With a unique location in the heart of Europe, this pristine country, famed for its unwavering neutrality, instills you with peace at first glance. But you’ll find Switzerland’s allure extends far beyond natural panorama, offering sights sure to amuse whether found on the walls of an art gallery, on your plate at an acclaimed restaurant or inside a cathedral spire from the Middle Ages.
We share a new point-of-view on Switzerland – and you’ll see why we recommend this charming destination for your next vacation.
Historical Views
The capital city of Bern not only serves as a gateway to the Bernese Alps, but also provides an incredible vantage point of Switzerland’s past. The Aare River snakes around Bern’s Old Town – an UNESCO World Heritage Site – the water reflecting the steep red rooftops that point to medieval times. Meander through four miles of covered arcades, admire Renaissance fountains and climb up to the 330-foot spire of the Cathedral of Bern, the largest church in Switzerland. Be sure to carve out a little time for Bern’s Emmental Region as well. Here, you can visit one of the oldest bell foundries, creating your very own Swiss bell with the help of a professional bell maker. And, of course, sample the hole-bearing cheese named after this timeless pastoral land. Bern serves as the perfect pathway to the Bernese Oberland, nature’s playground. Verdant valleys underpin majestic peaks, such as Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, and fairytale villages provide a collective oasis of culinary pleasure. The region boasts 1455 Gault&Millau points, with this lauded gastronomy culminating in the city of Gstaad. To take it all in, set out for an alpine hike that skirts turquoise lakes and switchbacks past one of the 72 waterfalls. Interlaken and Haslital make incredible bases for active exploration, be it via dog sled, pair of snowshoes or skis – but at the end of the day, it’s all about the view.
Trendy Views
Zürich, the largest city in Switzerland, is more recently being touted as a global trendsetter in fashion and gastronomy. For a great introduction to this innovation, head directly to Freitag Tower in trendy Zürich-West. This flagship store houses 1,600 Freitag handbags, created by two Zürich designers who launched the recycled accessory wave in the world of fashion; plus, the roof hosts an amazing city view! Behind the store, you’ll discover exquisite atelier shops lining Frau Gerolds Garten. Spend the day strolling the pedestrian promenade of Bahnhofstrasse and visiting a few of Zürich’s more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries, or explore the 2,000-year-old Old Town complete with buildings from the medieval times providing a unique backdrop to modern establishments. Food options prove just as numerous in Zürich. One of the city’s most talked-about and innovative chefs, Heiko Nieder, serves up an unforgettable 12-course tasting menu at The Restaurant, where the gleaming modern interiors give way to stunning views of beautiful Lake Zürich and the Alps.
Artistic Views
On the banks of the Rhine, the city of Basel is the perfect touch point between Switzerland, France and Germany. The name is now synonymous with the world’s most famed contemporary art show, Art Basel, held there every June since 1970. We can arrange for you to meet the artists and provide you with VIP access to elite events surrounding this assembly of 300 galleries from around the globe, displaying works of sculpture, painting, photography and media. Other times of the year, you’ll enjoy free admission to many of the city’s 40 museums with the Oberrheinischen Museum Pass. Walk in the footsteps of famous architects like Frank Gehry at the Vitra Design Museum, admire Swiss artist Jean Tinguely’s largest collection of works at the Tinguely Museum or simply peruse the hundreds of art galleries surrounding the city square, Messeplatz.
And of course…Alpine Views
In the resort town of St. Moritz, even the nickname coined for the fresh mountain air – “Champagne climate” – upholds the region’s reputation for enjoying the finer things in life. Ride one of the 13 different cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts for an all-encompassing view of the Alps’ snowcapped peaks and flower-speckled meadows. Travelers have been flocking to St. Moritz for 150 years to enjoy over 220 miles of Olympiad-tested ski runs followed by European heat treatments in the resort spas. Heighten your experience with a visit during one of the festivals, ranging from food and jazz to the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow. The very first golf tournament in Switzerland was held here in 1889 and the city now boasts four champion courses. A must for the most unparalleled vista of natural beauty any time of year is a ride on Rhaetian Railway’s iconic red trains.
Whether you wish to marvel at modern works of art, tour the historic Old Town or hit the slopes in St. Moritz, we can tailor your perfect Swiss vacation to match your interests.
A Swiss Pass Time
Nowhere else on Earth does train travel prove as epic as through the country of Switzerland. The famed Glacier Express journey alone takes you through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges from Zermatt to St. Moritz, providing unparalleled Alpine views and panorama spanning east to west. We always recommend purchasing a Swiss Pass, allowing for unlimited travel for four to 30 consecutive days on the country’s extensive railways. In addition, your riding privileges extend to boats and buses and grant you free admission to more than 400 different museums. You can also purchase a Swiss Peak Pass with a four- or eight-day Swiss Pass, a new option in 2014 extending the range of your pass to mountain trains and cable cars and taking value to a new level.
We offer over 50 Switzerland guided vacations to choose from ranging from budget to luxury trips.
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