Zurich: Beauty with a capital B

A vibrant city where river meets lake. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the world, thanks to its role as a financial centre and a hub for the creative industries. As you explore, you'll notice how beautifully it blends its long history with modern trends. You'll see old factories that have been turned into creative living spaces without neglecting the buildings' history. You can also stroll through quiet parks and interesting shopping districts.

Head to the Old Town in the Lindenhof district, where you'll find some of the city's most important sights. In these winding lanes you can explore St. Peter's Church and the Bahnhofstrasse. Another beautiful spot in the city is the Opera House, which stages not only opera but also ballet. If you want to see art, the Kunsthaus has over 4,000 works by Swiss artists.

Don't forget to visit Lake Zurich along the promenade, where you can go ice skating, cycling or simply for a walk. From Bürkliplatz, the Chinese Garden and even the Seefeld district, you can enjoy incredible views. You can also relax in Zurich's largest park, Rieterpark. From this beautiful spot you might even get the chance to see the Glarus Alps on the horizon.

Lucerne: The most beautiful city in Switzerland…

Lucerne is probably one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, with its cobalt-blue lake, the surrounding mountains and well-preserved medieval buildings that bear witness to the city's incredible history. You'll find enchanting bridges, sunny squares and waterfront promenades as you explore this fairytale Swiss city, which offers excitement and culture around every corner. If you come to Lucerne in February, the famous Fasnacht carnival brings the city to life with parties, Guggenmusik bands, parades and colourful costumes.

Visit the famous Chapel Bridge, which caught fire in 1993, leaving behind two bridgeheads and the Water Tower. This beautiful landmark has since been rebuilt and is now a perfect place to visit. As you walk along the bridge, you'll notice it's decorated with fascinating paintings. Sadly, some were lost in the fire, but others survived to show the bridge's history and beauty.

The city is famous for the absolutely stunning Lake Lucerne, so don't miss the chance to board a boat and explore the wonderful Alpine scenery against a picturesque backdrop. If you want to see the city from one of the best viewpoints, take the Weggis – Rigi Kaltbad cable car, floating high above the forests while you enjoy the view across Lake Lucerne and the nearby Alpine peaks. And if you haven't used enough different modes of transport in the city already, check out the history of transport in Switzerland at the Swiss Museum of Transport.

Interlaken: Glorious mountain scenery

Interlaken is home to glorious mountain scenery where daredevils and adrenaline junkies gather. Set between glacier-fed Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it's surrounded by the peaks of three mountains. It's considered Switzerland's hottest adventure destination: here you can abseil down waterfalls, go white-water rafting, skydiving and paragliding.

While you enjoy delicious chocolate in this charming town, you'll have a breathtaking view of the Alps and can explore Oberhofen Castle on Lake Thun.

Head out on one of the hiking trails, where you can take in breathtaking views. With such a wide choice of trails, hikers of every fitness level will find something to suit them. If you want to see the town from a different angle – with the wind in your hair – take the chance to go paragliding. You'll be able to admire the snow-capped peaks and idyllic villages all around.

If you'd rather keep your feet on the ground, you can enjoy a chocolatey experience at the Funky Chocolate Club.

Bern: Just like a postcard

As soon as you step off the train, with its cobbled streets, stunning architecture and picturesque fountains, you'll feel like you've walked straight into a postcard. The beauty of this city and its excellent museums will cast a spell on you. You can gaze out over the Aare and wander through the historic Old Town. Much of the city is pedestrianised, so it's easy to explore. Visit the Einstein Museum, Bern Minster or the Westside shopping centre, or take a refreshing dip in the Aare.

Discover the quirky fountains of Bern, scattered throughout the Old Town. There are over 100 fountains, and many of them feature distinctive sculptures. You'll spot some incredible pieces worth a photo, such as the Child Eater.

As you walk through the city, you'll quickly spot the bear motif that Bern celebrates and identifies with – there are bears on clock towers, windowpanes and in the design of buildings. And it makes sense that Bern loves its bears: brown bears have lived in the city since the 1500s. Visit the Bear Park to see the city's three current brown bears.

Basel: Architectural splendour

The final stop on the tour is Basel, where you'll find art and architecture that draw people from far and wide to see its many galleries, iconic buildings and the world-famous ART Basel Festival. Spend the day strolling the cobbled streets before heading to the south bank, where you can enjoy a drink or an open-air meal by the river at sunset. If you fancy it, go on a ghost tour after dinner, or get some rest so you can visit the Kunstmuseum Basel in the morning.

Explore the magnificent Minster, Basel's most important landmark, known for its red sandstone walls and colourful roof tiles. Standing on the Rhine, it's an architectural masterpiece and offers a fantastic view of Kleinbasel on the other side of the river.

If all that walking around Basel has left you parched, take the train to Rheinfelden. Less than 20 minutes away, you can visit and tour the Feldschlösschen Brewery.

We hope you enjoyed this itinerary