Attractions - Switzerland

Attractions - Bern

North-East Switzerland

Although not as well known as other parts of the country, north-east Switzerland boasts castles, baroque monasteries and attractive little towns in a beautiful setting of rolling green hills and the spectacular Lake Constance. The region comprises the five cantons of St Gallen, Appenzell, Schaffhausen, Thurgau and Glarus as well as the principality of Lichtenstein. While not as spectacular as some of the other regions, north-east Switzerland is undoubtedly one of the most diverse regions in Switzerland.

S t Gallen is the seventh largest city in Switzerland and is well worth a visit. Walk around the pedestrianized old town centre with its beautiful buildings and striking cathedral. The cathedral was finished in 1768 and features the stunning ceiling frescoes of Josef Wannenmacher. Take in a classical music, jazz or  rock concert while here or pay a visit to one of the many theatres. Take the red narrow-gauge train to Appenzell, the place to go for more active pursuits such as hiking in summer or skiing in winter. If this sounds like too much hard work, there are plenty of cable cars to make climbing the mountains easier! Visit the Appenzell Showcase Cheese Dairy and sample some of the delicious cheeses.

T he pretty medieval town of Schaffhausen miraculously survived accidental bombing by the United States during WWII and is well worth exploring. Climb the Munot fortification just 15 minutes from the town to get a spectacular view of mainly 16th century architecture of the town or walk along the river to the Rheinfall, the largest waterfall in Europe at 23 metres. Lake Constance is the place to go for water sports, but also offers plenty of options in terms of culture. It is best to visit the lake in the summer, as in winter it can be a little foggy. Go for a swim at one of the many pools or beaches or try your hand at sailing or windsurfing. Take a boat to the German side of the lake and explore the beautiful town of Constance and visit the Zeppelin Museum, which commemorates the building of the Zeppelin airship. 

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