhabitants. The Swiss are divided into four language groups, German, French, Italian and a pocket of Romansch.

Thanks to its long neutrality the country holds a large number of international institutes and research centres, many of which are focussed around hip Geneva. And thanks to its secretive banking laws it also holds a vast amount of cash from the worlds wealthy, including some less savoury figures. Times are a changing though and Swiss banking laws are not what they used to be, causing shivers down the spines of some of the clients holding accounts in this little mountain nation.

From the super-rich to the not so rich, there is something for everybody. See and be seen in chic Davos, sail on Lake Geneva, stroll around Luzern, climb the Matterhorn, ski the Alps, brush up your Italian in Lugano, hide your cash in one of Zurich’s many banks and do some shopping in Bern.

With four nationalities within its borders it has an equally diverse cuisine, from Italian pizza’s and pasta’s in Ticino, to fondue in Bern to schnitzel in Basel. A huge expat and immigrant population ensure a range of exotic options to choose from. While the hoi-polloi of celebrities and nouveaux-riche that live here part-time or full-time, demand high class restaurants, top-end hotels, and fashionable shopping districts.

So dust of your ski’s, and hop on down to Switzerland.