Things to Do in Switzerland

Used for growing grape vines since at least the 11th century (and probably as far back as Roman times), this 18-mile, 2,050-acre stretch of terraced vine-rows across the Swiss canton of Vaud is one of the world’s most remarkable examples of human interaction with a natural landscape. The southern-facing terraces, which maintain a mild climate within a country known for its spectacular winters, are famed for producing the Chasselas grape, which make a full, dry and fruity white wine that fueled the local economy for centuries.

While the Swiss wine industry doesn’t rival that of its neighbors in Italy and France, this area has remained in continuous, productive use, and its historic buildings, footpaths and vines have been well maintained and preserved. While there is clear evidence that the vines were cultivated by Benedictine and Cistercian monks, traces of Roman settlements here and in nearby Lausanne, a city which historically owes some of its wealth to the Lavaux wine industry, has led many to believe that ancient Romans also used the terraces for growing wine grapes.

The oldest example of domestic architecture in Geneva, the Maison Tavel traces its origins to the beginning of the 14th century, with its layers revealing the wealth and prestige of its various owners and the growing importance of the city. As you approach, stone heads peer down at you and a corner tower lacks only Rapunzel to complete the fairy tale impression.

Once inside the distinctive dark stone walls you can explore the house from top to bottom. The cellar contains excellent examples of woodcarving and ironwork through the centuries, while the attic boasts a superb model of Geneva in the mid-19th century, when its fortifications were still intact. In between you’ll find displays of domestic interiors, including the surprisingly light and airy private quarters, fully outfitted kitchens, and displays including suits of armour and coins, highlighting the importance of finance to the city.

The lakeside medieval town of Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s prettiest destinations, well-deserving of a day’s exploration of its historic sites.  A picture-perfect town, its proud symbol is the 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) spanning Lake Lucerne, the beautiful, fourth-largest lake in Switzerland.

Chapel Bridge is 670 feet (204 meters) long and was built in 1333 to protect Lucerne from attacks. It’s the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Seventeenth-century paintings line the interior, and the bridge leads to an eight-sided water tower, which has had a history as a prison, torture chamber, watchtower and treasury.

The half-timbered medieval buildings of Lucerne’s Old Town are surrounded by rampart walls and watchtowers. The town’s poignant sculpture of a dying lion is unforgettable, and its Picasso Museum is another must-see.

Limmatquai is the street along the right side of the river Limmat in central Zurich. On one side is the Rathaus, Zurich's Baroque parliament building.

Limmatquai is a vibrant shopping, dining and hotel area with many interesting buildings dating from the days of the rich Guilds which governed Zurich until 1789. It is the perfect place to start your exploration of the narrow, charming streets of the Old Town.

Carved into the low cliff face on the outskirts of the Old Town, the Lion Monument is Lucerne’s most distinctive landmark, evocatively described by Mark Twain as ‘the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world’. The giant sandstone sculpture depicts a 10-meter long dying lion resting in a shaded nook above a shimmering pond, and was created in 1821 under commission of Captain Carl Pfyffer von Altishofen.

Hewn out of the natural rock on-site, the monument was the handiwork of stonemason Lucas Ahorn, to the design of Danish classicist sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsenwhilst and commemorates the Swiss Guards that lost their lives in the 1792 French Revolution. Look closely and you’ll see that the lion’s paws rest on the symbolic Fleur-de-Lis (Lilies of France), while a broken spear juts from his back. The poignant inscription reads ‘Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti’ – ‘To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss’.

Set at a lofty 2,061 meters high, with the iconic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau towering overhead, Kleine Scheidegg is unsurprisingly known for its jaw-dropping vistas, including a striking view of the infamous Eiger North Face. With a cluster of hotels and amenities, the scenic mountain pass makes a strategic base for hiking and skiing, with alpine resorts like Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen just below and access to a vast network of ski runs, hiking routes and rock climbing trails.