Destinations

Val Gardena (Gröden) is one of the best-known Dolomite valleys and part of the famous Sellaronda ski circuit around the Sella massif. Above the valley rise the Langkofel and the striking Seceda plateau. Gröden is also a centre of Ladin culture and centuries-old woodcarving.HighlightsPart of the Sellaronda ski circuitSeceda and Langkofel as a backdropLadin culture and woodcarvingUNESCO World Heritage DolomitesGood…

Bolzano (Bozen) is the capital of South Tyrol and blends alpine and Mediterranean influences, visible in the arcaded lanes of the old town and the surrounding vineyards. Its most famous resident is Ötzi, the more than 5,000-year-old Iceman, on display in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. Three cable cars lead up to the surrounding plateaus.HighlightsÖtzi in the South Tyrol Museum of ArchaeologyMedieval…

Merano (Meran) was one of the most fashionable spa towns of the Habsburg Empire and captivates with its mild climate, promenades and Art Nouveau architecture. Above the town lie the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, an award-winning botanical garden with plants from all over the world. The Therme Meran spa lies right in the centre.HighlightsBotanical Gardens of Trauttmansdorff CastleMild climate and spa promenadeTherme Meran…

The Maggia valley is the largest valley in Ticino and known for its crystal-clear, emerald-green river water, stone mountain villages and waterfalls. Its landmark is the Foroglio waterfall. Natural pools along the Maggia invite swimming in summer, though the water stays cold.HighlightsEmerald-green, clear river waterForoglio waterfallStone mountain villages and rusticiNatural bathing spots along the MaggiaGood to…

The Centovalli, the valley of a hundred valleys, links Locarno with Domodossola in Italy. The Centovalli Railway, a narrow-gauge line, runs through the wild gorge landscape over numerous bridges and through tunnels, past chestnut forests and waterfalls, especially impressive in autumn.HighlightsCentovalli Railway over bridges and through tunnelsWild gorges and chestnut forestsCross-border to DomodossolaAutumn colours especially beautifulGood to…

At 1,704 m, Monte Generoso offers an all-round view over the Ticino lakes, the Po Plain and the arc of the Alps. On the summit stands the Fiore di Pietra viewing building designed by star architect Mario Botta. A historic cog railway leads up from Capolago on Lake Lugano.HighlightsAll-round view over lakes, the Po Plain and the AlpsFiore di Pietra by Mario…

Lugano is the largest city in Ticino and lies with Mediterranean flair on the lake of the same name between the viewpoint mountains Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore. Palm-lined promenades, a lively old town and funiculars up the local mountains shape the scene. The lake reaches as far as Italy.HighlightsMediterranean lakeside promenade and old townLocal mountains Monte Brè and San Salvatore…

The Val Müstair in the far south-eastern tip 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.HighlightsConvent of St John with Carolingian frescoes (UNESCO)Romansh valley and convent cultureNear the Swiss…

The Flims-Laax region is one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland and in summer is known for the turquoise-green Caumasee, one of the most beautiful bathing lakes in the Alps. Nearby runs the Rhine Gorge Ruinaulta, an impressive canyon of the Vorderrhein.HighlightsOne of the largest ski areas in SwitzerlandTurquoise-green bathing lake CaumaseeRhine Gorge Ruinaulta (Swiss Grand Canyon)Known for freestyle and snowparksGood to…

At the foot of the Bernina group, the Morteratsch Glacier is one of the most easily accessible glaciers in the Alps. From 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 background rises the Piz Bernina.HighlightsEasily reached glacier trailMarkers show the glacier retreatView of the Piz…

At around 1,560 m, Davos is the highest town in Europe and a tradition-rich high-altitude health and winter sports resort. The Parsenn and Jakobshorn ski areas, a long-standing reputation for its mountain climate and the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) shape the town. In summer, wide high-altitude hikes beckon.HighlightsHighest town in Europe (around 1,560 m)Parsenn and Jakobshorn ski areasTradition-rich high-altitude resortHost of the WEFGood to knowAltitudearound…

The Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen plunge around 250 m to the valley in several tiers. They became world-famous as the setting for the fictional death struggle between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty in Conan Doyle’s story. A historic funicular leads to the viewing platform.HighlightsRoughly 250 m high multi-tier waterfallSherlock Holmes settingHistoric funicularSherlock Holmes Museum in MeiringenGood to knowAltitudearound 250 m…