9 Ways To See Switzerland

Sky-bursting alpine peaks, memorable road trips, and sports to take you out of your comfort zone, plus fantastic food and drink: switzerland is really bursting with life.

- Mike Maceacheran

TIME-TRAVEL

See castles, cathedrals and clock towers on a walk through history

There are two Switzerlands. One is the super-efficient, business-like country renowned for its booming economy and banks. The other is a crossroads of lesser-known stories where Romans, Savoy lords and WW2 fighters left their indelible mark.

Nowhere is such compelling history more apparent than in Bern, Switzerland’s story-riddled capital. The entire core of the 12th-century Old City is worthy of UNESCO status and there is a sense everyone is aware of just how beautiful their medieval map is. To see its most captivating landmarks, don’t miss the Zytglogge Clock Tower, the late-gothic Bern Minster Cathedral, or the renaissance fountains.

From here, it’s an easy hop west by high-speed train to Veytaux and Chateau Chillon, the most visited castle in the country. There’s a perfect marriage of history and environment here and the pomp on display encourages Game of Thrones-style discovery. There are great halls and courtyards, accounts of the Counts of Savoy who controlled the fort and a moat, arsenal and prison to explore.

All of this is backed by the glimmer of surrounding Lake Geneva and mountains of rock, ice and snow in the far distance.