Switzerland is one of the finest holiday destinations in Central Europe, with an even mix of cultures seeping in from the surrounding countries. Beyond the quintessential highlights (Alpine skiing, watch-making, chocolate shops) tourists will enjoy exploring the backcountry and provincial towns, especially with a cheap Switzerland hire car at their disposal.

This is a diverse country well-known for its neutrality in wars and international politics. The country boasts a trio of important cities, starting with the administrative capital, Bern. Geneva is an international city with important offices represented hundreds of international organizations, while the largest city, Zurich, enjoys well over 1,000 years of history.

Lucerne is a good base city for tourists with a hire car in Switzerland. Given its central location, Lucerne enjoys easy access to hamlets in the Alps as well as regional capitals. The fact is that Switzerland on the whole is well-located within the EU, and it is quite convenient to drive from here to cities in France, Italy, Lichtenstein and Germany.

All the major cities in Switzerland are outfitted to receive and entertain tourists. Bern and Zurich have stronger party scenes, while Geneva is known more as a diplomatic hub with an impressive collection of museums. Reuss, near Lucerne, is a quiet town that retains much of its medieval heritage.

During the winter, Reuss and Lucerne are natural jumping-off points for ski holidays at St Moritz. This famous Swiss resort is one of the world’s finest and offers premium facilities and accommodation. Visitors who would rather not splurge in this department will find dozens of other options in the Alps.