SHOPPING IN SWITZERLAND:  The Swiss Confederation, with a population of app. 7,600,000, is a land-locked republic in central Europe surrounded by Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy.  The capital is Bern, and Zurich is the largest city.  Those visiting and shopping in Switzerland will be treated to the country’s remarkable natural beauty, punctuated by the breathtaking Alps, many rivers and lakes. There’s a distinct international flavor—French, Italian and German are all official languages!  Switzerland’s thriving economy and neutral political policy, coupled with a world-wide reputation for quality products, make shopping in Switzerland a must for travelers and online buyers.  Tourism is a significant part of the economy, so those visiting and shopping in Switzerland will enjoy a high degree of receptivity. In addition to shopping in Switzerland, the country has a well-established banking industry, making it an international finance and business center.  Those shopping in Switzerland will note that Switzerland is known for its watch making expertise, with revered brands such as Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier and more, representing the state of the art in luxury watch making.  In the larger cities, such as Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Bern, shopping in Switzerland is filled with upscale clothing, jewelry and gift boutiques of every sort.  The food experience, in keeping with the multi-national flavor of the country, is never disappointing, and those shopping in Switzerland will enjoy exquisite meals and treats representing the best of Europe. Of course, when shopping in Switzerland, a perfect gift for those back home is a sampler of the wonderful chocolates.