Switzerland

Like a luscious swath of green unfolding to reveal its verdant wonders, Bern is the regal keeper of resplendent natural beauty. The essence of Swiss culture and the capital of its nation, Bern is where the Bernese Oberland puts forth its emerald charms, a magnificent landscape of fairytale villages nestled along placid Lake Thun, and the formidable Jungfrau casts its frosty shadow across the cascading falls of the Lauterbrunnen. It is where rustic cheese farms and tiny country hideaways dot the fertile valleys of the Emmental, and the majesty of Bern’s medieval streets grace the banks of the winding River Aare.

Embraced by Lake Neuchatel and the cantons of Vaud and Bern, Fribourg is a petite paradise of quaint lake villages and picturesque town centers, medieval hamlets and storybooks castles. A mesmerizing expanse of bucolic pastures met by shimmering lakes, and a robust pre-alpine terrain accented by antique burgs, Fribourg is a wonderland of history and heritage waiting to be explored. From the gastronomic bounty and rural cheese farms of Le Gruyere to the temperate climate and cool waters of the Three Lakes region, and the mighty Sarine River traversed by bridges captured in time to the boutique vineyards of Le Vully, Fribourg offers a tranquil escape to a realm of irresistible beauty.

A land of green meadows and fertile valleys punctuated by Alpine ridges and crystal blue skies, Graubünden is Switzerland’s largest and most eastern bound Canton. Continuously inhabited for over 11,000 years, Graubünden is an ancient place rich with history and folklore, and possessing a cultural patchwork that combines a unique blend of traditions from German and Italian to Romansh. With its pristine Alpine landscapes, Graubünden is Switzerland’s capital for holiday jet-setting, with the luminous St. Moritz set as its crown jewel. Originally a Roman settlement, its Romansh communities provide an authentic portrait of the ancient people and traditions that have shaped the region for centuries. Adding both color and flavor to the cultural makeup of the canton, its many time-honored festivals held throughout the year are quintessentially local, while its varied cuisine is an extension of Graubünden’s three regional identities. A fabled land of enormous natural beauty, it is no wonder that it served as the setting for Johanna Spyri’s beloved novel “Heidi”, whose description of the scenery with its magical essence, would become the emblematic image of Switzerland for readers around the world.

A mythic land of alpine forests and glacier lakes, ancient peoples and the dream of a nation, Luzern is a golden tale of centuries past echoed from exalted peaks. One of the country’s most ancient settlements, Luzern lies at the historic heart of Central Switzerland. A region that extends from the grandeur of its namesake city along a patchwork of sprawling valleys stippled in shades of green, to iconic snow capped summits traversed by triumphant mountain passes. The story of Luzern can be heard in the swirling waters of the Reuss as it rushes beneath the timber planks of the Kapellbrucke Bridge, in the steady churning of a fabled cogwheel train as it climbs towards the clouds, and in the gentle swaying of a cable car as it whispers gently to the wind.

A wonderland for connoisseurs of the finer things in life, Neuchatel is a cornucopia of delights, from its magnificent Chasselas vineyards and dazzling namesake lake, to the region’s stately chateaus and legacy of fine handmade traditions. Curling up to western France, between the cantons of Bern and Vaud, Neuchatel is a bijou of French speaking Switzerland, best characterized by a rich artisan heritage that has inspired generations of superb craftspeople renowned the world over for their precise attention to detail and dedication to quality. From the boutique wineries and rustic cheese farms of Lake Neuchatel to the illustrious watchmakers of the picture-perfect Watch Valley, and the historic absinthe distilleries of the verdant Val de Travers, Neuchatel is a land of timeless traditions, joyously kept alive by the expert hands of its people.

Nestled in the southern most point of Switzerland, Ticino not only shares Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore with Italy, but also an indelible cultural, historic and gastronomic link with its neighbor, making this Italian speaking canton an intriguing convergence of two distinct identities. Once an ancient Roman colony, Ticino would later be owned by the Visconti family of Milan before becoming part of the Swiss federation in the 15th century. Vestiges of Ticino’s Italian origins can still be found in the sun kissed promenades of Ascona and Locarno, and along the bustling arcades of Lugano. Crowned by an enchanting pedigree and bestowed with an abundance of natural beauty, Ticino’s storied past can still be appreciated in such treasures as its medieval Bellinzona Castle, while its glorious landscapes can be admired in the golden olive groves adorning the hillsides of Gandria, and in the fertile vines bearing ruby fruit for Ticino’s Merlot vintages. A singular heritage brought forth through the joining of Swiss and Italian traditions, the essence of Ticino lies in the beautiful simplicity of its customs and the charming warmth of its people.

Revered for its majestic Matterhorn and the world class getaways of Zermatt, Saas Fee and Verbier, Valais reigns over a kingdom of sweeping mountainscapes and endless alpine beauty. Nestled between Italy, Southwest France, and the canton of Bern, Valais stands at the crossroads of Europe, enfolding visitors into the irresistible embrace of its fertile glacial valleys and craggy peaks of pine. Vast vineyards blanket the region’s lush Rhone valley, as scenic wooden villages and glassy lakes of blue inhabit the expanses of this grand alpine land of enchantment. An overwhelming masterpiece created by nature, the nuances of Valais can best be appreciated from atop a frosty slope, amongst friends sharing a meal of Raclette within the warmth of a cozy chalet, and captured in a tranquil moment spent admiring a distant snow capped ridge.

Where the faceted peaks of the Jura mountains and Bernese Alps sparkle against the mirror-like waters of Lakes Neuchâtel and Geneva, Vaud is nature’s jewel box of terraced, emerald vineyards, gilded valleys and sapphire skies. A French speaking canton located in Western Switzerland, Vaud is home to some of the country’s finest artisanal traditions and enchanting villages. Former Roman colonies like Vevey, Montreux and Lausanne, shine as centers of culture, gastronomy and music from the shores of Lake Geneva, while Lavaux puts forth its precious bounty from the vine. The charms of Vaud radiate brightest with each handmade treasure and natural wonder that springs forth from its fertile earth. From an artfully crafted timepiece of the Joux Valley to a crystalline Chasselas vintage and the allure of a chocolate confection from Vevey, the region is a trove of riches waiting to be uncovered.

Adorned by the Alps, a spangle of glittering lakes and radiant cities, Zurich has shone as a beacon of Swiss industry and culture throughout the centuries. A German speaking canton located in the north of the country, Zurich has played a prominent role in the Swiss identity, from its prehistoric alpine settlements dating back to 5000 BC to serving as the onetime capital of the Swiss Federation. A thriving hub of productivity and innovation at its cosmopolitan heart, the region retains the essence of its ancient soul. A polished Old City of guild houses and elegant streets serenely outstretches along the banks of the Limmat, as glimpses of a rare work of modern art can be admired from within the conceptual space of an unlikely gallery. A cathedral bell tolls over the bustle of an urban milieu, as Zurich blends beautifully the old with the new.