The Matterhorn

One of the highest mountains in the Alps, the Matterhorn sits on the border with Italy. It has four steep faces rising to its craggy tip. Climbers have been intrigued by this mountain from the first successful summit in 1865 by British climber Edward Whymper and his team. The trip still ended tragically when four of the climbers fell to their deaths during the descent.

To experience the view of Matterhorn:

ride the Gornegrat Bahn cog railway to the summit of the 1,620-meter Gornergrat mountain

Zermatt

The charming village of Zermatt is at the foot of Matterhorn, a top international resort that is one of the most popular ski destinations in Switzerland, and a hiking, biking, and climbing paradise in summer.

Zermatt can also be reached via the Matterhorn Gotthard railway.

The Five Lakes Trail is one of the most popular hikes.

If you are interested in history, there's a Matterhorn museum in town and you can also find dozens of shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

Grindewald a fairytale-like village and highest train station in Europe.

The Sphinx Observatory, an astronomical observatory that looks like a Bond villain lair, the best place to see the magnificent Aletsch Glacier.

Jungfraujoach's highly sustainable cable car, the Eiger Express, shortened the journey between Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch

Interlaken

The enchanting resort town has been a popular vacation destination for centuries, giving tourists a home base to explore the Bernese Oberland.

Interlaken's proximity to Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east, along with soaring alpine mountains, has helped it become the "Adventure Capital of Europe".

A brick path lined with quirky Swiss statues takes you to the trailhead for the Harder Kulm Circular Path, a relatively easy, forested path that opens up to panoramic views of Interlaken.

Stroll on the Höheweg, Interlaken's main boulevard, or find a moment of peace at the Garden of Friendship, the country's first Japanese garden.

Lucerne

Imagine a sparkling blue lake surrounded by mountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, waterfront promenades, frescoed historic buildings, and sun-splashed plazas with bubbling fountains. No wonder Lucerne (in German, Luzern) is a top spot for tourists.

One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Chapel Bridge, built in the 14th century. In a small park, lies the famous Lion Monument, a poignant sculpture of a dying lion, which honors the heroic death of Swiss Guards during the attack on the Tuileries in the French Revolution. History buffs will enjoy the Swiss Transport Museum with extensive exhibits on all forms of transport, including air and space travel, railroad locomotives, and a Planetarium.

Lake Geneva

Europe's largest Alpine lake, straddles the Swiss/French border, and laps at the shores of some of Switzerland's most popular cities. The city of Geneva (in French Genève; in German Genf) sits between pretty snowcapped peaks at the point where the Rhône spills into Lake Geneva.

This French-speaking "capital of peace" is the European seat of the United Nations and exudes a pleasing blend of French joie de vivre and Swiss structure. Promenades, parks, and gardens surround the lake, and the old town is a lovely spot to stroll among the historic buildings. The Jet d'Eau, a fountain in Lake Geneva shooting water 150 meters into the air, is a famous landmark. Cultural attractions include the Opera House and the Grand Théâtre, which stages international acts.

Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, a major transportation hub, and a top starting point for travelers.

A great place to begin a walking tour is the cobbled streets of the Old Town with its quaint shops, cafés, and galleries.

A short stroll from Zürich's main station, the Swiss National Museum, in a Gothic chateau, spotlights Swiss cultural history. Families will love the Zurich Zoo with an elephant park, penguin parade, and Madagascar pavilion. From the city, take a train ride to Uetliberg Mountain for panoramic views of the city and countryside.

The Rhine Falls

Spanning 150 meters, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) at Schaffhausen are the largest falls in Europe. The best time to visit is during June and July when the mountain snow melts, and the falls swell in volume to spill over a 21-meter-high ledge of Jurassic limestone.

Boat trips up the Rhine provide excellent views of the falls, as do the viewing platforms on both sides of the river.

Swiss National Park

Founded in 1914, Swiss National Park in the Engadine Valley is the oldest reserve in the Alps. The park sits right on the border with Italy and encompasses more than 170 square kilometers of flower-dotted hollows, fast-flowing rivers, and limestone crags. The scenery is especially dramatic in winter when the forested mountains are covered in a blanket of snow, and the views from the cross-country ski trails are stunning.