Switzerland Bern

Discover Bern, Switzerland’s stunning de facto capital city, celebrated worldwide for its remarkably well-preserved medieval old town that has earned it a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Geographically nestled in West-Central Switzerland, the city is uniquely built on a sandstone ridge wrapped by a dramatic loop of the pristine, turquoise Aare River, surrounded by a rolling plateau landscape that experiences a comfortable temperate climate with warm summers and snowy alpine winters. Founded in the 12th century by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen, Bern grew to become the dominant military power on the Swiss plateau before evolving into the vital political and administrative heart of the Swiss Confederation.

Today, the local culture prides itself on a uniquely relaxed civic life, characterized by a leisurely pace of living, a profound appreciation for historic preservation, and strong local customs like floating down the Aare River during summer days. Powering the city's highly stable economy are major institutional sectors in government administration, diplomacy, international organizations, higher education, medical research, and high-value technical services. Your unforgettable Swiss escape places you in the perfect position to explore the area's top attractions, giving you the chance to watch the mechanical puppets turn on the Zytglogge astronomical clock tower, walk through the 6 kilometres of sheltered shopping arcades in the Old Town, admire the architecture of the Neo-Renaissance Federal Palace, and visit the famous Bear Park landscape along the river banks..