-
La Maison du Gruyère
The secret behind Gruyère cheese is revealed in Pringy, 1.5km from Gruyères. Cheesemaking takes place three to four times daily between 9am and 11am and 12.30pm to 2.30pm. A combined ticket for both the dairy and Château de Gruyères costs Sfr14.50 (no child combo).
-
Château de Morges
Dominating Morges bijou port is the squat, four-turreted 13th-century Château de Morges built by Savoy duke Louis in 1286 and home to four military-inspired museums today. Don’t miss the 10,000 toy soldiers on parade in the Musée de la Figurine Historique.
-
Local Museum
See what everyday life would have been like for farmers and townsfolk in years gone by. The many items include handicrafts, furniture, tools, a loom, a grain mill and a cobblers workshop in two historic buildings. Be prepared for a visual assault of wood!
-
Justice Fountain
West of the clock tower, this fountain (1561) portrays a blindfolded Justice, holding aloft a sword, while the four most important contemporary figures in Europe sit at her feet: the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, the Turkish Sultan and… the mayor of Solothurn!
-
Museum Altes Zeughaus
The early 17th- century rust-coloured facade of this vast, multi-windowed arsenal museum is a reminder that Solothurn was once a centre for mercenaries, many of whom fought for French kings. The museum is undergoing renovation and scheduled to reopen in 2016.
-
Basilique de Notre
The highlight of this church is an 18th-century Crèche Napolitaine featuring 75 figurines re-enacting the nativity, annunciation and scenes from daily life. Push your way through the heavy grey drapes and drop a Sfr1/2 coin into the slot to view the crib for 4/8 minutes.
-
Schloss Tarasp
Perched on a clifftop, this turreted castle is definite fairytale material. Guided tours of the almost 1000-year-old castle lead through wood-panelled, chandelier-lit chambers, a ruby-red banqueting hall and a humble Romanesque chapel with some highly atmospheric frescoes.
-
Schillerstein
West across Lake Uri from Brunnen, you’ll glimpse a near 30m-high natural obelisk, the Schillerstein, protruding from the water. Its gold inscription pays homage to Friedrich Schiller, the author of the play Wilhelm Tell, so instrumental in creating the Tell legend.
-
Mountaineers Cemetery
A walk in Zermatt’s twinset of cemeteries – the Mountaineers Cemetery in the garden of Zermatts St Mauritius Church and the main cemetery across the road – is a sobering experience. Numerous gravestones tell of untimely deaths on Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Breithorn.
-
Brauerei Locher
Pure local spring water goes into the refreshing Appenzeller Bier thats brewed here. The hands-on visitor centre whisks you through brewing history and processes. At the front you can buy beers such as hoppy Vollmond (full moon) and alcohol-free Leermond (empty moon).
-
Schloss Spiez
This turreted medieval castle is smothered in oil paintings of its former masters, the influential von Bubenburg and von Erlach families. But it’s the view that will grab you, whether from the lofty tower (which also sports 13th-century graffiti) or the banqueting hall.
-
Museum Rietberg
Set in three villas in a leafy park and fronted by a striking emerald glass entrance, this museum houses the country’s only assembly of African, Oriental and ancient American art. The permanent collection is frequently complemented by temporary exhibitions. Take tram 7.
-
Manoir de Ban
For years, plans have been afoot to transform Charlie Chaplins neoclassical former home (1840) into a museum dedicated to the life and times of the iconic London-born film star who made everyone laugh. The latest opening date is Spring 2016; check the website for an update.
-
Horloge Fleurie
Jardin Anglais is Geneva’s flowery lakeside garden, landscaped in 1854 on the site of an old lumber-handling port and merchant yard. Geneva’s most photographed clock, crafted from 6500 living flowers, has ticked since 1955 and boasts the world’s longest second hand (2.5m).
-
Château de Prangins
About 2km north of Nyon, this 18th-century mansion houses a branch of the Musée National Suisse covering Swiss history from 1730 to 1920. Or simply opt for a stroll through the château’s perfect French-style gardens with its potager (vegetable garden) and historical trail.
-
Musée de l’Horlogerie du Locle
Grand 18th-century rooms filled with all manner of clocks make this museum tick. The manor house, Château des Monts, was built for an 18th-century watchmaker atop a hill 3km from the town centre. Bus 1 links the train station with the ‘Monts’ stop, 150m from the museum.
-
Lungolago
This lakefront promenade necklaces the shore of glassy Lago di Lugano, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Linden and chestnut trees provide welcome shade in summer, while tulips, camellias and magnolias bloom in spring. The flower-strewn centrepiece is Parco Civico.
-
Museo del Cioccolato Alprose
Chomp into some cocoa culture at this choc-crazy museum – a sure-fire hit with kids. Whiz through chocolate history, watch the sugary substance being made and enjoy a free tasting. The shop, cunningly, stays open half an hour longer. Take the train to Caslano (Sfr6.20, 26 minutes).
-
Museum Liner
Appenzell’s contemporary art gallery sits on the other side of town from the train station. The building (whose metallic sheen gives it the appearance, in profile, of a saw) is more interesting than the collection, dedicated to local artists Carl August Liner and his son Carl Walte
-
Musée Gruérien
Nestled inside Bulles romantically turreted 13th-century chateau, this museum presents a rick portrait of local history; watch for interesting temporary exhibitions. May to September the castle-museum is a meeting point for free guided 1-1/2 hour walking tours of Bulle town.
Total
577 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
17/29 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
