Trip: December in Switzerland

The unique and imposing Great Minster was built in 1090 by Charlemagne as a shrine to local martyrs. Later, Zwingli preached the Reformation from its pulpit.

This important Catholic shrine includes the relics of a saint, a miraculous Black Madonna statue and a Benedictine monastery. Einsiedeln is also home to the world's largest nativity scene.

The Castle Church of Spiez is an atmospheric 10th-century church on the shores of Lake Thun. Inside are faded medieval frescoes.

The Berner Münster (formerly Cathedral of St. Vincent) is a late-Gothic church with magnificent carved portals. Its rocket-like spire is the tallest in Switzerland.

This church near the train station is acclaimed as Switzerland's finest example of Protestant church building. Dating from the 1720s, the church has a fine Baroque interior.

Dating from 1272, this church was once the center of a Franciscan monastery set against the southern city walls. It is now a Protestant parish church.

This unique Gothic cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland, with carved portals on the outside and soaring heights inside. It was once home to a revered golden statue of the Virgin Mary.

In this small Protestant lecture hall next to the cathedral, John Knox preached Reformation ideas (1556-59) and John Calvin founded a Christian academy (1559).

In this historic cathedral you can see the pulpit from which John Calvin preached the Reformation, examine interesting carved capitals, and ascend the tower for spectacular views of Geneva.