Switzerland is a small country in the very heart of Europe where people follow their once chosen way, honor traditions, appreciate exact time and calculation. The uniqueness of this small country is in astonishing contrasts of various landscapes: high mountain ridges, fast rivers and waterfalls, blue lakes and eternal glaciers exist close to each other turning Switzerland into one of the most beautiful and miraculous countries in the world. The only thing Switzerland lacks is the sea, but it doesn't do any worse.
Switzerland is a native land of cheese and chocolate, and it has fullblown production of high-quality wine, the latter, however, being little-known around the world due to limited export supplies. As to service level in Switzerland, it seems to be the highest in the world. The staff of hotels, restaurants and mountain resorts master at least two foreign languages and are always to show sincere concern about you and your family. Nowhere else in the world will you ever see so much snow (most Swiss resorts are situated high in the mountains), so high service standards and such gorgeous nature.
When entering Switzerland, you will need a passport and a visa. Your passport is to be valid at least 3 months beyond the trip date. As for your visa, you may receive it at the Swiss embassy upon submitting the required documents. In fact, Switzerland is a member of the European Union, but, unfortunately, it is not participating in the Schengen Agreement. That is why, if you are going to make a tour all over Europe including Switzerland you need two visas -- Schengen visa that of Switzerland.
To receive Schengen visa you should refer to the embassy of the country to be visited next after Switzerland. Having received a visa and entered the territory of the Schengen Agreement you may travel without any limits. If not planning a European tour but Switzerland, you will not need this visa, thus, avoiding unnecessary bother. The list of documents required by the Swiss embassy is not extensive, the term of visa getting rather short, and the whole procedure not exhaustive.
If you need a short-term visa (for less than a 90-day stay) you will receive it the next day upon documents submitting. If the embassy requires some additional papers you will get a visa the day next to their studying. If you need a visa for more than three months it is necessary to submit to the embassy or consulate three filled in application forms with photos and copies of all passport pages. After that, the inquiry to a relevant department of Switzerland will be sent, the answer awaited 4 to 6 weeks.
Visa getting is an important fact and requires serious treatment. So, you should be ready for questions of any sort. Be able to explain the purpose of your trip. The embassy will also ask for some guarantees that you will respect the laws of the country to be visited. It is also important that you should have enough money while staying in the country (about 50 US dollars per day) and medical insurance policy.
But all this is a very low price for the prospect to see one of the richest and most dependable and accurate countries in the world. Switzerland will certainly amaze you, and you will never forget your vacations in this marvelous country.