In fact, Bollywood movies beautifully showcase this country’s picturesque locales, scenic routes and beautiful mountains – these form the backdrop of many sequences in major blockbuster movies.

Not so surprisingly, over 200 Bollywood movies have been filmed here – a love affair that started when the country made its first appearance in the 1964 classic 'Sangam'.

My personal favourite movie – Shah Rukh Khan starrer, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, was extensively shot here.

With 47 of its peaks rising over 3,000 metres, the country without doubt, is Alpine land par excellence. Of course, aside from this country’s spectacular landscapes, it is also famous for being synonymous with items that exude the utmost in luxury and indulgences.

Need proof? Simple... Swiss chocolates. This ultimately luxurious and practically sinful treat only has one possible rival – chocolates from Belgium.

That being said, Swiss chocolates are amazing, and many of the world’s most recognised and popular brands (Nestle and Lindt) come from this country. However, select chocolatiers also offer unique, handmade chocolates that are simply divine, and have to be sampled at the very least.

Also, Switzerland is practically the centre of watch-making - some of the finest watches made today are firmly stamped with the "Swiss Made" sign on the watch face.

Every large town will have quite a few horologers and jewellers with a vast selection of fancy watches displayed their windows, but be careful… these watches are usually quite pricey.

Or, as everyone knows, this country is the official birthplace and home of the Swiss Army knives. The most popular version of the knife is the Swiss Champ by brand Victorinox, which has 33 functions, while the "biggest" knife from the brand is called the Swiss Champ 1.6795.XAVT, and has a mind boggling 80 functions.

What makes Switzerland that much more special a place for travellers is that it offers a combined experience of Italy, France and Germany in one beautiful little package. Each of Switzerland’s cities has a distinct flavour, and often times echoes the cultures seen in Europe’s other great cities.

So let’s take a look at some of Switzerland’s most popular cities to visit…

And what better place to start than in Geneva? This cosmopolitan city is sleek, slick and also amongst Europe’s priciest cities. As Switzerland’s third largest city, Geneva is an incredibly beautiful city, strung around the shores of Europe’s largest Alpine lake.

Here you’ll find over 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the UN, International Red Cross, International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization. There’s also an incredible choice of cuisines cooked up by some of the most renowned chefs.

While visiting this picturesque city, make a trip to the Jet d'Eau in Lake Geneva – a fountain of water that is pumped upto 140 metres into the air. The fountain is a spectacular sight in the evenings – it is beautifully lit up – and should ideally be viewed from a fair distance. Also make some time to visit the Museum of the International Committee of the Red Cross where detailed photos and physical evidence are on display to showcase the I.C.R.C.'s service to humanity during times of war and natural disaster.

Next let’s touch on Zurich –a city that is reputed for being the centre of banking, a reputation that actually does a terrible disservice to this contemporary and vibrant city. While it once did seem to live upto its reputation of being the “Singapore of Europe”, contemporary Zurich is actually quite the contrary.

This bustling metropolis is an affluent, funky and immensely fashion-conscious destination, where travellers can indulge in the finer things in life. To prove my point, Europe’s largest annual street party is hosted by Zurich – how can that be boring by any stretch of the imagination?

Additionally, hundreds of new bars, restaurants and clubs have opened since the late 1990s. It’s hardly what you would call a stoic and old fashioned city.

Next we move on to Berne, the capital of Switzerland. This relatively small sized city sits on a peninsula formed by the river Aare – a fabulous river, perfect for a swim on a hot, sunny day. Berne’s old town features long arcaded walkways where the streets are adorned with fountains and ornate clock towers.

This city has a deep and rich history – all vividly displayed at numerous museums across Berne. Something that definitely should not be missed is a visit to Einsteinhaus – the one time residence of Albert Einstein and his wife during the years working at the Swiss patent office.

It was here that the special and general theories of relativity were born. There are plenty of photos and original documents from Einstein's life, work, and speeches.

Meanwhile art lovers must definitely wander over to Berne’s Museum of Fine Arts - Kunstmuseum – which boasts of an impressive collection of works from painters like PaulKlee, Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler and Meret Oppenheim.

It is the oldest art museum in Switzerland with a permanent collection and houses works covering eight centuries. Also a must-see is the Clock Tower near the centre of the old town. This was built around the turn of the 13th century, and is quite an impressive display of early animatronic technology.

The whimsical clock tower is a favourite with kids. A few minutes before the hour, it begins with a little song and some drumming by a jester on top. On the hour, bears and an old bearded king join the fun act.

And finally, I reckon no trip to Switzerland can be complete without a little bit of skiing and a lot of pristine, snow covered peaks that simply take your breath away. If your budget allows for it, (and you will need to allocate a significant portion of your budget for this), head to St. Moritz. This much loved vacation spot in all Europe is renowned for its ambiance and stunning atmosphere.

Surprisingly, the sun shines down on St. Moritz on most days of the year. Also popular for skiing and mountaineering is the village of Zermatt – this however is pretty much one of the most expensive cities in Switzerland for accommodation. Zermatt is surrounded by a range of fabulous mountains, but it is famous for the Matterhorn - one of the last alpine mountains to be conquered in 1865.