What springs to mind when you think of Switzerland? Mountains, cheese, chocolate, goats, efficiency, trains and lakes, which are all somehow tied in to the wonderful story of Heidi by Johanna Spyri.
Here at Silver Travel Advisor, we love mountains in both winter and summer and Switzerland has its fair share of these, some of them very big indeed! Whether you’re a skier or not, the winter months in the Alps are often stunning, if a little chilly. The skiing is fantastic and attracts a very eclectic set to places such as Wengen and St Moritz. Swiss hospitality is second to none, with some of the most stunning and luxurious hotels appearing on Best Hotels of Europe year after year.
Once winter is over, the mountains and lakes are truly spectacular, with glorious plant life, air that’s squeaky clean and views that cannot be beaten. Indeed, it would be hard not to stride out and relish the great outdoors. Many cable cars are open to allow walkers to enjoy the hikes and trails that exist throughout the country to be enjoyed through spring, summer and autumn. This is a great place for mountain biking, naturally, although many less arduous routes are on offer along the valleys or around the lakes.
Perhaps one of the greatest treats has to be a Swiss train journey, through the dramatic peaks, glaciers and viaducts of the Alps on the Bernina Express, travelling from St Moritz to Tirano. An alternative treat is St Moritz to Zermatt on the Glacier Express, which is known as the slowest express train in the world, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels! And of course, everything runs on time because that’s how things happen in Switzerland.
For food lovers, Swiss restaurants are exceptional not only because of the world class cheeses and chocolate! Fine dining is the norm, whilst raclette and rosti are delicious everyday fare.
We cannot promise you herds of goats or a cantankerous grandfather, however pretty mountain chalets, beautiful summer pastures and a real sense of well-being are almost unavoidable. And in the winter, the downhill skiing is pretty sublime. Heidi certainly choose the right place to live!
Read more about mountain loving Alison Craig’s Swiss delights.
Train travel in Switzerland is unrivalled.
