10-Day Austria & Switzerland Itinerary: Lakes, Art & Culinary

Resting over the banks of the Danube River in northeastern Austria, Vienna, the country’s capital city, is famous for its classical music heritage and reflects an enticing blend of old and new. The historical centre is skyscraper-free and dotted with immaculate, charming little parks. It is also pedestrian friendly and extremely compact, which is convenient as this area contains the bulk of the city’s major tourist highlights. Chief among these are the famous Burgtheater and Opera House and an array of opulent baroque palaces lining the warren of narrow, medieval alleyways which wind their way around the magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral. Add to this a slew of grand coffee houses and a rich history of classical music (residents included Mozart and Beethoven) and it becomes difficult to imagine a more livable city than the sophisticated metropolis of Vienna.

Set near the German border, the famous city of Salzburg is one of the best-preserved city centres in Europe. Its winding cobblestone streets offer a treasure trove of Medieval and Baroque buildings, palaces, concert halls, and monasteries - all set against a picturesque backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped Alps. Visit the house where Mozart was born, and enjoy a packed lineup of operas, concerts and ballets in breathtaking historic halls and venues. The internationally renowned Salzburg Festival, which takes place every summer, provides the ultimate way to enjoy this scene. Fans of the Sound of Music can retrace the characters’ steps backed by stunning scenes and vistas. Make sure to stroll along the beautiful Salzach River, climb up to the spectacular Hohensalzburg fortress, and try the famous, delicious beer brewed at the Augustiner Braustubl, a monastery-run brewery operating since 1621.

Zurich, or 'Zuri' as it is fondly known by its multicultural inhabitants, lies in northern Switzerland at the meeting point of a beautiful lake and river, with the magnificent snow-capped Swiss Alps standing guard high above it. This fairy tale city is renowned for its beauty, cleanliness, efficiency, and heritage. Explore medieval alleyways peppered with quirky corner cafes, steepled churches, trendy taprooms, and world-class galleries and restaurants. A day in Zurich can include browsing the unrivalled selection of luxury stores on it’s famous shopping strip, the Bahnhofstrasse; riding the Polybahn, the 19th-century funicular up a steep hill to admire the spectacular view; or ‘renting’ a free bike or skateboard to meander along the banks of picturesque Lake Zurich. The venerable palace of art at the Kunsthaus is also a major drawcard, containing numerous world-famous masterpieces.

Set on the banks of the beautiful Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, Basel serves as a cultural hub of the country. The university town of Basel, rich in cultural history, offers a host of recreational and pleasurable experiences with its extensive cultural wealth and activities, as well as top-class cuisine and nightlife. It is home to the highest concentration of museums in the country. It is renowned for its beautiful Old Town, numerous museums, modern architecture and historical landmarks. Visitors can relax along the Rhine, explore the historic market square edged by a beautiful red sandstone Town Hall, sample the traditional Basel honey cake at the ‘Lackerli Huus’, and discover a host of stylish boutiques and antique book shops lining the streets. Other popular attractions: Botanical Gardens and the impressive 12th-century Gothic cathedral.

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is centred around a crook in the lovely Aare River, a major river of the Swiss Plateau. Known for its magnificent fountains, sandstone facades, narrow cobbled streets, historic towers, and its gargantuan Gothic cathedral, the city is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The remarkable design coherence of the historic old town has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, particularly for its impressive six-kilometre stretch of fifteenth-century arcaded walkways lined with some charming shops and cafes. Bern is also a remarkably green city: in addition to the numerous public gardens and forests, including the beautiful Rose Garden with an unrivalled view over the skyline of the historic Old Town, the Münster (Minster) and the loop in the Aare river. Bern has everything you could ask for in a medieval European city - it is compact, central and brimming with cultural treasures and an old-world atmosphere.