Switzerland Guide

Skiing and après ski, contemporary art, watches, chocolate and fine cheeses all melt together with sublime efficiency in Switzerland. Home to the Matterhorn and flower-strewn meadows, sample the Bear Garden in Bern, the Palais des Nations in Geneva and go Nordic walking in the mighty Alps.

After exploring the colonnaded streets and boutiques of Bern, head north for sophisticated Zurich, west for Basel and south again to multicultural Geneva. The blend of medieval and modern architecture will whet your appetite for more: the bridges of Luzern, lively Lausanne and Neuchatel, famous for watches and wine.

Those familiar images which have long adorned chocolate boxes are yours to enjoy. Ski with jet-setters on the slopes of Gstaad. Hike among the tinkling cow bells of the Bernese Oberland. Sample the local wines of the Jura vineyards and bask in the southern sunshine on Lake Maggiore.

Indulge in all manner of chocolate and marzipan confections. Seek out local producers and take your pick of hard and soft cheeses and schnapps, especially cherry kirsch. Look out for wooden toys and delectable baby and children's clothes. Go for watches and jewellery, and hunt for the perfect Swiss army knife.

Enjoy regional specialities like melted cheese fondue and raclette , Zürigschnätzlets (veal and mushrooms in cream sauce) served with Rösti (potato cakes) and Nüss Gipfeli (nut croissants). Vegetarians can feast on a Gemüseteller (platter of fresh vegetables). Ask for the local offene Weine (draught wine) and at harvest time drink the popular Sauser (unfermented wine).

Wander Bern's Matte district on the banks of the River Aare and hear two exclusive languages: Mattenänglisch and Matte Bernerdeutsch. Hang in with the art scene at the converted shipbuilding factory in Zuri West.