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Gay & Lesbian Travel in Switzerland
Switzerland, located in the heart of Europe, especially appeals due to the wealth of experiences offered in a small geographic area. A rich cultural heritage, combined with a unique natural scenery and diversity ensure that your visit will be out of the ordinary. This cosmopolitan nation embraces not only many different facets, but is simply a place for every taste. Whether you look for quaint Alpine villages or bustling cities, Switzerland offers it.
Well Connected: Did you know that Switzerland has a unique transportation system? Not only is Zürich one of the most modern airports in the world, but also Switzerland has the best transportation system. Public transportation runs on a regular schedule and needs no prior reservation. To access the system, simply get one of the different Swiss Passes and board all trains, boats and buses, enter most museums, and get a 50% discount on mountain-top trains.
Cultural Basel: In line with a year old tradition, Basel has always had an open door for art and culture. Not surprising is the fact that Basel was the first city to establish a public art collection more than 300 years ago. This city, located on the shores of the Rhine, not only hosts Art Basel every year, but also has excellent art exhibitions throughout the year. Furthermore, it increasingly adds new architectural landmarks, underlining its status as the cultural city of Switzerland.
Cozy Bern: The Swiss capital city is a very cozy place with an old town being part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. Switzerland’s most beautiful shopping center features miles of arcaded arbors abutting old Baroque sandstone houses. Protected against rain or snow, visitors can stroll through these arcades and enjoy a truly singular pleasure. It’s a compact city uniting restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, theater and galleries.
Festive Lucerne: Located in the heart of Switzerland in beautiful scenery with an excellent view of the Alps, Lucerne is host to the Lucerne Festival with three different programs around Easter, during the summer and in November. The festival is famous for its marriage of high-class music with outstanding architecture. In fact, the new concert center designed by Jean Nouvel features not only a perfect music hall but has also an astonishing outside appearance. The nearby lake invites you to take a boat trip, and the surrounding mountains are a perfect destination for a day-trip in every season.
French Lausanne and Geneva: Within short reach of Bern are the French-speaking towns of Lausanne and Geneva, both located on the shores of Lake Geneva, a region with a unique combination of water, countryside and mountains. The city of Geneva is an international, charming and romantic place, whereas Lausanne is a typical Swiss city with plenty of restaurants, excellent museums and an active gay scene. Briefly, Lausanne is an ideal place to party but also to experience local culture: for example, by strolling through the twice-weekly market in the city center. Lausanne further hosts the world-famous Bejart Ballet and the Olympic Museum. Sociable and intimate, diverse and exciting, Lausanne is one of the hidden treasures of Switzerland to discover.
Vibrant Zürich: Zürich is fun loving, young and trendy. The city has the world’s highest quality of life and not surprisingly attracts visitors from all over the world. With the river Limmat, the nearby lake and the mountains not far away either, Zürich is nestled in a very attractive surrounding. The cultural offerings have world-class standard and shopping on Bahnhofstrasse is an unforgettable experience. Outdoor restaurants of all kinds are reaching record proportions and sports opportunities galore. Furthermore it has a vibrant gay and lesbian culture with something for everyone. By the way: did you know that Europe’s longest running gay bar – Barfüsser – is in the heart of old town Zürich?
Natural Arosa: Not only famous for its Gay Ski Week in early January, this mountain resort is a perfect getaway throughout the year for all nature lovers. Nestled at the end of a valley and surrounded by unforgettable natural scenery, it has also some of the best clubbing in the Alps and a further highlight is the brand new spa at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, designed by the architect Mario Botta.
Inspired? Nowhere can you experience so much exceptional art, architecture, culture and spectacular nature in such close proximity as in Switzerland. To enhance your stay, Switzerland Tourism published a gay and lesbian guide entitled It's only Natural. To order the brochure or for more information on Switzerland, go to www.MySwitzerland.com and click on "Gay & Lesbian Travel", or call Switzerland Tourism at (877) 794-8037.
Meetings and Events
Download the Meeting Planning Guide 2007 with all the background information on where to hold your meetings.
Check TeamSpirit Social for ideas and unique out of the box meetings.
The Newsletter includes the latest news (hotels, seminar and conference rooms/updates)
Please contact Evelyne Mock at Switzerland Tourism with your meeting and event plans.
Gay & Lesbian Podcasts
No more dragging around books, magazines and papers. Download your personal gay & lesbian guide onto your iPod, MP3 player, mobile phone or computer and listen to it when and where it suits you.
Throughout our new podcasts, Derrick will personally take you on a tour of each major gay and lesbian event throughout Switzerland. You will go to Bern for the Queersicht Festival, Zürich for Christopher Street Day Parade, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and Lucerne for some great parties. Also, get your faux furs out, because you are going to Arosa Gay Ski Week for some skiing, partying, and how should we say, dressing up.
In each city, Derrick will tell you where to stay, where to have the perfect dinner and where to dance the night away. You'll also hear from locals who actually make up the gay and lesbian scene in Switzerland and partygoers who are in full-swing party mode.
To make your trip a stress free experience, we'll give you tips on the Swiss Travel System and the airline SWISS.
We hope you enjoy listening to these informative, but also fabulous and adventurous My Gay and Lesbian Podcasts for Switzerland.
