Lucerne is an ancient town with strikingly modern sensibilities. One of Europe’s oldest covered bridges serves as its centerpiece, and fresco-adorned historic houses line the streets, but it’s also home to the cutting-edge KKL, a concert hall and art gallery. Take the cableways up the Pilatus, Stanserhorn or Rigi mountains for breathtaking views, or see Lake Lucerne on a steamship cruise.

Lying on picturesque Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German), Konstanz has been a city since the first century AD, later gaining prominence as a religious center and then as the site of the only bridge crossing the Rhine River. The Old Town is one of Konstanz’s main attractions and is home to the city’s famed cathedral, originally dating from the 7th century. Due to a border anomaly, Konstanz lies on Switzerland’s land mass, and the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen is just a short walk away.

Located on the Rhine River near the borders of France and Germany, Basel contains the country's highest concentration of museums. The culture-centric city, site of the world's most influential art market each June, is also home to the lovely Munster Cathedral, made of red sandstone with a multi-colored tile roof. Green spaces abound, including the popular zoological gardens in the city center. Switzerland's largest site of Roman ruins, Augusta Raurica, are an easy day trip to the east.

This Swiss winter wonderland is also a summer playground. Snow-frosted peaks tower above charming towns and villages like Interlaken. Its position, between lakes Thun and Brienz, makes a perfect base for cable car rides up Jungfrau, Mšnch and Eiger or for hikes from traditional village Grindelwald. Thun offers exciting summer diving and sailing. To the west, the glitzy resort town of Gstaad attracts Europe's wealthy. Jungfrau Railway boasts Europe's highest station. The region is accessible by bus or car.

Bristling with beautiful lakes, splashing rivers, rugged peaks and looming castles, Vorarlberg is tucked between Switzerland and Germany. This spirited state is dotted with Bauhaus-inspired architecture, eco-friendly dwellings and tiny towns, bristling with spires. Capital Bregenz is the main draw in this alpine locale. Cobblestone streets and a lovely lakeside setting add to its charms. Renowned for its cheese and dairies, Vorarlberg is also a popular spot for skiing and other winter sports.

A magnet for skiers and hikers, these dramatic peaks – including the iconic Matterhorn – range from 3,000 to 15,000 feet and spread across three-fifths of the country. Abundant glaciers, scenic valleys and gorgeous alpine lakes add to the region's visual appeal. The Glacier Express train travels the 7.5-hour route through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz, passing through fairy-tale villages and over 291 bridges along the way.

Quaint alpine villages and great skiing entice travelers to the Grisons. The sparsely populated region of eastern Switzerland contains the source of the Rhine and Inn rivers, 140 square miles of glaciers and dense pine forests. Join the ski action at the resorts of St. Moritz, Davos and Arosa or stake a lofty claim with a visit to Juf, which boasts the highest altitude of any inhabited village in the Alps. In summer, take a hike through the Engadine Valley in the unspoiled beauty of Swiss National Park.

The majestic Austrian Alps stretch across the country, an awe-striking area of Ice Age valleys, verdant heaths and alluvial cones within Europe's largest national park, 700-square-mile Hohe Tauern. Taking in the dramatic cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck and the beautiful province of Tirol, home to spectacular skiing and hiking, as well as Gross Glockner, Austria's highest peak, and some of the world's best winter and summer sports playgrounds, the Austrian Alps are an outdoor lover's paradise.

A gem of a city easily reached by rail from Liverpool. Small yet packed to the rafters with history, culture and stylish cafe/bar culture. At its heart, the historic black-and-white timbered "rows" provide a shopping experience like no other place on the planet.

New York’s Finger Lakes region takes its name from 11 freshwater lakes placed like a handprint between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border. Skiing, hiking and biking trails traverse the landscape; visitors can also indulge in various wine, cheese and beer trails. The area offers a culinary bounty, with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. Rich history and culture are found throughout the region, with one attraction more inviting than the next.