We all need Switzerland

WE ALL NEED

Switzerland Win!

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GRAND TOURS BY ROAD & RAIL • HEALTH & WELLNESS • THE HOT LIST 2022 SWISSTAINABLE TRAVEL • LUXE HOTELS & RESORTS • SPA HORIZONS

WATCH

Follow six friends travelling around Switzerland on an epic mini-break.

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SWITZERLAND TOURISM PRESENTS A STORIES PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NUES CARMELA BONOMI LUANA FITTZGERLAND LARA MARIAN CORINNE THALMANN DE PRODUCTION MUSIC STYLED EDITED DESIGNER RAMONA GSCHWEND

BY FRIEDBERG

BY MARIANA MUNOZ

BY TH DIRECTOR OF PRODUCED LINE

BY MICHELE SELIGMANN PRODUCER MERET FRUH PHOTOGRAPHY FABIO TOZZO

CITY U R I S M

P R E S E N T S

AND WRITTEN BY BOLD SCHSISTERS «SIX IN THE CITY» INSPIRED SWITZERLAND TOURISM PRESENTS A STORIES PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NUESCHSISTERS «SIX IN THE CITY» BOLD EBORAH MEISTER AND MARIA REBECCA SAUTTER CARMELA BONOMI LUANA FITTZGERLAND LARA MARIAN HE NUESCH SISTERS CASTINGBY NINA MOSER CORINNE THALMANN DEBORAH MEISTER AND MARIA REBECCA SAUTTER DIRECTED AND RAMONA GSCHWEND FRIEDBERG MARIANA MUNOZ N WRITTEN BY THE NUESCH SISTERS INSPIRED AND WRITTEN BY

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

MUSIC BY

STYLED BY

THE NUESCH SISTERS CASTINGBY NINA MOSER PRODUCERLINE MERET FRUH DIRECTOR OF PRODUCED DIRECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHY FABIO TOZZO

BY MICHELE SELIGMANN WRITTEN BY THE NUESCH SISTERS EDITED BY

IT HAPPENS IN FALL IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU

sixinthecity.ch

Contents

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02 01 Blissful Weggis © Andre Meier/Switzerland Tourism 02 The Glacier Express © Jan Geerk/Switzerland Tourism

09 WELCOME/GRUEZI

A note from Switzerland Tourism

10 THE HIGH LIFE

The W Verbier raises the bar with cocktails in an uber-cool alpine setting

12 CONCIERGE

Everything you need to know about upcoming hotel openings and new attractions across the country

14 GRAND ADVENTURES

The new Grand Tour Deluxe features boutique cities, alpine passes, wellness, culture and history in a luxury road trip like no other

24 CENTRE STAGE

From shimmering lakes to mountain peaks and flower-filled meadows, central Switzerland delivers blissful nature-based adventures

30 ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Whether in a luxury spa or on a bracing hike, expect all the good endorphins to flow when you visit the idyllic Jungfrau Region

36 PEAK PERFORMANCE

Switzerland’s iconic winter playground, the Mürren-Schilthorn region, rises spectacularly above the Lauterbrunnen Valley near Interlaken, and is home to Bond World 007

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40 THE HOT LIST 2022

10 must-see places, hidden gems and extraordinary experiences to add to your Switzerland bucket list

42 THE SWISSTAINABLE WAY

Sustainability in clean, green and serene Switzerland isn’t a tourism marketing label, it’s an essential way of life for locals and visitors alike

50 STEALING THE SCENE

Come to picturesque, car-free Zermatt for the Alps, but stay for the exceptional wining and dining

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58 EXPRESS DELIVERY

Switzerland’s Grand Train Tour delivers year-round adventures by train, bus and boat in spectacular alpine settings

64 THE WAY TO WELLNESS

Fresh, clean air, natural wonders and a world-class health system combine to make Switzerland a paragon of health and wellness

70 FAQs 04 03 7132 House of Architects in Vals © Switzerland Tourism 04 Lovely Lucerne © Elmar Bossard/Luzern Tourismus 05 The Grand Tour Deluxe takes in stunning landscapes © Andre Meier/Switzerland Tourism

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All your questions about travelling in Switzerland answered to ensure a smooth and seamless holiday experience

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signatureluxurytravel.com.au CEO & Group Editor Cathy Wagstaff cathywagstaff@signaturemedia.com.au Editor Andrew Conway Sub-Editors & Contributors Natarsha Brown, Natasha Dragun General Manager Tina-Louise Jackson Associate Publisher Cara Wagstaff Head Designer Gemma Kightly Designer Samantha Rowntree Digital Editor Alison Godfrey Editorial Assistant Lauren Attard Digital Managers Samantha Rowntree, Lisa Wagstaff Production Coordinator Lilly McCoy Business Development Managers Tracy Harris, Colleen Hinch, Virginia Shirley Advertising Enquiries sales@signaturemedia.com.au General Enquiries admin@signaturemedia.com.au +61 2 9406 4400 Cover Image Hotel Villa Honegg © @pamquiroz and @kevbarreto About Signature Luxury Travel & Style Signature Luxury Travel & Style is Australia’s leading and highest circulated travel magazine, reaching more than 230,000 high-net-worth individuals quarterly.

About Switzerland Tourism Mountains and lakes, trendsetting cities and medieval villages... Switzerland is a place of contrasts. Whether you explore in summer or winter, by rail or road, an epic European adventure awaits. Read on for your ultimate guide to the country.

Published by Signature Media PO Box 1825 Chatswood NSW 2057 Australia

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Grüezi!

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Foreword

01 Cycling the Toggenburg region of Switzerland © Switzerland Tourism

As we inch closer to the day we can finally hop on the plane to embrace the world of travel again, you can rest assured that Switzerland Tourism has you covered.

This e-book has been specially designed to equip you with local insights and endless inspiration for your next visit to Switzerland.

From the pristine, fairytale-like landscapes of snowy mountain peaks, glassy lakes and soft, rolling meadows, to the vibrant boutique cities with their rich cultural offerings and varied cuisines, we cannot wait for you to experience the sheer beauty of our country once again.

Until then, we invite you to take a glimpse into some of the exceptional destinations, luxury accommodations, world-class restaurants and year-round activities across Switzerland that we just know you will thoroughly enjoy.

We look forward to seeing you in Switzerland very soon.

Best wishes,

Livio

Birgit

Livio Goetz Director Switzerland Tourism Australia & New Zealand

Birgit Weingartner Marketing Manager Switzerland Tourism Australia & New Zealand

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Image © Melody Sky/Switzerland Tourism

The High Life

High society takes on a new meaning in Switzerland. This spectacular alpine snow bar at the W Verbier is set for a chic wedding, but the hotel’s Whatever/Whenever policy – whatever you want, whenever you want it – ensures a peak experience of your very own. Luxury and Switzerland go hand-in-hand, a destination where every detail is perfectly in order. Chilled martini, anyone?

Concierge

Luxury news, openings and happenings across Switzerland in 2022 – and beyond.

C’est magnifique

A beach club – in the Swiss Alps?

Alila La Gruyère, By Hyatt is set to open in 2023 and will be located on an 18-hole golf course remodelled

by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Boasting views of the Alps and comprising 85 rooms, a 3,000-square-metre spa and three restaurants, the resort’s most exciting feature is a private beach club with a bar and grill on the shores of Lake Gruyère.

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A treat for the senses

Switzerland will welcome its first Six Senses property in 2022 with the opening of Six Senses Crans-Montana. Set in one of the nation’s top ski areas, the retreat will feature 47 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a sun terrace, bar and lavish spa specialising in alpine treatments.

Snow bunnies, rejoice!

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Marriott International has announced it will open the Ritz-Carlton Zermatt in 2026.

The brand’s first ski resort in Europe, the retreat will comprise 69 guest rooms, two restaurants and bars, a spa, outdoor and indoor pools, and a terrace for alfresco dining with magnificent views of the Matterhorn.

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Fit for royalty

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A wonderful new Waldhaus

Everything old will be new again at the Dolder Waldhaus in 2023 when a brand-new construction will replace the original building, which has been a Zurich landmark since the 1970s. The new hotel will feature 97 rooms and suites and nine serviced apartments, and its elevated views over the city and Lake Zurich will be just as stunning.

From one palace to another.

The legendary Hotel Palace Luzern, which has graced the shores of Lake Lucerne since 1906, is undergoing an extensive renovation and will re-emerge more beautiful than ever as the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, when it reopens in 2022.

The multi-million-dollar project includes the restyling of all guest rooms and suites as well as a redesign of the public areas, restaurants, bars and gardens.

04 01 Alila La Gruyère, By Hyatt 02 Ritz-Carlton Zermatt 03 Dolder Waldhaus in Zurich 04 Zermatt’s Alpine X © Pedro Rodrigues

X marks the spot

Swiss mountain ingenuity knows no bounds with the 2022 opening of Zermatt’s ‘Alpine X’. This cuttingedge ‘3S’ (three ropes) cable car spans an altitude difference of 4,000 metres, the highest in Europe, connecting Testa Grigia and the Matterhorn glacier paradise. The one-hour journey completes the route from Zermatt in Switzerland to Breuil-Cervinia in Italy.

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GRAND ADVENTURES Switzerland’s new Grand Tour Deluxe features boutique cities, alpine passes, wellness, spas, culture and history in a luxury road trip like no other, writes Andrew Conway.

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nce in a while, a song defines a destination, such as Peter Allen’s ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ and Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’. Now Switzerland has a new anthem – appropriately titled ‘Jackpot’– created by Swiss singersongwriter Bastian Baker and inspired by a Harley-Davidson ride along his homeland’s Grand Tour.

The joyful, carefree lyrics of his hit song and video capture the essence of Switzerland’s legendary road trip as it meanders past monumental alpine peaks, valleys covered by wildflowers,

shimmering lakes and quaint chocolatebox villages. You can almost feel the fresh, crisp mountain air breezing through Baker’s happy-go-lucky ode to his birthplace as he reconnects with family and friends and visits places from his childhood along the way.

As if the Grand Tour isn’t quite grand enough, Switzerland has elevated the experience with the new Grand Tour Deluxe, combining the country’s finest landmarks with 39 exclusive Swiss Deluxe Hotels and an array of gourmet restaurants giving visitors something to really sing about.

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With four themed and self-drive routes to choose from – Art, Museums & Boutique Cities; Alpine Mountain Passes; UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Wellness, Spas & Water – the new Grand Tour Deluxe offers one-of-a-kind touring adventures for all road-trippers, whether by car or motorcycle.

By day, breathtaking panoramas unfold, complemented by fine food and wine, cheese, chocolate and boutique shopping. Each evening, you’ll relax in

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your choice of luxury hotels, all offering elegant architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, classic Swiss tradition and charm, and the highest levels of service and hospitality.

Hire one of Switzerland’s rapidly growing fleet of electric cars, powered by a dense and extensive network of charging stations throughout the Grand Tour Deluxe routes, and you’ll be helping to protect and preserve the country’s extraordinary natural environment at the same time.

Switzerland is a road trip like no other. And as Bastian Baker rightly notes in his hit song, it doesn’t matter which way you turn because you’ll end up in a perfect place – a Swiss jackpot of your very own.

01 Behind the wheel in Vitznau © Mattias Nutt Photography 02 Idyllic Bellinzona © Andre Meier/ Switzerland Tourism 03 Saillon sightseeing © Andre Meier/Switzerland Tourism 04 Aerial of Hallau © david&&kathrin Photography and Film GmbH 04

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites Steeped in history, this 13-day Grand Tour Deluxe route features a dozen Swiss sites that have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their cultural importance and natural beauty.

The Old Town of Bern, St. Gallen’s Abbey District, the magnificent castles of Bellinzona, and the terraced vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva are just a few of the extraordinary natural, architectural and cultural sights you’ll experience along this route from Bern to Neuchâtel.

After each fascinating day of driving and exploring, return to your choice of hotel for relaxing spa treatments, culinary treats and classic Swiss service and hospitality.

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Get swept up in Switzerland’s alpine scenery.

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“ Take a right or take a left, You’ll end up in a perfect place.”

– Bastian Baker, ‘Jackpot’

Wellness, spas & water

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05 Furka Pass 06 Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne © Ivo Schulz 07 Lucerne. Images 05, 07 © Andre Meier/Switzerland Tourism

This is the longest and most aquatic of the Grand Tour Deluxe routes, a 15day road trip showcasing the healing and restorative qualities of water from swimming in the River Aare to viewing the dramatic Rhine Falls and relaxing beside tranquil Lake Geneva.

The Wellness route starts in historic Basel and culminates in Geneva, stretching about 1,750 kilometres in total, but split into leisurely driving days where the longest 280-kilometre section is on the second day from Basel to Gstaad.

The other days allow for a thoroughly relaxed road schedule with plenty of time to explore at your own pace and taking in epic sights and destinations such as Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region, Bern, Lake Lucerne, Zurich and on to St. Moritz, Lake Maggiore, Andermatt, CransMontana, Montreux/Vevey, Lausanne and Geneva.

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WATCH

Delve deep into a stay in a Swiss Deluxe Hotel.

Art, museums & boutique cities

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08 Wining and dining at Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace © Micheal Sonderegger 09 Kunsthaus Zürich © Colin Frei/Switzerland Tourism 10 Winding road in Airolo © Nico Shaerer/Switzerland Tourism

A treasure trove of art and culture lines the route of this Grand Tour Deluxe, an 11-day journey taking in seven of Switzerland’s boutique cities, a choice of 21 Swiss Deluxe Hotels, and 15 world-class museums dedicated to art, design and photography.

The heady combination of relaxed and leisurely road touring, old town history, and classic and contemporary museums and art galleries makes for an unforgettable road trip through scenic highlights in Basel, Bern, Zurich, Chur, Lugano, Lausanne and Geneva, among other destinations.

Tours of major institutions – including Fondation Beyeler in Basel; the magical and recently expanded Kunsthaus Zurich; Forum Wurth and Grisons Museum of Fine Arts in Chur; and the Olympic Museum and Musée de l’Elysée photography museum in Lausanne – define the art of travel.

Five-star hotels such as the Gstaad Palace, Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano, and Lausanne’s Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace will lay out the red carpet, while gourmet dining at Michelinstarred restaurants like Basel’s Cheval Blanc allow you to create a culinary canvas of your own.

Alpine mountain passes

If time is limited but you still want a peak experience, Alpine Mountain Passes is for you – a six-day route winding its way over five soaring alpine passes, all of which are more than 2,000 meters above sea level.

Passionate curve drivers with a head for heights will love the hairpin twists and turns of the Fluela, Julier, San Bernadino, Gotthard and Furka

WATCH

what it’s like to check in to the Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz.

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passes on the route from Arosa to St. Moritz, Andermatt and Zermatt (or in reverse order).

Swiss Deluxe Hotels abound including the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa; Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz; Chedi Andermatt, and Riffelalp Resort 2222m in Zermatt, along with gourmet restaurants where the food and wine almost outshine the breathtaking alpine panoramas.

#grandtourofswitzerland

HIGH ROADS

BASEL

From Basel to Zurich and all points in between, the Grand Tour Deluxe road map takes visitors on a journey to the finest destinations in Switzerland.

NEUCHÂTEL BERN

LAUSANNE

GENÈVA

ZERMA

Map illustrations © Beskova Ekaterina/Shutterstock

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ZÜRICH

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APPENZELL

ST. MORITZ

ATT CLICK HERE

LUGANO

Clean and safe: Switzerland offers not only pristine nature, but also safety and a good health system. Tourism providers are taking special measures to protect guests, ensuring they enjoy their stay.

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CENTRE STAGE From lakes to mountain peaks, Central Switzerland delivers blissful nature-based adventures, writes Natasha Dragun.

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ature has this inexplicable way to heal and make you feel, well, good. We’ve known it for centuries, and now science proves it. Whether it’s the soothing sound of birds and waterfalls, the coolness of the wind and warm touch of the sun, the feeling of grass beneath your feet or the clarity of the light, being outdoors delivers a high – both emotional and physical. Small wonder Switzerland’s spectacular William Tell Trail trek is like a salve for the soul.

Show and tell …

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This epic adventure in the Lake Lucerne region is nature writ large: eight days and 208 kilometres weaving through the heart of the country with wild and humbling landscapes as your backdrop.

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WATCH

what it’s like to hike the William Tell Trail.

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One of which is Lake Lucerne, an immense sparkling waterway wedged between mountains and valleys and dotted with castles and historic towns like Altdorf, your starting point for the trek.

This place could have slipped from the pages of a fairytale, it’s that pretty. Among other travellers, it attracted William Tell in the 14th century (hence the trail’s name), who came here with his son, a visit immortalised in a monument standing proudly in the town’s market.

As difficult as it is to leave, the route beckons through the kind 02 of rolling fields you see on Swiss postcards – endless green only broken by doe-eyed cows and petite villages where you can refuel on alpine cheese (this part of Switzerland is famous for Rigi for all seasons it) and a refreshing regional beer.

You could spend a week alone revelling in the natural wonders Mountain magic of Rigi, a web of more than 120 The next week becomes a blur of kilometres of trails. Rigi is known mountains, each one more majestic as ‘Queen of the Mountains’ for than the last. In fact, the trail weaves good reason: dreamy vistas of lakes across central Switzerland’s ‘Big Six’: Lucerne, Zug and Lauerz; wildflowers Stoos, Rigi, Pilatus, Stansernhorn, in spring and snowy fields in winter.

Titlis and Brienzer-Rothorn, the latter Plus the click-clacking of Europe’s the end point of your journey. oldest railway, an experience that Completing the entire route is a rite epitomises the old adage about of passage, but you can still savour journeys being just as enjoyable the trail even if you just have a day or as the destination. two – cog railways, aerial cableways and public transport offer a glimpse Luxe Lucerne of this bucolic countryside in just Champagne? Fondue? Egyptian a few hours. But believe me; that cotton sheets? Is there any better won’t be enough time. tonic for mountain-weary limbs

01 Glorious Tell Trail vistas 02 Exploring Lucerne 03 Refreshing dip along the Tell Trail. Images 01-03 © Silvano Zeiter 04 Lovely Lucerne © Elmar Bossard 05 Engelberg backdropped by Titlis © Zentralbahn 06 The plush Deluxe Suite at Grand Hotel National.

All images © Switzerland Tourism

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Did you know?

It’s a breeze to explore central Switzerland with the convenient Swiss Travel Pass, which includes three mountain excursions in the region: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos.

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than a little luxury? You’re in luck, because Lucerne and surrounds offer a dedicated portfolio of upscale accommodations, courtesy of Lake Lucerne Luxury Hideaways.

Wander to Rigi Kaltbad station, zip down to Vitznau and jump aboard a boat to cruise to Lucerne, its atmospheric alleys of boutique stores, Swiss chocolate shops and coffee houses all leading to your choice of luxe lodgings.

Check in, perhaps, to the Grand Hotel National, perched lakeside and with dramatic alpine views. Or Hotel Schweizerhof, enjoying a prime perch in the Old Town, just a short stroll from the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument.

Day-tripping to Titlis

When it comes time to stretch your legs again, you can do it in a day – from Lucerne, it’s a scenic 45-minute train ride to the town of Engelberg, where an aerial cableway (the world’s first rotating cable car) transports you to the top of Mount Titlis.

If the views of the glacier and its legendary cave don’t take your breath away, then the crisp mountain air will – the only way your heart will beat faster is if you catch a ride on the Ice Flyer chairlift or wander out on the Titlis Cliff Walk, with its vertigoinducing views.

So this is what it means to feel alive again…

“This place could have slipped from the pages of a fairytale, it’s that pretty.”

WATCH

Check in to Lake Lucerne Luxury Hideaways.

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ON TOP OF THE WORLD Whether in a spa or on a hike, expect all the good endorphins to flow when you visit Switzerland’s idyllic Jungfrau Region, writes Natasha Dragun.

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here’s a moment, gazing over snow-dusted peaks from the balcony of my hotel, when the rest of the world fades to insignificance. As the rainbow sails of paragliders drift toward the meadow before me, I decide to ditch my work deadline. Glimpsing the sun glint off turquoise lakes, I forget I’ve been feeling out of sorts. When I hear the melodic clinking of cowbells in nearby pastures, paying bills becomes something I can do later. I don’t need my phone to snap a reminder photo – this is a moment I won’t forget.

Just being in Interlaken, the gateway to the monumental Jungfrau Region, makes your spirit soar. The fact that this historic Swiss town – surrounded by some of the country’s most epic alpine adventures – is also home to one of Switzerland’s most serene spas makes any stay here a haven for sybarites.

Grande dame

My luxe lodging is the VictoriaJungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, a heavenly cocoon with perfumed hallways filled with antique chandeliers and elaborate flower arrangements. As I check in to the 5,500-square-metre Spa Nescens, my blood pressure instantly drops.

Therapists welcome me in hushed tones, as though I’m part of an exclusive club. I certainly feel special being here.

I could spend all day alternating between the Jacuzzi and sauna and alfresco saltwater pool with its dreamy mountain views – there’s

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really nothing more uplifting than a vista like this. But to check in here and not have a marine body wrap or silky skin facial would be remiss. This centre for wellbeing primarily revolves around the lauded Nescens antiageing skincare range and treatment portfolio, based on the latest science to deliver immediate results.

And … exhale.

Wellness in its DNA

It comes as no surprise to learn that the Swiss Tourism Federation certified Interlaken as an official ‘Wellness Destination’. When I’m not being buffed, polished and massaged, I’m hiking through meadows of wildflowers, meeting those convivial cows, kayaking cross Lake Thun or soaking (under the stars) in a wooden hot tub beside Lake Brienz. With little ambient light after sunset, the astronomical outlook from here is goosebump-inducing. Until my fondue is delivered – yes, to my guest room – I soak in the belief that I’m the only person in the world.

And … exhale.

Natural selection

I’m reluctant to leave, but you can’t visit this part of the country and not get high – literally. The train ride from Interlaken toward my next destination sees me disembark at Grindelwald Terminal, one stop before its namesake, a chocolate-box village in the Bernese Alps at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif.

Nothing quite prepares you for the vertiginous drama of riding the

01 The Jungfrau Region’s peaks dazzle © Jungfrau Region Tourismus/David Birri 02 Panoramic views © Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa 03 Blissful moments at the same hotel © Daniel Reichenbach/Switzerland Tourism

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what a wellness journey around Interlaken is like.

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WATCH

Experience the Jungfrau Region in summer.

Eiger Express Cable Car, the glossy landscapes below unfolding in glacial valleys and end-of-the-Earth peaks.

When the mercury drops, snow and ice create a winter wonderland – the kind you see on postcards. In warmer months, waterfalls tumble from vast limestone cliffs, misting the view of hikers tramping across fields so green you’d swear they were painted on.

And … exhale.

Mountain highs

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The swift cable car drops me at Eigergletscher, the second-highest open railway station in Switzerland, and the jump-aboard point for my ride further north on the Jungfrau Railway. Side note: The railway – the highest of its kind in Europe – runs from Interlaken all the way to the The Top of Europe, plus covers the whole Jungfrau Region with it’s network.

Dizzying is the only way to describe the experience of stepping from the train carriage at Jungfraujoch, 3,463 metres above sea level. It’s not just the altitude that causes your head to spin – it’s the immense alpine outlook. Nothing else matters when all around are mountains even loftier than the one you’re on, glaciers twinkling like precious gems. Snow crunches beneath my feet, an icy wind swirls around me, and the aroma of hot chocolate fills the air.

This is an experience for all senses.

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04 Travelling through the Jungfrau Region’s immense mountains © Jeroen Seyffer/ Switzerland Tourism 05 Fine dining © Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa 06 A room at the same hotel © Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

Walk this way

Grindelwald is also the gateway to the idyllic Grosse Scheidegg mountain pass. Cyclists love the hairpin challenges as they race across 16 kilometres and a 1,300-metre rise.

But my introduction is on foot, the route remarkably quiet thanks to the fact the road is car-free, save for the classic yellow PostBus. The only noise is the occasional rumble of glacial ice carving and the almost meditative sound of wellfed cows munching that emerald grass. With every step, the north face of the Eiger becomes even more breathtaking; the fact I’m sharing the experience with just a handful of bovines makes it even more special.

And … exhale.

WATCH

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Enjoy a blissful healing moment at The Top of Europe.

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WATCH

What it’s like to visit Piz Gloria, which starred in 1969’s 007 film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

PEAK PERFORMANCE Switzerland’s legendary winter playground, the Mürren-Schilthorn region rises spectacularly above the Lauterbrunnen Valley near Interlaken, writes Natasha Dragun.

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f you’ve seen On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – the 1969 James Bond movie where George Lazenby takes over the role of MI6 spy 007 – then you won’t need an introduction to Schilthorn, a spectacularly jagged Swiss peak that juts 2,970 metres into the clouds.

Numerous scenes from this legendary blockbuster were filmed in this postcard-perfect patch of the Bernese Alps; the screenplay’s (and book’s) author Ian Fleming even gave the villain’s hideout here an enduring name: Piz Gloria.

These days, however, Piz Gloria is a little more welcoming than evil Blofeld’s lair: it’s a 360-degree revolving restaurant offering tasty

Swiss treats and ridiculously ravishing views over the Eiger, Monch and World Heritage-listed Jungfrau, in addition to some 200 other snowdappled peaks.

The other way the Hollywood movie’s presence here is immortalised forever is at Bond World 007 and the Walk of Fame. Both attractions top Schilthorn in spectacular style, and offer the opportunity to pose for snaps, secret-agent style, and relive 007 movie moments in a helicopter or a bobsled. Or perhaps with a chilled martini in hand...

Truth be told, you don’t need to be following in the footsteps of a spy to feel like you’re on top of the world in this part of Switzerland. This is where

WATCH

Enjoy your own 007 James Bond moment on Schilthorn.

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01 Piz Gloria restaurant atop Schilthorn © Guy Bolton/Schilthornbahn AG 02 Skiing Schilthorn © Markus Zimmerman/Switzerland Tourism 03 You’ll feel on top of the world arriving at Schilthorn © David Birri/Switzerland Tourism

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“ You don’t need to follow in the footsteps of a spy to feel like you’re on top of the world in this part of Switzerland.”

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panoramic and majestic vistas unfold across the horizon and remind us all just how insignificant we are – but in the best possible way.

Your ride here from Mürren – the alpine gateway village from where you alight your cablecar – offers a thrilling ascent into the clouds toward Birg Station.

If you do choose to stop here – in the summer or winter months – you can rest assured your heart rate will soon be racing. When the mercury rises, steel yourself for the Thrill Walk: a 200-metre walkway that

clings to the rocks and culminates at the Skyline Walk, a glassbottomed platform jutting over a precipitous cliff. End of the Earth moments are guaranteed.

Adrenaline pumps just as fast in winter when you tackle the ‘Inferno Slopes’. This is almost 15 kilometres of pure powder – among the longest runs in Switzerland – and taking you all the way from the Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen.

Visit in January to witness a jawdropping ski race that will have you clutching for your poles.

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LIST

The Hot List 2022 10 must-see places, hidden gems and extraordinary experiences to add to your Switzerland bucket list.

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Watchmaking Course, Geneva

Ever wondered how a fine Swiss watch is made? Here’s your chance to find out on a fascinating, and handson, watchmaking course at Initium.

The world’s steepest funicular, rising 740 metres in about five minutes, takes visitors to the alluring village of Stoos with its dreamy alpine views.

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1732 Hotel Vals

Cutting-edge architecture and wellness unite in style at this Pritzker Prize-winning hotel and one-of-a-kind ‘Therme’ mineral spring rock spa.

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Bachalpsee

A ‘mirror lake’ near Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland, this hidden gem is known as the ‘Jewel of the Alps’ for its dazzling natural beauty.

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Fondation Beyeler, Basel

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Engadin Snow Safari

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Solothurn

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Leukerbad Thermal Spring

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Alpine Garden, Schynige Platte

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Brimming with contemporary and Indigenous art, this outstanding Renzo Piano-designed art museum and park is an essential stop on any visit to Basel.

Solothurn is regarded as the finest Baroque town in Switzerland, where Italian grandeur is combined with German practicality and French charm.

A feast for the senses, this enchanting alpine garden comes with majestic panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

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Stoos Funicular

One of Switzerland’s finest ‘snow safaris’, this unique ski trip crosses a plethora of pistes from Corvatsch to St. Moritz, Piz Nair and Celerina.

Experience the healing waters of Leukerbad on this thermal spring trek and canyon walk, surrounded by the magnificent Dala Gorge.

Gourmet Bicycle Tour, Lake Murten

This idyllic region is perfect for exploring by bicycle to discover medieval sites, lush vineyards, bathing spots and outstanding gourmet restaurants.

WATCH

Feel the thrill of being on this snow safari.

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WATCH

what a visit to the Alpine Garden promises.

01 A scene in Lavertezzo © Iro Scholz/Switzerland Tourism 02 Skiing Corvatsch © Silvano Zeiter/Switzerland Tourism 03 Flora on Schynige Platte © Nicole Schafer/Schweiz Tourismus 04 7132 Hotel Vals © Jeremy Mason McGraw

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THE SWISSTAINABLE WAY

Sustainability in clean, green and serene Switzerland isn’t a tourism marketing label, it’s a way of life, writes Andrew Conway.

01 The Klausen Pass © Andreas Gerth 02 Dreamy Lake Klöntal © Jan Geerk 03 X Cube Aletsch, a unique overnight experience on the Eggishorn © Pascal Gertschen/aletscharena.ch

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ou don’t have to look far in Switzerland to see that nature reigns supreme.

The national landscape from Ascona to Zurich is an A to Z of scenic splendours, from monumental alpine peaks to mirror-still lakes and inner-city parklands and gardens.

Crisp, fresh air, crystal-clear waters and bracing outdoor pursuits in all seasons are as natural to Switzerland as cheese and chocolate.

Such a fortunate country might take its bucolic surroundings for granted in the hope that nature will take care of itself – but not Switzerland.

This alluring land-locked nation of around 8.5 million people has long understood that protecting and preserving the one thing that makes it so unique and special is paramount for its ongoing prosperity.

In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the Swiss Federal Council has committed to a climate-neutral Switzerland by 2050, and has already achieved remarkable success.

Air pollution emission rates are among the lowest of OECD nations.

Switzerland was ranked the third ‘greenest’ country in the world by the 2020 Environmental Protection Index, with a score of 81.5. And it strives to produce resources using renewable energy to further promote its green economy.

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Natural selection

is designed to enhance it. “Sustainable Now the country is turning its attention travel doesn’t mean having to sacrifice to the impact of travel and tourism a good time – it can actually give people with a high-level and nationwide lots of satisfaction and a much more strategy cleverly called ‘Swisstainable’. meaningful experience,” says Eberhard.

Rest assured, this is not a slick new marketing campaign: Swisstainable The freedom to move is designed to become a way of life, Ease and freedom of movement not only for the Swiss population across the country are cornerstones but for every traveller who visits and of the Swisstainable program. The tours Switzerland.

Swiss public transport system is one “Swiss people are extremely of the world’s densest, most efficient passionate about Switzerland, the and climate-friendly public transport beauty of our country, and we want networks, connecting the country by to share it with visitors from all over trains, boats, buses, cable cars, plus the world,” says Urs Eberhard, executive biking and hiking trails – linked by the vice president of Switzerland Tourism. all-encompassing Swiss Travel Pass.

“But we also know we have to be SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) really careful not to destroy what we is already 90 per cent run on love, and it’s extremely important to hydroelectric power, emitting less find the right balance between the CO2 than any other motorised needs of our people, the needs of transport, with the goal of reaching our visitors and also the needs of 100 per cent by 2025. Rhaetian the environment,” he adds.

Railway has been emission-free since Sustainability has shaped 2013, and even Switzerland’s most Switzerland for decades, fuelled luxurious boat, the MS Diamant on by the nation’s predominant use of Lake Lucerne, is also climate-neutral. hydroelectric power. The innovative Switzerland’s legendary E-Grand new Swisstainable strategy extends Tour is the world’s first 100 per cent across Switzerland’s entire travel electric road route with approximately and tourism sector, the length and 300 hundred charging stations along breadth of the country. the way. A total of 19 Swiss parks cover Eberhard says more than 600 more than one eighth of Switzerland’s operators and businesses – from land area, and almost a third of the public transport to restaurants, country remains forested. hotels and tour operators, among Myriad other public transport options many others – have signed up range from catamarans to cable cars, and made a commitment to the PostBus services, funiculars and scenic Swisstainable strategy. railways operated by hydroelectric or Far from being a detriment to the solar power. In addition, the upscale ski visitor experience, the new program resort of Zermatt is completely car-free.

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“ Clean air, crystal-clear water and open spaces have become much more important during this time of global challenges.”

WATCH

how St. Moritz is using recycled water to make snow.

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“Clean air, crystal-clear water and open spaces have become much more important during this time of global challenges,” he adds. “People are longing to be outdoors in nature and have time to breathe in the fresh, clean air and wonderful scenery of a country like Switzerland.”

Leading the way

St. Moritz may be one of the world’s oldest and most famous winter sports resorts, but it’s not resting on its laurels. A long-time pioneer of sustainability, this innovative alpine destination is now focused on its ‘Vision 2025’ strategy, which is set to be a world-first for a ski destination.

In a bid to exclusively use recycled water for seasonal snowmaking on its slopes, the town has successfully 04 Kayaking near Bönigen © Lorenz Richard 05 Biking Val d’Anniviers alpine valley © Silvano Zeiter/ 06 Gardens completed its first water reservoir, at Schloss Wartegg, Rorschacherberg © Giglio Pasqua.

Images 01-02 & 04-06 © Switzerland Tourism with a second to be built by 2025.

The multi-million Swiss francs plan also includes the removal of pumping The nation’s water is so clean visitors stations used to transport water from can swim safely in pollution-free lakes the valley to the mountain. and rivers in the heart of major cities.

The savings in water and electricity Swiss people rank among the world’s are already enormous, along with top consumers of organic food and St. Moritz’s groundbreaking modelling products, and are global leaders in of how and where snow should be recycling and waste management. made and distributed.

Eberhard insists Swisstainable The town’s cutting-edge ‘Snowsat’ is designed to enrich the visitor system uses satellite technology during experience to Switzerland. “We want summer months to accurately map the visitors to feel empowered when they rugged alpine terrain and show exactly visit our country; we want them to how much and where snowmaking is feel good and feel that nature can required to ensure optimum winter really energise them,” he says. sports conditions.

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STEALING THE SCENE Come to picturesque, car-free Zermatt for the Alps, but linger for the exceptional wining and dining, writes Natarsha Brown.

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ermatt has starred among the world’s glitziest resorts since the mid-19th century, and it remains just as sought-after today.

Those seeking snow glide along perfectly groomed pistes; fashionistas flash their designer threads in the swish lounges along Bahnhofstrasse; and the adventurous bask in the sensational scenery and crisp alpine air.

All come for the excellent aprés-ski. This idyllic town and nearby mountains are a year-round hub of haute cuisine, home to the highest concentration of gourmet dining of any ski resort, including two Michelin-starred restaurants, and no fewer than 15 restaurants awarded Gault Millau points.

01 The Gourmet Trail © Pascal Gertschen 02 Traditional fare at Findlerhof © Restaurant Findlerhof 03 Terrace dining © Chez Vrony 04 Matterhorn views, Zermatt

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Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni

Adorned with inlay wood panelling and opulent Maria-Theresa chandeliers, this Michelin-starred restaurant is an obvious destination for a romantic date night. Choose between the ‘Home’ and ‘Wanderlust’ menus, both focused on local produce with ingredients primarily sourced from Valais. Think rabbit tartare with Belper tuber cheese, and turbot with summer truffle.

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Chez Vrony

One of the few restaurants that still cooks with organic produce – including livestock raised solely on alpine grass – and using traditional recipes passed on generation after generation (think dried meats and homemade sausage), this gastronomic hotspot sits at 2,130 metres. The vista, best appreciated from the open-air terrace, is nothing short of spectacular.

Findlerhof

Housed in an old wooden chalet among the ski slopes, rustically charming Finderlhof’s major drawcard is its sun-splashed outdoor patio – overlooking the Matterhorn, naturally. Feast on local specialties such as roasted veal liver with hash browns and Matterkuchen (Matterhorn quiche), made with vegetables and greens from the on-site garden.

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@Paradise

At 2,230 metres, @Paradise is the epitome of dining with a view. Whether you’re indulging in spicy hotpots or cheese fondue, this is the perfect perch to warm up after a couple of hours on the slopes.

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The Gourmet Trail

For an all-in-one taste of the area’s delicious offerings, embark on this gourmet trail – a relatively easy hike from Sunnegga to Zermatt via the idyllic hamlet of Findeln – and stop off at the many mountain restaurants along the way.

Overwhelmed by choice?

Opt for the Findeln Gourmet Pass, a one-day ticket that takes in four restaurants – Chez Vrony, @Paradise, Findlerhof and Sonnmatten.

That’s 42 Gault-Millau points in total, and endless opportunities to marvel at the Matterhorn.

05 Lounge in style at @Paradise restaurant © Olivia Pulver 06 Local Valais Blacknose sheep grazing © Zermatt Tourismus/ Tradition Julen 07 The hamlet of Findeln © Zermatt Tourismus/Pascal Gertschen

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THE MAGIC OF THE MATTERHORN At 4,478 metres and piercing the sky like a monolithic shark tooth, the Matterhorn is wholly arresting. Below, the top ways to explore the jewel of the Swiss Alps – and work up an appetite – before dining in style.

Matterhorn Ski Safari

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Covering more than 10,000 metres of altitude in one day – with a choice between the 12,500-metre gold safari and the 10,500-metre silver safari – on the Matterhorn Ski Safari, you’ll have the legendary craggy summit in sight throughout the entire challenge, and some serious bragging rights under your belt. Starting on Rothorn, the circuit continues via Riffelberg, the Theodul Glacier, Trockener Steg and Matterhorn glacier paradise, taking in Italy’s Breuil-Cervinia and Testa Grigia before returning to Zermatt via Stafelalp in the evening.

The Five Lakes Walk

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This nine-kilometre path from Blauherd to Sunnegga encompasses five of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain lakes, each with a reason to linger longer. Take a dip in the cool waters of Grünsee or Leisee, or marvel at the reflection of Matterhorn on the glasslike surface of Stellisee. Equally lovely are the bright turquoise Moosjisee and Grindjisee, where rare alpine flowers bloom and larches turn into shades of russet in autumn. The bonus? The trail delivers sensational views with minimal exertion as it’s mostly downhill.

WATCH

See what your Alpine X ride could be like.

Alpine X

Opening in 2022, Alpine X will connect Testa Grigia and Matterhorn glacier paradise, effectively completing the scenic journey from Zermatt in Switzerland to Breuil-Cervinia in Italy.

Delivering Matterhorn panoramas for the entirety of the one-hour ride, the 3S cable car holds a few boastworthy titles: it’s the highest cable car crossing in the Alps, as well as the cable car connection with the highest altitude difference in Europe (covering an altitude difference of more than 4,000 metres).

08 Picturesque Bar Sunnegga © Buffet Bar Sunnegga 09 The upcoming Alpine X experience © Pedro Rodrigues 10 Matterhorn reflections © GaudenzDnuser.com

WATCH

what it’s like to hike around the Matterhorn.

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EXPRESS DELIVERY Switzerland’s Grand Train Tour delivers splendid year-round adventures by rail, bus and boat, writes Andrew Conway.

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f ever there was a way to explore Switzerland, surely it’s by train, and the Grand Train Tour delivers in spectacular style – an unforgettable journey of discovery covering 1,280 kilometres of astounding natural beauty, history and heritage.

Taking in 11 iconic lakes, four official languages, five UNESCO World Heritage sites, and an array of picturesque cities, towns and villages, this eight-day tour by train, bus and boat should be on every active traveller’s Swiss bucket list.

Starting from Zurich, Montreux (if you fly into Geneva) or Basel, the Grand Train Tour features six unique trains: Luzern-Interlaken Express; GoldenPass Panoramic; Glacier Express; Bernina Express; Gotthard Panorama Express; and Voralpen-Express. Plus an optional boat trip from St. Gallen/ Rorschach to Schaffhausen.

There is no pre-determined direction or duration; travellers can hop on, hop off and stay wherever they please, and the entire tour can be experienced with a single convenient ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.

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01 The gorgeous Glacier Express © Christof Sonderegger 02 The Bernina Express © Andrea Badrutt 03 GoldenPass © Francesco Baj 04 Lavaux’s vineyards © Switzerland Travel System/ Aude Sion. Images 01-03 © Switzerland Tourism

DID YOU KNOW?

Three shorter routes are also on offer from Chur to Zurich, Spiez to Locarno, and St. Moritz to Lugano. The Grand Train Tour is also available during winter as the Winter Magic Tour.

Interlaken to Montreux

WHERE TIME about

3 hours

Explore Lake Thun, the Simmen Valley and Zweisimmen where the GoldenPass Panoramic train takes over, passing castles and meadows, before winding through the hills of Montreux. The vines of Lavaux and Chaplin’s World await.

EXPERIENCE

Chillon Castle

Montreux to Zermatt

WHERE TIME about

2.5 hours

From Montreux to Visp, the journey through the Nikolai Valley is sublime.

As the Matterhorn comes into view, the train rises 900 metres in altitude, with the help of cogwheels. Zermatt’s car-free village is the perfect base for exploring the Matterhorn’s vast glaciers.

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Zurich to Interlaken

WHERE TIME about

3 hours

Take the intercity train to Lucerne before boarding the premium Luzern-Interlaken Express. An array of alpine adventures await in and around Interlaken with excursions to Brienzer Rothorn, Jungfraujoch, mountaintop Schilthorn and historic Schynige Platte railway.

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EXPERIENCE

The Harder Kulm funicular

EXPERIENCE

Gornergrat

Zermatt to St. Moritz

WHERE TIME about

8 hours

The world’s slowest – but surely most beautiful – train sees the fabled Glacier Express weaving through the Swiss Alps between these uber-chic, all-year resorts. Travel through the Cantons of Valais, Uri and Grisons with majestic views of mountains, ravines and valleys.

EXPERIENCE

Landwasser Viaduct

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St. Moritz to Lugano

WHERE TIME about

7 hours

The lovely Bernina Express to Tirano and onward express bus to Lugano delivers travellers from mountains to lake.

Sit back and relax as knockout views abound of glaciers, turquoise lakes and verdant valleys.

EXPERIENCE

Muottas Muragl

WATCH

Your scenic journey unfolds with these hiddden treasures.

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Lugano to Lucerne

WHERE TIME about

5.5 hours

The first-class Gotthard Panorama Express takes guests from Mediterranean-style Ticino along the grand Gotthard Panorama Route, before transferring to a boat that glides over sublime Lake Lucerne.

EXPERIENCE

Lake Lucerne

Lucerne to St. Gallen

WHERE TIME about

2.5 hours

Explore Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Titlis from Lucerne before boarding the Voralpen-Express through more classic Swiss scenery. The train passes Lake Zurich, Rapperswil – the ‘city of roses’ – and the Sitter Viaduct. At 99 metres, it’s the highest rail bridge in Switzerland.

EXPERIENCE

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Abbey St. Gallen

St. Gallen to Zurich

WHERE TIME about

2.5 hours

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has its own ‘maritime’ heritage, best seen by train on a 40-kilometre stretch of Lake Constance and following the Rhine River downstream to Schaffhausen, home to Europe’s largest waterfalls.

EXPERIENCE

The Rhine Falls

05 The Bernina Express © Switzerland Travel System/Tobias Ryser 06 Excellence Class on the Glacier Express © Glacier Express 07 The gleaming Glacier Express © Tobias Ryser.

Images 06-07 © Switzerland Tourism

The Glacier Express The most sought-after seats in Switzerland aren’t at the theatre, opera or a Michelin-starred restaurant. They are on board the legendary Glacier Express as it winds its way through the glorious Swiss Alps.

The train’s new Excellence Class offers travellers a guaranteed window seat to take in the breathtaking mountain panoramas and all 291 bridges and 91 tunnels between St. Moritz and Zermatt, along with exclusive access to the chic Glacier Bar, a five-course regional dining experience, and other sweet treats.

A concierge is on hand to take care of any requests, and a personal Bordinfotainment tablet allows you to track the spectacular route with music and entertainment.

THE WAY to WELLNESS Fresh alpine air, natural wonders and a world-class health system combine to make Switzerland a paragon of good health.

Here are five leading wellness and medical retreats to help keep you in peak condition.

WATCH

What it’s like to check in to the Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort.

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Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort

This exceptional spa hotel, perched 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, is the last word in health and wellness.

Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence is one of Switzerland’s most acclaimed alpine retreats within the Bürgenstock spa complex, combining a holistic health facility with a medical care sanctuary in a luxury setting.

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The Dolder Grand, Zurich

With 175 deluxe rooms, world-class restaurants and a spa covering 4,000 square metres, Zurich’s legendary resort-hotel offers a peak wellness experience. Designed by Sylvia Sepielli, the spa features 18 treatment rooms, two spa suites, an extensive selection of treatments, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, a sanarium and a steam bath.

03 01 Do spa views get any better than this? © Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort 02 Blissful moments at the same resort © Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort 03 The Dolder Grand, Zurich © David Biedert 04 A relaxation room © Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort 05 Thermal soaking © Grand Resort Bad Ragaz 04

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Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

Just an hour’s drive from Zurich, this leading wellbeing and medical health resort consists of two fivestar establishments: Grand Hotel Quellenhof and Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz, both boasting exclusive spa facilities and medical expertise in the renowned Medical Health Centre and Clinic Bad Ragaz.

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06 Dive in, the water’s fine! © Grand Resort Bad Ragaz 07 Alpine yoga © Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort 08 Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort © Gianni Bauman 09 Feel your spirit soar at Clinique La Prairie © Nico Schaerer

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Clinique La Prairie, Lausanne

A groundbreaking spa clinic for the past 90 years, Clinique La Prairie offers highly advanced health and wellness programs led by 50 medical specialists and a team of holistic experts. Enjoy detoxifying experiences, innovative wellness sciences and technologies, and a highly stimulating environment to re-energise.

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Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort

The alpine setting of this sublime wellness resort in Flims will put you in instant relaxation mode. Luxe rooms, farm-to-table dining, spa treatments par excellence, and an array of bracing outdoor activities combine to create an outstanding Swiss spa retreat.

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The good life 8 top wellness destinations where good health is not a philosophy, but a lifestyle.

• Leukerbad • Scuol • Charmey • Baden • Bad Zurzach • Bad Ragaz • Ascona-Locarno • Interlaken Read more

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FA�s � A

01 Beautiful view of Zurich © Mattias Nutt/Zürich Tourism 02 Fronalpstock hiking © Andre Meier/Switzerland Tourism

What are the main arrival points for Australians?

Most Australians would fly into Zurich or Geneva Airports in Switzerland and can then connect to onward destinations by train or other public transport. If you arrive on a river cruise, you would probably come into Basel and start your discovery of Switzerland from there.

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What are the major traditional Swiss dishes to be found around the country?

In Zurich, try delicious Zurich geschnetzeltes, a veal ragout that is one of the classic dishes of this region. In Graubuenden/Grisons, capuns are the regional specialty with locals filling the spinach beet wraps with their own recipes. In Romandie, French-speaking Switzerland, What is the best time to visit experience saucissons (pork) and Switzerland? fondue, with one of the best cheesy Switzerland is a year-round fondue styles served in Fribourg. destination, and when you go While in the Bern region, crunch your depends on what you want to do there. way through delicious rösti. Basel’s For skiing and snowboarding, the best traditional dish is its flour soup, time to visit is from December to March. best served in the early hours of the Or, if you want to hike the glorious green morning – especially during the iconic meadows and alpine passes, spring Basel Carnival. Polenta is synonymous through autumn are best. with the Ticino area, where it is mixed

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with cheese and made into a thick mash as a side with rabbit or a roast.

In the Lucerne region, you must try the chügelipastete – the Swiss meat pie – which dates back to the 18th century.

It is a pie filled with ragout made with veal and sausage meatballs.

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How much time should I put aside for the Grand Tour by car?

You can enjoy the Grand Tour in your own time, and at your own pace – if you can’t do the entire route (which takes around nine days, at a leisurely speed), you can choose to just drive the sections that appeal to you the most.

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And what about for the Grand Tour by rail?

The original Grand Train Tour takes a minimum of eight days and takes in all the panoramic trains and all highlights. The Classic tour takes a minimum of seven days.

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What languages are spoken in Switzerland?

German is by far the most widely spoken language in Switzerland with 19 of the country’s 26 cantons predominantly (Swiss) Germanspeaking. French is spoken in Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel and Vaud cantons in the western part of the country. Three cantons – Bern, Fribourg and Valais – speak both French and German.

Italian is spoken in Ticino and in four southern valleys of Graubünden canton, with Romansh/Rumantsch also spoken here.

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Important information Switzerland Tourism myswitzerland.com

Entry requirements

For holidays and travel in Switzerland, you will find all the current information here.

Swiss Travel System

Swiss Travel System stands not only for the roughly 29,000 kilometres of extensive public transport network in Switzerland, but also for a unique range of tickets available to foreign guests. Exploring Switzerland has never been easier. The all-in-one ticket Swiss Travel Pass is the key to Switzerland’s public transport network.

Emergency numbers

112 – International emergency number 117 - Police

140 - Breakdown service

118 - Fire

162 - Weather report

144 - Ambulance

163 - Road report

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We need a new horizon

We need Switzerland.