Destinations

At around 1,900 m, the Lago di Sorapis glows an unreal turquoise from fine glacial flour and is reachable only on foot. The popular hike from the Passo Tre Croci leads over partly exposed, cable-secured sections to the lake at the foot of the Sorapiss walls. Bathing is not allowed,…

Val Müstair in the far south-east corner of Switzerland is home to the Benedictine convent of St. John in Müstair, whose Carolingian frescoes from the 8th century have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The quiet valley borders the Swiss National Park and keeps Romansh culture alive. Highlights…

The Cinque Torri, the five towers, are a striking rock group near Cortina d'Ampezzo and a popular climbing area. Around the rocks stretches an open-air museum of the First World War with restored trenches and positions. A chairlift and easy paths make the area readily accessible. Highlights Striking rock group…

The Flims-Laax region is one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland and in summer is known for the turquoise Caumasee, one of the most beautiful bathing lakes in the Alps. Nearby runs the Rhine Gorge Ruinaulta, an impressive canyon of the Vorderrhein. Highlights One of the largest ski areas…

Cogne is one of the finest gateways into the Gran Paradiso National Park. Through the side valley Valnontey, trails lead into the realm of ibex and chamois, and at the hamlet of Lillaz the Cascate di Lillaz plunge down over several tiers. In winter Cogne is a well-known cross-country centre….

The Morteratsch Glacier at the foot of the Bernina group is one of the most easily accessible glaciers in the Alps. From the Morteratsch station on the Bernina line a flat glacier trail leads to the ice tongue; signs along the way show the dramatic retreat of recent decades. In…

The Vintgar Gorge north-west of Bled leads over wooden galleries and bridges around 1.6 km through the narrow gorge carved by the Radovna, with emerald-green water. The walkways were built back in 1893. At the end of the gorge the Šum waterfall plunges down, the highest river waterfall in Slovenia….

Lake Bohinj is the largest lake in Slovenia and, unlike nearby Bled, lies in the middle of Triglav National Park and is far more unspoilt. The glacially formed lake is framed by mountains; nearby the Savica waterfall plunges down, and a cable car leads up to the Vogel hiking and…

Lake Bled is one of the most photographed places in the Alps: in its centre lies Slovenia's only natural island with the pilgrimage church of the Assumption, and high above the shore stands Bled Castle. Traditional pletna rowing boats bring visitors to the island, where 99 steps lead up to…

The Triglav, at 2,864 m, is the highest mountain in Slovenia and the national symbol; its three peaks adorn the coat of arms and the flag. It lies at the heart of Triglav National Park, the country's only national park. For many Slovenes the ascent is a rite of passage,…

Lac du Bourget near Aix-les-Bains is the largest natural lake lying entirely in France. The glacial lake inspired the poet Lamartine to his famous poem Le Lac. On the western shore stands the Hautecombe Abbey, the burial place of the House of Savoy, reachable from the water. Highlights Largest natural…

Les Trois Vallées link the resorts of Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and others into one of the largest connected ski areas in the world. At around 2,300 m, Val Thorens is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe and accordingly snow-sure. In summer the region becomes a vast hiking…