Lausanne

Situated in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Lausanne is the capital of the canton of Vaud. Explore the Old town with the Cathedral (and the Cathedral Tower) and the Sauvabelin Forest from which you will have a full view of the lake, the Alps and the Jura. Visit the Hermitage Foundation and the Espace Saint-François gallery. Stay at the Beau Rivage Palace Lausanne and eat at Pinte Besson.

Bern

The Capital of Switzerland, it’s the fourth largest city after Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.  Visit the Old Town with the Cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Bärenplatz and the Prison Tower. Bern is also about culture: don’t miss the Bern Historical Museum and the Paul Klee Centre. Stay at the Bellevue Palace and eat at the Zimmermania Restaurant. 

Lugano

Lugano belongs to the Italian Canton of Switzerland: the place it’s all about nature so enjoy the Lake Lugano from hotels and restaurants and the Brè Mountain. Visit the Wilhem Schmidt Museum to see the famous Swiss Painter’s work, and go to the Hermann Hesse Museum. If you are a chocolate junkie, don’t miss the Alprose Chocolate Museum. Stay at the Splendide Royal and eat at La Perla.

Basel

Located on the Rhine river, is the most important cultural centre of Switzerland. It features many museums: visit the Museum of Fine Arts (http://www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch/), the world’s oldest art collection accessible to the public, and the Fondation Beyeler. It also hosts one of the most important art fairs worldwide, Art Basel. Visit the Old Town attractions like the Cathedral, the Market Square and the Town Hall. Stay at the Hotel Les Trois Rois and eat at its restaurant, Le Cheval Blanc (two Michelin stars).

Geneva

A global city, Geneva has the most important UN international co-operation centre along with New York and many international organisations (United Nations and Red Cross). Visit the St-Pierre Cathedral and the Notre-Dame Church, the Museum of Natural History (http://www.ville-ge.ch/mhng/) and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (http://www.mamco.ch/). Eat at the Hotel de Ville for a delicious fondue or at the Corsier Port to taste the typical dish, filets de perche. Fancy a cool place that has awesome cocktails? Go to L’Apothicaire Cocktail Club. Stay at the East West Hotel (the place has great food, too).

By: Elisa della Barba