Switzerland – is it really the best country in the world? Read more: http://www.traveller.com.au/switzerland--is-it-really-the-best-country-in-the-world-h0pxxt#ixzz564IJ9aPR Follow us: @TravellerAU on Twitter | TravellerAU on Facebook

I've seen the Swiss at their best, too, at the Lauberhorn downhill race, the most famous ski race in the country, an event that people flock to from around the nation to see skiers careen down a mountain near the chalet town of Wengen, to eat raclette and sing songs and dress up and have fun. They have "guggenmusik" there – marching bands that dress flamboyantly, drink heroically, play traditional instruments and do cover versions of American pop songs. They have shots of Jagermeister. There's a huge after-party back in town.

It's moments like these that you realise something about Switzerland. Yes, it's beautiful – it's probably the most beautiful country on the entire planet. Switzerland really is just a long series of postcard-perfect vistas, towering snow-capped mountain peaks and lush green valleys, flawless lake after flawless lake, villages of old wooden chalets, pristine cities where nothing is too big or overbearing. Plus, everything works in Switzerland. Everything is safe and easy and calm.

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