Basel, Cultural Heart of Switzerland
Basel, the oldest university town in Switzerland, is a markedly open city. It stands at the point where Switzerland, Germany and France meet. These multiple facets influence the artistic and cultural life of the place.

Shop and damn the weather!
The Old Town of Bern, which figures on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage sites has one of the longest "weatherproof" shopping malls in Europe under its six kilometres of covered arcades. The mediaeval atmosphere, with shops in the cellar vaults must be unique.

The mini-metropolis with the beating heart
This, the smallest metropolis in the world, is characterised by its international population. They are there for many reasons, from cultural activities to humanitarian commitments. This is also the European HQ of the United Nations and the home of the Red Cross.

In the heart of Watch Valley
World birthplace of watchmaking industry, La Chaux-de-Fonds (38'000 inhabitants) is the only town in Switzerland to be considered as a New Art centre.

A picturesque location right on the lakeside
The geographical location of Lausanne could hardly be more picturesque. This, the Olympic capital, is built on three hills with the Lake of Geneva bathing its feet and a garland of vineyards around its shoulders. Clearly visible are the Alps across the water in which, weather permitting, glistens their reflection - a panorama not to be forgotten.

An historical library by way of a hallmark
This human-sized Eastern Swiss metropolis has a delightful, traffic-free Old Town. Its hallmark is the Cathedral with its Foundation Library containing valuable, partly hand-written documents over a thousand years old. The whole Foundation area was, in 1983, declared a World Cultural Heritage.

The small town with a self-assured worldly outlook
Winterthur is the sort of place where you want to linger because the town has culture and the people enjoy living there. They like to share their own pleasures with their visitors. It is easy to see how this homely yet worldly cultural centre manages to combine the charm of the mediaeval Old Town with Nature and its self-assured worldly outlook.

A throbbing world metropolis with its quiet aspects
The variety of scenery in Zürich will catch you unawares. At times, it will strike you as a rowdy, throbbing major city, at others - especially in the Old Town - you will find the narrow alleys peaceful and leisurely. The Zürich Lake gives you a feeling of well-being.

The gateway to Italianità
Bellinzona appeared to the traveller of old approaching from the South as the key to the Alps while for those approaching it from the North, it was the gateway to Italy. Many modern tourists know the town only because they have passed through it on the way to their holiday resorts on the Mediterranean. But it really is worth making a stop in Bellinzona itself some time.

Chur - the hot spot
Chur, whose history goes back to settlements 5000 years ago, is one of the oldest of Swiss towns. It is also the main town of the Canton of Graubünden and is located between 600m (the town centre) and 1800m (the "Fürhörnli") above sea level. Here you can combine the southern charm of our town with the fresh air of the Engadine Alps.

A fascinating remnant of the Middle Ages
Fribourg Old Town is considered one of the finest remnants of mediaeval architecture in Europe. It is built on rock and water. The town is a favourite meeting venue but it also has many leisure activities to offer such as its countless festivals, for example.

Enchanting Locarno
With 2300 hours of sunshine per year and a lush subtropical vegetation, Locarno is known as the Swiss town with the mildest climate. It is also a highly attractive place, especially at night, when the arcades and portici take on a dreamlike quality, when soft tunes are seeping out of neighbouring bars, and reflecting lights are dancing on the lake.