Excursion tips: Discover Switzerland
WHERE TO MEET The natural beauty of Switzerland can be enjoyed well on a trip in the car. A tour lasting several days is always worthwhile, but you can also discover mountains and lakes on short trips. In one of the most spectacular chases in film history, Sean Connery steered his Aston Martin DB5 through the hairpin bends of the [...]
In one of the most spectacular chases in film history, Sean Connery steered his Aston Martin DB5 through the hairpin bends of the Furka in the movie Goldfinger. Do as James Bond did and also drive - albeit at a more leisurely pace - the 70 kilometers from Brig to Andermatt.
Engadine houses and Viamala gorge
The 290-kilometer section of the Grand Tour through Switzerland, from the meeting point of the jet set in Graubünden to the shores of Lake Lugano, is particularly scenic.
Along the route, countless sights await you, from the national park near Zernez to the picturesque Engadine houses and the spectacular Viamala Gorge.
310 kilometers from Gstaad to Lucerne
Stop in Interlaken and take the cogwheel train up to Schynige Platte to see the Bernese giants Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau up close.
The journey continues along Lake Thun to Bern and through the Entlebuch to Lucerne. A steamboat ride on Lake Lucerne provides a fitting conclusion to this 310-kilometer tour.
Rescue dogs at the Great St. Bernard
Instead of the tunnel, in summer take the mountain route that leads up to the 2469-meter pass, the third highest pass road in Switzerland. At the top is the hospice founded in 1050 by St. Bernard of Aosta.
In the hospice you can see the rescue dogs - Barry was the star among them - that were bred here and saved many lost travelers from freezing to death with a fortifying sip from the liquor barrel.
Grimsel Pass is most beautiful mountain route
Even more striking than on the Furka are the sheer rock cliffs and switchbacks that lead down to the Rhone on the Valais side of the Grimsel Pass. The drive between Innertkirchen and Gletsch is one of the most beautiful mountain stretches in Switzerland.
Simplon Pass passable at any time of the year
The Simplon Pass, which leads from Brig to Domodossola in the Italian region of Piedmont at an altitude of around 2,000 meters, has been upgraded for winter safety. Although the pass road is officially a national road, it can also be used by bike. Shortly before the border, it is worth visiting the Gondo Gorge.
Gotthard Pass is symbol of the country
Because of its central importance in the history of Switzerland's origins, the 2106-meter-high Gotthard Pass is considered a symbol of the country's identity. From the Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge to the new resort in Andermatt and the notorious Tremola Road, there is plenty to see along the pass road.
Bernina Pass highest railroad transversal
The crossing of the pass between Pontresina and Poschiavo is particularly impressive if you take the Bernina Express of the Rhaetian Railway. At 2253 meters, this railroad line, which is a World Heritage Site, is considered the highest railroad transversal in the Alps.
Going by car has the advantage that you can photograph the famous circular viaduct of Brusio just before the Italian border at your leisure.
Sustenpass connects cantons of Uri and Bern
The Susten is not a north-south axis, but connects the cantons of Uri and Bern. The pass road was built for military reasons and today serves tourism.
During the construction during the war years 1939 to 1946, a lot of emphasis was placed on aesthetics. Materials from the surrounding area were used by hand to create a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
