Historic excursions

The adventures of Heidi, the orphan girl, are known the world over. Not least through the eponymous film from 1952. One of the original locations is above St. Moritz and can be visited at all times.

Bake bread in a wood-fired oven, make pottery like the Romans did, work on a real archaeological excavation or have a picnic at the amphitheatre – there are many ways to experience the past at Augusta Raurica, the best-preserved Roman town north of the Alps.

The cities, the mountains, the lakes – have you already seen all that Earth has to offer? If so, then come up to the Sattenlegi and discover the heavens above through our telescope.

During the summer, Madame Yvonne Jollien-Berclaz will be happy to guide you through the village of Fang and will show you the old school exhibition.

Rapperswil, the Riviera of upper Lake Zürich, promises its visitors southern charm. The small, quaint alleys in the medieval old part of town invite visitors to take a stroll or do window shopping. The Rapperswil castle is perched high upon a hill and contains a Polish museum.

Experience the feeling of flying like an eagle, above one of the most beautiful region of Switzerland, with a breathtaking panorama.

Permanent exhibition about the novelist, with a unique collection of exhibits. An invitation to an extraordinary journey…

The museum includes the castles of Lenzburg, Wildegg, Hallwyl, Habsburg, the monastery of Königsfelden as well as as the Legionnaire's Path. Each of these monuments is an authentic witness to a long history.

World-renowned celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama bear witness to eastern Switzerland’s quality textile enterprises. And products range from finest Haute Couture to architecture.

The Museum zu Allerheiligen is one of Schaffhausen’s most significant places of interest. Here, archaeology, history and art as well as natural history converge under one roof. In addition to its extensive permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts between six and eight special exhibitions each year.

From Kandersteg via the winemaking region of Valais with its famous mountain peaks to the picturesque Lake Geneva Region – this tour reveals the rich contrasts of French-speaking Switzerland, between eternal snows and landscapes of Mediterranean charm. Route on the Switzerland map

History comes alive.

What would Basel be without the Rhine? Four passenger ferries cross the river from one bank to the other, assisted by nothing but a steel cable and the power of the natural current. The ferrymen tell stories on the way across – a tradition that continues to this day.

The last emperor of France lived high above Lake Constance, in the middle of a large park, in a tastefully furnished castle. Today's Napoleon Museum contains the original furnishings. The park has recently been restored.

The “Pharmacy museum” contains collections of old pharmaceuticals, pharmacy furniture, laboratory utensils, ceramics, instruments, books, art- and craftwork. The museum is situated in the old house “Zum Vorderen Sessel”, where the famous humanist Erasmus and the alchemist Paracelsus once dwelled. Well worth a visit not only for specialists but also for interested laymen.

"The Swiss National Museum Zurich received a modern extension with the impressive new building. Behind its over 100-year-old walls, history comes to life as visitors gain an insight into how previous generations lived, thought and felt.

Fashion museum housing 5,000 pieces from the 18th century to the present, including the archives of Yverdon-born designer Robert Piguet.

The Alpine pass and the legendary Great St. Bernard Hospice symbolise the hospitality shown by the monks to travellers over the centuries. Barry, the large and good-natured St. Bernard dog, is famous for saving the lives of lost mountaineers – this four-legged hero has always been bred here.

Baden, the heart of the old Swiss Confederation.

The Roman Mosaics of Orbe consist of eight magnificent mosaic floors that decorated a Gallic-Roman estate dating back to the year 170. The mosaics give the visitor an inkling of the enormous wealth of the lord of the manor and gentleman farmer, whose villa had more than 100 rooms.

The Diemtigtal valley is celebrated for its magnificent rural dwellings, and you can see some of the finest along the marked Diemtigtal House Trail. The details are particularly impressive: intricate carving, delicate paintings and elaborate compositions of form and colour that adorn the wooden façades underneath the massive roofs.

Prosperous commerce, flourishing trade, approximately 20,000 inhabitants, stately mansions and temples protected by a five- kilometer-long, nearly seven-meter-tall wall with over 70 towers: This was Aventicum, over 2000 years ago.

The artillery fortress was constructed in the cliffs of Rigi as part of the Gotthard defence during and for World War II. For many decades it remained a well-kept secret and was always ready for battle.

Who was the real Wilhelm Tell? Follow the trail of the Swiss national hero and freedom fighter to find out, in the historic landscapes around the southern shores of Lake Lucerne: at Rütli, the birthplace of the nation; at the Schillerstein rock; the Tell Chapel, the Tell Monument and the Tell Museum.

The "Ponte dei Salti" stone bridge soars over the turquoise Verzasca with two arches. 400 years after its completion, is draws visitors in droves on a daily basis. Some photograph the picture-perfect subject from all sides, others use the bridge as a springboard for diving into the refreshing water.

Generally, museums are in big cities, or at least in highly visited villages, but hardly are they ever on a 2,100-meter-high mountain pass.

Vindonissa, located in what is today called Windisch, was an important Roman legion's camp. The ruins of the camp are open for viewing. The monastery church of Königsfelden, which is well known for its unique glass windows (that date back to the 14th century), is located in the middle of these ruins.

Solothurn is known as the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland, renowned for the architecture favoured by the ambassadors of the King of France who resided here from 1530 to 1792 – hence its epithet of the “City of Ambassadors”.

The Vaudoise town of Vallorbe lies in a valley basin of the river Orbe, directly on the French border. An inconspicuous chalet is nestled against the slope above Vallorbe. It is the disguised entrance to the fortress "Pré-Giroud".

The villa of the Hermitage Foundation solely houses changing art exhibitions. What is permanent is the magnificent view of Lake Geneva and Notre-Dame Cathedral, a view that inspired the leading landscape painter Camille Corot.

Route: Geneva - Lausanne - Orbe - Avenches - Solothurn - Augst

There are many reasons to visit Avegno: the picturesque stone houses, the romantic location right on the Maggia, the chestnut trees. But Avegno is more than a typical Ticino village: anyone who follows the signposted village walk also explores a piece of Swiss farming history.

The Romans called it Leuca Fortis – “strong Leuk” – and until the 19th century this was one of the ecclesiastical and cultural centres of the Valais. Defiant towers, castles and fine patrician houses bear witness to the former strength, self-confidence and determination of the community. The emblematic Bishop’s Castle (built 1254), town hall, late-gothic St. Stephen’s Church (with its romanesque tower and roman fi replace) and baroque Ringacker Chapel can be seen for miles around.

Over 100 years ago, the border village of Gondo employed up to 500 workers in the gold mines. On a guided tour, visitors gather useful information on the history of gold and become fascinated by the yellow precious metal.

Whether on an individual visit or a fascinating guided tour – a journey of discovery into the distant past.