Imagine golden autumn days in Switzerland, often overlooked by a million and one tourists visiting the country every year. Vibrant vineyards, colorful forests, imposing mountains, and sparkling streams invite curious souls to relax and linger a while, indulging in these natural highlights and the pleasantries in the nearby cities and villages.
STAY
LeCrans Hotel and Spa
Breathtaking views of the Alps and with luxury as far as the eye can see, the recently reopened 5-star hotel is a triumph of class and comfort. Each room has a different theme and is furnished in a cozy alpine style. All come with their own fireplace, whirlpool bath, Nespresso machine and DVD player. The hotel offers superior gastronomy in the LeMontBlanc restaurant (awarded 17 GaultMillau points and one Michelin star), a Cigar Lounge, and the LeSpa exclusive wellness facility with panoramic views.
Berghotel Randolins
Surrounded by hiking & biking paths, this ski complex, made up of several buildings including a hotel and hostel, affords great views of the upper Engadin lakes at its 2000-meter-altitude. 55 comfortable furnished rooms, some with balconies, also provides wellness with open-air jacuzzi, massages, and Finnish & bio saunas. A free shuttle bus from the station is available according to the timetable and free parking places are out front. Ski-passes, mountain rail and public transport price reductions are to be found, along with a restaurant serving regional specialties.
Sunstar Hotel Klosters
This hotel that feels like home has been built in the Graubünden chalet-style ensuring romanticism and proximity to nature. The rooms feature lots of Swiss stone and pine, creating a unique alpine charm. Dining follows a traditional style, both in the choice of dishes as well as ambience. The view of the Graubünden mountains makes you want to experience nature and snow. In the village of Klosters, the cable cars and mountain railways are temptingly close at hand, bringing the peaks within easy reach.
Parkhotel Margna
Built in 1817 as a nobleman’s house, the “Margna” has been welcoming guests since 1901. The historic charm of an Engadin manor house makes this hotel, decorated in an elegant, country-house style, quite unique. The renovated pine-clad rooms, stately reception rooms decorated with antique furniture and paintings, and first-class restaurants, guarantee an authentic holiday experience. Active relaxation is provided by the new wellness area and, in summer, a private golf pitch & putt with driving range, a sand tennis court, and mountain bikes for hire.
DINE
Glacier Express’ Scenic Dining
The world’s slowest express train takes travelers across the Alps within roughly eight hours. Along the way, the chefs in all three classes and the on-board crew will serve meals, snacks, and drinks in your seat. Thanks to the on-board kitchen, meals are freshly prepared, focusing on regional specialties. The Glacier Express is committed to the pioneering days of the railway, when traveling was still about unforgettable journeys.
Mt. Pilatus’ Gastronomy Peak
The 2,132-meter summit is adorned with spectacular views of 73 mountain peaks and the beautiful Lake Lucerne. It is also the home of different culinary options. Enjoy a tea or coffee from the ibex bar or lunch in one of the summit restaurants. Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm boasts exquisite meals in a unique atmosphere using regional and fresh ingredients. Restaurant Bellevue offers Swiss cuisine like the famous Älplermagaronen and international dishes, as well as a salad bar and sweets.
Breaking Bread at the Grotto
Nothing is more typical for life in Ticino than the grotto, simple taverns in quiet hideaway places, in the shade of trees or settled in beautiful viewpoints. They usually consist of a kitchen and a generous garden with solid granite tables and benches, where everybody sits in the coolness of the trees, drinking and eating the local cuisine: homemade sausages, minestrone, polenta and roast beef, a choice of hard and creamy cheese. A chat with a good Merlot wine is the essence of the authentic Swiss Italian cuisine experience.
Brig’s Fine Food Culture
A fine café in a car-free town square, a Valais dish in a rustic mountain hut, or a crispy pizza in an Italian pizzeria – Brig Simplon has a wide range of typical and exotic restaurants and dining options. By the way: according to legend, cordon bleu was invented 200 years ago in a restaurant in Brig. Enjoy a delicious cordon bleu based on an original recipe in one of the restaurants
brig-simplon.ch/essen-und-trinken
DO
Bernina Panoramic Train
Along the way, the Bernina Express rolls over the 65-meter-high Landwasser Viaduct, the signature structure of the Rhaetian Railway and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Altogether, the train passes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges on its way from Chur to Tirano, passing through marvelous sights such as the Montebello curve with a view of the Bernina massif, the Morteratsch glacier, the three lakes Lej Pitschen and the Brusio Circular Viaduct.
Rhaetian Historic Train
A breathtaking trip in historical carriages will transport you back in time to the 1920s. Even the train staff are kitted out in the original uniforms. You will also have the unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Autumn and the fresh air in the open scenic carriages. The train travels daily from Davos, through the ruggedly romantic Zügen Gorge, over the famous Wiesen Viaduct to Filisur. This is also home of the Landwasser Viaduct, which marks the heart of the famous RhB Albula Line and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vineyard Experience
Fancy a walk among the vines, a visit to a winery or an overnight stay in a vineyard? In addition to high-quality wines, Switzerland also offers an enormous variety of experiences and activities. Whether you are a wine buff or just enjoy a glass at dinner, there is much just waiting to be discovered in the winegrowing country of Switzerland. With the Swiss Wine Tour, discover the many facets of this new wine tourism destination set in the heart of the Alps. The varied landscapes and its diverse grape varieties will delight your eyes and taste buds alike.
On Two Wheels
Superb roads and unspoilt scenery, Switzerland is a paradise for devotees of road cycling. In the Mittelland, hill succeeds hill in countryside imbued with tradition. And then there are the Alps, with 17 passes exceeding 2000m in altitude amid the snowy peaks. Most Swiss’ public transport is equipped with bike friendly facilities and there are many bike hotels offering quick access to scenic routes.
Art Savvy Lugano
LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura is dedicated to music, visual and performing arts.
The building, which overlooks the lake, provides space for a rich program of exhibitions, events, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, along with a variety of cultural initiatives and a packed program of activities for young people and families. Since 2015, the LAC has been home to the Museo d’arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI). Located over three floors, the gallery holds a permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions, and site-specific installations.
Feast of Sound and Taste
The Nendaz region is the home of the Alpine horn – the Alpine instrument. Their local seasonal product is best to enjoy while listening to a few tunes from Nendaz’s very own Alphorn group on the Tracouet cable car square. Interested? Two-day introductory courses with music teachers and passionate Alphorn players are available. If the weather allows it, the courses take place outdoors in the Pra da Dzeu region, because it is outside that the Alphorn is in its natural element and resounds best.
Stockalper Castle
The Stockalper Castle in Brig is not only a regional landmark, but also the most powerful baroque secular building in Switzerland today. The builder of Stockalper Castle, Kaspar Stockalper von Thurm (1609-1691), was considered one of the most important figures in Valais history. Visit the unique Stockalper Castle with a guided tour and let yourself be taken back to historical times.
Ride the aerial cablecar ‘Dragon Ride’ Fräkmüntegg – Pilatus Kulm with a view of Lake Lucerne.
Mt. Pilatus “Dragon” Ride
Mount Pilatus, the Dragon Mountain’s panorama gondolas start at the valley station of PILATUS-BAHNEN in Kriens, just 10 mins outside the city of Lucerne. Climb aboard and in only 30 minutes the gondolas will arrive at the middle station Fräkmüntegg where the view gets even more spectacular: Change to the “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway and marvel at the steep, rock wall of Mt. Pilatus, Lake Lucerne and the Klimsen chapel on the way up. The Dragon Shop is where you can find red Pilatus dragon decorated souvenirs.
Boat Rental at Enge
Boat Rental Enge offers eco-friendly electric boats that require no boat license. From serene solo trips to leisurely family outings, these boats provide a seamless and eco-conscious way to explore the surroundings. Boat Rental Enge also boasts an exclusive fleet of sauna boats, each equipped with private saunas. Guests can unwind amidst breathtaking lake views while enjoying the soothing warmth of the sauna, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Zurich Chocolate Quest
Discover Zurich’s Chocolate Delights starting at Lindt Home of Chocolate, a haven for cocoa enthusiasts. Embark on the enlightening Xocotour, a guided tour through Zurich’s charming old town that promises an immersion into the city’s rich chocolate heritage. For a truly hands-on experience, visit bean-to-bar pioneers like Garçoa and La Flor. In Zurich, chocolate isn’t just a treat; it’s a captivating voyage through time and taste with every step promising a sensorial experience that will forever change the way you savor chocolate.
SHOP
Weekly Markets
The wonderful Wochenmarkt (weekly market) with its enticing fresh bread and freshly picked flowers from local farmers happens every Tuesday and Saturday morning throughout the year, right in the heart of town and around the Chapel bridge. At Markthalle Luzern, you can find local fruits, vegetables, and many other locally sourced products. It’s also the perfect shop to buy a souvenir. Check out the craft or general goods market while the flea market is where you can browse for jewelry, porcelain, or dolls.
The Cellars of Sion
Riding around on the vineyard’s Khalkoff electric bikes is a great way to discover the area. The tears, the robe, the retro olfaction, the astringency, the empyreumatic aroma… so many terms and gestures that you need to know to better appreciate the wine.
Guests taste five wines from Houses Bonvin and Varone and explore the specificities of the different Valaisan grape varieties. Visit their stores and find out about their collections of red, white, and rosé wine.
