The capital of Switzerland is a glittering UNESCO World Heritage gem and a destination that is revered by history enthusiasts, artists and nature lovers in equal measures. The city pays homage to greats like Albert Einstein and Paul Klee while imparting the same amount of reverence to its symbol, the mighty bear. There are cobbled streets dotted with ornate fountains, rose gardens adorned with airy restaurants, shopping arcades lined with mysterious vaulted cellars and elegant government buildings making sure the readings of the iconic Clock Tower do not go to waste.

All travellers staying for long periods in a city look for enjoyable day trips and the Bernese Oberland region and its neighbours have plenty to offer. These regions have historic towns that are blessed with bounteous natural beauty and cultural richness and seven of them in particular cannot be missed if you are travelling around Bern. All these trips are under two hours and pocket-friendly. So pack your bags and go!