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— 02 · The Alps —

Mountains, slow trains, and time to be still.

Glacier-fed lakes, alpine railways, hidden valleys, world-class watchmakers, and the kind of quiet luxury Switzerland has perfected over two centuries.

— A note on this destination —

Switzerland — done with care.

Switzerland rewards travellers who slow down. The Glacier Express takes 8 hours when a flight would take 30 minutes — and every minute is worth it. We plan multi-stop alpine journeys with private train compartments, lakefront hotels, mountain helicopter rides, and meals at chalets reachable only by cable car. Summer for hiking and lake swims. Winter for skiing and snow-globe villages.

— Best time to visit —

When to go.

Each season has its character — here's what to expect.

June – September
SUMMER · ALPINE PERFECTION

Hiking trails open, lakes warm enough to swim, mountain restaurants in full swing. June and September are quieter.

December – March
WINTER · SKI SEASON

St. Moritz, Verbier, Zermatt. December opens early ski; February has the most snow; March has the best light.

April – May
SHOULDER · LAKES THAWING

Valleys green, mountain tops snowy. Few tourists. Beautiful for trains and Lake Geneva region.

October – November
AUTUMN · GOLDEN LIGHT

Vineyards turn red and gold (Lavaux). First snow on peaks. Quieter, dramatic, romantic.

Swiss alpine valleys
— Where to go —

Cities & regions worth your time.

Zermatt

Car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Mont Cervin Palace, The Omnia. Ski directly from the hotel; helicopter to Gornergrat for breakfast.

St. Moritz

Glamorous Engadin valley. Badrutt's Palace, Suvretta House. Winter for the social calendar; summer for hiking, polo on snow, sailing.

Lucerne

Lakeside medieval town. Park Hotel Vitznau (lakeside) and Bürgenstock (cliff-top) are both extraordinary. Day boats to Pilatus and Rigi.

Interlaken & Bernese Oberland

Base for Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe at 3,454m. Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel. Excursions to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen.

Lugano

Italian Switzerland. Lake Lugano, palm trees, Mediterranean light. Splendide Royal. Day trips to Lake Como (40 minutes).

Appenzell

Traditional carved-house village. Cheese makers, festivals, cow processions. The Switzerland you imagine.

— Things to do —

Famous moments + hidden ones.

The famous experiences

  • Glacier Express — Zermatt to St. Moritz, 8 hours, panoramic windows
  • Jungfraujoch — Europe's highest railway station, 3,454m
  • Matterhorn helicopter flight — 30 minutes around the iconic peak
  • Mt. Pilatus — world's steepest cog railway from Lake Lucerne
  • Lake Geneva boat cruise to Château de Chillon
  • Lavaux UNESCO vineyards walk above Lake Geneva

The hidden ones (only we know)

  • Verzasca Valley (Ticino) — emerald river pools, Roman-era stone villages
  • Aletsch Glacier — longest glacier in the Alps, walking tours with mountaineer guides
  • Lavaux private wine tastings — boutique producers, lunch with the winemaker
  • Engadin yodelling — traditional musicians in valley restaurants
  • Private cheese maker visits in Appenzell — see the entire cow-to-wheel process
  • Glacier-bottom underground concerts in Saas-Fee — pipe organ in an ice cave
Alpine dining
— What to eat —

Food & drink, at the source.

Fondue

Melted Gruyère + Vacherin in white wine and kirsch, eaten with crusty bread. Lose the bread, buy the next bottle.

Raclette

Half-wheel of cheese melted by candle and scraped onto potatoes. A ritual meal.

Rösti

Pan-fried grated potato cake — Swiss national breakfast or side, especially in German Switzerland.

Älplermagronen

Alpine herder's mac-and-cheese — pasta, potato, onion, cream, with apple sauce on the side.

Chocolate at the source

Lindt, Sprüngli (Zurich), Läderach. Maison Cailler factory tour in Broc.

Tartare de bœuf

Lake Geneva region — French Switzerland's finest steak tartare, served with fries and salad.

Mountain retreat luxury
— Where to stay —

Hotels we love.

Bürgenstock — Lucerne

1,000m above Lake Lucerne. Bürgenstock Spa is one of Europe's largest. Funicular access. Hollywood-era heritage.

Badrutt's Palace — St. Moritz

Since 1896. Old-world grand hotel that defined alpine luxury. Le Grand Hall for tea, Chesa Veglia for fondue.

Park Hotel Vitznau — Lake Lucerne

Lakeside, two-Michelin focus restaurant. Boat dock; arrive by lake. Quietest of the great Swiss hotels.

The Omnia — Zermatt

Carved into the mountainside above Zermatt. Matterhorn view from every room. Modern alpine design.

— Sample itinerary —

A journey through Switzerland.

An example — every itinerary we plan is unique to you.

Days 1–2 · Lucerne

Bürgenstock Resort. Lake cruise, Mt. Pilatus excursion. Lunch on the lake at Vitznau.

Day 3 · Glacier Express

All-day train: Lucerne → Andermatt → Brig → Zermatt. Private compartment. Lunch on board.

Days 4–5 · Zermatt

The Omnia. Matterhorn at sunrise from Gornergrat. Hike Schwarzsee. Helicopter flight optional.

Day 6 · Bernina Express

Train through highest alpine pass to St. Moritz. Photograph the Landwasser Viaduct.

Days 7–8 · St. Moritz

Badrutt's Palace. Engadin hikes, lake walks. Lunch at Muottas Muragl.

Day 9 · Zurich

Lake cruise, final shopping. Last dinner at the Dolder Grand.

Day 10

Fly home from Zurich.

"
We did Switzerland for two weeks — Kishan planned the trains, the hotels, the helicopter to Gornergrat. We never had to think about logistics. Three generations of our family loved it. My father (76) said it was his best holiday since his honeymoon.
— The Mehra family · Switzerland multi-stop, 2025
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