SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA - TRAVEL GUIDES

"Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture."
- Ernest Hemingway

TRAVELING TO SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA

We love Switzerland and Austria not only for the incredible Alpine mountain villages but also for their refined attention to food, architecture, music and art.  Here are our recommendations on the best travel books for Switzerland and Austria.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk & Honey

The best book for those who want to better understand Switzerland is Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes.  Switzerland is a very unique country and culture, and this book goes deeper than a standard travel guide with observations on the people, sections on politics, and a ton of interesting facts on daily life.  Highly recommended.

Rick Steves: Switzerland 

First-time visitors to Switzerland might prefer the Rick Steves guidebook.  This series is always a good choice for travel in Europe, best known for its specific recommendations on what to see and do and how best to save time and money.  Steves only recommends what he feels is best, which can be especially helpful when exploring an unknown place.   There also is a seperate and similarly helpful guide for Vienna and Salzburg in Austria.​ 

Lonely Planet: Austria

Those looking for an even more comprehensive guide for a visit to Austria can’t go wrong with Lonely Planet.  They are really good at finding insider-type local recommendations that reflect the character and history of this unique city.  We like the breadth of their coverage and the honesty of their reviews. There also is a guide for Switzerland.

Self Guided: Salzburg & The Sound of Music

Fans of the legendary movie The Sound of Music will love this self-guided tour to famous scene locations and the city of Salzburg.  Enjoy both a walking tour in the city, including a view of the monastery, and a separate driving tour of the area.  Those visiting might also just want to take the 4-hour original Sound of Music Tour, available here from Viator.