Switzerland

Switzerland is a country of stunning natural beauty as well as fantastic cities and places to visit. The country has four official languages, French, German, Italian and Romansch. Whether you are seeing the iconic Matterhorn for the first time or marvelling at the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains Switzerland has something for everyone.

The Swiss Capital of Bern exudes old world charm and its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling around the cobbled streets, you can explore the tallest Cathedral in Switzerland with panoramic views from its Tower as well as the 16th Century Fountains, the Zytglogge Medieval Clock Tower with moving Puppets and six kilometres of shopping arcades, called the Lauben. The Rose Garden offers beautiful views over the Old Town Centre and the Markets, held in the Bundesplatz ‘Parliament Square’ and of the elegant Renaissance-style Bundeshaus.

Zürich lies on the picturesque shores of Lake Zürich, at the base of the Alps with beautiful landscapes and stunning scenery. Zürich is a city of culture with more than 50 Museums and 100 Art Galleries including the Swiss National Museum housed within an Alpine style Castle, the Kunsthaus Zürich, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Rietberg Museum. For shoppers there are several high end boutiques that Zürich is known for where you can indulge in some retail therapy for famous Swiss brands. Other popular activities include boating on the Lake or simply walking along its pristine banks or taking a train ride up the Utliberg Mountain for panoramic views over the city and countryside.

Luzern is a medieval Old Town with covered bridges, waterfront promenades and frescoed historic buildings. One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, which was built in the 14th Century. In a small park, lies the famous Lion Monument, a poignant sculpture of a dying Lion, which honours the heroic death of Swiss Guards during the attack on the Tuileries in the French Revolution. For beautiful views over Luzern, the Alps and the Lake, take a funicular ride to the Dietschiberg or take the Cableway up to Mt. Pilatus.

Geneva or Genève is most famous for being the home of the United Nations, dubbed the ‘Capital of Peace’. The City of Geneva sits between pretty snowcapped peaks where the Rhône spills into Lake Geneva with promenades, parks and gardens that surround the Lake and the Old Town. Lake Geneva is Europe's largest Alpine Lake, spanning the Swiss French border and circles the shores of some of Switzerland's most popular cities. The Jet d'Eau, is a famous landmark, the Fountain shoots water 150 metres into the air from the middle of the Lake. Cultural attractions include the Opera House and the Grand Théâtre.

On the shores of Lake Geneva, near Montreux, the Château de Chillon has inspired artists and writers for centuries. Lord Byron, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Victor Hugo are amongst the luminaries who have written about this architectural treasure. Covering 25 buildings clustered around three courtyards the highlights include the Great Halls, the Gothic underground rooms, the Chapel and the Camera Domini.

Basel is situated between France and Germany, as well as being neatly bisected by the River Rhine. Here you will find a variety in the different cultures, architecture and influences seen in the city, which is well known for its cultural pursuits such as an abundance of art galleries, museums, orchestras, theatres and the world famous Basel Art Museum.

Interlaken is like a picture postcard, a charming resort town and a great base to explore the Bernese Oberland. In Spring or Summer, you can take in the striking sight of the town's lush gardens with the snow covered Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch towering in the background. This is a great place to visit for anything outdoors with the mountain railways, cable cars, ski slopes and hiking trails.

Surrounded by the Alps, St. Moritz is one of the world's most ritzy ski resorts, favoured by billionaires and celebrities. It has 350 kilometres of ski and snowboard runs with some of Switzerland's steepest terrain. In summer hikers, cyclists, horseback riders and rock climbers are attracted to the region. You can also enjoy the iron rich natural mineral Hot Springs all year round.

Situated on the border between Switzerland and Italy, the Matterhorn is one of a series of mountains that makes up the Alps. It is one of the most photographed mountains in the world, due to its almost perfect pyramid shape. Only accessible to harden climbers there is another option by taking the 33 minute ride on the Gornegrat Bahn Cog Railway to the summit where you can enjoy the stunning Matterhorn views.

Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, is the charming Village of Zermatt, a top international resort that is one of the most popular ski destinations in Switzerland. It is also a hiking, cycling and climbing paradise throughout the summer. Zermatt can be reached via the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway via the towns of Visp or Brig. In town you will find lots of shops and restaurants and a must try is the Raclette, a cheese and potato dish, a regional speciality.

Since 1912, visitors have been making their way to the fairytale Village of Grindelwald to visit the Top of Europe. Take the highly sustainable Cable Car, the Eiger Express in just 15 minutes, to the summit of Jungfraujoch, The Top of Europe. Offering panoramic views of the UNESCO Recognised Jungfrau region, you will find the Sphinx Observatory, an Astronomical Observatory that looks like a Bond villain lair perched 3,454 metres above sea level, a great place to see the magnificent Aletsch Glacier. The Top of Europe is a peek inside a giant snow globe that depicts the region with charming moving figures, like yodellers and gondolas. Then, glide through the Ice Palace, frozen from floor to ceiling, it features smooth, icy hallways filled with ice sculptures of animals. While here visit the Lindt Chocolate Shop, the highest in the world.

Lugano is nestled close to the shores of Lake Lugano where you can get that celebrity feel by touring the Lake by speedboat. Lake Lugano lies on the Swiss-Italian border in Ticino, Switzerland's only official Italian speaking region and offers a tantalising taste of the Mediterranean. Lake Lugano has an unmistakable Italian feel in its architecture, piazzas and the passion for fine food, which spills over the Italian borders.