Lucerne

Lucerne is a historic city with its famous wooden Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), dating from the fourteenth century, and its Water Tower beside it, ringed by mountains such as Pilatus.

From the lake, the world's steepest cogwheel railway climbs Pilatus at gradients of up to 48%, and Engelberg, about 45 minutes away, is the base for Mount Titlis, its revolving cable car and the Cliff Walk suspension bridge. Historic steamers link the lake's villages.

The old town is compact and easy to walk, with watch and jewellery shops around its squares. Lucerne is about 45 minutes from Zurich by train and about an hour from Bern.