It is a region of contrasts which combine to make a holiday region with strong appeal: the town of St.Gallen, where the Abbey District has now been made a World Heritage Site, is the perfect place for fans of city breaks. Both the historic Abbey District with the magnificent baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Structures by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava bring a touch of modern art to the historic town centre of St.Gallen.

Another historic Old Town, not far from St.Gallen, is the former abbey town of Wil. Its main landmark is the Hof zu Wil, a historic building of national importance. The Rhine valley, where exquisite regional wines are produced, is a tempting attraction for visitors. Winegrowing has a long tradition here and is as distinctive as the valley itself in the Four Countries region. The rural countryside around the city of St.Gallen is a delightful area for hiking or cycling, with views of the lake or mountains round every corner. Along the shore of Lake Constance, from Rorschach to Altenrhein, the attractions include open-air swimming and water sports, and interesting museums about motor vehicles and flight. The views of Lake Constance from the plateau above Goldach and from the Rorschacherberg are particularly fine. They extend from Untereggen eastwards to the «Stone Table» above the former mouth of the Rhine. This beautiful area overlooking the lake is characterised by secluded lakes and moors and a string of imposing castles.