10 Things You'll Miss About Switzerland

When you move to a foreign country you'll be confronted with many new things. New types of food, a new kind of mentality, most likely a new language, a new scenery and much more. However, you'll most likely not only be busy with getting used to new things but also a bit longing for (at least some of the) things you've left behind. The same is true if you're traveling for a longer period of time.

10 Things You'll Miss About Switzerland

I've been on the road and away from Switzerland for a few weeks only so I'm not yet homesick for some Swissness. However, I'm pretty sure from earlier experience that if I'll be it'll be for these ten Swiss things:

1. Cheese: Nothing beats Swiss cheese. Seriously, it's tasty, locally made and you can make great Fondue or Raclette from it. My favorite: Gruyère.
2. Punctuality: Yes, you're train will actually be arriving and departing on time in Switzerland. And so will busses, trams, boats, cable cars and most other means of transportation. 
3. Bread: I think I can exclude Germany and Austria from this because they have excellent bread themselves. BUT go to any English speaking country and what they're selling as bread is pre-cut  and packaged toast bread. No real crust so you don't even have to chew it.
4. Public transportation: It works like a Swiss clock. It's on time and reaches pretty much every little town and village in Switzerland. I guess it's the advantage of a smaller country - it's simply more feasible to have such a great network of public transportation.
5. Lakes and rivers: A friend visiting from abroad once asked me if there was a Swiss city or town that wasn't built next to a river or lake. Although I'm pretty sure that such a place does exist, I love the fact that most places in Switzerland are within short distance of a lake or river. Excellent swimming in summer and just beautiful all year round!
6. Chocolate: This one is obvious. Please note that Swiss chocolate is much more than Toblerone and Lindt (although both are excellent). Small chocolatiers have a greater selection of freshly made chocolates. Sweet!
7. Personal safety: I don't think there is a place in Switzerland I wouldn't recommend someone to go because of safety concerns. Even at night and in the bigger cities it is totally fine to walk around on your own. 
8. Location: Feel like going to Germany for some shopping? Or to France for a glass of wine? It is all very doable if you live in Switzerland where the neighboring countries are only a few minutes or hours drive away. You couldn't live more central in Europe!
9. Cable Cars: Have you noticed that there is great number of cable cars going up Swiss mountains? So many places high up are reachable thanks to them and they make mountains accessible to everyone.
10. Heated floors: This I miss especially if it's cold or rainy (or both). Most newer houses in Switzerland are equipped with floor heating (and not radiator heating or oven heating). This means you can walk barefoot in your house all year long even if you have wooden or stone floors. The best is the stepping out of a shower onto the warm bathroom floor. 

bread - Bernd Kasper  / pixelio.de

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