Visiting Switzerland?

Question

I would really like to take a Swiss vacation this winter for skiing and alpine fun. However, I read in either foreign affairs or the economist that Switzerland is moving to the political right and there have been attacks on foreigners. I am just a nice Canadian girl with a nice American husband who travels on a Czech passport. If we travel over, will we have problems?

Any thoughts on where to go if it is safe?

Answer 1

I am swiss, and you can be sure you will not have problems if you come to visit us... For exemple, I live in a small village, i even dont lock the door from my appartement, or car outside, and until know it was never a problem.

For sure we have some criminalty here, but where you have this not at all?

If you come over for skiing, there are plenty of places to go, my favorite place is champéry, belongs to one of the biggest skiresort of the world, called portes du soleil, with have lots of english guests here, so also with the language you will have absolutly no problem.

Check out: www.champery.com

Answer 2

The Right-Wing party that just recently got the majority in parliament (congress) is just saying it doesn't want foreign workers entering Switzerland and taking Swiss jobs as well as wanting to keep criminal foreigners and excessive numbers of asylum seekers out. Seeing (I hope) that you are none of the types of people just mentioned you should be able to come to Switzerland - BUT:

Your Husband will need to travel on his American passport (you say he's American with a Czech passport) because that way it will be easier to get a Visa to come to Switzerland (you will also need a Visa, as you are Canadian)

Switzerland is perfectly safe to visit (one of the lowest crime rates in Europe) and the "attacks" on foreigners are just political "attacks" that is to say that there was anti-foreigner propaganda by the right-wing party (the UDC) but that was more a means of harnessing votes - actually there is now a big scandal here in Switzerland as people criticize the media for having paid so much attention to this party's propaganda.

Hope this has helped,

Answer 3

I am single American woman living in Switzerland and for five years of living here I have never been assaulted physically or verbally. Although you may run across individuals who like to share their political views, it is normally in the context of US president administration (and the allies) but never on a personal level. I have traveled all over and this is one of the safest countries to visit! So no worries in tailoring your visit to safe areas!! Just come and enjoy what this country has to offer.

As far as skiing, I would recommend Grindelwald. This is typical resort area with all the bells and whistles of what the Swiss can offer. You can find other great skiing areas via http://www.myswitzerland.com

Answer 4

Don't worry. Switzerland is a safe place. Most Swiss people are not against foreigners. Switzerland needs foreigners. I'm a nurse and I work with people from  different countries.Swiss just  don't want to have criminals from abroad and other people taking advantage of the social system. I bet it's not that different in Canada.

Answer 5

There was ONE very brutal attack on a foreigner who now lives in Switzerland (at least I don't think he was killed) that seems to have been motivated by his foreignness, and that was reported on internationally. I am also aware of a German journalist who was threatened and whose car was vandalized, again because of her foreignness and who eventually decided to move back to Germany, but I don't think she was physically harmed. As someone else said, most of the other "attacks" are verbal. In all cases as far as I know, no one has anything against tourists; they are only against people who want to settle permanently in Switzerland but aren't "like" the Swiss. (However that may be defined.)

Where to go? Hmm, Arosa is nice.

Answer 6

Hello I you should suggest Ticino, but living there is obvious, I am aware that the Ticino is not a classic tourist destination where there is a lot to see. Ticino is beautiful in summer or spring, winter gets a little boring. I advise you to go in the big cities in the German part of Switzerland. Personally I prefer Zurich. I have attached several sites. I hope that you find something interesting for you. Good trip.

Regarding racism don’t worry. The Swiss are peaceful people, and I do not say that there isn’t racism, but if there is only against those people who settled in Switzerland not to work but to exploit the Government. Don’t worry! A visitor is welcomed. Trust me!

http://www.zuerich.ch/

http://www.basel.ch/de/basel/home

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/home

Answer 7

Switzerland wnts a lot of tourists, so don't be afraid.

It mostly the same problem we have in the US, in regards of immigrations., so don't worry.

"Supreme One " is WRONG!

You DO NOT need a visa to come to Switzerland (US, Canada or Czech passport)

Just must be valid six months behond your stay. Period.

Answer 8

I think Switzerland is waaaay safer than either  Canada or the U.S.  The whole world has troubles and crime. , but very few places have problems serious enough to make you stay away.  The United States State Dept. does Not have a travel advisory against Switzerland, so obviously does not feel it is dangerous to travel there .