Fodors Switzerland

ZRICH. Zrich is surprisingly small, but its wealth of cultural riches more than makes up for its size. Tour the luxuriously gentrified Altstadt (Old Town), then take in the hulking Grossmnster cathedral, great modern art at the Bhrle Museum, and top Old Masters at Winterthurs Oskar Reinhart Collection.

EASTERN SWITZERLAND. East of Zrich the Rhine snakes through some of the most untouched regions of Switzerland; in tiny towns and small cities, amid wood-shingle farmhouses and grand Baroque churches, discover the old Rhine city of Schaffhausen, known for its medieval frescoes; St. Gallen, a busy textile center with an active Old Town; and princely Liechtenstein.

GRAUBNDEN. The mountains of what used to be called Rhaetia once made the region of Graubnden difficult to rule. Today emperors and kings have been replaced by new conquerors: tourists, who take the gorgeous train ride to Arosa, visit Heidi country in Maienfeld, hang out with writers in Klosters and billionaires in Davos, and ski and be seen in glitzy St. Moritz.

TICINO. With its intoxicating italianit (Italian flair), Ticino is an irresistible combination of Mediterranean pleasures and Swiss efficiency. The regions sinuous lakes, perhaps its greatest attraction, beckon with strolls along fashionable waterfront promenades. Concentrate on beauteous Lugano, serene Locarno, and elegant Ascona, set on the shore of Lago Maggiore.

LUZERN AND CENTRAL SWITZERLAND. Central Switzerland is the most-visited region in the country. No wonder: you can take a paddleboat steamer on the Vierwaldstttersee lake past some of the most beautiful lakeside vistas to the Rtli Meadow birthplace of Switzerlandand the fabled Wilhelm Tell chapel. Luzern itself has a medieval Old Town so cleanly refurbished it could be mistaken for a museum exhibit.

BASEL. Set where Switzerland meets Germany and France, Basels lovely Old Town, a Rhine river walk, and great modern artincluding Museum Tinguely and Fondation Beyeler make it a best bet. In the 15th century, the city won the right to hold an unlimited number of fairs, which today range from the famous Fasnacht carnival to the chic ArtBasel.

FRIBOURG AND NEUCHTEL. Largely undiscovered, these two cantons (states) are favorite western Switzerland getaways. Fribourg, part German and part French, is divided into a checkerboard of fields with a neatness only the Swiss can achievethe highlight is the stunningly picturesque castle at Gruyres. Other treasures: lakeside Neuchtel and Gothic-era Fribourg.

BERN. A city of broad medieval streets, Switzerlands federal capital sits in the countrys largest canton, whose size and influence mirror the pride of its citizens. The famed sandstone arcades, painted fountains, performing mechanical clock of the Zytglogge, Gothic Mnster, and art-filled Zentrum Paul Klee are as ardently protected as the countrys neutrality.

BERNER OBERLAND. Kiss the sky in this hypermagical provincea summit of summits that includes the peaks of the Eiger, Mnch, and Jungfrau. From the hub of Interlaken, journey up to gorgeous eagles-nest towns like Mrren and Wengen and down to the Shangri-la valley that is Lauterbrunnen. A taste of the high life awaits in glam Gstaad.

VALAIS. This is the Switzerland of raclette eaters, winemakers, yodelersand, oh, yes, the Matterhorn. From the Rhne valley explore the citadel of Sion and take resort luxury to new heights in Saas-Fee, Verbier, and Crans-Montana. Of course, youll feel unsated if you miss Switzerlands most photographed icon, the Matterhorn, so stop by its lovely home, Zermatt.

VAUD. Centered around Lac Lman (Lake Geneva), this French-speaking canton harbors Alpine villages, glamorous lake resorts, and verdant vineyards. But be sure to visit the Old Town and hyperactive waterfront of Lausanne, harbor-front Vevey, Riviera-like Montreux, and lakeside Chteau de Chillon Switzerlands most fabled castle.

GENEVA. As the birthplace of Calvinism and the International Red Cross, home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, and a stronghold of private banks and exclusive boutiques, Geneva is, in many ways, a paradox. To get into its international vibe, begin by exploring the Palais des Nations, then after the Vieille Ville (Old City), head to the downtown waterfront and the feathery Jet dEau .

Getting Here

The two main airports in Geneva (Cointrin Airport | www.gva.ch ) and Zrich (Zrich Airport | www.zurich-airport.com ) will get you here from anywhere in the world, nonstop from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Montreal, and London, for example.

The Basel/Mulhouse airport offers flights from European locations and is less crowded.

The smaller airports at Bern (Bern-Belp | www.alpar.ch ) and Lugano (Aeroporto Lugano-Agno | 091/6101282 | www.lugano-airport.ch ) host local and short-haul flights as well as private-jet traffic.

Public transportation from/to all airports is excellent (as it is throughout the country) and generally much faster and cheaper than taxis.

Think twice about domestic flights within Switzerlandif you calculate getting from your hotel to the airport, the flight time including delays, and getting to your next hotel, taking the train is often faster and more comfortable, as trains and buses will take you almost anywhere in Switzerland.