Comprised of charming towns and storied hamlets alike, Switzerland reveals countless opportunities to appreciate life’s little indulgences.
As you pace the country from the northernmost reaches of Basel to the temperate south in Lugano, you’ll find an opportunity to savor the simple pleasures on every stop you make. Things That Switzerland Is Known For. Whether you prefer to revel in great works of art, the unique tastes of the Swiss countryside, or a draft of mountain-fresh air, we share the sweetest experiences that the country has to offer while touring Switzerland.
Here are just some of the things you can enjoy while touring Switzerland:
Artful Endeavors
Conveniently situated on the shores of the Rhine River, medieval Basel serves as a popular point of embarkation for exploring Europe’s illustrious waterways. Be sure to pad your schedule with extra time to explore this refined hub, encompassing almost 40 museums and even more art galleries. The range of art on display on Switzerland tours appeals to any aficionado, with both Switzerland’s oldest museum, Kunstmuseum Basel, and the internationally acclaimed contemporary art show, Art Basel. Follow in the footsteps of Pablo Picasso with a stay at Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, one of Europe’s oldest hotels, where you can enjoy a two Michelin-starred meal at Cheval Blanc and a Cuban cigar in Salon du Cigare without stepping outside of your hotel.
For an artful inhabitation, sleep in the presence of a staggering collection of original works in Zürich’s Dolder Grand Hotel. Extending the feel of a prestigious gallery, the 124 privately collected works by giants like Salvador Dalí, Keith Haring, Man Ray, and Damien Hirst can be explored using an iPad provided by the hotel, mapping each piece and providing background detail that furthers your understanding of the artists. Cultural discoveries continue in Switzerland’s largest city, with plentiful opportunities for world-class shopping and vibrant nightlife. Peruse the Bahnhofstrasse’s expanse of international labels including Cartier and Louis Vuitton, or turn to Zürich-West for hip boutiques, gourmet markets, and incredible nightlife. You’ll also find excitement under the stars in Old Town’s Niederdorf area, where the jazz club Widder hosts some of the world’s finest musicians and boasts a single-malt whiskey library of over 250 brands.
Fine Tastings
Bern Switzerland – Capital Impressions
A perfect pairing with Swiss cheese, the 60 different grape varieties grown in the Valais region result in a range of wines from the light and easy-to-drink Petite Arvine to the cherry-red Cornalin, a Valdotan wine with a 700-year history. Discover the terroir, where a third of Switzerland’s vineyards thrive, during an educational trail that traipses from Visp to Vispterminen — Europe’s highest vineyard, located 3,772 feet aloft in the peaks that climb towards the Matterhorn. For a full view of the mountain’s majesty, the Matterhorn-Express cable railway departs from the quaint town of Zermatt and spirals up to an extraordinary viewpoint: a 360-degree panorama of the highest peaks of the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps. Zermatt’s entirely car-free landscape of lakes and meadows sprinkled with alpine flowers is home to tiny chalets like the Restaurant Zum See, where owners Max and Greti Mennig have served simple, yet upscale, mountain cuisine for more than 30 years. Marvel in the shadow of the Matterhorn while you savor potato rösti, a crispy potato pancake accompanied by rustic local cheeses. Bern Switzerland – Capital Impressions
Nature’s Bounty
Roll past farmhouses and dense forests on the Glacier Express, crossing nearly 300 bridges and 91 tunnels from Zermatt to St. Moritz — a location renowned as a playground for celebrities and world-class skiers from around the globe. However, it was only 150 years ago that a local hotelier, Johannes Badrutt, convinced British summer guests to return in winter — vowing to pay all travel expenses if they didn’t discover an enchanting world. This sure-fire bet would forever cement St. Moritz as a luxurious haven for paradisiacal powder. Switzerland: Fantastic Routes and Breaktaking Vistas
Connect this picturesque winter landscape to the surprising quintessence of European summer in Ticino, the Italian-border enclave of Switzerland, on the Bernina Express or the Palm Express. You’ll arrive in Lugano, where a Mediterranean climate gives way to swaying palm trees and endless outdoor activity. Hike a panoramic playground of over 2,000 miles covering chestnut groves and stonework-laden villages, or bike a 108-mile network of cycling paths around river shores and across soaring mountain passes.
The country’s rich indulgences spring eternal during the Grand Train Tour, a 1,000-mile self-guided rail journey linking the entire nation — including 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites — with a single Swiss Travel Pass. During an eight-day round-trip sojourn from Zürich, rest and recharge in luxurious hotels and quaint mountain lodges along the way. From the premier luggage service that transports your bags between each luxury hotel to marvelous mountain dining atop dramatic peaks, let us help you tailor this seamless rail journey of Switzerland into an unforgettable, personal pilgrimage.
