Switzerland will certainly take a first-time traveller’s breath away, but they should know these tips before they visit the country

There is no denying the popularity of Switzerland as a travel destination. Thanks to the beautiful grandeur of its lakes and Alps, the country has left its stamp on the minds and hearts of thousands of tourists worldwide. However, if you are considering a journey to the country, you should be prepared for it in advance. So let’s look at five important tips for first-time visitors to Switzerland.

Don’t Stress About The Transportation

In Switzerland, getting around is relatively easy. Unless you plan some extremely off-the-beaten-path adventures, you do not need to rent a car. In the country, taking trains is the norm. Consult the concierge at your hotel for advice on how to get from the airport to the hotel, navigate the city, etc. With the Swiss Rail Pass, travelling throughout Switzerland is made simple. Most buses and trains are included with this ticket. You can also “check” your luggage at the start of your trip and retrieve it when you finish the line. You can board and exit the train during the day without hauling your suitcase around.

Plan A Wellness Day

Excellent spas can be found throughout Switzerland; you should include them in your schedule. You will not only enjoy the treat, but it will also hasten your jet lag recovery. Visit the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, located right on Lake Geneva’s shore, for a taste of city life.

Hit The Slopes

It’s no secret that Switzerland transforms into the ultimate ski resort in Europe throughout the winter. Even though Zermatt is the most well-known, more than 300 ski areas are spread throughout the country. For instance, Wengen is a quaint Alpine ski resort among the lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee. It is well-known for its Belle Époque architecture, the Jungfraubahn Railway, which leads to Europe’s highest elevated rail station and its accessibility to glaciers and waterfalls.

The Language And Currency Is Diverse

Depending on which direction you take the train, you can determine which language is spoken in Switzerland. It might be Italian, Romansh, Swiss German, or French. The country has four official languages because of its cultural diversity. Although merely in terms of tint, the Swiss franc is likewise diverse.

Research About Food

Switzerland is an expensive country, and costly food and restaurants are examples of this. Soup is the best alternative cuisine, and grocery stores and cafes are the most suitable places to visit. In Switzerland, soups are less expensive and cost only 50 per cent as much as restaurant meals with bread. The farmer’s market and mountainside cafes have more affordable prices for guests.

Travelling with food enough to feed the family and nourish our souls is something all Indians do. But have you ever wondered if, while travelling with food, you are jeopardizing your health by not adopting the best food safety practices? Here are some tips to keep your food safe while travelling.

Travelling is a fun activity everywhere in the world, whether you are doing it alone, with friends, with a partner or with the entire family. In India, a compulsory travelling tradition is to pack plenty of homecooked food for the journey, and then indulging in local foods when we reach our destination. Whether you are a Gujarati travelling with Theplas with Chhundo or a Bengali travelling with Luchi-Aloo Bhaja, carrying food on your travels is a must.

And yet, what many of us fail to take into consideration is the fact that food safety matters a lot while travelling. Travellers tend to be more at risk of getting nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and food poisoning while travelling, and a major cause of this is eating spoilt or contaminated foods. This food could be among the goodies you packed from home that went stale and bad. This food could also be something you ate during the journey or at your destination.

Truth be told, nothing spoils a good trip more than these health issues. So, when traveling, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure the safety and quality of the food you consume. Here are some of the best and healthiest tips to keep your food safe while traveling.

Carry hand sanitizer

Before handling any food, make sure to clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. This helps prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria or viruses.

Pack perishable foods properly

If you’re carrying perishable foods like fruits, vegetables, or dairy products, make sure to pack them in insulated coolers or containers with ice packs to maintain their temperature and prevent spoilage.

Choose reputable food establishments

Opt for reputable and well-established food establishments, such as restaurants or cafes with good hygiene practices. Look for places with high ratings or positive reviews to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Drink bottled or filtered water

Depending on your travel destination, it may be advisable to avoid tap water and instead opt for bottled water or water that has been properly filtered and treated. This can help prevent waterborne diseases.

Be cautious with street food

If you want to try local street food, be selective about the stalls or vendors you choose. Look for places where the food is cooked fresh and served hot to minimize the risk of contamination. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods from street vendors.

Avoid risky foods

Certain foods are more prone to contamination and should be avoided while traveling, especially in regions with poor sanitation. These include raw or undercooked meats, seafood, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw eggs.

Use food safety apps or guides

Consider using food safety apps or guides that provide information on safe food handling practices, restaurant ratings, and local food safety regulations. These resources can help you make informed decisions about where and what to eat.

Looking for airport looks that is equal parts comfortable and stylish? Scroll no more, here’s listing styling ideas for a long haul flight.

Airports are the new fashion runaways for celebrities and they have changed the whole narration of airport looks. But, when you are already struggling to squeeze yourself in the poorly padded seat, attaining a stylish look while travelling on a long-haul flight is last the thing on the list.

From tolerating your snory mates to the urgent need of reaching the washroom in turbulence, there are already many factors that can make your journey uncomfortable. With such conjectures, prioritising comfort becomes a priority over making a fashion statement. Don’t fret, if you are someone who cannot compromise with your style quotient then we have certain tips for you that can give you equal parts of style and comfort.

1. Trade skinny jeans with paper bag jeans:

Long gone are the days when tight jeans were fashionable. Unfortunately, these jeans will not only make you look octogenarian but also disrupt the blood flow which is not the most feasible choice for a long-duration flight. However, for fashion enthusiasts, paper bag jeans that cinch at your waist and have a rather relaxed and glam look are the best bet.

2. Light-wear Layer:

We get that currently, the place you are residing in has scorching heat but generally, the flights are quite cold, and if there is a layover in between, the temperature could be unprecedented. It’s always best to layer a cotton cardigan or light-wear jacket. These outwear could also be wrapped further so that you can use them later as a pillow.

3. Coordinates set over jumpsuits:

If you are going for a no-brainer look, then instead of wearing jumpsuits, try wearing co-ord sets. Not only are they a lot more effortless and chic but they also eradicate the struggle of untying the zip in a tiny washroom.

4. Fanny packs over tote bag:

Sure, tote bags are classy and spacious but when it comes to traveling, it means carrying around a lot of luggage. Fishing around essentials in your tote bag can be annoying and time taking. Thanks to fanny packs, you can carry around your stuff with the utmost comfort and style.

5. Slip-on shoes:

Getting through the long security line and the airport runway can be the most taxing for your legs. Slip-on shoes are the best bet as they can be easily slid in or out during security checks and be the comfort for the standstill moments during your flight delay.

Learn how to explore the world your way, and step out into the great unknown with confidence

There’s a world of opportunities out there, and for many people, the idea of travelling to far-flung places fills them with joy and excitement. Experiencing new things can help us expand our perspectives, as well as help us to break free of monotonous thought patterns. But that doesn’t mean that travel is without its bumps in the road. If you’re an introvert, travelling may be something that presents specific challenges, and the idea of those challenges could be enough to dampen your dreams.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the help of confidence coach Gemma Holmes, we’re exploring five ways that you can make travelling as an introvert a breeze.

Firstly, understand what it means to be an introvert

“Contrary to popular belief, being an introvert isn’t about being shy or about disliking people,” Gemma explains. “It’s about what leaves a person feeling drained, and where they find their energy topped up most easily.

“Extroverts tend to draw their energy from the people around them, whereas introverts may find long periods of interacting with others draining, and will value some time by themselves to replenish their energy reserves. As with many things in life, introversion to extroversion is a spectrum, and you may find where you sit on the spectrum changes over your lifetime.”

Do these traits line up with what you see in yourself? As Gemma explains, there aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to categorising someone as either an ‘introvert’ or ‘extrovert’, and you may see that you have traits that could fall on either side – you may even find that your reaction to social situations is different depending on what’s happening around you. That said, these personality groups are still a helpful foundation for understanding ourselves, so it’s worth spending some time learning about yourself, and how different scenarios affect you. This is your springboard to making plans that suit you.

Consider the location

“Being an introvert doesn’t necessarily mean you’re happiest in the mountains with no other humans for 50 miles (though it might!),” Gemma says. “Some introverts love the hustle and bustle of busy cities, as long as they don’t have to interact directly with too many others. People-watching can be a great source of joy for introverts.”

Gemma recommends exploring what brings you joy, and what sucks your energy, and then making plans around these features. She suggests casting your mind back to trips you’ve been on in the past. What was it about these trips that worked for you? And what about them didn’t work? Are there any patterns that you can pick up on and apply to your destination hunt? You may also want to consider the role your accommodation plays in all this.

“If you really enjoy conversing with people, but only when it’s a smaller group, consider more intimate excursions and smaller group accommodation options, such as agritourism or homestays,” Gemma suggests. “These can offer the chance to still connect with locals or other tourists and have stimulating conversations, without needing to network with a large group.”

Plan your itinerary

Taking some time beforehand to create an itinerary can make navigating travel as an introvert a whole lot easier, and gives you the opportunity to tune into, and respect, your needs.

“If you’re travelling solo, you can build a bespoke itinerary that really hits the spot,” says Gemma. “If you know that an element of your trip will require a lot of social interaction, plan in pockets of time for rest and quality time by yourself afterwards. Journaling and looking back over photography can be a great way to reflect and decompress after a busy day, without needing to spend the evening talking it over with others. Travels are the perfect time to start a gratitude diary, which will do wonders for your wellbeing when you continue the habit back home.”

Gemma also highlights that you don’t have to do certain activities, just because everyone else is doing them. Very busy tourist traps might be one person’s cup of tea but, for you, they may be overwhelming and stressful. So, skip out on the things you’d rather not do, and make more time for those you do.

Communicate with your travel companions

“If you’re travelling with others who get energy from different types of activities, don’t be afraid to share what you need from the experience, so you don’t end up coming home more drained than when you left,” Gemma says. “People are so familiar with what brings them joy that it can be hard to comprehend that it isn’t the same for others. Open communication is key in the planning stage! And, remember, itineraries shouldn’t have to be set in stone. If something feels uncomfortable or overwhelming, it’s OK to change your mind.”

Gemma also suggests dividing up tasks depending on what your strengths are. While you may not enjoy asking for directions, you may be great at planning, or at finding hidden gems. And your friend may have no problem asking for help when it’s needed, but would prefer not to spend time hunting for things to do. So, play to your strengths if you’re travelling in a group.

Beware of people-pleasing

If you’re looking for some space and alone time on a holiday, but someone you’re travelling with has different ideas, putting up some boundaries and advocating for what you need can be difficult. From there, you might find yourself falling into people-pleasing behaviours.

“Holiday time is precious, and if you get swept up in other people’s idea of a great trip, rather than listening to your needs and desires, you can lose everything there was to gain from a break,” Gemma says. “There are some simple cues you can give that indicate you want to be kept in peace, such as headphones or a book in hand. But it’s also OK to be direct and share with people that you’re using the current time for some self-reflection and quiet, so while you really appreciate their offer of connection, you’re going to choose to do something different.”

Sticking to your boundaries can feel uncomfortable if it’s not something that you do often, but it’s worth doing in order to get the most out of your time away.

“It’s not selfish to ensure your needs are met on your travels,” Gemma adds. “While waiting until your annual holiday to focus on your wellbeing isn’t a sustainable plan, for many busy people their travels are especially precious windows of time and you should feel able to fill it with things that boost your sense of wellbeing, rather than deplete it.”

Remember, making sure your needs are met is an important part of self-care. And, in this case, a key pillar in making memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.