In keeping with the atmosphere of the Old Town, St Gallen has some characterful accommodation on offer. The tourist office hotel reservations line (071/227 37 47) can take bookings for St Gallen as well as the surrounding area, and has a package including bed and breakfast in a hotel of your choice, free admission to all city museums, half-price travel on Bodensee boats and a discount on the Säntis cable-car, starting at just Fr.110 for two people.

The nearest campsite is Leebrücke, in Bernhardzell a couple of kilometres to the north of town (071/298 49 69; May–Sept). St Gallen’s HI hostel is at Jüchstrasse 25 (071/245 47 77, fax 245 49 83; a; March to mid-Dec) – take the Trogenerbahn narrow-gauge train from outside the main station to the Schülerhaus stop, and walk up the hill. Dorms are Fr.24.

Einstein, Berneggstrasse 2 (071/227 55 55, fax 227 55 77, hotel@einstein.ch, www.einstein.ch). The city’s top choice, a grand old hotel housed in a former textile factory that boasts generously appointed rooms and quality service. e.

Elite, Metzgergasse 9 (071/222 12 36, fax 222 21 77). Plain and serviceable rooms near Marktplatz, both en suite and not. b.

Im Portner & Pförtnerhof, Bankgasse 12 (071/222 97 44, fax 222 98 56). Warm, characterful Old Town hotel, with the comfortable Im Portner original entirely upstaged by the antique-style, half-timbered Pförtnerhof annexe across the street, boasting leaded-light windows, wood panelling and modern bathrooms. d.

Vadian, Gallusstrasse 36 (071/223 60 80, fax 222 47 48). House-proud little hotel on a quiet street steps from the cathedral, with pleasantly renovated rooms, some en suite. b.

Weisses Kreuz, Engelgasse 9 (Phone & fax 071/223 28 43). Cheapest place in town, although rooms are shabby. Some are en suite. a.