National Geographic Traveler - USA (2019-06 & 2019-7)

5. ST. GALLEN

Treasure Trove

A 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy,

170,000 books, and the earliest-
known (eighth-century) architectural

plan drawn on parchment are

among the cultural gems housed
in St. Gallen’s Abbey of St. Gall, a

UNESCO World Heritage site. After

touring the abbey district, take a
high-road hike crossing 18 bridges

on the aptly named Bridge Trail.

Photo Spot: Drei Weieren
(Three Ponds), St. Gallen

Snack Refi ll: Appenzeller^
Schaukäserei AG—St. Gallen

Biber (almond-fi lled honey

dough pastry)

6. MAIENFELD

Swiss Miss

Follow in the world-famous footsteps

of Heidi, heroine of the classic

children’s novel, on the Heidi Trail

from medieval Maienfeld to Heidi

Village. From here, hike up to a lunch

stop at the rustic Heidialp chalet,

a replica of the high-meadow hut

where Heidi spent summers with

her grandfather.

Photo Spot: Panorama Hotel

Restaurant Heidihof, Maienfeld

Snack Refi ll: milk & more,

Davos—Totenbeinli

(hazelnut cookies)

7. LUGANO

Warm Welcome

Benvenuto to sun-splashed Lugano,

a Swiss slice of the Mediterranean

on the Italian-speaking, southern side

of the Alps. Dubbed the “garden city”

due to an abundance of parks,

blooming fl owers and shrubs, and

palm trees, lakefront Lugano ticks

all the right boxes for a warm and

relaxing rest stop.

Photo Spot: Monte San Giorgio,

overlooking Lake Lugano

Snack Refi ll: Hotel Delfi no,

Lugano—Ticino alpine cheese

8. GRIMENTZ

Treat the Senses

Detour back in time to the postcard-

perfect Valais village of Grimentz,

where, June to October, nearly

35 species of geranium fi ll the air

with a fragrant blend of ginger, mint,

orange, and other intoxicating

fl oral scents.

Photo Spot: Stockalper Palace,

Brig

Snack Refi ll: Bäckerei Tea-Room

Mathieu, Susten—

Traubenkerngipfel (grape seed

bread)

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PARTNER CONTENT FOR GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND

1. GENEVA

Peaceful Pedal

Ariana Park, home to the United

Nations’ European headquarters, is

the launchpad for Geneva Bike Tours’

e-bike ride through the “peace capital,”

a nickname nod to the city’s more than

200 international organizations. The

three-hour tour passes iconic Geneva

sights, such as St. Peter’s Cathedral,

built between 1160 and 1260. Climb

157 steps up to the cathedral’s North

Tower platform for panoramic views

of the city and its eponymous lake.

Photo Spot: Lake Geneva,^

Coppet

Snack Refi ll: Nyon Region

Tourism offi ce—Alexandre chocolate

2. NEUCHÂTEL

Perfect Timing

Take a timely trip north of Neuchâtel to

the neighboring towns of La Chaux-

de-Fonds and Le Locle, collectively

named a UNESCO World Heritage site

for a continuous watchmaking culture

dating to 17th century. Craft your own

mechanical timepiece at an introductory

workshop. View a timeline of watch-

making history at the Watch Museum

of Le Locle.

Photo Spot: Pont du Gottéron,

Fribourg

Snack Refi ll: Aebersold bakery,

Murten—Nidelkuchen cream cake

3. BERN

Dive In

Jump feet fi rst into daily life in

Switzerland’s compact capital city.

Begin by shopping and strolling

the four miles of lauben (covered

walkways) in Bern’s Old Town, a

UNESCO World Heritage site. Then,

join the locals in a rite of summer—

fl oating down the brisk River Aare

to the Marzili, the city’s crystalline

riverside swimming pool.

Photo Spot: Emmental Show

Dairy, Emmental

Snack Refi ll: Schloss Hünegg in

Hilterfi ngen—Nussgipfel (croissant

fi lled with hazelnut paste)

4. LUCERNE

Conquer the Dragon

Soar up the slopes of Lucerne’s

mystical, 6,981-foot Mount Pilatus

(formerly the domain of a dragon,

according to legend) on the Dragon

Ride aerial cable way. Hike around

the summit to see (on clear days)

top-of-the-world views of the city,

Lake Lucerne, and up to 73 Alpine

peaks.

Photo Spot: Château Gütsch,

Lucerne

Snack Refi ll: Aeschbach

Chocolatier, Lucerne—chocolate

pralines