Treasure of Italy - Valerie Oyler

About the destination: With the Alps and Lake Lucerne as its backdrop, the charming and prosperous city of Lucerne is truly spectacular. Its narrow streets and colorful squares are adorned with brightly colored wall paintings, an art form that flourished in the late 16th century. The city is perfect for boat trips and excursions to Mt. Rigi and Mt. Pilatus. A walk along the river offers a great view of the old city, where two ancient bridges cross the river. The Chapel Bridge, decorated with scenes from Swiss history, runs alongside the Water Tower, a symbol of the city. The shorter Spreuerbrücke is adorned with Kaspar Meglinger’s eerie Dance of Death paintings. Stroll by the Altes Rathaus, or City Hall, and through the charming squares of Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz to experience authentic Swiss wall painting. For a bird’s-eye view of Lucerne’s dozen or so churches and three mountains—Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis—climb the medieval fortifications with their numerous towers. Don’t miss Das Löwendenkmal, a massive sculpture of a lion carved into the face of a rock, dedicated to the Swiss mercenaries of Versailles. Mark Twain called it “the saddest and most compassionate piece of rock on earth.” In the Am Rhyn Haus, next to the Altes Rathaus, you can see an interesting collection of late Picasso works. The combination of a tranquil lake and breathtaking snow-capped mountains gives Lucerne a special charm, further enhanced by the medieval old town, famous wooden bridges, and beautiful skyline.

About the destination: Interlaken is a town and municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the Swiss canton of Bern. It is a significant and renowned tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, and the primary transportation hub to the mountains and lakes of that region. The town is situated on the Bödeli, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and alongside the Aare river that flows between the two lakes. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Höheweg is Interlaken's main street which runs between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost Railway Stations. Take a look at the "Japanese Garden", the 150-year old Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, and don't miss the stunning view of the famous snow-covered Jungfrau mountain from "Höhematte". • Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn is a glaciated UNESCO World Heritage Site above Interlaken in the Bernese Alps. • Unterseen. Unterseen is a quaint old town near the Interlaken West train station.

About the destination: Zermatt is a picturesque ski resort, situated at the northern base of the powerful Matterhorn. Skiing, hiking, and mountaineering are the primary attractions at this resort, but there's so much more to explore in this flower-adorned village. Hinterdorf, the oldest part of Zermatt, still has a few traditional Swiss wooden houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. The St. Mauritius Church is a prominent feature of Zermatt's skyline, located in the bustling city center at Church Square, or Kirchplatz. Adjacent to the Catholic Church, the Matterhorn Museum preserves Zermatt's history and houses various artifacts. Near St. Mauritius Church is the town's cemetery, the Mountaineers' Cemetery, where the headstones narrate the incredible stories of climbers who met their fate while attempting to ascend the Matterhorn. The main street is a hub of activity, with restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, gift stores, and numerous shops selling Swiss watches. Beautiful Swiss-style buildings line both sides of the street. The English Church, a charming little church perched high on a hill overlooking Zermatt, is a heavily timbered structure that, while not as large or ornate as the Catholic Church, has its own unique charm. It's definitely worth the uphill walk. Zermatt, bustling, crowded, busy, and beautiful all at once, epitomizes the Swiss atmosphere. Despite being filled with tourists and vacationers, the town has managed to maintain its delightful Swiss ambiance.

About the destination: Zurich is often misunderstood as just a sterile banking city, but don't buy into that. Yes, Zurich is home to one of the world's largest stock exchanges and is the financial heart of Switzerland, but there's so much more to it. Beyond the markets and stock prices, you'll discover a city that's artistic, trendy, and full of life. Spend some time in Zurich West. Its old warehouses, viaducts, and shipbuilding caverns have been transformed into art centers, cool bars, and unique boutiques. Along Langstrasse, the city's infamous red light district, you're now more likely to find a stylish handbag from an up-and-coming designer than anything else. Zurich's personality is on full display during the annual Street Parade, a massive techno festival that winds through the city with DJs and scantily-clad dancers on floats. You won't see a single banker's tie. If you do in the charming east bank quarter of Niederdorf, it's probably undone. These medieval streets are alive with corner cafes, trendy bars, and top-notch restaurants. It's easy to spend an afternoon just soaking up its relaxed vibe, especially in the summer when the riverside feels like a beach. Winter is special too. Under a blanket of snow, the cobblestone streets, fountains, lakeside walks, and stunning architecture of the Old Town seem like they were made for a painting. This is when one of Europe's best Christmas markets comes to town and the air is filled with the comforting scents of glühwein (mulled wine) stalls. Shoppers will love it here any time of year. Zurich's flashy side is on display in the high-end designer boutiques of Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main shopping street. But this city isn't just for the well-to-do; there are plenty of unique shops tucked away on hidden streets. Located on the River Limmat and the northern end of Lake Zurich, Zurich is blessed with natural beauty. The city's architects have also made respectful additions - just look at the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which face each other across the river. And when you've had your fill of the city's diverse restaurants, top-tier museums, and vibrant nightlife, you can always escape to the nearby Uetliberg mountain or take a boat trip on Lake Zurich – if only to catch your breath before diving back into the city's delights again.