Switzerland Great Tour

About the destination: Zurich labours under the misconception that it is nothing more than a sterile banking city – don't believe a word of it. True, Zurich is home to one of the largest stock exchanges in the world and is the financial engine of Switzerland itself, but step back from the markets and share prices and you'll find an arty, trend-conscious and vibrant city. Just hang about in Zurich West for a while. Its former warehouses, viaducts and ship building caverns have been converted into art centres, funky bars and quirky boutiques. Along Langstrasse, the city’s notorious red light district, you’re now as likely to take home a stylish handbag crafted by an emerging designer as you are a piece of skirt. Zurich’s character blares from the speakers of the annual Street Parade, a massive techno festival that weaves through the city with DJs and minimally-clad dancers on floats. There isn’t a banker’s tie in sight. If there is in the pretty east bank quarter of Niederdorf, it’s loosened. These medieval streets are buzzing with cafés on corners, trendy taprooms and world-class restaurants. It’s easy to while away an afternoon just soaking up its laidback atmosphere, especially in summer when the riverside takes on a beach vibe. Winter is special too. Under the spell of snow, the cobbled alleyways, fountains, lakeside promenades and stunning architecture of the Old Town were made for the stroke of an artist’s brush. This is when one of Europe’s best Christmas markets rolls into town and the warming citruses and cinnamons of the glühwein (mulled wine) stalls fill the air. Shoppers will be in their element here at any time of year. Zurich’s flashy side is evident in the upmarket designer boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main shopping drag. But this is no longer a city for the smart set alone; there are plenty of unusual shops to be discovered down hidden streets. Sitting astride the River Limmat and the northern tip of Lake Zurich, Mother Nature certainly smiles down on Switzerland’s biggest city. Architects were courteous in their additions too - just check out the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which face each other across the river. Then, when you’ve had enough of the city’s diverse array of restaurants, top-notch museums and pulsing nightlife, there’s always the nearby Uetliberg mountain or a boat trip on Lake Zurich to enjoy – if only to catch your breath before diving back into the city’s delights again.

About the destination: St Moritz is a beacon of health and wealth. This resort needs little introduction. It's one of the most famous holiday spots in Europe. A playground for today's high-flyers, the healing properties of its waters have been known for 3000 years. If you're a fan of skiing, then St Moritz is the place for you. However, Saint Moritz has more to offer than just skiing. This lovely small town, situated by a picturesque lake near the Engadine Valley, offers a host of other sporting facilities like golf, horse riding, rafting, and sailing to name but a few. And it's also the perfect place to relax by the lake, go hiking and admire the stunning scenery and do a bit of shopping. While visiting a number of city museums, you can familiarise yourself with its historical past. The Engadine Museum showcases a collection of the folk art and traditions, the Segantini Museum displays works by the painter Giovanni Segantini. In the centre of St. Moritz is the Leaning Tower built in the 12th century. The tower, which stands at 33m, leans at an angle of 5.5 degrees. Another landmark of the town is the Abbey, which houses numerous churches, church treasures and relics. This adorable, cosy and charming little town, where the standard of service is second to none, is a paradise for lovers of snow-capped mountains and luxury.

About the destination: Lugano is a city by the lake in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland. Part of a temperate micro-climate, Lugano offers palm trees, picturesque boulevards, stunning views of the lake and the Alps, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor and indoor activities. Lugano also makes a good base for visiting other cities and sites in the area. The city is a pleasant place to relax in the summertime and is only half an hour away from Lake Como. The Santa Maria degli Angeli chapel, designed by the world famous architect Mario Botta, is a marvel of contemporary architecture, with paintings by Enzo Cucchi. The chapel, built from 1992 to 1994, is dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli, and boasts innovative features in terms of religious building design. You can also visit the Parco Civico-Ciani. This area has both the features of an Italian and an English garden: lush flower beds alternate with green spaces and trees and shrubs from all over the world. The Swiss Miniature in Melide, which was opened in 1959, is the only miniature park in Switzerland. The detailed and authentic models include well-known sites such as the Heidi Village in Maienfeld, the castles of Burgdorf and Chillon, the Federal Parliament in Bern, and the Cathedral of Milan, the only model that can also be viewed from inside. Eighteen model trains travel between the buildings on approximately 3.5 kilometers of tracks.

About the destination: Zermatt is a picturesque ski resort, situated at the northern base of the mighty Matterhorn. Skiing, hiking and mountaineering are the main draws in this resort, but there's so much more to explore in this flower adorned village. Hinterdorf is the oldest part of Zermatt where you can still find a few of the old traditional Swiss wooden houses dating back to the 17th and 16th century. The St. Mauritius Church dominates the skyline of Zermatt. It's located at the Church Square, Kirchplatz, in the heart of Zermatt's bustling city centre. Beside the Catholic Church, the Matterhorn Museum houses the remains and preserves Zermatt's history. Located close to St. Mauritius Church is the town's cemetery, the Mountaineers' Cemetery. There, the headstones tell some amazing stories of the climbers who met with fate during their attempt to climb the Matterhorn. The main street is a hive of activity and has restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, gift shops and many shops selling Swiss Watches. Beautiful Swiss style buildings line each side of the street. The English Church is a lovely little church set high on the hill overlooking Zermatt. It is a very heavily timbered building inside and, while not as big or as ornate as the Catholic Church, it has a charm all of its own. Well worth the walk up the hill. Bustling, crowded, busy and beautiful all at once, Zermatt is the epitome of Swiss atmosphere. Although busy with visitors and holidaymakers, this town has retained that lovely Swiss ambience and feel about it.

About the destination: On the shores of Lac Léman at the foot of towering Alpine peaks, Lausanne is the seat of the International Olympic Committee. In summer, the Quai d’Ouchy becomes the equivalent of a Mediterranean resort with sailing, swimming, and waterskiing. But Lausanne was once the seat of bishops, and its old sections retain an ecclesiastic, medieval air. The rue Cité Devant and rue Cité Derrière comprise the heart of the old city. These medieval streets lead to the beautiful Gothic Cathédrale. Famed for its rose windows, it’s one of the outstanding monuments of Switzerland. The Château Saint-Maire is a short walk up from the cathedral and has a large and sunny terrace, which offers a good view of Lac Léman. Place de la Palud, nearby, has a large fountain where young people congregate. Place St-François, a small, quaint shopping district, is also a good spot for people-watching. The church of St-François has brilliantly coloured stained glass windows and a 15th century steeple. The Olympic Museum presents the philosophy of the Olympics and recounts their history. The quai de Belgique is a lakeside promenade flanked by flowers, immaculate gardens, small fountains and benches. Nature-lovers will also enjoy the statues and placid ponds of the Parc du Denantou at the end of quai d’Ouchy. Home to two highly regarded universities, Lausanne is a happening and dynamic city offering many attractions and activities. Lausanne is, as well, a city for active night owls, over the past decade Lausanne has transformed itself into the nightlife capital of French-speaking Switzerland: bars, nightclubs, pubs, discos, jazz clubs, theatres, etc. The city offers a wide range of establishments. If you happen to be in Lausanne in July, make sure you don't miss the Festival de la Cite. In the streets of the old town, this festival presents all types of performing arts, from dancing to theatre to rock concerts.

About the destination: The city of Geneva has a population of 200,000 inhabitants and is one of the largest in Switzerland, it's the capital of the canton and is located on Lac Leman, also known as Lake Geneva, it's divided by the Rhône River, which emerges from the lake. It's a lovely and charming city with numerous bridges. The Gothic Cathédrale de St-Pierre towers over the vieille ville, Geneva’s old section of narrow, winding streets and homes adorned with flowers. Climb the north tower for a spectacular view of the old town. Most of the city’s museums are in the vieille ville. The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire prides itself on its eclecticisms. Exhibits range from ancient Greek vases to Dadaism art. The Petit Palais houses a wonderful collection of modern art in an intimate 19th century palace. Geneva’s lakefront is beautiful. The audacious Jet d’Eau is one of the world’s tallest fountains. Don’t miss the well-kept Jardin Anglais with its famous Horloge Fleurie, a large clock adorned with flowers, erected in homage to Geneva’s clock industry. Geneva remains the international city it has been for centuries, epitomizing the Swiss neutrality which has welcomed such diverse visitors as Lenin and Borges. Today, diplomats and the executives of countless corporations fill Geneva’s offices, though seldom its spotless streets. Sedate and picturesque, Geneva is the most pleasant city in Switzerland.

About the destination: Neuchâtel is the capital of the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel, set on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. Historically, the city has also been known by the German name Neuenburg, with the same meaning, reflecting its past within the Holy Roman Empire and later under Prussian rule until 1848. The official language is French, and Neuchâtel is a pilot city in the Council of Europe and European Commission’s Intercultural Cities programme. Be sure to visit the old Neuchâtel Castle, the historic town centre, and the so‑called “Église Rouge” (Red Church). The old château crowns a low hill in the middle of the city and houses the parliament of the Canton of Neuchâtel, as well as a medieval cathedral. The château sits at the heart of the Old Town, an atmospheric quarter of centuries‑old yellow sandstone buildings and narrow cobbled streets. A large red Catholic church also dominates the skyline in the north‑eastern part of Neuchâtel.

About the destination: Basel is Switzerland's third most populous city. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet. Located in northwest Switzerland on the river Rhine, Basel functions as a major industrial centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The Basel region, culturally extending into German Baden-Württemberg and French Alsace, reflects the heritage of its three states in the modern Latin name: ""Regio TriRhena"". It has the oldest university of the Swiss Confederation (1460). Basel is among the most important cultural centres of Switzerland. The city comprises a large number of theatres and many museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the world's oldest art collection accessible to the public. In addition, the Theater Basel was chosen in 1999 as the best stage for German-language performances. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Gates to the Walled City. A (third) ring of fortifications around the whole old city was constructed after the great earthquake of 1356. • Marktplatz, Market square. Fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and pastries, flowers are available each working day. • Rathaus (Town Hall) Right on Marktplatz, this beautifully renovated Renaissance palace is still in official use, but you can enter the courtyard on your own, or join a guided tour.

About the destination: Bern, the charming capital of Switzerland, unfolds along a graceful bend of the Aare River and feels more like a relaxed medieval town than a political center. Its UNESCO‑listed Old Town is a maze of arcaded streets, sandstone facades, and hidden courtyards that invite slow wanderings rather than rushed sightseeing. Cobblestone lanes lead you past elaborate 16th‑century fountains, traditional cellar bars, and boutique shops sheltered beneath six kilometers of covered arcades—the perfect refuge in any weather. At the heart of the city stands the Zytglogge, an iconic clock tower with an ornate astronomical clock that has been entertaining onlookers for centuries. Nearby, the soaring Bern Minster rewards those who climb its tower with panoramic views over the red‑tiled roofs and the emerald ribbon of the Aare. A short walk away, the Federal Palace reminds you that this tranquil city is also the seat of Swiss democracy, and on market days the Bundesplatz fills with stalls selling local cheeses, flowers, and regional specialties. Nature is never far in Bern. In summer, locals and adventurous visitors float down the crystal‑clear Aare River, while the Rose Garden hilltop park offers one of the best viewpoints over the cityscape, especially at sunset. The Bear Park, home to live bears—the city’s centuries‑old symbol—sits just across the river from the Old Town, providing a unique blend of folklore and urban greenery. For art lovers, the Zentrum Paul Klee and the Kunstmuseum showcase masterpieces from Swiss and international artists. Bern is also an ideal base for exploring the wider region. Excellent rail connections link the city to the Bernese Oberland, where alpine excursions to Interlaken, Grindelwald, or the Jungfraujoch are easy day trips. After a day in the mountains, you can return to Bern’s cozy cafés, riverside terraces, and traditional restaurants to enjoy local dishes such as rösti and Bernese platter, accompanied by Swiss wines or craft beers. Quiet yet full of character, Bern rewards visitors who appreciate atmosphere, history, and a slower pace of travel.