35 days in Switzerland Itinerary

Immerse yourself in a snow-capped mountain wonderland in Switzerland's serene Alpine setting. See the world-renowned Matterhorn, Switzerland's second-highest mountain at 4,478 m (14,962 ft) tall, or zoom down the mountains on toboggan, ski, or snowboard. In the warmer seasons hike around the rolling green hillsides covered with pine trees and picturesque aqua blue lakes. Luxurious cities dotted with cozy wooden chalets and colorful flowerbeds balance quaintness with first-class cultural offerings. Indulge in the country's opulence of milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and keg-carrying St. Bernard dogs.

The Canton of Bern is home to a diverse landscape of plateaus, breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. In the capital city you'll find the Old Town, built in a loop of the river Aare. Its sandstone houses, narrow streets, fountains, and medieval atmosphere have earned it World Heritage Status. Sightseeing stops on your itinerary include the 101 m (331 ft) high platform at the Rose Garden, the bear family at Bear Park, and the Houses of Parliament that often open their doors to tourists. Shop the 6 km (3.7 mi) long covered medieval promenade, the longest shopping arcade in Europe. The boutiques, bars, and cabaret stages, some housed in vaulted cellars, are among Bern's other tourist attractions. Outside of the capital city, hike valleys and foothills, or take on the staggeringly steep mountain cliffs by ski or snowboard.

Surrounding Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Bernese Oberland embodies Swiss-style comfort with its richly decorated chalets. The region abounds with famous, family-friendly ski resorts; ski tours take you to pristine Alpine peaks offering skiing for all skill levels. Itineraries here can include ice climbing, ski sailing, and marvelling in the beauty of the Alps and mirroring lakes below. Find yourself at the top of the continent with a ride to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 m (11,332 ft) above sea level.

With a strong emphasis on Alpine sports atop 4,000 m (13,123 ft) tall mountains, Valais is home to well-known resort towns and quaint villages. The panoramic views here are dominated by the famous Matterhorn, standing at 4,478 m (14,692 ft). Idyllic hikes through the dense forest, snowshoe trekking along the Alpine landscape, and jovial après-ski gatherings are among the things to do. Catch a glimpse of bubbling mountain streams winding through the many trails on foot or mountain bike, and after your adventures, immerse yourself in a thermal bath with a glass of acclaimed local wine.

Experience Switzerland's Mediterranean side with a visit to Ticino, where Italian flair dominates. Palm trees, beaches, piazzas, and old churches fill this Italian-speaking canton. Mirroring blue lakes reflect the majestic Alps not far off. Enjoy "la dolce vita" with an espresso among the sub-tropical gardens, romantic landscapes, and historical architecture. Rich indigo flowers dot Alpine pastures and wooded hills rising around the shores of Ticino's lakes, while delicate white camellia line lakeshore promenades. The furthest southern state, Ticino boasts a much milder climate that the rest of the country and offers plenty of sunshine.

Appenzell District is a district of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in Switzerland. It has a population of. The area of Appenzell is 16.88km². The district of Appenzell consists of a part of the village Appenzell, as well as Rinkenbach, Kau and Meistersrüte.HistoryPrehistoric AppenzellWhile a single late Bronze Age site has been discovered in the forest outside Appenzell, there is no evidence of a prehistoric settlement. The region around Appenzell remained forested and very lightly settled until the end of the Early Middle Ages.Under the Abbots of St. GallUnder the authority of the abbots of the monastery of St. Gall settlers began to colonization of the Sitter river valley in the late 11th century. It is mentioned, in a deed granting rights to clear land, in 1071 as Abbacella. At the same time, the parish of St. Mauritius was established. By 1200, the parish included the area of the modern district as well as villages of Brenden, Lank, Lehn and Meistersrüte. The meager records before 1500 does not allow accurate reconstruction of the early residential development. It is likely that the first village houses were along the road between church and abbot's farm, which was built at what is now Reichsstrasse near the Gansbach stream. This gave the early village an east-west orientation. East of the church the Metzibrücke bridge was built over the Sitter. This led to the extension of the village across the river. The eastern end of the village was a conglomerate of economic and administrative buildings.