Here's How Switzerland's Changed The World

Despite being a small and rather insignificant country wedged between the Alps, Switzerland has had an outsized impact on the world. Strap yourself in for the seven ways in which the Swiss have shaped the world as we know it.

By giving Protestantism a home

Whether you are religious or not, we live in a world where people believe (around 84 percent of the world claims to have a faith, but who’s counting). When the Christian church had its famous pow-wow, splitting off into the Catholic and Protestant churches, Switzerland was an important hub of Protestantism, starting with the deliciously named, Affair of the Sausages. Protestant heavyweights, such as John Calvin, holed up in Swiss-land to preach and do their thing.

By making us all on time

The Swiss are among the best horologists in the world and it’s been that way for some time. Their success in watchmaking stretches back to the 16th century when the world’s first watchmaking guild was formed. From there, Switzerland and Geneva, in particular, developed some of the finest timepieces through a knack for innovation.

By redefining the word neutral

Switzerland is a neutral country, and aggressively so. It has maintained a fighting force that caused would be aggressors to think twice during two world wars. Despite having a less than impeccable fighting force since then, Swiss neutrality has shaped the world in its own way. Thinkers, artists and politicians have all found asylum in Switzerland, enabling thousands to weather political, religious and social persecution.

By creating the Red Cross

The creation of the Red Cross is another amazing thing the Swiss gave us and it was probably – and coincidentally – a boon for their Karmic balance (see banking secrecy below). The Red Cross and the Red Crescent are by now common sights in disaster zones around the world, helping those who are in dire need of support. It all started way back in 1859 with one Henry Dunant, who witnessed the horrors of the war in Italy. Scarred, but motivated, Dunant would go on to fund the Red Cross, saving thousands of lives well beyond his own death in 1910. Visit the ICRC museum in Geneva to discover the history of the organization.

By birthing Roger Federer

Whether you love or loathe Switzerland’s golden boy of tennis, you can’t deny that he has shaped the game and remoulded it once more. With his golden everything, he’s seemingly eased his way to 19 Grand Slam titles, with his effortless, and often carefree, style. His list of records reads like a Swiss bank account number: long and occasionally scattered with questionable numbers. Yes, he’s great, and the tennis world wouldn’t be the same without him.

By creating banking that’s totally not dodgy

Banking secrecy, and specifically, numbered bank accounts are just one of the awesome things that Switzerland gave the world. Well, it’s awesome if you’ve got enough cash that’s worth hiding. Its recent reputation as a safe haven from taxes has been slipping, to the collective terror of would-be Bond villains everywhere. But while the good times rolled, Switzerland played host to plenty of secretive cash for decades, and we all know that money is the key to real power.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.