Diccon Bewes

All aboard! See the best of Switzerland on its legendary train networkThe Glacier Express, Jungfraujoch, Centovalli Railway, Bern to Geneva … Switzerland has a lot to offer in terms of trains and natural beauty. With Switzerland expert and award-winning travel writer Diccon Bewes at your side, discover the rich history and impressive technological feats behind the Swiss rail network. Have him lead you to unforgettable locations, through green valleys, past glaciers and along crystal-clear lakes. Whether on steep rack railways, little local lines, grand scenic routes or Intercity trains, this book helps you explore this beautiful country. It includes dozens of maps, tables, photos and a wealth of practical tips, such as which seats have the best views, when to have your camera ready and great activities along each route. Jump on, sit back and explore the heart of Europe!• Features 35 train trips across Switzerland: mountain, narrow-gauge, panorama and main line.• Includes a large overview map and many individual route maps.• Written by the world’s top Swiss travel writer, Diccon Bewes, author of the Financial Times bestseller Swiss Watching.• More than 100 colour photos give you a taste of what awaits. 

'A great subject for a cultural anthropologist and Bewes is a perfect guide' Financial Times, Book of the Year A brand new edition of the international bestseller, with new sections on the Swiss elections, the Swiss citizenship test and how Brexit has affected Switzerland. One country, four languages, 26 cantons, and 7.5 million people (but only 80% of them Swiss): there's nowhere else in Europe like it. Switzerland may be almost 400 km from the nearest drop of seawater, but it is an island at the centre of Europe. Welcome to the landlocked island. Swiss Watching is a fascinating journey around Europe's most individual and misunderstood country. From seeking Heidi and finding the best chocolate to reliving a bloody past and exploring an uncertain future, Diccon Bewes proves that there's more to Switzerland than banks and skis, francs and cheese. This book dispels the myths and unravels the true meaning of Swissness.