Switzerland (officially the Swiss Confederation) is a landlocked country of west-central Europe bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. The country has a famously mountainous terrain including the Alps and Jura mountain ranges, and most of the country’s 8 million strong population live in cities along the Central Plateau. Among the largest cities are Zurich and Geneva, both of which are hugely historical and economically important for the country and further afield. Being so centrally located, Switzerland has an interesting blend of languages with German, French, Italian and Romansh all being officially recognised. Being the birthplace of the Red Cross, Switzerland is internationally recognised as a neutral and peaceful country.

From a tourist point of view, it is exactly the country's mountainous terrain which many visitors come to enjoy. Ski resorts and winter sports facilities are among the very best in the world as well as the country having some of the best hiking and mountain biking trails in Europe. Serviced apartments in Switzerland are found all over the country with some of the best being situated amongst the Alpine scenery. The capital city of Bern is also a picturesque and attractive spot to visit, as well as Lucerne and Basel. The kind of temperatures to expect vary depending on altitude but summer temperatures tend to stay between 15 and 20°C.