Bernese Oberland and Valais

Fly into Zürich (Kloten International Airport), rent a car and drive on to Luzern. This fairytale town lies on the banks of the Vierwaldstattersee, renowned for its romantic steamboat cruises.

Walk the Altstadt (old town), cross the Alt Brücke, a wooden bridge dating back to the 10^th century with wonderful engravings and pictures depicting the history of the country. The world famous Bucherer four storey family time shop will offer you a selection of cuckoo clocks and Swiss watches to remember. Take a break on the riverside pergola deck of the Hotel Balances and feed the colorful ducks and black swans on crumbs.
 

Drive on to Interlaken, past the Brienzersee, and turn off to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch, Schilthorn and Jungfrau snow capped peaks. A day trip up the furnicular through the ice tunnels to the summit of the Jungfraujoch is expensive, but worthwhile. From the view deck at 2500m on a clear day one can see the lower peaks around and villages down below in the valleys. A cable car journey out of a James Bond movie from Mürren to the Schilthorn is another alternative. Before leaving this region, endure the daring cascades of the Trümmelbach falls. Accommodation at the Fischerblick Hotel, a family run persione by Johannes Brawand and his wife, with a typical Swiss fondue for dinner, will highlight your stay.

The Matterhorn at Zermatt

Nothing is more rewarding than a trip in a hot air balloon over the Bernese Oberland Regions of Switzerland.

Next drive along the Thunsee and turn off at Spiez. Stop at the Blausee for tea and Swiss pastries and enjoy the natural beauty of the aquamarine clear water abounding with many trout swimming around. At Kandersteg you drive your vehicle onto a waiting train for a 20 kilometre long train journey through the Lötschenpass until you reach daylight again at Goppenstein. A few nerve racking curves down the pass and onto the main route to Visp.

Again you head back into the mountain area of Valais for 30 kilometres and leave your vehicle at Täsch. A short 10 minute train journey will take you to Zermatt, a pedestrian Alpine town with only horse drawn sledges and battery powered golf cars bustling in the narrow cobbled streets.
 

“Memories of a God’s creation of beauty and peace”

Zermatt is Switzerland for real! Tiny shops, friendly people and nature lovers. A stay in the Alex Schlosshotel Tenne in a room with a view onto the Matterhorn Peak with its ever-changing moods, can be recommended. While in Zermatt, a mountain train journey to the Gornergrat, where St Bernard dogs with “life saving” wine barrels around their necks, pose for camera shot souvenirs, or on to the Kleine Matterhorn and Schwarzsee by cable car will let you return with wonderful memories of a God’s creation of beauty and peace!