Postcard-destinations of the Swiss vallée houses many lesser-hyped, serene fringes to explore
Situated in the heart of Europe, Switzerland, landlocked country, has long been a heartthrob of tourist attractions with its verdant vistas, alpine views and postcard destinations that have served as the backdrops to many films. The Swiss Alps, which make up more than 60 pc of the nation’s landmass, are home to some of the most breathtaking climbs in the world. But beyond the popular list of attractions, India Outbound lists some of the more unconventional explorations in the country :
Rhaetian railway in the Albula / Bernina
Rhaetian railway in the Albula / Bernina connects the remotest of settlements in the Central Alps
Between Thusis and Tirano, the route recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage is 122 km long, crossing 196 bridges and 20 towns. The train rides through some of the most cherished Swiss sceneries showcasing an impressive assortment of structures including 42 tunnels, covered galleries and 144 viaducts.
Often hailed as one of the most breathtaking railway routes in the world, the Albula/Bernina railway line is the centrepiece of the Swiss UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing.
Discovering Europaweg
Europaweg trail is popular with weekend hikers as it can be completed in 2 days
Europaweg, also known as the Europaweg trail or the Haute Route, is known to be a standalone highlight and well-maintained route extending between the near-symmetrical Matterhorn and the Weisshorn or more precisely through Grächen and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps.
Nestled amidst both steep ascents and descents as well as more relaxed slopes, this 2-day trail runs through meadows of high alpine terrains sprinkled with wildflowers, crossing suspension bridges, rocky slopes while presenting the rugged beauty of both verdant valley stretches and snow-covered peaks.
The beautiful town of Zermatt is also known to boast some of the best skiing spots in the world.
Wine tasting in Lavaux
Toast to Swiss wines in the terraced vineyards of Lavaux against an emerald Lake Geneva
Wine is deeply intertwined with the nation’s culture and the UNESCO Heritage vineyards of Lavaux let’s one explore this heritage as the Swiss vallée is dotted with numerous boutique wineries and family estates.
Lavaux is known for its grape varieties cultivated in the diverse terroir as well as panoramic views this Swiss hinterland of Vaud offers. Of the more than 300 wines on display, Chasselas, the most popular and widely grown grape, produces sharp, aromatic white wines that are a specialty of the region.
Exhibiting a winegrower’s work throughout the year is also a short film, available in 8 languages. Toasting to Swiss wines in the terraced vineyards of Lavaux comes with a complementary emerald backdrop of Lake Geneva.
Stargazing in Lucerne
Lucerne offers some breathtaking views of the night sky from Lake Lucerne
Another UNESCO site, Lucerne is situated in the World Heritage Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve that was the first Dark Sky Reserve in Switzerland. It is protected from light and conjoined forms of pollution to shelter optimal visibility of stars, planets, constellations and other celestial objects.
A backdrop of Lake Lucerne against the Swiss Alps only adds to the overall stargazing experience in Lucerne which is known to witness magnanimous displays of meteor showers all year round. Representing a swan in flight, Cygnus, also known as the Northern Cross, is one of the most prominent constellations visible from Lucerne as is Orion with its distinctive pattern of three aligned stars.
Cassiopeia, or the Queen from Greek mythology, is easily identifiable with its beautiful arrangement of stars.
Hiking through St Moritz
With a trail network of over 580 kilometres, St. Moritz is ideal for leisurely walks or adventurous hikes
The Swiss alpine trail in St Moritz is that of wild pine forests, lush vistas of lake views and mountain railways over an expanse of 580 km.
From turquoise waters of the lake to green meadows of the valleys turning to rugged peaks, hiking trails in St Moritz are fringed with a diversity of landscapes where winters observe busier trends.
The popular trail to Piz Nair has an ibex at its summit while its peak offers views of the Engadin lakes and a vantage point from which visitors can access the next trekking route.
Among other coveted routes here is the well-marked Muottas Muragl trail and Heidi flower trail that hosts almost a 100 species of flowers between June and October.
Explore chocolate factories tour and Swiss fondue
Chocolate lovers should not pass up the opportunity to learn about chocolate-making process in a Swiss factory
Swiss chocolates have long enthralled both connoisseurs and fans alike, so a chocolate factory tour lets visitors experience first-hand the story behind its rich legacy, history and traditions.
Typical tours in the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Zurich run for either an hour or 90 minutes. A reputation of exquisite taste and craftsmanship has also been long associated with the Swiss fondue, which originated from a humble tradition of farm families stretching their limited resources during winter months.
Fondue, or French fondre meaning ‘to melt’, typically consists of melted cheese combined with white wine, garlic, and seasonings. Find a nearby restaurant and order a sizzling hot cauldron of cheese fondue to explore the various exotic assortments to this traditional dish.
