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BERN - STAY FOR LESS "CHF"

BERN is the Capital of Switzerland & home of the Swiss Parliament which represents the 26 Cantons, or Valley Regions, which make up this unique Country, famous for Chocolate, Army Knives, Banks, Mountains, Lakes & Neutrality. BERN is a most immediately charming City crammed, as it is, onto a steep sided peninsula with the fast flowing Arre River crooked around the sides. With its stately Sandstone Edifices, Historic Towers & Magnificent Fountains it is one of the most impressive examples of Medieval Town architecture in Europe & in 1983 UNESCO inscribed BERN as a World Heritage Site for its Townscape which has been preserved virtually intact for over 5 Centuries

ACCOMMODATION

No 1 - YHA BERN at Weihergasse 4 (from the Rail Station head for the Parliament Building & then walk down hill to the River) tele 031 311 6316 - 31 chf inc breakfast & sheets, sep showers/ wc. No self - catering but meals provided in main dining/ sitting room on ground floor. Upper TV Lounge/ Internet balcony & outside patio/ table area at front of Hostel - also laundry. Once you get here this is an ideal location near the broad River Acre, it also has a good “social buzz''

Reserve - Hotel Glocke Backpackers, Rathaugasse 75 (centre of City near Kornhaus Platz) tele 031 311 3771 – www.bernbackpackers.com - 29 chf incl sheets & lockers in 6 x dorms with sep showers/wc. Small but well equipped s/c kitchen with large dining sitting/ lounge room adjacent. This is a good Hostel but sadly smoking is allowed?

FOOD - is readily available from 2 large Supermarkets in the City Centre - COOP & MIGROS

TRAVELLING AROUND - is best on foot through the interesting Streets, alleyways & riverside paths. Public transport is well served, however, with the speedy Tram system (watch out) covering all the City you just need a route map

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Old Town - rebuilt in sandstone after 1405 fire with Arcades added in 16C & 17C, it's Medieval
2. Clock Tower - originally a City Gate, Clock installed 1530, figures twirl 4 mins to every hour
3. Bear Pits - real live Bears, Urs - Pedro & Tanna - unique to City from where its name comes
4. Bern Show - in Tourist cities next to Bears - a 20 min animated video of Berns historic past
5. Rosengarten - fabulous Rose displays around June with restricted (trees) panorama views over City
6. Bundeshauser - 1902 Parliament Building. passport needed for guided tours & open sessions
7. Marzili Pools - beside the River Arre, good place for relaxation or a cool swim on a summers day
8. Kramgrass - cobbled main Street with Fountains heraldic Statues & trendy arcade Shops
9. Swiss Knife Shop - opposite reserve Hostel, Klotzli's at 84 has every sort of Knife & Sword on sale
10. Munster - 15C Gothic Cathedral with lofty looms spire watts top views only for fit & brave!

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Einstein Haas - on Kramgrasse, Albert lived here 1902 inspired E+MC2 1905 working in Patent office
2. Kunst Museum - Worlds largest collection of Art Works by Swiss artists - Paul Klee

* Andrea, Jaconelli & Swiss Army! thanks! 2004 - Deter S 2006