New Favorite European City

I've got a new favorite European city - Bern Switzerland.  It's in a beautiful natural setting & is the Capital of the country. It's got a great university, wonderful old medieval town, great outdoor spaces & you can swim in the river. What's not to like?

We didnt know too much about the town going in; we just knew that, on hot days, the residents jump in the cold, fast river Aare & float through old town, past the parliament building. That sounded like such a great idea, we had to try it. Who knew they also had radical anarchists who took over a government building a few decades ago & have turned it into an art & performance space?  Perhaps the hotel helped too - creaky old building with stairs & hallways off-kilter, but open the room door & the floors are even, the showers hot & the beds the most comfortable we've slept in. 

Unfortunately, I've not got many pictures because we were too busy enjoying the town, but we can heartily recommend a stopover to anyone looking for a great experience.