Lucerne

On the shores of Lake Lucerne and close to some of the highest peaks of the Swiss Alps, Lucerne is a German-speaking Swiss city in an idyllic location. There is plenty of classic Swiss architecture to see from the half-timbered houses of the Old Town to the elegant spires of the city's churches and the medieval wooden bridges. Discover the wonderful Chapel Bridge, which doubles as an art gallery displaying illustrations of local history from the 1600s, and leads to an imposing 700-year-old Water Tower, once part of the city’s walls. In the summer, take the world's steepest cogwheel railway up to Mount Pilatus.