Sitting neatly at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. With a smaller landmass than Scotland, this landlocked little country punches far above its weight.

Its standing in the wider global community is centred on its banking and as the headquarters for numerous global organisations, from the World Health Organisation to football’s governing body, FIFA. The cultured and genteel cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel, are packed with fantastic cafes and restaurants boasting regional cuisine, fine art galleries and museums. Meanwhile, the countryside largely has a timeless feel of old Europe, where cows still roam the highland pastures and life is peaceful. Naturally it’s well known for it’s mountain sports, especially skiing in the winter season, but there’s a wealth of outdoor possibilities year round. For culture vultures and outdoor enthusiasts alike, Switzerland hits all the right notes for a great getaway or extended stay.