To experience the Olympics at close quarters and feel the Olympic spirit the way the athletes felt it, to study the history of the Games from antiquity to today - thanks to the latest computer technology and audiovisual media, all of this can be accomplished in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

The idea of a museum dedicated to appreciating the Olympic idea goes back to Pierre de Coubertin, who revived the Olympic Games and founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic Museum, which was opened in 1993 in Ouchy, a district of Lausanne, reflects the spirit of the sports games which bring nations together.

A visit to the first western city gate (1218–1256) of Bern’s Old Town.

The 13th-century tower, a remnant of the first city wall, greets you in all its majesty. For over 600 years, the bell has been faithfully ringing in the hours. But in its interior, time seems to be standing still.

What would Basel be without the Rhine? Four passenger ferries cross the river from one bank to the other, using nothing but a steel cable and the current of the water. The ferrymen’s tradition of telling yarns during the journey has continued to this day.

The four ferries “Wilde Maa”, “Leu”, “Vogel Gryff” and “Ueli” operate between the five Rhine bridges in Basel, connecting Grossbasel with Kleinbasel. These public transport options let you cross the Rhine without an engine, using only the force of the river’s current. The Rhine ferries are not only a contemplative pleasure for tourists, but also a pleasant and convenient means of transport for locals and commuters.

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.

Even today, the spirit of the once active Benedictine monks is palpable when you enter the world famous Abbey Library, which also is called the Seelenapotheke (healing place of the soul). 

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.

In the first half of the 16th century, the Grossmünster served as the starting point of the Reformation under Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The characteristic tops of its neo-Gothic towers were added by Johann Caspar Voegeli and John Hagge Mille from 1781 to 1787. Between 1913 and 1915 the interior renovations were completed by Gustav Gull and Hermann Fietz.

The three castles of Bellinzona are one of the main attractions in canton Ticino. Not only unique to the Alpine region; they also share a part on the prestigious UNESCO cultural world heritage list since the year 2000. The mighty walls, towers, battlements and gates of these imposing fortresses never cease to astonish visitors.

Castelgrande, also known as Castello di San Michele or Burg Uri, is the oldest of these 13th century castles. Two towers, Torre Nera (28 metres) and Torre Bianca (27 metres) dominate Bellinzona's Old Town. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Art are located in theCastelgrande.

Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland and has a settlement history of over 5,000 years. The historic Old Town is very much worth a visit and is completely car-free. It offers a surprisingly large range of cultural activities, shopping, cafes, restaurants and bars.

Enjoy the cultural and culinary amenities of this Alpine town! Especially worthy of note are the Bishop's Palace and the triple-naved cathedral of Sankt Maria Himmelfahrt. Whether you're after cathedral treasure, Giacometti, biodiversity or souvenirs, Graubünden's capital, with its three regional museums and over 500 shops, offers something to do in any weather.

The “Funi” (funicular railway), which overhang the Old Town and the river Sarine, is a “technical engineering marvel”, listed as a cultural asset of national importance. This nostalgic railway has been running since 1899 – with no exhaust fumes.

It is the last wastewater railway in Switzerland. No motor powers the funicular instead wastewater from the upper town. A very special fragrance lingers in the air when the water tank beneath this vehicle is once again filled at the station - and the "Funi" has certainly earned its place on the list of cultural treasures of national importance.

Located on the shores of Lake Lugano, this 63,000 square metre park constitutes the city’s green lung. Here you can recover from the hustle and bustle of the city as you walk along paths lined by magnificent centuries-old trees.

The paths wind through beautiful flower beds, lined with statues and fountains, and are framed by the meticulously manicured English lawn. The park is divided into two areas.

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.

Lucerne is especially well-known for its wooden bridges. Today, the Chapel Bridge runs from the New Town on the southern bank of the Reuss to the Rathausquai in the medieval Old Town, zigzagging as it passes the impressive Water Tower.