Bern Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Bern is Switzerland's beautiful capital city, 55 mi/90 km west of Lucerne. It was destroyed by a fire in 1405 and then totally rebuilt, so it has many fine examples of early-15th-century architecture—so many that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage site.

Bern is also known for its Bear Pits, and the city's name is believed to come from the German word for bear. You'll see the animals prominently portrayed on the municipal flag and coat of arms.

The Aare River loops around the compact Old Town, and on clear days there's a beautiful view of the distant Alps. Start a tour by taking a look at Munster's intricate stone and wood carvings and its beautiful painted windows, then climb to the top of the 328-ft-/100-m-high tower for a sweeping view of the city. The thick-walled stone houses in the Old Town are brightened by boxes of geraniums on balconies, providing sharp contrast to majestic green-domed government buildings that hang on a high bluff overlooking the river.

Visit the 12th-century Clock Tower (enlarged in later times), which was once the western gate of the city. Get there at least four minutes before the hour in order to see the hourly show of mechanical figures. Stroll through the lovely botanical gardens (rare flora collection) and the Rose Garden across the Aare River overlooking the city. If it's a clear day, take a tram and cable railway up to Gurten (2,800 ft/850 m high) for a superb view of the Bernese Oberland region, including the snowy peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch.

The area around Bern offers hiking and rafting in the summer, and skiing in the winter. The city itself can be seen on a day train trip from Zurich or Geneva, but it's definitely worth an overnight stay.

Overview

Introduction

Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, is a port city on the Moselle River.

Visitors can view the half-timbered houses built centuries ago while strolling narrow cobblestoned streets. You can also visit the Vinothek in the Weinkuturellen Zentrum and sample the wines of the region, underground, in the historic vaults of St. Nikolas Hospital.

Local restaurant Leckerbissen Graacher Tor serves excellent regional specialties.

Overview

Introduction

Located at the junction of the Trent and Neuse Rivers (in the coastal area) 100 mi/160 km southeast of Raleigh, New Bern, North Carolina, has a wealth of historic buildings dating from its settlement in 1710 by Germans and Swiss. Named for the capital city of Switzerland, it was North Carolina's first colonial and state capital (1746-92).

Among New Bern's historic sights are Tryon Palace, the state's first governor's mansion and the home of Royal Governor William Tryon. Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens is open-year round and offers guided tours of the palace, the gardens and historic homes on its grounds. https://www.tryonpalace.org.

Once you've finished your tour of Tryon Palace, peruse the shops of historic downtown New Bern with its beautiful waterfront views. Fans of author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) won't want to miss the self-guided Walk to Remember Tour of his hometown, highlighting several film sites from his movies. https://visitnewbern.com.

Don't miss the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola at 256 Middle St., where pharmacist Calem Bradham invented the famous soft drink. http://www.pepsistore.com.

The annual Chrysanthemum Festival in New Bern (October) includes a street festival, arts-and-crafts exhibitions, and palace tours. https://mumfest.com.