Explore 45 acres of luscious greenery in Merian Gärten, southeast of central Basel. Each season brings its own highlights, from rhododendrons in spring to plums and apples in autumn. There's also an apiary and a water mill, as well as a café housed in the 18th-century Villa Merian.

Spend some time exploring Basel's Kunstmuseum, a fine art museum which houses the oldest public art collection in the world. Pieces ranging from the early 15th to 21st centuries are grouped in three different buildings (Hauptbau, Neubau and Gegenwart), and the permanent collection includes works by Monet, van Gogh and Picasso.

Basel's old town is a colourful mix of higgledy-piggledy buildings and cobbled streets. You can browse at several markets and visit the richly decorated town hall, but it's Basel Cathedral which is the must-visit sight. Constructed between 1019 and 1500 in late Romanesque and Gothic styles, its interior is full of curious architectural details. The Pfalz viewpoint behind the cathedral is the perfect spot from which to look out across the Rhine.

Wander around Locarno's Lombard-style Piazza Grande, lined with independent shops, restaurants and bars. If you're in town on a Thursday, be sure to visit during the weekly market to wind your way through a maze of fresh produce and craft stalls.

Take a gentle wander along the Olive Tree Grove Trail which passes through the remains of ancient olive trees as well as newly planted trees have been reintroduced.

The best way to experience Monte Bré is to take the funicular to the top. From here you can choose between a range of hikes around the summit and in the surrounding woodlands.

From Cassarate on the edge of the city, board the funicular up to the peak, changing at Suvigliana. Once you've reached the top, enjoy the views over a drink and bite to eat from the roof terrace of the Osteria Funicolare restaurant. If you're feeling adventurous, you could hire mountain bikes from one of the many rental shops at the summit before heading back down on the funicular.

The walk back down to Lugano is around 5km.

For a relaxing way to take in the spectacular mountain scenery, take a boat trip out onto Lake Lugano. Choose between gastronomic tours, a multi-stop daytrip or a fully electric scenic ride.

Lecco is on the eastern branch of Lake Como and the area's beaches are a welcome escape from Lake Como's busier shores. There are public beaches close to town: Orsa Maggiore is the closest (next to the road, fairly busy with a beach bar and wakeboarding), others can be reached by train.

The Erna Piani is a mountain resort accessed by cable car (the base of which can be reached by bus number 5 from Lecco). There's a stunning viewpoint at the peak and hiking trails – in winter there's sledding and snoeshoeing.

This lakeside town has a rich history and you should seek out the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Visconti Bridge and the Bell tower of Basilica San Nicolò. (Italy's second highest). Stop in the principal square, Piazza XX Settembre, for a bite to eat or coffee.

Stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, for boutique shopping by day and buzzing bars and restaurants by night.

Visit the shop of Patrick Roger, the famous Parisian chocolatier, who takes the art of chocolate to another level. Marvel at his sculptural creations and taste some of France’s most unusually flavoured and exquisitely crafted chocolate.

Take a trip out to the Jardin Albert Kahn and immerse yourself in orchards, rose gardens and forests that combine French, Japanese and English garden design. They were originally created by banker Albert Kahn before the Wall Street Crash, after which he lost his bank and his fortunes – including this garden.