charm. From here you can take a train up Mount Pilatus and gaze across over 70 mountain summits.


The Bernese Oberland has some of Switzerland’s best-loved resorts, including Grindelwald with its 'chocolate box' chalets. A popular excursion from here, again by train, is to the top of the Jungfrau mountain or Jungfraujoch, where snow and ice are present all year. Also in the Bernese Oberland is probably the most famous lake resort of all, Interlaken, with easy access to both Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.


Another great favourite is Lake Geneva, with the city of Geneva at the western end and the smaller cities of Lausanne on the north shore and Montreux (famous for its fi lm festival) at the eastern end. There are yet more lakes to discover down by the Italian border in the Italian-speaking Ticino region, including Lake Maggiore, which has the resort of Locarno.


The country is in love with


water, and


with over 7,000 lakes, 120


glaciers and countless


rivers and waterfalls, 2012


has been declared the Year of Water. You can potter across a lake sedately on a historic paddle steamer, or take part in water activities.


A surprising fact is that the prestige America’s Cup yacht race was twice won by a team from landlocked Switzerland, in 2007 and 2010.


After skiing and lakes and mountains holidays, the third key element in Swiss tourism is its cities – all of which can claim to be cultured and cosmopolitan. Geneva is the most popular for city breaks, and being on the border with France and home to various global institutions including the United Nations and the Red Cross, it is a true international city.


UN headquarters the Palace of Nations is one of the attractions, and it is also a city famed for its art galleries, gastronomy and boutiques. The largest city, and main business centre, is Zurich. The Swiss National Museum is here although it is not the capital, and sights include ancient churches, and galleries dedicated to modern and classical art. The capital is in fact Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage


Take a tour: “Touring offers the perfect way to make your way around


Switzerland in a short period, and as all the highlights are included it’s a great- value way to travel”


LESLEY TAYLOR, HEAD OF PRODUCT, EUROPE COSMOS TOURS AND CRUISES


Ski in summer: “Saas Fee is situated near huge glaciers which are


perfect for summer skiing, and the resort has a well-balanced climate despite its high altitude”


EMMA RICHINGS, MARKET MANAGER, KUONI


Go public: “Always consider getting a Swiss travel card covering rail, bus and


lake steamer services, as public transport is the easiest way to get around” TONY BYRNE, NATIONAL SALES MANAGER GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS


Go Holmes: “The resort of Meiringen is close to the Reichenbach


Main Picture: Interlaken is one of Switzerland's main outdoor adventures Top Right: Relaxing near the lake in Lucerne; Opposite: Expect to fi nd plenty of cheese!


Falls where Sherlock Holmes wrestled with Professor Moriarty. It has a Holmes museum too”


DAVE RICHARDSON, TRAVEL WRITER


Site, where a 15th century Gothic cathedral is at the heart of the old city. Basel, right on the borders of both


France and Germany, is perhaps Switzerland’s undiscovered gem. It is best known for its many art galleries and for the beauty of the Rhine river, with about 40 museums including the fi rst public art museum in Europe, the Kunstmuseum, dating back to 1661. But if you prefer a small city by a lake rather than a river, Lausanne (Lake Geneva) and Lucerne (Lake Lucerne) are excellent choices. Free iPad apps are now available from Switzerland Tourism for Cities, Mountain & Lakes, and a suggested 'Top 100 Experiences'.


Another advantage of Switzerland is that it is very easy to get to: just 90 minutes or so by air, with Swiss operating 35 daily fl ights to Geneva,


ISELTWALD TOURISMUS


WISS-IMAGE.CH/ELGE KENNEWEG


thedeal seal


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