The Uetliberg is particularly popular in November, as its summit is often above the blanket of fog that can cover the city at this time of year. In the winter, the hiking trails to the summit are converted into sledging runs.

Approach

• The S10 service (ZBB) of the Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn SZU railway, Europe’s steepest normal-gauge adhesion railway, runs from Zürich Main Station to Uetliberg Station, a ten-minute walk from the summit.

Hiking trails (approx. 1 hour):

• The varied Denzlerweg leads almost straight up from Albisguetli (last stop on the number 13 tram line) to the summit.
• Laternenweg also leads from Albisguetli slightly further westwards up to the ridge.
• The Hohensteinweg leads up from Triemli (last stop on the number 14 tram line) over a shoulder of the mountain and is especially popular in the winter as a sledging run.
• A woodland path leads up from Uitikon-Waldegg (car park) to the summit. This path has the smallest incline.

There is also a mountain bike route that begins at the television tower and takes bikers over 3.5 km and a difference in altitude of 350 m down to the Triemli SZU station.

Rapperswil is located on the east shore of Lake Zurich. It is sometimes referred to as Rappi.

Rapperswil, town of roses located on the upper end of Lake Zurich, and the neighbouring sports and leisure district of Jona combine sights, cultural life, hiking and sports possibilities with a Mediterranean holiday atmosphere.

Roses decorate the coat of arms of the town of Rapperswil located on the upper end of Lake Zurich, and all types and colours of this gorgeous flower bloom in Rapperswil’s public areas and three rose gardens. Rapperswil has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and as the region’s transport hub is easily accessible by public transport.

The castle towers above the town and lake and is Rapperswil’s landmark. The castle hill affords a panorama view from the Glarus Alps all the way to the Zurich Oberland. Several churches, chapels and monasteries in Rapperswil bear testimony to the past. The medieval old town with very little traffic – a protected historic monument, the lake promenade and varied excursion possibilities make Rapperswil particularly suitable for families with children.

In addition to the lake dam for road and rail, a new wooden bridge for pedestrians – probably not unlike in the past – provides access to the other side of the lake. This wooden bridge also happens to be the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland. And Rapperswil is also an embarkation point for the regular ship services on Lake Zurich, including two authentic paddle steamers, to Zurich.

The area around Lake Zurich in addition to a wealth of beautiful scenery offers a whole range of fun and experience opportunities. Knie’s Children’s Zoo and the Circus Museum are a particular attraction for children and circus fans. The animals at the children’s zoo can be stroked and there are also elephant rides on offer.

In summer a 700-metre-long summer toboggan run on the nearby Atzmännig is great for some family fun. In winter there is a ski region suitable for families with easy ski pistes. On the other side of the lake, Pfäffikon with the Alpamare fun and experience baths featuring a wide range of water slides and wellness treatments is well worth visiting. Einsiedeln, the most important place of pilgrimage in Switzerland with a famous monastery, is accessible in 30 minutes.

Highlights

• Rapperswil Literature Festival – spontanuous encounter between writers and readers (March).
• blues’n’jazz festival – annual open-air happening in the old town of Rapperswil (June/July).
• Nighttime festival by the lake – huge, three-yearly event attracting about 150’000 spectators (August).

Ascona is on the north-west shore of Lake Maggiore, on the large delta created by the River Maggia. At an altitude of just 196 m, Ascona is the lowest town in Switzerland.

The old town centre, called Borgo, huddles round the church of San Pietro e Paolo, a columned basilica dating from the 16th century, whose high bell-tower or campanile is the symbol of Ascona. The dense network of alleyways, with shops of all kinds, leads directly down to the Piazza by the lakeside promenade, from where there is a beautiful view of Lake Maggiore. The promenade (Lungolago) at Ascona, with its rich merchants’ houses, arcades opening out on to the lake, and sun-soaked cafés, is considered the most beautiful section of Lake Maggiore to stroll along, and can be enjoyed even on sunny winter days, thanks to the mild climate here.

Ascona experienced an extraordinary period at the start of the 20th century when a colourful colony of assorted artists came together to live on the Monte Verità above Ascona and to preach the benefits of returning to nature. This settlement developed into an experimental arena for alternative lifestyles and art forms, which attracted revolutionaries, anarchists, philosophers, writers, vegetarians, poets, dancers and painters from all over the world. The psychoanalyst Karl Gustav Jung, the writer Hermann Hesse, the artists Alexej Jawlensky and Marianne von Werefkin are just some of the well-known personalities who lived in Ascona. The history of the Monte Verità is recorded in a museum.

Nowadays, the resort of Ascona, which is very close to Locarno, boasts a beautiful 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, elegant boutiques for shopping excursions, a large open-air swimming pool, smart hotels and many excellent restaurants, lovely walks in parkland, surfing, sailing and other water sports, not to mention boat trips on Lake Maggiore. There are many opportunities for excursions, hiking and biking in the beautifully wild scenery of the nearby side valleys of the Tessin such as the Maggiatal and Centovalli.

Highlights

• Borgo Old Town – beautiful Old Town of Ascona around the church of San Pietro e Paolo, an art museum with paintings by artists who spent time living here (Jawlensky, Werefkin, Klee).
• Maggiatal – natural river landscape, broad paths in an unspoilt side valley of Ticino, with nearly 40 mountain lakes and a wealth of fauna and flora.
• Brissago Islands – worth a trip, reached by a peaceful boat ride; thanks to the near-Mediterranean climate, 1500 different species of plants thrive here.
• Centovalli – this enchanting “Valley of a hundred valleys” lies between Domodossola and Locarno, with deep gorges, waterfalls, chestnut woods and picturesque villages, reached by narrow-gauge railway. Rail links to Brig in the Valais, change in Domodossola.
• Ronco sopra Ascona – one of the most delightful places overlooking Lake Maggiore, with an enchanting panorama of the lake and mountains, and a picturesque footpath with over 800 steps leading down to the lakeside.

Top Events

• Carnival in Ascona – with a big risotto feast, typical sausages (Luganighe) and wine (February).
• International Camellia Show in Locarno – a festival celebrating the pink blooms of over 300 varieties of the beautiful tea plant (March).
• JazzAscona, New Orleans & Classics – the largest European festival of traditional jazz with 250 artists and 200 concerts (June).
• International Festival of Street Artists – the streets of Ascona become the stage for mime artists, comedians, dancers, jugglers, balancing artists, fire-eaters, musicians and clowns (June).
• Settimane Musicali di Ascona (Music Weeks) – long-established festival of classical music (August to October).
• Ascona’s Chestnut Festival – chestnuts, Merlot, folk music and “dolce far niente” in the warm autumn sun (October).

At the northern tip of Lake Maggiore in the canton of Ticino, situated on the delta of the River Maggia, is Locarno, the city with the mildest climate in Switzerland, enjoying 2300 hours of sunshine every year. The “Lady of the Camellias” lures the visitors with its southern charm, Mediterranean climate and sub-tropical vegetation. Often the camellias, mimosa and magnolias begin to bloom here even in February.

You can wander through the narrow alleyways of the Città Vecchia, the Old Town, admire all the bright flower displays in the parks and watch the hustle and bustle on the busy Piazza Grande while you sup a cappuccino – Locarno is above all a city for those who know how to enjoy themselves.

In summer people meet up on the Piazza Grande, especially at open-air concerts or during the famous International Film Festival in August, when thousands of visitors come to the square. The Piazza Grande, the heart of the city, is framed by houses with elegant facades, leafy walkways and pavement cafés.

Towering over Locarno is the famous pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso. The founding of this holy place dates back to a vision of the Virgin Mary which appeared to a Franciscan monk during the night of 15 August (Feast of the Assumption). From the rocky spur of Orselina there is a fantastic view of the city and the lake with the mountains in the background.

Further up, on Locarno’s nearest mountain (1670 m), a cable-car designed by the world-famous architect Mario Botta leads up to Cardada-Cimetta. In summer, Cardada is a popular meeting place for hang-gliders and hikers, while in winter you can even go skiing or sledging.

It is particularly worth a visit to the mighty Castello Visconteo with its impressive tower and the archaeological museum inside the castle walls. It is also worth visiting the ancient churches and noble manor houses in and around Locarno.

Locarno is the ideal starting point for numerous excursions, whether a boat trip on Lake Maggiore or a diversion into the romantic and remote valleys in Locarno’s hinterland.

Highlights

• Pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso – a holy place above Locarno with fantastic views over the town, lake and mountains.
• Locarno’s nearest mountain, the Cardada-Cimetta – the cable-car designed by leading architect Mario Botta takes visitors up to the hiking, skiing and sledging paradise above Locarno.
• Old Town with Castello Visconteo – wander through the picturesque Old Town behind the Piazza Grande to the medieval castle with its archaeological museum.
• Verzasca valley & Maggia valley – romantic and largely unspoilt valleys in Locarno’s hinterland. Bus connections from Tenero and Locarno.
• Lago Maggiore – swimming, water sports and excursions in, on and round the lake, e.g. to the Brissago Islands.
• International Film Festival in Locarno – for eleven days every year, thousands of film fans enjoy the magnificent setting of the Piazza Grande (August).

Top Events

• International Film Festival in Locarno – each year the best productions are awarded the coveted “Golden Leopard”. Special focus on new film talent (August).
• Moon and Stars – a one-week open-air festival with world-famous musical stars – the concerts take place in the evenings on the Piazza Grande (July).

How to get there

Public Transport:

• from north: line St. Gotthard: 3 hrs from Zürich, 7 hrs from Frankfurt a. M., 10 hrs from Paris.
• from south: line Milano 2 hrs. 7 hrs from Rome
• Centovallina: ( Domodossola – Locarno ): 5 hrs. from Geneva, 2 hrs from Domodossola

By car:

• The Lago Maggiore area can be reached easily in summer and winter by the excellent highway A2 Basel Chiasso, exit Bellinzona south, accessible via Simplon, and via Centovalli
• from Northern Italy along the Lake Maggiore

Madrid: 1800 Km; London: 1150 Km; Berne: 270 Km; Berlin: 930 Km
Other/Air:

• direct flights from the bigger Swiss and international cities to Lugano-Agno airport (40 Km)
• Shuttle-bus Lugano – Milan/Malpensa (100 Km)
• International airport Zürich/Kloten (212 Km)

Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. The traffic-free historic town centre, the numerous buildings in Italianate Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, lake and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights, soak up the atmosphere – and enjoy “dolce far niente”. Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination in the spring when the camellias are in bloom.

The town centre with its Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, and numerous parks with sub-tropical plants such as the Parco Civico on the shores of the lake invite you to laze around, enjoying the atmosphere. By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art.

Art connoisseurs are attracted to this city of art and architecture by the high standard of the exhibitions it hosts. In the Museo Cantonale d’Arte are paintings by Klee, Jawlensky, Renoir and Degas, among others. In the last 50 years, the Ticino region, and Lugano in particular, have developed into an important region for architecture. The most well-known representatives of the “Ticino School” are Luigi Snozzi and Mario Botta. Botta’s Banca del Gottardo (Viale Franscini), the Palazzo Ransila (Via Pretorio) and his own workshop on the Via Ciani are good examples.

The two closest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery. From Monte Brè there is a walk down to the village of Brè, which has preserved its typical Ticino village centre, and enhanced it with works of art. From the San Salvatore another popular walk leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote. Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day. Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide.

Highlights

• Belvedere Park – the lakeside promenade is fringed by trees and lush flower-beds. The park is right beside the footpath which goes along the side of the lake as far as Paradiso.
• Monte Brè (925 m) – Lugano’s closest mountain can be reached by funicular railway from Cassarate on the outskirts of Lugano. Wonderful panorama of the town, lake and mountains, stretching right over the border into Italy.
• Monte San Salvatore (912 m) – from the top of the “sugarloaf” (reached by funicular railway from Lugano-Paradiso) you can walk down the panoramic footpath to Carona and then on to Morcote.
• San Lorenzo Cathedral – set above the Old Town, it is worth a visit with its facade in the Lombardy Renaissance style, and countless frescoes and valuable Baroque artefacts inside.
• Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli – in this former monastery church, built about 1500, are fine frescoes by the masters of the Renaissance.
• Hesse Museum in Montagnola – small, intimate museum for the writer and adopted son of Ticino, Hermann Hesse, who lived and wrote in southern Switzerland for at least half a century.

Top Events

• Festival di Cultura e Musica Jazz – Jazz and Cultural Festival (February).
• Lugano Festival – an important cultural attraction, mainly devoted to classical music, but also including other aspects of the arts (April-June).
• Lugano Estival Jazz – the main musical event in Ticino, with free open-air jazz concerts – well-established on the circuit of major international jazz festivals (June/July).
• “Blues to Bop” – on the stages and squares in Lugano’s town centre, the musical style ranges from blues to pop via gospel and back to soul (August/September).

How to get there

Public Transport: Lugano is directly situated on the North-South axis of the St. Gotthard range and is easily accessible from anywhere in Europe. From Lugano Main Train Station the city center is easily reached by foot (110 min.) or by cableway Lugano-Bahnhof (operating from 5:20 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.)
By car: Lugano is situated on the Autobahn axis linking northern Europe directly with the countries of southern Europe.

• From Milan: Autostrada A9 dei Laghi, in the direction of Como-San Gottardo or Autostrada A8, towards Varese-Stabio (Gaggiolo). Recommended exit: Lugano SUD.
• From Zürich: Autobahn A2, in the direction of St. Gotthard-Chiasso-Italy. Recommended exit: Lugano NORD.

The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. The Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place in June/July and features concerts on a variety of stages and parks is very famous.

Because of the exceptionally mild climate Montreux is called the capital of the Vaud Riviera. Plants associated with the Mediterranean, such as pines, cypresses and palm trees grow here. Charlie Chaplin, Freddie Mercury and several other famous people of world-renown lived and continue to live on the Vaud Riviera.

The long, flower-bordered lake promenade which links Vevey and Montreux going all the way to Chillon Castle is simply asking to be strolled along. Cultural events, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as countless excursion options to the mountainous hinterland or on the lake make Montreux the most popular excursion and holiday destination. Many of the houses along the lakeside road, including the magnificent Montreux Palace Hotel, date from the hayday of the Belle Epoque. And the town has a modern congress and exhibition centre: the CCE.

Summer

The lake is ideal for bathing, water sports or a cruise. And along the lake promenade piano and jazz bars, discos and Switzerland’s oldest casino, mingle with hotels and restaurants.

A rack-railway provides transport from Montreux up the Rochers-de-Naye at an altitude of 2042 metres above sea level where visitors are treated to a stunning view of Lake Geneva and the Savoy, Vaud, Valais and Bernese Alps. The Rochers-de-Naye are starting point for hikes as well as take-off area for para- and hanggliders. The Montreux – Berner Oberland – Bahn MOB (Montreux-Bernese Oberland-Railway) among other things takes its passengers to the vineyards above the town with their walking and cycling trails, the Vaud mountains of the Pays-d’Enhaut and on to the Bernese Oberland, i.e. to Gstaad.

Winter

The Rochers-de-Naye and family-friendly ski regions of Les Avants and Les Pléiades cater for winter sports enthusiasts and winter walkers. For example the 2.3 kilometre-long toboggan run in Les Avant offers fast toboggan descents. In December one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Switzerland is located in the Grand-Rue, market hall and along the lake.

Highlights

• Audiorama – located between Montreux and Chillon Castle, the Museum of Audiovision Objects contains exhibits ranging from the first recording mechanisms through to digital televisions.
• Rochers-de-Naye – the Rochers-de-Naye rack-railway, after overcoming a difference in altitude of 1600 metres, reaches one of the most beautiful vantage points in western Switzerland.
• Golden Pass Line – the panorama train operates between Montreux, Gstaad and the Bernese Oberland with connections to Lucerne.
• Lake Geneva Shipping Company – the ships, some of which are still powered by paddles, take visitors to the picturesque lakeside resorts.
• Chillon Castle – located on a rocky island near the shore featuring fortified walls and towers; the prison in which Bonivard was held in chains for four years and which provided Lord Byron with the inspiration for his famous poem “The prisoners of Chillon” in 1816 deserves particular attention. Nowadays the castle is a museum.

Top Events

Montreux Jazz Festival – since its beginning in 1967 the festival has developed into a big event which frequently features the greatest jazz, blues, rock, world music and soul musicians (June/July).
Comedy Festival – the humour festival every year brings together the most famous comedians from the French-, German- and English-speaking areas (December).
Christmas Market – one of Switzerland’s famous Christmas Markets with numerous attractions and over one hundred decorated wooden houses brimming with gifts (December).

How to get there

Public Transport:

• Direct trains every hour from Geneva Airport to Montreux : 1 hour
• Zurich Airport – Montreux: 3 hours
• TGV Paris – Lausanne: 3.5 hours
• TGV «des Neiges» Paris – Lausanne – Montreux : 4 hours
• Cisalpino Milano – Montreux : 2.5 hours

By car: Geneva Airport – Montreux (Autobahn A1/A9): 50 minutes
Zurich Airport – Montreux (Autobahn A1/A12/A9): 2 hours

Other/Air: Int. Airport of Geneva (93 km from Montreux)
Int. Airport of Zurich (208 km from Montreux)

Biel’s medieval landmarks include the late Gothic town church of St. Benedict (1451; restored 1775), with fine 15th-century stained glass, and the town hall (1534). The Schwab Museum has a collection of artifacts from the lake pile dwellings of the La Tène (Iron Age) period. The town’s chief industries are watchmaking and the manufacture of chains and machinery.

The town of Biel, the metropolis of Swiss watchmaking, lies at the eastern end of Lake Biel, at the foot of the Jura in the delightful Lake Region. The charm of bilingualism, the intact old town and its location as the gateway to the three peripheral Jura lakes (Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten) make the town an attractive starting point, but also a destination for excursions.

Biel is the only town in Switzerland in which German and French are spoken side by side in equal measure. One senses the relaxed mentality here resulting from the mixture of these two languages. In 2002, Biel was one of the four exhibition locations for EXPO.

Architecturally, Biel is a town of many facets. The modern part of the city with its high-rise buildings lies at lake level which then gives way, on a slight incline, to the intact old town with its gothic town church stemming from the 15th century. In 2004, Biel was awarded the Wakker Prize by the Swiss Heritage Society for the exemplary manner in which it conserved its, in part, outstanding stock of 20th century buildings. Examples can be found in the new town, where uniform districts built in the ‘new construction’ style came into being in the 1920s and ‘30s.

The town of Biel is a tradition-imbued watch metropolis in which this Swiss craft is still fostered. Swatch, Rolex, Omega, Tissot, Movado and Mikron are all located here. Biel has additionally also positioned itself in the field of other industries and in communication. Its location makes the town an attractive gateway to the excursion and holiday region around Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten – also known as the “Three Lakes Region” – with vineyards on the hillsides and extensive vegetable cultivation on the level areas. The options for rambling and cycling excursions are huge. In Ligerz, the viticulture museum and a wine trail serve to draw visitors. Several attractive mediaeval small towns like Nidau, Twann, La Neuveville and Erlach are well worth an excursion.

In summer, it is possible to travel on various routes along the lakes onboard scheduled passenger boats; the day trip through all three peripheral Jura lakes is especially popular. Naturally all types of water sport are also pursued on the lakes.

From the town on the linguistic divide, it is only a stone’s throw to the lush green, hilly landscape of the Jura with its broad forests and wonderful vantage points, as well as the sportsperson’s Mecca of Magglingen above Biel, and the Chasseral (1607m).

Highlights

* Biel old town – an intact old town with a beautiful town hall, gothic town church dating from the 15th century, various fountains and beautiful signposts.
* Centre PasquArt – a very attractive art museum for contemporary sculpture, graphic art and photography; renovated in 2000 and extended with a new building designed by Basle architects Diener & Diener.
* Aare trip – a leisurely and romantic river trip from Biel to the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland, Solothurn. En route, one floats past the small town of Büren and the Altreu stork colony.
* Lake Biel and Petersinsel (Peter’s Isle) – the idyllic peninsula on which the renowned philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was said to have experienced ‘veritable happiness’ lies at the western end of the lake. Rousseau’s former residence, a monastery, today houses a famous hotel-restaurant.

* Aarberg – a historic small town on the Aare channel, mediaeval market spots encircling the large market square, late gothic church and timber bridge dating from the 15th century. Top Events

* Biel ‘Braderie’ – the largest festival in Biel and the surrounding area: this colourful summer festival with a market, tombola and concerts has taken place for over 70 years. The origin of the festival lies in the economic plight of Biel in around 1930 (June).
* Lake Biel Festival – joyous summer’s night festival in Biel with snack stands, bars and a huge firework display (July).
* Biel ‘Altstadtchilbi’ (old town fair) – 150 shops, market sellers and associations and a diverse entertainment programme provide for an excellent atmosphere (August).
* Lake Biel vintage festivals – highly traditional vintage festivals such as the Trüelete in Twann, and the Läsetsunntig in Erlach (September/October).
* International Old Time Jazz Meeting – renowned international festival for traditional jazz in Biel (November).
* Biel Christmas market – numerous stands and atmospheric Christmas illuminations at the largest Christmas market of the region (December).
* “Aarberger Puce” – flea and antiquity market, now with 250 dealers: one of the largest and most atmospheric markets for second-hand articles in Switzerland (April & August).

How to get there

Public Transport:

* approx. 30 minutes from Bern (direct connection, approx. every 30 minutes)
* approx. 1 hour 15 minutes from Zürich (direct approx, approx. all 30 minutes)
* approx. 1 1/2 hours from Zürich Airport (approx. every 30 minute / every hour direct connection Zürich Airport – Biel)
* approx. 1 hour from Basel (direct connection every hour)
* approx 1 1/2 hours from Geneva (direct connection, every hour)

By car:

* Autobahn A1 from Zürich, from Solothurn Autobahn A5, exit Biel-Bienne
* Autobahn A2 from Basel to Egerkingen, A1 to Solothurn, A5 to Ausfahrt Biel-Bienne
* Autobahn/Amotorway A6 from Bern up to Biel-Bienne
* Autobahn A1 from Geneva, via Lausanne, from Yverdon A5 via Neuenburg to Biel-Bienne.

Other/Air: Airline access to the international Airports of Zürich, Bern, Geneva and Basel.

Built out of yellow sandstone, Neuchâtel is located on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and nestles against the Jura hills. The medieval centre of the town with its many cafes and restaurants, shops and numerous theatres and museums exudes French charm and is ideal for a gentle stroll.

Neuchâtel (or Neuenburg) also has some interesting museums: the Dürrenmatt Centre, built by the Ticino star architect Mario Botta, is dedicated to the Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt who lived in Neuchâtel for many years. And then there are the Jacquet-Droz automata from the 18th century at the Art History Museum. The “Laténium” archaeological park which enables visitors to go on a scientific journey through time from prehistoric times to today is also well worth a visit.

Neuchâtel is located in the so-called “Watch Valley” holiday region. As the name suggests, the watch and clock industry plays a major role in this area. The town has an important research centre featuring an observatory which gives the official Swiss time down to the exact split second.

A panorama funicular transports its passengers up the Chaumont (1100 metres above sea level), Neuchâtel’s ‘house mountain’. Other rewarding excursion destinations include the Vue des Alpes pass crossing set in a hiker’s paradise with stunning views, the Val de Tavers with its asphalt mines, walks and cycle rides along the lake and a trip to the Vine and Wine Museum at Boudry Castle. And last but not least, you might want to consider a cruise on board one of the pleasure boats operating on Lakes Neuchâtel, Biel and Murten.

Highlights

• Old town – castle and collegiate church dating from the 12th century, Hôtel du Peyrou dating from the 18th century and Place des Halles.
• Chaumont – Neuchâtel’s ‘house mountain’ (1100 metres above sea level) with a wonderful all-round view of the Bernese Alps, Montblanc Massif and three Jura lakes.
• Jacquet-Droz automata collection – selected examples of the world-famous watch and automata production of the 18th century at the Musée d’art et d’histoire (Art and History Museum) Neuchâtel.
• Laténium Museum – 50’000 years of local history – modern presentation at the archaeological park and museum.
• Cruising on Lake Neuchâtel – biggest lake located completely in Switzerland offering an opportunity to go on a three-lake-cruise.
• Papilliorama-Nocturama in Kerzers – a tropical experience world with exotic butterflies and a lot of nocturnal animals.

Top Events

Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival NIFFF – a key event in the Swiss film calendar (July).
Buskers Festival – buskers liven up the streets of Neuchâtel (August).
International Choral Festival – Festival of amateur choirs at a high level including award ceremony (every other year in August).
Winzerfest (grape harvest festival) – a big traditional festival celebrating the grape harvest featuring a big flower procession (September).

How to get there

Public Transport: Direct train connections to Neuchâtel.

• Genève-Neuchâtel: 1 hour 20 min.
• Lausanne-Neuchâtel: 40 min.
• Zurich-Neuchâtel: 1 hour 50 min.
• Bâle-Neuchâtel: 1 hour 35 min.
• Paris-Neuchâtel (TGV): 3 hours 50 min.

By car: Auto route A5, Geneva – Neuchâtel (128 km)
Auto route A1, Zürich – Bern – Murten (150 km)
Other/Air: Geneva – Cointrin Airport, 1 hour 30 min from Neuchâtel
Zürich – Kloten Airport, 2 hours 20 min from Neuchâtel

The town of Zug, with its attractive location by Lake Zug, its picturesque Old Town and culinary specialities, is an attractive destination for holidays or excursions in Central Switzerland. Zug is also highly rated by business people: because of the low rates of taxation, the canton of Zug is a popular place to do business, and many international companies have settled here.

In the Middle Ages, the town belonged in succession to the noble families of the Lenzburgs, the Kyburgs and the Habsburgs. The charming Old Town, dating from the time of the Kyburgs, has a number of impressive historical buildings. The emblem of the historic centre around the Kolinplatz square is the Zytturm. The house, dating from the 16th century, is a popular meeting place. The quayside in Zug, the promenade along the lake, is a popular place for a stroll, from where you can see the famous mountains of central Switzerland such as the Rigi, Pilatus, and Bürgenstock, and on a clear day even the peaks of the Bernese Alps.

The modern part of the town of Zug between the Old Town and the station is an inviting place for window-shopping along its arcades. Specially noteworthy are the Zug Art Museum, giving an interesting overview of the art of the 20th century, the History Museum in the castle, an Africa Museum, a Fishing Museum and a Museum of Prehistoric Times.

You should not leave Zug without tasting its gastronomic specialities: “Zuger Kirschtorte” – Zug is famous for its Kirsch liqueur, distilled from the region’s wonderful fruits – and “Zuger Rötel”, a particularly delicious type of fish from the lake.

Thanks to free bike hire from May to October, it’s easy to explore the town and the surrounding area on two wheels. There is an extensive network of footpaths, with several walks along the shores of the lake and over the Zugerberg or the gently rolling moraine landscape of the region. As an alternative to walking, try the paths for cycling or skating along the side of the lake. A popular biking route goes over the Zugerberg to Lake Ägeri and through the Lorzentobel valley back to Zug. On a hot summer’s day, the shady, romantic gorge of the Lorze is an attractive way to hike to the caves, complete with stalactites and stalagmites.

Thanks to its central location between Zurich and Lucerne, and good infrastructure, Zug is, of course, an excellent starting point for excursions.

Highlights

• Old Town – an impressive Old Town building from the late Gothic period, emblem of the historic centre, is the 52 m high Zytturm, rising above the other ancient towers.
• Art Museum – six annual exhibitions of modern art, artists are invited to help create the exhibition.
• Zug station – a light installation by the American light artist James Turrell has turned Zug station into a trendy work of art.
• Lake Zug – organise a boat ride or enjoy a romantic sunset from the lakeside promenade.
• Baar Caves – especially fine cave with stalactites and stalagmites in the deep, shadowy Lorzentobel valley.
• Chapel of former Cistercian abbey – impressive early Gothic monastery church near Zug, dating from the 13th/14th century, with fine choir stalls and stained glass windows.

Top Events

• Carnival – the traditional Carnival figures in Zug include Greth Schell, who carries her husband home in a basket on her back after he has had too much to drink in the inn (February/March).
• Zuger Seenachtsfest – a cheerful summer festival with fireworks (June).
• “Märlisunntig Zug” – old and young listen with rapt attention to the tales of storytellers in more than 30 fairy-telling sessions (December).
• Zug Christmas Market – an aroma of cinnamon, mulled wine and fir trees, streets full of Christmas music and stalls selling handicrafts (December).

How to get there

Public Transport:

Canton Zug is easily reached by train. The Intercity trains of the Gotthard line and Zürich-Lucerne line stop at the city of Zug. Moreover, Zug is connected to the S-Bahn network (rapid transit trains) of Canton Zürich. Besides Zug, the villages of Baar, Cham, Rotkreuz, Steinhausen, Walchwil are connected to the SBB system. Driving time from Zürich: 30 minutes.

By car:

By car from St. Gotthard on Autobahn A2 and A14 via Lucerne on t A4 via Arth-Goldau, with exits in Rotkreuz, Cham, Zug-West and Baar. From Zürich you can drive via A3 up to exit Hirzel and then to Sihlbrugg/Baar, or via cantonal road 4 through the Sihl forest up to Sihlbrugg/Baar.
Other/Air: The nearest airport is Zürich-Kloten. From Zürich-Kloten there are half-hourly train connections to Zug. Driving time: 53 minutes

The small town of Thun is beautifully situated at the western end of the lake of the same name and offers views of the snow-covered Alps. The impressive castle towers above the late-medieval town: the Romanesque residential tower with its four angle towers is a popular photo subject. The high pavements in the main street of Thun where businesses and restaurants are arranged on two levels are also well worth seeing. The pedestrian-friendly “Bälliz” street is great for shopping.

A walk along the shores of the River Aare to the Schadau Park with a view of the lake is a refreshing experience. Schloss Schadau, Thun’s second castle which is built in the style of the French Loire Castles, houses a restaurant as well as a gastronomy museum.

It goes without saying that water sports are very popular in Thun. Thun is home to the oldest sailing school in Switzerland. A beautiful bathing beach attracts a great many bathers in summer. And there is an extensive route network for cyclists and bike riders catering for all abilities.

There are interesting castles and ancient Romanesque churches to visit all around Lake Thun. The railway station, bus station and boat embarkation point are located right next to each other in Thun, making it easy to combine the various modes of transport to explore the region. The town is an ideal starting point for excursions by train and boat, whether to Spiez, Interlaken or the many famous holiday resorts, such as Gstaad, Adelboden, Lenk etc, in the Bernese Oberland. And day trips, for example to the world-famous Jungfraujoch, are possible too. The surrounding hiking and ski regions are just a short distance away with the nearest ones being the Stockhorn in the lower Simmen Valley and the Niederhorn near Beatenberg.

Highlights

• Old town with castle – shopping and culture combined at close proximity.
• Wocher Panorama – the 7.5-metre high and 38-metre long 360° circular painting in the Schadau Park depicts the town of Thun at about 1810.
• Stockhorn, Niesen, Niederhorn – accessible by mountain transport facilities, they are fantastic vantage points in the immediate vicinity.
• Cruising on Lake Thun – motor- and paddle-powered ships sail to Interlaken regularly (in winter motor ships only).
• Water sports by and in Lake Thun – the clean water of the lake is perfect for bathing, sailing, surfing, diving etc.

Top Events

• Thun Fasnacht (Carnival) (February/March).
• Literature Festival (March).
• Swiss Performers’ Fair (Künstlerbörse) (April).
• Swiss Economic Forum (May).
• International Festival of Itinerant Entertainers (May).
• Thun Castle Concerts (May/June).
• Thun Festival of Musicals (July/August).
• Fulehung (shooting and youth festival) (September/October).