switzerland Travel Guide Destinations

By international comparison, Zurich has remained a small town. Yet the largest city in Switzerland offers all the advantages of a pulsating international metropolis and skilfully combines a cultural metropolis, a �scene� city, shopping mile and economic centre.

As far as lifestyle and quality of life is concerned, the financial and banking city at the northern end of Lake Zurich is regularly ranked among the leaders by Europe�s fashion and trend magazines. This �scene� city, together with New York and London, is one of the hubs of contemporary art, in which the Kunsthaus (art gallery) is regarded as a leading European address. The Rietberg Museum houses valuable exhibits from non-European cultures. What�s more, Zurich offers varied and interesting theatre enjoyment ranging from the largest theatre in Switzerland through to innovative small theatres. The Zurich Opera House ranks among Europe�s leading opera and ballet stages.

The prominent towers of three churches define the city�s silhouette: the Grossm�nster, built by Kaiser Karl the Great, the St. Peter�s Church with the largest clock dials in Europe and the Fraum�nster, much admired because of its famous stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Every devout shopper will get their money�s worth in this city which sits astride the river Limmat. Along Bahnhofstrasse you�ll find shops catering for all budgets as well as stylish designer stores offering jewellery and clothing fashions. Small boutiques and alternative shops abound in the old town side streets in Niederdorf and invite shoppers to linger and take their time.

The popularity of Zurich�s nightlife is well-known far beyond Switzerland�s borders. Around 500 nightclubs and bars provide a range of entertainment for every taste until the early morning hours. In summer, you�ll even find nightlife assuming a presence in Zurich�s swimming baths as they transform themselves into enticing bars with a multicultural ambience after sunset. Furthermore, restaurants sited in unusual locations such as former mills and foundries are a popular draw. The ship building facility, for example, is a case in point: today, the former assembly hall for steamships is a separate institution with a concentrated mixture of bars, restaurants, music and theatre.

Probably the best-known festival in Zurich is the �Sechsel�uten�, where the guilds dating from the 14th century once again make an appearance and walk through the town attired in traditional dress. In a spectacle reminiscent of the Middle Ages, a rag doll effigy of a snowman is burnt to symbolise the end of winter.

Highlights

�Kunsthaus� � Switzerland�s most important art gallery contains a collection from all the important periods of European art � from the Middle Ages through to the present.
Rietberg Museum � the museum houses non-European art, particularly from India, China and Africa.
Bahnhofstrasse � the mile-long street of banks featuring exclusive fashion boutiques, department stores and street cafes invites passers-by to linger.
Zurich Zoo � featuring a 11,000-square-metre ecosystem hall containing several hundred plant and animal species from the Madagascan Masoala Rainforest.
Old town � with its art galleries, antique and book shops: an insider�s tip amongst art aficionados. In the evening, the old town is transformed into an entertainment quarter for an eclectic swathe of the general public.

Top Events

Sechsel�uten � every year Zurich�s guilds and the population celebrate their traditional spring festival with great fervour (April).
Festival Tropical Caliente � hot rhythms like salsa and samba and a diverse mixture of top acts and trendsetters in Latin music drive the hips of partygoers to sway and writhe (June).
Streetparade � one of the world�s biggest techno events draws fans from throughout Switzerland and its neighbouring countries to the city on the Limmat (August).
Zurich Festival � a festival offering a unique combination of operas, concerts, drama, dance and open-air theatre takes place annually in the summer setting of Zurich (June/July).

How to get there

Public Transport: Z�rich Main Train Station is a central railroad junction in Europe and handles more than 1,900 trains per day. Some of the Intercity trains run every half hour from other Swiss or European cities to Z�rich.
Within the City of Z�rich and Z�rich Region there are rapid transit trains (S-Bahn) running every 15 to 30 minutes. Buses and streetcars run every few minutes.

By car: The center of Z�rich can be accessed easily from all directions. Drive on the Autobahn in the direction of Z�rich. The exit and the streets to the center of the city and to other important destinations are well sign-posted.

Other/Air: From Z�rich Kloten Airport you will reach the center of Z�rich City by train or S-Bahn (rapid transit train) in 10 - 15 minutes.

Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.

Complete with gable paintings, the covered, medieval Chapel Bridge forms the centrepiece of Lucerne�s townscape and is considered to be one of the oldest, covered wooden bridges in Europe. A further landmark of the town is the Museggmauer, a wall which, with the exception only of one of its towers, has been preserved in its original, well-fortified state.

Historic houses decorated with frescoes line the picturesque town squares as they do the �Weinmarkt� square in the car-free old town. Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. The Jesuit church dating from the 17th century is regarded as Switzerland�s first sacral Baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape. The figure of a dying lion which was hewn from the face of rock in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack on the Tuileries in 1792 is one of the best-known monuments in Switzerland. And with its 112-metre-long Bourbaki panorama, Lucerne possesses one of the world�s few maintained, mammoth circular paintings.

Tradition and modernity stand side-by-side with ease in Lucerne, as the town has also earned a reputation for itself with innovative design. The futuristic Culture and Convention Centre (KKL), designed by leading French architect Jean Nouvel, is one the architectural highlights of the town. The KKL is also a landmark of �Lucerne: Festival City� and venue for a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year.

Lucerne is the ideal starting point for many excursions to the highlights of central Switzerland. A trip up one of Lucerne�s regional mountains, the Pilatus or the Rigi � the queen of mountains � is a must. But excursions up onto the Stanserhorn, the B�rgenstock or a steamship cruise on Lake Lucerne with its many bends and arms are certainly no less worthy. The Wilhelm Tell Express originates in Lucerne and ferries its passengers to the foot of the Gotthard pass via Lake Lucerne and then continues by rail into Ticino, south of the Alpine ridge. The �cherry road� leads from Lucerne through the landscape of cheery trees and kirsch.

Highlights

Chapel Bridge � one of Europe�s oldest wooden bridges and landmark of Lucerne, faithfully restored to its original design after a serious fire.
Culture and Convention Centre of Lucerne (KKL) � unites a large concert auditorium, the convention centre and the art museum under its imposing roof.
Swiss Museum of Transport � one of the most diverse museums in Europe for transport and communication, and the most-frequented museum in Switzerland. Has its own IMAX cinema on site.
Lake Lucerne � the scenic beauty of the lake can be discovered on the many different cruises offered by paddlewheel steamers and motor vessels.
Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn � excursion mountains made accessible by cableways, offering up picture-book panoramas of the regions around Lucerne.

Top Events

Lucerne Festival � several concert series of classical music of a world-class standard, held throughout the year (Easter, summer, November).
Luzerner Fasnacht � one of the most original and colourful carnival events in Switzerland (February).
�Fumetto� International Comics Festival � presents comic art from the avant-garde and independent scene every spring (April).
Blue Balls Festival � an important music festival in Switzerland. International stars take to the stage in lakeside venues and in the Culture and Convention Centre (July).
Summer Night Festival (Seenachtsfest) � music and stands around the lakeside as well as magnificent fireworks attract tens of thousands of eager onlookers from throughout Switzerland to Lucerne (August).
Lucerne Blues Festival � every year aficionados of culture and music lovers eagerly await the release of the programme for the Blues Festival in the Grand Casino Lucerne (November).

How to get there

Public Transport: Lucerne is situated at the important North-South axis and is excellently connected through the Swiss rail system. Direct express trains link Lucerne with the international airports in Z�rich, Basel and Geneva.

By car: Lucerne is situated at the national highway A2. A dense network of excellent national and major roads link Lucerne with all important centers of Switzerland and the neighboring countries.

Other/Air: The international airports of Z�rich, Basel and Geneva are only a few hours by car from Lucerne and are easily reached by direct express trains.

The high valley of Engelberg in Central Switzerland boasts an action-packed summer and winter programme while also offering every opportunity for relaxation. The Titlis, Engelberg's 'house mountain', and its glacier park are accessible by revolving rotair cableway. At an altitude of 3020 metres above sea level visitors are treated to a fabulous view of the central Alps.

The village is characterised by the imposing monastery and the collegiate church. There are still about 30 monks living and working here today. The Mountain of Angels as the founders of the Benedictine monastery called the place in 1120 is a popular excursion destination for people travelling from nearby Lucerne: the journey to Engelberg by road or narrow-gauge railway can take as little as one hour.

The Titlis is the highest glacier excursion destination and biggest ski and snowboard paradise in Central Switzerland. The Titlis Glacier Park and 'Ice Flyer' chairlift at an altitude of 3000 metres above sea level are a paradise for those keen to glide down the slopes on skis or some of the other snow-gliding equipment for beginners and adventurers which is available free of charge. And there are a freestyle park, glacier grotto in the eternal ice and walking options on the Titlis.

In Engelberg, families enjoy the benefits of the "Families Welcome" quality label which guarantees facilities catering for families specifically. The summer tobogganing run and exotic petting zoo with lamas are just two examples of the wealth of experiences on offer for children.

Summer
Several theme trails (mountain flower trail, Brunei trail, tickle trail, Knapp trail) provide the perfect opportunity to explore the countryside on foot. The hiking paradise of Tr�bsee, popular starting point for tours to several mountain lakes, is located halfway up the Titlis. Other options for adventure include climbing up one of the four via ferratas, paragliding through the mountain air, river rafting and canyoning and biking. And the 18-hole golf course is no less exciting.

Winter
The 12-kilometre-long descent from the Titlis to Engelberg is the longest and overcomes a difference in altitude of 2000 metres. The Joch Pass ski region extends all the way to the Bernese Oberland. Live on the sunny side of Engelberg is a whole lot calmer: the Brunni is perfect for beginners, families, groups as well as relaxing. And the valley can also be explored on cross-country skis, doing Nordic walking, winter walking as well as in a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh.

Highlights

Engelberg Monastery - the biggest church organ in Switzerland, collegiate library, Valley Museum and exhibition cheese diary are the most important attractions of the monastery.
Titlis and Rotair cableway - highest glacier excursion destination and biggest ski and snowboard paradise in Central Switzerland, accessible by rotating cablecar.
Four-lake-tour - magnificent tour from mirror-smooth Lake Tr�b to deep blue Lake Engstlen, on to turquoise Lake Tannen all the way to picturesque Lake Melch.
Titlis bungee jumping - a special adventure: the ultimate 10-metre jump out of the cablecar.
Brunni Trail - 12 information boards provide vivid information about nature and life of humans and animals in the mountains.

Top Events
Alpen-Schlagerfestival (Alpine Pop Song Festival) - Festival and talent competition for future pop starlets (August/September) in one

How to get there
Public Transport: Z�rich - Lucerne (trains run every hour); transfer to the Lucerne-Stans-Engelberg train. Trains run every hour. On the Z�rich - Lucerne - Engelberg route, the ride takes 2 hours.

By car: Z�rich - Sihlwald. From Sihlbrugg via Zug take the Autobahn Lucerne - Stans Exit Stans-S�d, then take the excellent road to Engelberg (22 km), a total of 96 kilometers from Z�rich - Engelberg. Driving time by car approx. 90 minutes. Engelberg - Airport Kloten, approx. 2 hours.

Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland between Lakes Thun and Brienz and at the feet of the three famous peaks Eiger, M�nch and Jungfrau is a holiday and conference resort of international importance, and an ideal starting point for countless excursions to the region�s top destinations.

The composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote: �If you haven�t seen the Interlaken contryside, you haven�t seen Switzerland.� The fashionable holiday resort with village character and a spacious park nestles between Lakes Thun and Brienz at an altitude of 570 metres above sea level and boasts a fantastic view of the Jungfrau Massif. The �H�heweg�, a 700-metre-long boulevard, is Interlaken�s promenade wooeing passers-by with windows of exclusive boutiques, watch and jewellery shops and luxurious hotels.

The most famous hotel along the H�heweg is without any doubt the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa. The beautiful view of the Jungfrau and the extravagant spaciousness of the appropriately furnished rooms are a reminder of the heyday of the �Belle Epoque�.

Summer
Trains to the Jungfrau region in the direction of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen with connections to the railways to M�rren and from there to the Schilthorn as well as via the Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch depart from the Interlaken Ost railway station. A fleet of ships, including one historic paddle-steamer on each lake, cruises on Lakes Thun and Brienz. Interlaken is located on the �Golden Pass� panorama route from Montreux on Lake Geneva past the luxury holiday resort of Gstaad to Interlaken and from there across the Br�nig Pass to Lucerne.

Winter
In winter visitors benefit from the central location of Interlaken and the associated opportunity to every day pick their favourite among the ski regions of the Jungfrau Top Ski Region (M�rren/Schilthorn, Kleine Scheidegg/M�nnlichen and First) or the family-oriented ski region of Beatenberg. Over 45 mountain railways, aerial cableways, chair and ski lifts take athletes to 200 kilometres of pistes. Cross-country skiers and toboggan riders also are well catered for in the vicinity. And there are over 220 kilometres of winter walking trails in Interlaken, Beatenberg, Habkern, Wilderswil and the Jungfrau region.

Highlights

Schynige Platte near Wilderswil � nostalgic rack-railway, fascinating view of Eiger, M�nch and Jungfrau, Alpine garden with about 500 plant species and a lot of hiking possibilities.
Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn � the rides by rack-railway to the highest railway station in Europe and the cableway to the Piz Glora revolving restaurant: two top mountain experiences in the Bernese Oberland.
Harder Kulm � a cableway takes passengers up to Interlaken�s �house mountain� which affords a view of the health resort and the whole Jungfrau region. The Alpine wild animal park near the valley station is an experience for children.
Heimwehfluh � a nostalgia funicular provides transport to the vantage terrace with a restaurant, all-weather toboggan run, model railway display and large playground.
Jungfrau Tourism Museum in Unterseen � the regional tourism museum shows 200 years of tourism in the Jungfrau region.
St. Beatus Caves � one kilometre of lit limestone caves with stalagmites, impressive halls and waterfalls accessible by boat, car, bus or on foot on the historic pilgrims way.

Top Events

Greenfield Festival � over 40 international and Swiss bands bring three days of open-air festival atmosphere to the airport area of Interlaken (June).
Interlaken Music Weeks � symphony and chamber music concerts (spring).
International Jungfrau Marathon � about 3500 runners complete the 42-kilometre-long race at an altitude of 1823 metres above sea level (September).
Tell Open-air Theatre � amateur acters have been performing the heroic epos (Willhelm Tell) by Friedrich Schiller on a natural stage near Interlaken for almost 100 years now (June-September).

How to get there
Public Transport: Direct trains every hour from the largest Swiss airports as well from all major Swiss cities to Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost.

from Z�rich HB 1 hour 45 min., Z�rich Airport 2 hours
from Geneva 3 hours
from Basel 2 hours
from Lucerne on the Panorama route of the Br�nigbahn (Br�nig train), via Br�nig Pass along Lake Brienz to Interlaken Ost, 2 hours. 15 min.

By car:

from Basel, Z�rich or Geneva on the Autobahn via Bern to Interlaken, exits Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost
from Luzern via Br�nig Pass and along Lake Brienz to Interlaken.

Other/Air:
Z�rich Airport / all major airlines
Train: Distance 198 km / driving time 2 hours 25 min.
Road: Distance175 km / driving time 2 hours 15 min.

Geneva Cointrin / all major airlines
Train: Distance 226 km / driving time 2 hours 40 min.
Road: Distance 186 km / driving time 2 hours 30 min.

The symbol of the �world�s smallest metropolis� is the �Jet d�eau� � a fountain with a 140-metre-high water jet at the periphery of Lake Geneva. Most of the large hotels and many restaurants are situated on the right-hand shore of the lake. The old town, the heart of Geneva with the shopping and business quarter, holds sway over the left-hand shore. It is dominated by St. Peter�s Cathedral, however the actual centre of the old town is the Place du Bourg-de-Four, which is the oldest square in the city. Quays, lakeside promenades, countless parks, lively side streets in the old town and elegant shops invite guests to stroll. One of the best-maintained streets is the Grand-Rue, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born. The (mouettes), a type of water taxi, enable crossings to be made from one lakeshore to the other, while larger vessels invite visitors to enjoy cruises on Lake Geneva.

Geneva is Switzerland�s most international city, as it is where the European seat of the UNO is based. Even the International Red Cross directs its humanitarian campaigns from here. Besides being a congress city, Geneva is also a centre for culture and history, for trade fairs and exhibitions. The �Horloge Fleuri�, the large flower clock in the �Jardin Anglais� (English Garden), is a world-renowned symbol of the Geneva watch industry.

Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International artists perform in the Grand Th��tre and Geneva Opera House, and an extremely diverse range of museums such as the �Mus�e international de l'horlogerie�, a watch museum with a collection of jewellery watches and musical clocks, and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which provides an insight into the work of these humanitarian organisations, invite city guests to visit them.

A rewarding excursion destination is Mont Sal�ve, which is situated in neighbouring France. The cableway lifts visitors to an altitude of 1100 metres in less than five minutes, giving rise to outstanding vistas across the city of Geneva, Lake Geneva, the chain of Alps, the Jura and Montblanc.

Highlights

Jet d�eau � visible from afar, the 140-metre-high water jet is the �landmark� of Geneva.
St. Pierre Cathedral � the north tower of the three-naved basilica in the old town of Geneva offers up a unique vista over the city and lake.
Palace of the United Nations � on passing through the paled gate of the Palace of the UNO, visitors enter international territory.
International Museum of the Red Cross � the birthplace of the International Red Cross houses the only museum dedicated to the history and work of this organisation.
Cruises on Lake Geneva � from the cruise boats, visitors can marvel at the unique scenery of castles and magnificent residences set against wonderful landscape and mountain panoramas.

How to get there
Public Transport: Direct train connections. The ride from to airport to Geneva City takes 6 minutes.

By car: Direct connection to the national and international Autobahn network.

Other/Air:International Airport Geneva, 10 minutes by car from the center of the city.

The Valais-resort of Zermatt in the Matt valley is one of Switzerland�s most famous holiday resorts and a centre of attraction for many international guests. Thirty eight, four-thousand-metre peaks, dominated by the world-renowned Matterhorn, the world�s most-photographed summit, rise to the heavens around the village.

In spite of its high profile, Zermatt retains the charm of a Swiss mountain village. Electric vehicles and horse-drawn cabs and sledges are the principal means of transportation in this car-free town.

Zermatt is the starting point of the Glacier Express which operates throughout the year, offers a panoramic journey through the high Alps in the heart of Switzerland and has St. Moritz in the Grisons as its terminus.

Summer
Walking, cycling, climbing and high-Alpine tours are popular activities in summer and autumn. Every year, the four-thousand-metre summits attract many Alpinists. 400 km of walking trails also guide guests who are not overly adept at climbing through the mountainscape around Zermatt.

The cog railway operates between Zermatt and the 3089-metre-high Gornergrat. The summit offers up spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the glaciers and the Monte-Rosa massif.

At 3883 metres in altitude, Europe�s highest vantage point able to be reached by cableway also offers a fascinating panoramic vista of the Matterhorn (4478 metres) and summits of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. The glacier palace can be admired 15 metres beneath the ice surface. Six ski lifts as well as a cableway provide access to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest summer ski region of the Alps on the Theodul glacier on the Klein Matterhorn (Small Matterhorn). Winter
In winter, the snow-assured ski region offers over 300 km of pistes in three varied ski areas: the Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Stockhorn and Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn. Snowboarders are able to hone their skills in the "Gravity Park" freestyle fun park in which Olympic hopefuls also train. A crossover to the Italian ski region of Breuil-Cervinia is possible from the Klein Matterhorn / Theodulpass.

Those in search of something different can try their hand at paragliding, dog sledding or off-piste heli-skiing accompanied by an experienced mountain guide.

Highlights

Gornergrat � a cog railway wends its way up the mountain to an altitude of 3089 metres; a magnificent panorama.
Alpine Museum � houses the items of equipment used during the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 which ended tragically.
Glacier Paradise / Klein Matterhorn � the highest place in Europe (3883 m) able to be reached by a cableway, with a viewing platform and the highest glacier palace in the world.
Gorner gorge � a footpath across narrow bridges and steps as well as a fixed rope route guide visitors through the deeply scarped gorge.
Village of Findelen � original Valais settlement with a small chapel; it has Switzerland�s highest rye crop fields at an altitude of 2100 metres.

Top Events

Raiffeisen Open Zermatt � international tennis championships (June/July).
Bump Bash Classic � worldwide, the largest open mogul piste competition (April).
Matterhorn Eagle Cup � golf tournament set within an Alpine landscape in the Gornergrat region (August).
International Matterhorn Run � mountain run from Zermatt to the Schwarzsee (August).
Folklore Festival � large folklore procession through the village (August).

How to get there
Public Transport: Zermatt is easily accessible from the west, north and south: the Lake Geneva, L�tschberg and Simplon lines provide direct connections to the modern narrow-gauge Zermatt Railway, which reaches Zermatt from Brig or Visp after a 90-minute journey through the rugged Vispa Valley.

By car: There is a good road as far as T�sch (5 km from Zermatt), where there are open and covered car parks available. Shuttle trains and minibus taxis operate from T�sch.

The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. The Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place in June/July and features concerts on a variety of stages and parks is very famous.

Because of the exceptionally mild climate Montreux is called the capital of the Vaud Riviera. Plants associated with the Mediterranean, such as pines, cypresses and palm trees grow here. Charlie Chaplin, Freddie Mercury and several other famous people of world-renown lived and continue to live on the Vaud Riviera.

The long, flower-bordered lake promenade which links Vevey and Montreux going all the way to Chillon Castle is simply asking to be strolled along. Cultural events, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as countless excursion options to the mountainous hinterland or on the lake make Montreux the most popular excursion and holiday destination. Many of the houses along the lakeside road, including the magnificent Montreux Palace Hotel, date from the hayday of the Belle Epoque. And the town has a modern congress and exhibition centre: the CCE.

Summer
The lake is ideal for bathing, water sports or a cruise. And along the lake promenade piano and jazz bars, discos and Switzerland's oldest casino, mingle with hotels and restaurants.

A rack-railway provides transport from Montreux up the Rochers-de-Naye at an altitude of 2042 metres above sea level where visitors are treated to a stunning view of Lake Geneva and the Savoy, Vaud, Valais and Bernese Alps. The Rochers-de-Naye are starting point for hikes as well as take-off area for para- and hanggliders. The Montreux - Berner Oberland - Bahn MOB (Montreux-Bernese Oberland-Railway) among other things takes its passengers to the vineyards above the town with their walking and cycling trails, the Vaud mountains of the Pays-d'Enhaut and on to the Bernese Oberland, i.e. to Gstaad.

Winter
The Rochers-de-Naye and family-friendly ski regions of Les Avants and Les Pl�iades cater for winter sports enthusiasts and winter walkers. For example the 2.3 kilometre-long toboggan run in Les Avant offers fast toboggan descents. In December one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Switzerland is located in the Grand-Rue, market hall and along the lake.

Highlights

Audiorama - located between Montreux and Chillon Castle, the Museum of Audiovision Objects contains exhibits ranging from the first recording mechanisms through to digital televisions.
Rochers-de-Naye - the Rochers-de-Naye rack-railway, after overcoming a difference in altitude of 1600 metres, reaches one of the most beautiful vantage points in western Switzerland.
Golden Pass Line - the panorama train operates between Montreux, Gstaad and the Bernese Oberland with connections to Lucerne.
Lake Geneva Shipping Company - the ships, some of which are still powered by paddles, take visitors to the picturesque lakeside resorts.
Chillon Castle - located on a rocky island near the shore featuring fortified walls and towers; the prison in which Bonivard was held in chains for four years and which provided Lord Byron with the inspiration for his famous poem "The prisoners of Chillon" in 1816 deserves particular attention. Nowadays the castle is a museum.

Top Events
Montreux Jazz Festival - since its beginning in 1967 the festival has developed into a big event which frequently features the greatest jazz, blues, rock, world music and soul musicians (June/July).
Comedy Festival - the humour festival every year brings together the most famous comedians from the French-, German- and English-speaking areas (December).Christmas Market - one of Switzerland's famous Christmas Markets with numerous attractions and over one hundred decorated wooden houses brimming with gifts (December).

How to get there
Public Transport:

Direct trains every hour from Geneva Airport to Montreux : 1 hour
Zurich Airport � Montreux: 3 hours
TGV Paris � Lausanne: 3.5 hours
TGV �des Neiges� Paris � Lausanne � Montreux : 4 hours
Cisalpino Milano � Montreux : 2.5 hours

By car: Geneva Airport � Montreux (Autobahn A1/A9): 50 minutes
Zurich Airport � Montreux (Autobahn A1/A12/A9): 2 hours

Other/Air: Int. Airport of Geneva (93 km from Montreux) Int. Airport of Zurich (208 km from Montreux)

Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva, combines a dynamic commercial town with the locality of a holiday resort. The capital of the canton of Vaud is also a lively university and convention town. Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital.

The setting of Lausanne is extremely picturesque: it is hardly surprising that the International Olympic Committee has been based here since 1914. The town is built on three hills, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet. Rising impressively from the opposing French lakeshore are the Savoy Alps. The attractive old town is largely car-free. Small alleyways with cafes and boutiques shape the streetscape in the medieval city centre.

The old town is dominated by the cathedral, which is regarded as Switzerland�s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture. Lausanne was a diocesan town for over a thousand years. Shopping streets can be found surrounding the cathedral as well as in the pretty waterfront area of Ouchy. Switzerland�s only �metro� connects the various parts of the town and eases travel in this incline-based town.

Also worthy of a visit are the parks, containing many Mediterranean plant species, and grand palace hotels like the Beau-Rivage Palace in Ouchy and the Hotel de l'Angleterre, were Lord Byron once stayed. Gourmets will be able to savour many regional specialities in Lausanne such as cabbage-filled sausage with leek gratin. Mind you, master chef Fredy Girardet who was voted �Cuisinier du si�cle� or chef of the century by his colleagues has in the meantime retired and handed over his sceptre in the H�tel de Ville to his head chef, Philippe Rochat.

Even lovers of culture won�t feel short changed in Lausanne: the collection of marginal art (�Art Brut�) in Beaulieu Castle, the Fondation de l'Hermitage, the �Mus�e de l'Elys�e� photo museum, the pipe museum and many others merit a visit. The offering of theatre productions and musical performances too is above average. Finally, Lausanne is home to the world-famous B�jart Ballet.

The �Olympic capital� is home to the Olympic Committee and also the Olympic Museum, the world�s largest information centre about the Olympic games. But sport in general is given a high profile here, examples of which are the �Lausanne Marathon� and �Athletissima�, the international meeting for track and field athletics.

Highlights

Lausanne old town with cathedral � the impressive cathedral is surrounded by beautiful, car-free roads.
Olympic Museum � provides an overview of the history of the Olympic games, from the first 1896 summer games in Athens through to the present day.
Lake Geneva cruise � paddlewheel steamers and motor vessels highlight the attractions of the Lake Geneva region as seen from the water.
Musee de l�Art Brut � a unique, worldwide collection of works of art created by outsiders in psychiatric clinics and prisons.
Fondation de l'Hermitage � the foundation presents changing art exhibitions of the highest calibre in a magnificent setting dating from the 19th century.
Train des vignes � leisurely train journey onboard the �Train of Vines� from Vevey to Chexbres through the winegrowing region of the Lavaux, high above Lake Geneva.

Top Events

Prix de Lausanne � international ballet competition for young talents from throughout the world (January).
Tour de Romandie � UCI ProTour cycling race through western Switzerland; the most important preparatory race for the Giro d'Italia (April/May).
B�jart Ballet Lausanne � B�jart settled in Lausanne in 1987 and founded the B�jart Ballet Lausanne � a company of world-class repute. (June and December).
F�te de Lausanne � spirited town festival with the most diverse of attractions staged on many squares in the town. (June).
Athletissima � international, world-class track and field athletics meeting, held as part of the Golden League (July).
�Festival de la Cit� � old town festival with over 120 free cultural events in the side streets of the town of Lausanne (July).
jazzonze+ Festival Lausanne � since its foundation, the Lausanne Jazz Festival has dedicated its programme to contemporary jazz (October).

How to get there
Public Transport: Direct train connection by TGV to Paris, by Cisalpino to Milan and by ICE to Frankfurt and Munich.

Other/Air: Direct connections from Geneva-Cointrin International Airport by bus, train or PW in approx. 40 minutes.

Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old town of Bern has been entered in the list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites and thanks to its 6 kilometres of arcades - the locals refer to them as 'Lauben' - boasts on of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe.

The medieval air of this city with its many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is unique. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Pits and the platform of the 101-metre-high cathedral tower offer the best views of the old town round which the River Aare flows. The former entrenchments and bastions drop down steeply to the river. The boutiques, bars and cabaret stages of the old town, some of which are located in vaulted cellars, and the small street cafes attract locals as well as a lot of tourists. Although Bern has a very good public transport network it is best to explore the city centre on foot.

The Zentrum Paul Klee situated on the outskirts of the city houses the most comprehensive collection of works by the artist Paul Klee. The Albert Einstein House bears testimony to the physics genius' stay in Bern at the start of the 20th century. With the History Museum, Art Museum, Swiss Alpine Museum and Communication Museum Bern offers a very varied range of exhibitions.

Bern is the seat of Switzerland's government. The Houses of Parliament (Bundeshaus) rise above the city just a stone's throw away from the railway station. The doors to the Houses of Parliament are open to visitors most of the time, and if you're lucky you might even bump into a member of parliament in the streets of the city.

In summer the River Aare provides an opportunity for the ultimate bathing experience; very good, experienced swimmers allow themselves to drift along in the clean Aare while enjoying a view of the Houses of Parliament. The Botanical Gardens are also located along the river, as is the D�hlh�lzli Zoo and the old Matte district. Bern and bears, the cities heraldic beast, are inseparable. When visiting the city a trip to the Bear Pits to see the bears and watch them eat carrots is an absolute must.

In the squares of the city centre colourful weekly markets present their wares. The Onion Market (Zibelem�rit) which takes place on the fourth Monday in November is particularly worth visiting: visitors to the traditional market dedicated to onions start pouring into the city in the early hours.

Highlights

Old town - sandstone houses, narrow streets, fountains and the medieval air make this city unique.
Arcades - thanks to the arcades which extend throughout the town shopping is a delight whatever the weather.
Zentrum Paul Klee - worldwide biggest collection of works by the artist Paul Klee; the cultural centre designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano consists of three wave-shaped building sections.
Seat of Government - the Houses of Parliament are one of Bern's landmarks as well as being the seat of the government.

Top Events

(Onion Market) Zibelem�rit - once a year Bern's streets are covered in confetti. Onions woven into plaits and onion tarts are among the things available from the many stalls. (November).
Gurten Festival - every summer tens of thousands of people traipse up Bern's 'house mountain' which hosts the several-day-long Gurten Festival featuring artists from the international music scene (July).
Bern Jazz Festival - the jazz festival attracts visitors from all over Switzerland and abroad to the federal capital; it has established itself as one of the most important traditional jazz events (March - May).
Bern Dance Festival (Berner Tanztage) - with performances, workshops, discussions and exhibitions this event is devoted completely to dance (June).
Buskers Bern Street Festival - cabaret is at the heart of the Buskers Bern event. Artists perform in about 20 places in accordance to a fixed programme and based on a rotation principle (August).

How to get there
Public Transport: Bern is directly connected to the international train system and is the only European capital serviced by all three high-speed trains, the TGV, ICE and Cisalpino.

By car: The Autobahn junction Bern is connected to European highway E4. The road connection to the south is warranted by the car-train transfer through Mt. L�tschberg, or the road tunnels of Great St. Bernhard / Gotthard.

Other/Air: The airport Bern-Belp offers numerous international connections. It is situated 9 km from the city center and is serviced by scheduled buses (from the train station). There is a direct train link to the international airports of Z�rich and Geneva. (Z�rich, half hourly: 90 minutes, Geneva, hourly: 110 minutes).

Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town.

Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. The traffic-free historic town centre, the numerous buildings in Italianate Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, lake and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights, soak up the atmosphere � and enjoy "dolce far niente". Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination in the spring when the camellias are in bloom.

The town centre with its Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, and numerous parks with sub-tropical plants such as the Parco Civico on the shores of the lake invite you to laze around, enjoying the atmosphere. By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art.

Art connoisseurs are attracted to this city of art and architecture by the high standard of the exhibitions it hosts. In the Museo Cantonale d'Arte are paintings by Klee, Jawlensky, Renoir and Degas, among others. In the last 50 years, the Ticino region, and Lugano in particular, have developed into an important region for architecture. The most well-known representatives of the "Ticino School" are Luigi Snozzi and Mario Botta. Botta's Banca del Gottardo (Viale Franscini), the Palazzo Ransila (Via Pretorio) and his own workshop on the Via Ciani are good examples.

The two closest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Br�, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery. From Monte Br� there is a walk down to the village of Br�, which has preserved its typical Ticino village centre, and enhanced it with works of art. From the San Salvatore another popular walk leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote. Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day. Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide.

Highlights

Belvedere Park � the lakeside promenade is fringed by trees and lush flower-beds. The park is right beside the footpath which goes along the side of the lake as far as Paradiso.
Monte Br� (925 m) � Lugano's closest mountain can be reached by funicular railway from Cassarate on the outskirts of Lugano. Wonderful panorama of the town, lake and mountains, stretching right over the border into Italy.
Monte San Salvatore (912 m) � from the top of the "sugarloaf" (reached by funicular railway from Lugano-Paradiso) you can walk down the panoramic footpath to Carona and then on to Morcote.
San Lorenzo Cathedral � set above the Old Town, it is worth a visit with its facade in the Lombardy Renaissance style, and countless frescoes and valuable Baroque artefacts inside.
Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli - in this former monastery church, built about 1500, are fine frescoes by the masters of the Renaissance.
Hesse Museum in Montagnola � small, intimate museum for the writer and adopted son of Ticino, Hermann Hesse, who lived and wrote in southern Switzerland for at least half a century.

Top Events

Festival di Cultura e Musica Jazz � Jazz and Cultural Festival (February).
Lugano Festival � an important cultural attraction, mainly devoted to classical music, but also including other aspects of the arts (April-June).
Lugano Estival Jazz � the main musical event in Ticino, with free open-air jazz concerts - well-established on the circuit of major international jazz festivals (June/July).
"Blues to Bop" � on the stages and squares in Lugano's town centre, the musical style ranges from blues to pop via gospel and back to soul (August/September).

How to get there
Public Transport: Lugano is directly situated on the North-South axis of the St. Gotthard range and is easily accessible from anywhere in Europe. From Lugano Main Train Station the city center is easily reached by foot (110 min.) or by cableway Lugano-Bahnhof (operating from 5:20 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.)

By car: Lugano is situated on the Autobahn axis linking northern Europe directly with the countries of southern Europe.

From Milan: Autostrada A9 dei Laghi, in the direction of Como-San Gottardo or Autostrada A8, towards Varese-Stabio (Gaggiolo). Recommended exit: Lugano SUD.
From Z�rich: Autobahn A2, in the direction of St. Gotthard-Chiasso-Italy. Recommended exit: Lugano NORD.

St.Moritz in the Canton of Grisons is one of the best-known holiday resorts in the world. Chic, elegant and exclusive, with an extremely cosmopolitan air, the resort is located at an altitude of 1856 metres above sea level and surrounded by the beautiful lake landscape of the Upper Engadine.

In St.Moritz the sun shines 322 days a year. But even more legendary than that is St. Moritz's "champagne climate": sparkle and glamour, and international events attract top athletes, stars, statesmen and royal families to the health resort. And hotels, the gastronomy, shopping and leisure facilities in this top Upper Engadine resort are accordingly exclusive.

A visitor's card that is a travel pass for mountain transport facilities and buses, a parking disc and a credit card all in one while also entitling its holder to a great many discounts, is the perfect key for visitors to benefit from the countless opportunities on offer in the Upper Engadine.

The red trains of the Rhaetian Railway swiftly transport St. Moritz's visitors to the surrounding attractions: the ski regions of Diavolezza and Lagalp, the National Park in the Lower Engadine, by Bernina Express to the Mediterranean Puschlav and by world-famous Glacier Express to Chur and from there further to the Valais.

Summer
In addition to indulging in traditional sports, such as hiking and climbing, holiday-makers can enjoy a spot of sailing, windsurfing, a rubber dinghy ride on the River Inn, tennis and horseback riding. And St. Moritz with a total of five golf courses and 60 holes is an absolute golfer's paradise in the Alps. St.Moritz boasts a wide range of leisure options, but its strongest feature is the beauty of the Upper Engadine's scenery.

Winter
St.Moritz is the cradle of winter tourism. For winter sports enthusiasts there are 350 kilometres of pistes with a state-of-the-art infrastructure in the surrounding area. St. Moritz's 'house mountain', the Corviglia, boasts the steepest start slope in Switzerland with the Piz Nair Wall's 100 per cent vertiginous drop. The resort which has hosted the Olympic Winter Games twice offers a great many attractions. Toboggan riders plunge down the icy run which is one of the oldest natural ice bob runs in the world. The Fun Park for snowboarders featuring a permanently operational half-pipe, tandem parachute jumps and altitude training are just a few of the other winter sports on offer. For winter hikers there are 150 km of winter walking trails and for cross-country skiers there is a track network of about 180 km.

Highlights

Corvatsch - the hiking trails on the Corvatsch run past mountain lakes and Alpine pastures from Murt�l to Furtschellas. The Glacier Grotto at the summit station tempts in visitors.
Segantini Museum - dedicated to the painter Giovanni Segantini who spent the final five years of his life in the Engadine.
Bernina Express - by panorama train on the most scenic railway in Europe to the Puschlav.
Muottas Muragl - impressive view over the lake region of the Upper Engadine. In winter by toboggan from the summit to the valley station.
Piz Nair Wall - the start of the men's downhill (2003 World Championship) with a 100 per cent drop results in an acceleration from 0 to 130km/h in 7 seconds. Top skiing skills are a must.
Swiss National Park - measuring 172 square kilometres, this is Switzerland's biggest nature reserve, a place where nature is allowed to take its course unrestricted.

Top Events

St.Moritz Gourmet Festival - the Engadine is regarded as the leading culinary scene in the Alps. Once a year international top chefs cast their magic on their guests (January/February).
White Turf - traditional horse race on frozen Lake St. Moritz which has been taking place since 1907 (February).
Chalanda Marz - ancient Engadine custom during which children drive out winter with bells and songs (March).
Engadine Ski Marathon - one of the biggest sports events in the world and ultimate challenge for 13'000 participating cross-country skiers (March).
Snow and Symphony Music Festival - top level winter festival of classical music (March/April).
International Concert Weeks - since 1940 firm entry in the St. Moritz calendar of events featuring world-famous orchestras, conductors and solo artists (July/August).