On the River Rhine and overlooked by the towers of its stunning 157m-high Gothic cathedral, Cologne (Köln) is one of Germany's largest cities. The city's unique identity is a mix of the narrow alleys of its old town, the Kölsch dialect (and Kölsch beer), and contemporary architecture down by the ultramodern Rheinauhafen riverfront complex.

Beside the lake that shares its name, Lucerne is a mix of baroque churches, frescoed facades and cobblestone squares filled with fountains and alfresco dining. The River Reuss snakes through the town to the mountain-framed lake, ideal for hardcore hikers or fairweather walkers. The mountain terrain here is varied; vast craggy outcrops bleed into wildflower meadows peppered with grazing cows and the odd lama from the nearby Hinter Musegg small-scale farm.

Quintessentially Swiss with a Mediterranean charm, the small resort town of Locarno sits on the banks of Lake Maggiore in the foothills of the Alps. Locarno combines a rich history with a vibrant art scene, and is home to the world-famous Locarno Film Festival. 

It’s not just the famous annual Jazz festival that takes place every spring that puts Montreux on the musical map; countless artists across rock, pop and folk have journeyed here to record albums. And before that, it was writers like Mary Shelley and Lord Byron who were enchanted by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva and the dramatic alpine backdrop.

On the Swiss plateau between the Jura and the Alps, Bern's easy-going pace of life makes a welcome change from most capital cities. Dip your toe into the thriving urban swim scene on the River Mare fed by Alpine meltwater, and follow its contours to uncover the UNESCO old town nestled within a big loop of the river.

At the confluence of Rhine and Main rivers, Mainz is a historic university city and the official wine capital of Germany. The cobblestone Altstadt is a tangle of half-timbered buildings, overlooked by the red sandstone turrets of the city's impressive romanesque cathedral. Opposite, the Gutenberg museum (named after the inventor of the letterpress) is well worth a visit, where you'll uncover the city's rich printing history.