Peak perfection takes scenic Switzerland to another amazing level
It's the prosperous country whose bounty of riches isn't confined to Brünig Pass bankers' bunkers.
Switzerland boasts a wealth of attractions way beyond clichéd cuckoo clocks and chocolates ... even the national flag is a big plus!
Nowhere is the landlocked confederation's appeal more abundant than confectionery carton canton that is Vaud, best traversed aboard panoramic trains, commanding cable cars and hillside-hugging buses.
That transport of delight - "a great plan, ingenious, a Swiss watch" to, expletives-free, sample Coen Brothers' Big Lebowski classic cinematic quote - reaches next level, literally, 3,000 metres above Heidi chalets, crystal lakes and verdant valleys, overshadowed by snow-capped crests.
Let's discover together scenic beauty easier on the eye than Ostermundigen Bond girl Ursula Andress among geological topography more impactful than Basel-born court king Roger Federer's 143 mph serve.
Where to visit
Peak Walk by Tissot at Glacier 3000 is the world's only suspension bridge linking twin peaks. Connecting Valais and Vaud Alps, views of Matterhorn to Mönch to Mont Blanc, Eiger and Jungfrau included, add Arendelle-esque spectacle across 107 metres long, 80 centimetres wide sky-high trek from View Point to Scex Rouge massif summit. The elevated excursion is further heightened by kilometre-long Alpine Coaster, highest rail toboggan run on the planet, 520 degree circles, ten curves, six waves and three jumps providing essential fix for altitude adrenaline junkies. And Restaurant Le 3 high cuisine includes brunch that thinks it's a banquet!
(See our special article about the Bernina Express by clicking here)
Not for nothing is Rougemont hailed "most beautiful village," one that in 1977 attracted teenage Diana Spencer to Institut Alpin Videmanette finishing school. Taking its name from rugged red rock outcrops that abound around, the settlement seduces with architectural heritage of rare authenticity, homes as old as 400 years displaying engravings and inscriptions telling of times past, emblematic monuments including Cluny monks' 16th century castle and 11th century Romanesque church, complete with stunning stained glass windows.
In a region renowned for fromage, Maison de l'Etivaz is a big cheese. And a hard one, Protected Designation of Origin produce from flowery milk of 3,000 cows grazing nearby herb pastures, heated exclusively in wood-fired copper boilers. Cooperative for almost a century, capacity now accommodates 30,000 wheels, cave cellars curing process awakening powerful aromas not to be sniffed at, rebibes shavings stored in attic above.
Turn back time to tread Château d'Aigle floors once walked by Knights of the Eagle, Compey-Thorens nobles and Bernese governors, when hills were alive with the sound of muskets, as well as, recently as 1972, prison inmates within inhospitably sub-zero surrounds. Atop La Blonaire hill, protected from Grande-Eau River overflows, fortress has been partially destroyed and rebuilt several times, complemented most recently by Museum of Vines, Wine and Etiquette welcome addition.
Any tourist worth their salt will want to visit Mines de Sel de Bex living museum. Board underground trains to discover Switzerland's oldest active salt mine, exploring labyrinth of passages among over 50 kilometres of tunnels that have witnessed extraction process since 1684, today annually yielding massive mountain of 30,000 tons of white gold ... fact-checked figure you don't need to take with a pinch of salt!
Cheese melts like summer snow thanks to Les Diablerets Rando-Raclette kit, combining Ormonts Valley hiking in "pleasures of the palate with discovery of magnificent landscapes" convivial style for gourmets on the go. Unique Tourist Office takeaway offers pastures picnic that features, with efficient fuel burner, flavoursome freshly baked bread and apéro sausage, paired with nearby brewery beers, blonde and amber crafty accompaniments to appease ale aficionados among us (we know who we are!)
(Discover the joys of Switzerland's Christmas market here)
Where to stay
Heart and "house full of soul" of Rougemont, Hôtel de Commune is age-old accommodation dating back to 1833. Rustic charm meets comforting cuisine, courtesy chef Michaël Burri, whose culinary skills were inherited from grandmother Denise, epicurean expertise previously enjoyed by Montreux Jazz Festival artists, today served in satisfying shape of dishes as diverse as award-winning pâté en croûte and garlic parsley baked snails to chestnut purée vermicelli and 63 per cent chocolate indulgence.
He says: "I look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful region and sharing my childhood memories with you." Warm welcome, indeed.
"Just like at home, and even better" mission statement rings true as upland slopes' bovine bells at Hotel Du Pillon, whose expansive south-facing terrace stands proud of place above Les Bovets hamlet. Mine hosts with most are Francis and Carla, he having sold his Paris art gallery to buy the property almost two decades ago, she faithfully accompanied by midnight blue cat Akari - Japanese word for "light" - their fine food hospitality similarly shining through to top Gault et Millau most charming historic hotels list. Snowscape paintings and antiquarian artefacts abound, not least automaton bear that turns guests' heads as easily as its own.
(Read our special post abiout the historic hotels of Switzerland here)
Where to dine (and wine!)
Le Chalet restaurant and cheese demonstration boasts delicacies with accents local as Pays-d’Enhaut families, site success soaring like almost 400 flights that this year graced Château-d'Oex International Balloon Festival, lot of hot air watched by 45,000-plus visitors. Proud Produits Authentiques ambassador, traditional plates are awash with cow, goat and sheep milk, up to 200 litres of kindling-fuelled liquid transformed before visitors' eyes into 20-kilo Bio block, matured for six months before consumption, upper floor store also stocked with hundred inviting vintage wines.
Fond of fondue or fan of grate rösti, visit Café du Cerf, reportedly popular with young woman who would, three years later, meet then Prince Charles before People's Princess 1981 right royal wedding. You too can feast like king or queen from Michelin Guide included menu, featuring trademark malakoff fried cheese balls alongside various venison dishes underscoring eatery's "deer" title, before or after savouring Videmanette vistas to di(n)e for from Rougemont terraced tables.
Belying "drop of water" name, poolside Restaurant la Goutte d'Eau bar lounge serves expansive selection of wines to accompany eclectic fare, whose recipe for success includes signature succulent steaks. Aigle eagle-eyed customers can choose delicious dishes ranging from oil-soaked focaccia flatbread to tagliolini ribbon pasta to oven-baked pizzas, all served with smiles from ever attentive staff, professional and personable in equally engaging measure.
Devil is in detail at Les Diablerets outskirts establishment La Potinière, where freshly snagged fish vie for gastronomists' attention with carnivores' choice of meats and, suitable for vegetarians, creamy cauliflower risotto. Masterchef top 100 finalist, Italian-born chef Giorgio Galati learned Mediterranean methods from his mother, parking up restored 1948 Citroën HY famous food truck in Geneva to become director here and adjoining La Pote nightclub, whose disco inferno burns customers' calorific content.
Grape expectations are exceeded throughout immersive experience at Cave Alain Emery, Aigle cellar tour and tasting session striking just the right balance, reflecting blended harmony of alcohol, acids, sugars and tannins of Vinatura-labelled biodiverse sustainable wines. Good-natured narrative embodying five generations of traditions and terroir comes from genial guide, who heard it on the grapevine, equally engaging to oenophiles and those of us who don't know Gamay from Grand Cru (again, we know who we are!)
Autumnal Alpine adventures confirm Switzerland Tourism chiefs' "October's ripe for the picking" invitation but, paraphrasing Robert Bolt's historical play, this picture postcard paradise is very much a land for all seasons.
Fast flights
Swiss International Air Lines connects UK with Switzerland, offering more than 160 weekly direct flights within two hours from Manchester, London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Zurich or Geneva. One-way fares start from £76 to Zurich, £54 to Geneva, including all taxes, fees and surcharges, one checked case weighing up to 23kg and additional piece of hand luggage. SWISS will also transport free your first set of ski or snowboard equipment and boots, as well as standard free baggage allowance, subject to availability (excluding hand luggage only fares). Visit swiss.com site.
Pass class
Travel Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass offers international visitors unlimited travel on consecutive days across rail, bus and boat networks plus scenic routes (seat reservation fees apply) as well as local trams and buses in as many as 90 towns and cities, also including Swiss Museum Pass, granting free entry to 500 museums and exhibitions. Prices start from £254 for three-day second class ticket. Visit swisstravelpass.com site.
Greener land
Switzerland Tourism follows increasingly sustainable path, national initiative Swisstainable committed to sustainable development, making it easier for UK visitors to travel mindfully. Over 2,500 tourism businesses already accredited, the scheme splits accreditation labels into committed, engaged and leading categories, staff flight emissions currently cut by combination of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon offset projects. Visit https://co2.myclimate.org/ site.
Extra, Extra!
Holiday Extras is market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers. Booking airport hotels means travellers can enjoy more holiday with less hassle, resting easy without having to travel overnight for early flights. One night at Manchester Airport TRIBE is available from £105.00 for two adults. Flextras service allowing customers to cancel or amend without charge. For more information and to book visit HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 3165678.
