Europe & Switzerland Travel Tips #2

Wining and Dining

Dining in Switzerland is just one of the many wonderful adventures on your tour with me. This tour gives you the freedom to enjoy lunch and dinner in the mountain villages, old world cities, even aboard a lake steamer, or a quaint lakeside restaurant. I will take you to some of my favorite places to eat that I have found over the years. Because of its cultural diversity, Switzerland offers an unusually wide range of gastronomic delights.

French, German and Italian influences prevail in regions where those languages are spoken. Quality is uniformly good. Each region has its specialties: Fondue and Raclette (melted cheese dishes) in the French part; sausages, roasts and fried potatoes (Rosti) in the German part; sliced air-dried beef (Bundnerfleisch) and ham in the Graubunden region; Italian specialties in the Ticino.

Swiss pastries and desserts are world famous. Swiss wines are excellent, especially when ordered in the region where the grapes are grown - always ask for the local wine. Swiss beer is first rate. Liquors are delicious, but highly potent - Marc, Kirsch, and Williamine are the most popular.

Jet Lag

Westbound flights cause less jet lag than traveling eastbound. Westbound travel lengthens the day, and science suggests that the human circadian rhythm - your internal clock - is regulated by the sun. Airlines generally schedule westbound flights as day flights, which also seems to create less jet lag. Eastbound travel, meanwhile, shortens the day and sends travelers to bed before their normal bedtimes.

Before you leave on your trip, if you can go to bed an hour early each night for a week, waking earlier the next morning by 60 minutes. Avoid large meals before, during and after flights. On the plane, immediately set your watch for your destination's time.

Long flights don't have to leave you rumpled, bloated and cranky - with a little planning you can arrive ready to launch into your holiday in better shape. The biggest obstacle to comfort when you're flying is low humidity aboard the aircraft, typically about 10 per cent. Dry air promotes dehydration, which can impair digestion, intensify fatigue and heighten jet lag.

The views on this vary somewhat, but try to drink one glass of water or juice per hour and stay away from alcohol, carbonated drinks and salty snacks that can dehydrate you further.

It's also important to dress in loose, layered clothing that can ward off the chill of excessive air conditioning or be removed if you're stuck sweltering on the tarmac. Wear roomy, flat shoes, and slip them off when you're at your seat.

Frequent flyers also recommend getting up once every hour to walk around the cabin, even if it's only to the washroom and back. This will restore circulation to your lower legs and feet, which can swell up as a result of pressure on the backs of your thighs. Take the time to do a few stretches of your neck, shoulders and legs to loosen up muscles constricted from sitting.

Another of the biggest discomforts of a long haul flight is sleep deprivation. Pack earplugs, eye shades and your own small pillow in your carry on case. Notify a flight attendant if you do not wish to be roused for breakfast. Consider taking a mild sleep medication, but test it out before your flight, as landing in a strange city is not a good time to be sedated.

When you land, stay awake until the appropriate bedtime and avoid stimulating activities. Adjust your meal times and eat a carbohydrate snack before bedtime to induce drowsiness. Take a long, hot bath for relaxation. Sleep in a dark, cool and comfortable setting. Don't watch the clock. Get up early regardless of how much sleep you've had.

Travel Insurance Info

Switzerland requires all visitors to have health insurance. We highly recommend the purchase of coverage for peace of mind as well. For your convenience we provide a link to HTH Travel Insurance.

When you have a health emergency away from home, the best medicine is good travel insurance. If you don't have coverage, you may be forced to cough up the cost of a physician's treatment, a hospital stay or even an emergency flight to the nearest major medical center. The right policy can be a lifeline if you become ill or are injured while you're on the road. But it's obviously important to think about travel insurance before you go. So before you cancel the newspaper, kennel the dog and pack your suitcase, consider these pointers:

• Don't buy insurance you don't need. You may already be covered for medical emergencies outside your home state under your private insurance, Health Maintenance Organization or Medicare.
• Before you travel, call the agencies handling your car or home insurance to ask about any accident coverage.
• Ask your credit card companies if insurance is part of their baseline service to card holders.

Establish a contact with your insurance company. Find out how to get help and to file a claim. Take this information, together with the name of the person you contacted, with you when you travel. Pack your policy number and details. Your proof of coverage will direct medical authorities to seek payment from your insurance company.

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