A city break in Switzerland offers the chance to discover a staggering and diverse range of cultural activities - cutting-edge art galleries, ground-breaking exhibitions and live music - set against a backdrop of stunning scenery and architecture. There is almost too much to choose from. Luckily most Swiss cities are fairly compact, so it's easy to explore all their cultural aspects without getting so exhausted that you need another holiday ...
Switzerland has the greatest concentration of museums in the world - 980 in all. Zürich is home to 50 of them, 14 of which are devoted to art. The Kunsthaus is Zürich's top address for art, and one of Europe's leading museums, with paintings, sculptures and graphics mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. Zürich is also home to the Swiss National Museum set in a 100-year-old building offering a varied programme of exhibitions.
It's hard not to mention the words "Zürich" and "art" without mentioning the dada art movement, which was founded in the city at the world-famous Cabaret Voltaire art gallery. Zürich is still a leading city in the art world and the district of Zürich West is the current base for the international art scene. Here a converted old brewery, the Löwenbräu, houses the Migros museum as well as international gallery names such as Hauser & Wirth.
In Bern, the Swiss capital, the Zentrum Paul Klee is a cultural centre dedicated to the city's most famous artist. This futuristic, wave-like structure houses 4,000 of Klee's works. Bern is also home to another vital art address in Switzerland, the Kunstmuseum, which has an incredible collection of Swiss art, including work by Anker, Hodler and Amiet, as well as international paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Geneva's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Mamco) is housed in the boho Plainpalais district, in a 1950s former factory, and is inspired by the spirit of Marcel Duchamps. Look out, too, for the biannual evening Nuits des Bains events that bring together the vibrant Plainpalais art scene, including innovative artists such as Analix Forever, Charlotte Moser and Arquebuse.
St Gallen's Textile Museum is home to a very different art form, displaying the intricate and world-famous embroideries from eastern Switzerland, as well as recent haute couture creations by big-name designers.
Fribourg's Espace, built from a former tram depot, pays homage to one of its most famous artists: Jean Tinguely. It's a fascinating insight into his light-hearted world of intricate machines and kinetic art work.
What's on
Basel: Art Basel, 10-14 June
The world's premier international art show for modern and contemporary works features nearly 300 leading galleries from six continents.
Lucerne: Blue Balls Festival, 17-25 July
An eclectic collection of music styles on the shores of Lake Lucerne lasting nine days. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this festival in the heart of Switzerland. This year's acts include Jethro Tull and Macy Gray.
Zürich: Europride, 2 May-7 June
In 2009 Zürich will play host to the international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride event that is Europe's most exciting celebration of gay culture. Over the weeks there is a dynamic combination of art, music, culture and nightlife.
