Destinations

The Forte di Bard is a mighty 19th-century fortress guarding the valley entrance to the Aosta Valley. Today it houses, among other things, the Museum of the Alps and changing exhibitions; panoramic lifts open up the complex. The fortress also became known as a film location. Highlights Mighty 19th-century fortress…

At around 1,560 m, Davos is the highest town in Europe and a tradition-rich health and winter-sports resort. The Parsenn and Jakobshorn ski areas, a long reputation as a high-altitude climatic resort and the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) shape the town. In summer, wide high-altitude hikes beckon. Highlights Highest…

Breuil-Cervinia lies at around 2,000 m on the Italian south side of the Matterhorn, here called Monte Cervino. The resort is a well-known high-mountain ski area with glacier pistes and is linked to Zermatt over the Theodul Pass, so you can ski across the border between Italy and Switzerland. Highlights…

The Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen drop around 250 m in several tiers. They became world-famous as the scene of the fictional fatal struggle between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty in Conan Doyle's story. A historic funicular leads to the viewing platform. Highlights Roughly 250 m high multi-tier waterfall Sherlock Holmes…

Andalo lies on the Paganella plateau between the Brenta Dolomites and Lake Garda and is a popular family ski and hiking area. From the summit of the Paganella at 2,125 m the view reaches far over the Brenta to Lake Garda. In summer, bike trails and the nearby Lago di…

The Thunersee between Thun and Interlaken is lined with several castles, including Oberhofen Castle right on the shore. Above the lake rises the Niesen, the striking pyramid with the longest staircase in the world. On the north shore the St. Beatus Caves lead into the mountain. Highlights Oberhofen Castle on…

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…

Val d'Isère and Tignes together form the high-alpine ski area Espace Killy, named after the ski star Jean-Claude Killy. Thanks to the altitude and the glacier on the Grande Motte, skiing is possible here even in summer. Val d'Isère has hosted Olympic races and is regarded as one of the…

Founded in 1963, the Vanoise National Park was France's first and borders directly on the Italian Gran Paradiso; together they form one of the largest protected areas in the Alps. It was established to save the Alpine ibex and today is home to large populations of ibex and chamois. A…

Linderhof Palace in the Graswang valley is the smallest of King Ludwig II's three palaces and the only one whose construction he saw completed in his lifetime. The lavish pleasure palace, inspired by Versailles, is surrounded by an extensive park with water features. Especially famous is the artificial Venus Grotto…