Despite the fact that the highest peaks of the Alps can get snow year-round (it's rare July-September, however), Switzerland isn't as cold as most people think. Spring, summer and autumn are all quite comfortable. June and July are when the alpine wildflowers are usually at their peak, but summer is also noted for lots of tourists.

Take a sweater year-round (a light raincoat and folding umbrella might come in handy, too).

The average amount of sunshine per year is approximately 1,700 hours.  Less...

If you are traveling by air, the main international airports are Zurich, Switzerland and Munich, Germany. From either airport your best transportation options are train or rental car. Traveling with bicycle by train throughout Switzerland and Germany is easy. In Switzerland the train cars are marked with special bicycle signs to identify cars which you can board with bicycle. The extra fare you pay for your bicycle is well worth it. If you decide to rent a car (and you live in the US) it is more cost effective to reserve and prepay it prior to arriving to Europe.  Less...

Most of Switzerland's accommodations are very modern and well serviced. Unfortunately Switzerland is not for the low-budget and rates for two- to four-star hotels are anywhere from CH 100.00 (US$80.00) to CH 200.00 (US$160.00) per night per person (as of September 2005). Although most hotel rates include breakfast ( if you like breads, pastry, cheese, or muesli you will love the Swiss breakfast) which makes the cost more palatable, the most economical option is to camp or "sleep on hay' in the local farmer's barn (popular with cyclist) and cut your expenses significantly.  Less...

Switzerland was founded over 700 years ago (1291) with a vow of mutual aid among three “forest Cantons“. Over the years more political regions have joined. Now, 26 politically sovereign cantons make up the modern federal state of Switzerland.

Switzerland has a population of about 7 million. The national languages of Switzerland are Swiss-German (north, central and east), French (west), Italian (south) and Rhaeto-Romanic (south-east).

Swiss Franc , CHF 1.-- = 100 cents . Exchange rate (fixed on Feb 21st 2006): CHF 1.- corresponds to 0.64 Euros / 0.76 US$.

Emergency phone numbers: 117 Police, 144 Ambulance, 118 Fire Dept.

Switzerland's traffic drives on the right. If you like to use a rear view bicycle mirror, whether helmet-mount, handlebar-mount or other, be sure you make necessary adjustments or purchase one for the left side of your helmet or bicycle handle bar.

Electricity in Switzerland is 220V. Roud two-prong plugs are used. If you plan on using small appliances that you bring with you, you may need a power supply transformer (available in any travel shop or web site).

Public transportation network is excellent and it supports travel with bicycle very well. If necessary, almost every railway station has lockers where you can leave your baggage.

Tap water is fine to drink nearly everywhere. Some fountains carry the sign “Kein Trinkwasser” or “eau non potable.” This means no drinking water!

Tipping: Tips are included on all hotel/hostel and restaurant bills. It is neither necessary nor expected to give an extra tip. Tip when the service was nice and friendly.  Less...

The Veloland Schweiz booklets are available for sale in bookstores throughout Switzerland and at the time of this writing (October 2005) they are available in German or French and cost CH 24.90 (Who We Are$ 20.00). They can be also ordered online directly from Veloland Schweiz web site and shipped to your home address. However, Veloland Schweiz does not accept credit cards and when you receive the Veloland Schweiz booklet it will include a voucher for CH 34.00 (as of May 2005 the total amount including shipping was CH 34.00 or Who We Are$ 27.00). Although this is somewhat inconvenient you can pay for it after you arrive in Switzerland by going to a post office and paying the voucher with cash (of course you must remember to bring the voucher with you).  Less...