The skyline of the cities are dotted with the spires of the Churches and Cathedrals. The chimes and the traditional ringing of the bells soothe and calm any jaded nerves that the fast pace of life might give anyone. One does not find monumental proofs of other religions, though Switzerland's people always display a sense of respect and tolerance for any and every religious faith. These include the New Year on 1st January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour day on 1st May, Ascension Day, Whitmonday, Corpus Cristi, National Day on 1st August, Christmas and finally, Boxing Day on 26th December. Fewer notes in denominations of 200 Francs and 1000 Francs can also be seen.
Most banks change foreign currencies and deal in traveler's cheques.
Proof of identity in the form of a passport is mandatory for foreign exchange transactions. A nominal commission may be charged for such transactions. Most of the airports, rail stations and shopping malls in Switzerland have a licensed money changer. Credit Cards Major credit cards like VISA, American Express, Diners and Eurocard are accepted by most shopping and eating establishments in Switzerland. A transaction surcharge may sometimes be applied on the value of the purchase through the card.