Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is centred around a crook in the lovely Aare River, a major river of the Swiss Plateau. Known for its magnificent fountains, sandstone facades, narrow cobbled streets, historic towers, and its gargantuan Gothic cathedral, the city is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The remarkable design coherence of the historic old town has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, particularly for its impressive six-kilometre stretch of fifteenth-century arcaded walkways lined with some charming shops and cafes. Bern is also a remarkably green city: in addition to the numerous public gardens and forests, including the beautiful Rose Garden with an unrivalled view over the skyline of the historic Old Town, the Münster (Minster) and the loop in the Aare river. Bern has everything you could ask for in a medieval European city - it is compact, central and brimming with cultural treasures and an old-world atmosphere.