Grand Tour Highlights

The Abbey of Saint Maurice in Valais was built 1500 years ago as a place to honor martyrs. The pilgrimage destination was once the spiritual center of the Burgundy Empire and today houses one of the richest ecclesiastical treasures in Europe.

Its summit offers up magnificent views and those inclined to scratch about on it will be left with the impression that marine fauna and other large animals once lived here.

To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.

Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for connoisseurs has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Basel also has a beautiful Old Town, modern architecture, and the Rhine – an inviting spot to rest a while.

It's worth making the trip here just for the views of the city and Lake Lugano. Opposite stands San Salvatore, Monte San Giorgio looms above the lake and dam of Melide and the Valais Alps can be seen to the west.

The entire Upper Engadine region lies at your feet when you are perched on the hiking mountain high above the Inn River Valley. The breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon.

Gstaad is popular with a charming mix of visitors: in addition to celebrity guests in the chalet village of Gstaad itself, the smaller, rustic neighbouring villages offer attractive options for families with children. The centre of Gstaad has developed into a popular shopping area in recent years, and is the shortest shopping street in Switzerland.

On the Top of Europe: A visit to the Jungfraujoch puts a jewel in the crown of any visit to Switzerland.

130 kilometres in one train. The Albula/Bernina railway line forms the heart of the Unesco World Cultural Heritage listing and is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular routes. The UNESCO route itself covers 122 kilometres from Thusis to Tirano, passing 196 bridges, 55 tunnels and 20 towns along the way.

At the point where Lake Constance again becomes the Rhine River, you will find the little town of Stein am Rhein. It is famous for its well-preserved Old Town featuring painted facades and half-timbered houses, for which it received the very first Wakker Prize.

Thanks to its well-preserved medieval townscape, the Old Town of Bern was entered onto UNESCO’s listing of World Heritage Sites in 1983.

Einsiedeln is the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Switzerland. The high valley of Einsiedeln located in the heart of Central Switzerland is characterised by moors and Lake Sihl, the biggest reservoir in Switzerland in terms of area. The winter sports region of Hoch Ybrig is just a few kilometres away.

The village of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. The region is known for rural customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking tours in the Alpstein region

Everything is nature-oriented in the Swiss National Park in the Engadine. All this can be enjoyed in an area of over 170 square kilometers. Thanks to 80 kilometers of hiking paths, nature trails and excursion destinations for children and families; everyone can have a good time. The Swiss National Park, founded in 1914, is the oldest in the Alps.

Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy.

The little medieval town of Murten on the south-east bank of the lake of the same name has preserved its original appearance, with the picturesque alleyways of the Old Town and the pleasant shady arcades. Situated on the language border between French and German, the town has a lovely lakeside promenade and offers a wide range of water sports, cultural activities and other excursions.

Unique within the Alps, the three castles of Bellinzona are one of the main attractions of Ticino and have been listed UNESCO World Heritage sites since the year 2000. With its bastions, walls, towers, battlements and gates, this imposing fortification is truly a sight to behold.

Ascona is Switzerland's lowest lying town. It is located at 196 meters above sea level on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore, also called Lake Langen. Ascona is famous for its mild climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and boasts a Latin ambience.

More than a hundred archaeological sites hidden underground or at the bottom of lakes have been brought to light in the last few years around the Alps and these have provided us with more historical information about topics from Neanderthal man to the Middle Ages.

The Bündner Herrschaft, located in the northernmost corner of Graubünden, is the gateway to the canton. Its excellent Blauburgunder wines made the region famous as a winegrowing region. The fairly small vacation region has at its center the town of Maienfeld, home of Heidi - the world-famous children’s book character.

The Grossmünster is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zurich, and is one of Zurich's most famous landmarks. Construction of this Romanesque church was begun in 1100 and it has since been rebuilt and renovated several times.

Drinking a cup of coffee in a leisurely fashion, admiring the old facades and beautiful fountains, listening to two local languages or gazing from the 74-meter spire of the Cathedral far into the countryside - this is an experience enjoyed in Fribourg.

Seemingly endless moorlands, craggy karst formations and wild mountain streams make for special experiences and views. Switzerland's first biosphere reserve offers natural beauty at its finest. Almost no other region in Switzerland has as many natural treasures as the “Wild West” of Lucerne.

Crystalline air, snow crunching underfoot and sunshine from early till late. A box seat view of Aletsch Glacier and clear views of the Valais' prettiest four-thousand-meter peaks.

A picture-perfect medieval town on a small hill with a castle and three totally different museums: In Gruyères, 800-year-old regional history and culture meet Oscar-winning aliens and Buddhist sculptures.

The watchmaking centres of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have been awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in Sevilla. The two neighbouring towns in canton Neuchâtel joined nine other Swiss sites that already benefit from the Unesco label, with the agency committee recognizing the merits of the region's unique architecture.

Guarda in the Lower Engadine is so beautiful a village that it was awarded the Wakker Prize. It also received the distinction «Of national importance». One of its stately houses inspired Alois Carigiet when he drew the home of Schellenursli.

Lucerne's landmark is considered to be Europe's oldest covered bridge. It was built in the 14th century and was originally a part of the city fortifications. The pictorial panels, which were incorporated in the 17th century, contain scenes of Swiss history as well as the Lucerne's history.

In Geneva harbour, known as “La Rade”, this water jet up to 140 m/460 ft high is a real eye-catcher. When you're in the area, don't miss the chance to have your photo taken with the fountain in the background... or shoot a selfie and send it there and then!

The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. The pyramid shaped colossus of a mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. The Klein-Matterhorn ("Little Matterhorn"), which can be reached via a funicular, lies adjacent to the Matterhorn.

Works of Swiss architect Le Corbusier named UN world heritage sites: UNESCO includes Corbusier buildings in seven countries in its list.

In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. The city's landmark is the Convent of St. Gall with its Baroque cathedral. The convent, including the library and monastery archives, was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 1983.

The turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun are set amid the spectacular mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland. Passengers aboard the “Lötschberg” paddle steamer from the Belle Epoque (built in 1914) are inspired by its wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.

Over the fire or in modern copper vats – this exhibition dairy covering 17,500 m2 gives you an up-close look at how the famous Emmental AOP is manufactured.

In the Creux du Van across Lake Neuchâtel, nature presents itself as a giant natural amphitheatre. Admittedly, though, the prime seats in the 160 metre high wall seem to have been reserved for the ibex!

According to legend, the little town of St-Ursanne was founded by the Irish monk Ursicinus, who lived as a hermit on this isolated spot. Even today, this place possesses a magnetic power of attraction.