10-day itinerary for Switzerland

Berne, Switzerland's leafy capital in the heart of Europe, offers a unique blend of nature, history and culture. The first thing visitors notice on arrival is the importance attached to nature and animals, making it an ideal destination for families with children.

But there's more to Bern than nature: it also has a magnificent historic centre, known as the "Old Town", which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as art museums and historic buildings to visit. For your first day, we suggest you wander the cobbled streets, where the many historic buildings bear witness to the city's medieval architecture.

The ideal starting point is the Place de la Palud, where you will find both the Clock Tower, the symbol of Bern, and Berner Münster Cathedral (Collegiate Church of St Vincent), built in the 13th century. We recommend that you visit these two emblematic buildings of the city.

If you're passing through the Old Town on a Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday, make sure you stop off at the market, a popular meeting place for the people of Bern. Bernese markets are held every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year at Bundesplatz (Federal Square), Bärenplatz (Bear Square), Waisenhausplatz (Orphanage Square) and in Gurtengasse, Schauplatzgasse and Münstergasse.

The day begins with a morning stroll along the banks of the River Aare, where you can admire the breathtaking views of the Alps. The 10-kilometre-long promenade along the banks of the Aare is one of the most beautiful in Bern.

Continue your walk with a visit to Bern Zoo, one of the oldest and largest zoos in Europe. It is home to many animal species, including red pandas, lions and elephants.

The last day is devoted to discovering Swiss culture. The Bern History Museum, located in the Helvetiaplatz district, is a must-see. It presents the history, culture and geography of Switzerland through interactive exhibitions and authentic objects. You can also visit the Lindt chocolate factory outside Bern to find out how the world-famous Swiss chocolate is made.

While the city itself is a great history lesson, don't forget to also visit the Einsteinhaus (Einstein's House) a tribute to the scientist who developed his theory of relativity here in Bern.

Lucerne, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is famous for its mountain lake, historic covered bridge and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Take a 50-minute walk along the lake from Lucerne railway station to the Seeburg Hotel. During this urban stroll, you'll see the piers and cross the Seebrücke bridge leading to Lucerne's quays.

The most famous quays are Schweizerhofquai and National Quai, separated by Kurplatz where the music pavilion is located. You can play pétanque in summer, listen to concerts or enjoy the view of the Pilatus and the Culture and Congress Centre Lucerne (KKL) in front of the pavilion. ## After the Kurplatz, you can stroll past the "Grand Hotel National" and the "Casino Luzern" towards the Seebad Luzern beach. You will pass the Palace Hotel via the Carl-Spitteler-Quai and the Luzern Quai, before reaching the Swiss Museum of Transport. Continue your walk along the lake to the Lido and then, via the Churchill-Quai, to Seeburgstrasse. You can return by bus or boat from the Swiss Museum of Transport's Verkehrshaus-Lido landing stage.

The second day is devoted to discovering the culture and history of Lucerne. The Swiss Transport Museum is a must-see. With its extensive collection of old vehicles, trains and aeroplanes, you'll learn all about the history of transport in Switzerland. Finally, we recommend finishing the day at the Richard Wagner Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the German composer. It features original documents, engravings and paintings tracing his life and work.

For an experience in the heart of nature, leave Lucerne and discover the Pilatus Kulm, a mountain culminating at 2132 metres above sea level. The unique access route follows the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, so you'll already be in the holiday mood. Admire the breathtaking views over the Lucerne-Lake Lucerne region.

To make this experience even more unforgettable, opt for the "Golden Round Trip" return ticket for your Pilatus excursion. Before boarding the boat in Lucerne, take time to admire the city's landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge and the towers of the Musegg Wall. A trip on Lake Luc erne on a comfortable boat to Alpnachstad is a relaxing experience. In just 30 minutes, the cogwheel train will take you to the summit where you can observe the different forms of vegetation, from the lake's reeds to lush meadows, fragrant forests and arid mountains with impressive rock formations.

Start your first day exploring Zurich's historic city centre, where you can see many medieval and baroque buildings. Visit the famous Grossmünster cathedral, which dates back to the Middle Ages and offers breathtaking views over the city. Next to the cathedral is the Fraumünster, another historic church with frescoes by Chagall.

After visiting the churches, take a walk along the Limmat, the river that runs through Zurich. Here you can see many historic buildings and charming bridges, while enjoying the view of the Alps in the background.

On your second day in Zurich, take a cultural tour of the city. The Swiss National Museum is one of the most important in Switzerland, with exhibitions on Swiss history, art and culture. The Kunsthaus is also a must for art lovers, with an impressive collection of European and American works ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Finally, the Rietberg Museum is an interesting destination for lovers of Asian art, with a collection of over 50,000 works of art from Asia, Africa and South America.

On the third day, take a trip to Rapperswil, a town on the shores of Lake Zurich, where you can see a medieval castle and stroll through the town's gardens. No fewer than 16,000 roses bloom here from May to October in the gardens of the Capuchin cloister and on the "Schanz", a rose garden for the blind.