TRAVELRAGS

Aletsch Arena

Place·BettmeralpMentioned by National Geographic

In the coverage1 story

National GeographicOct 17

5 Scenic Swiss Villages to Put on Your Travel Itinerary

With spirit-soaring backdrops, these quintessentially Swiss villages are springboards for travellers to dive deep into the country's cuisine, history and folk traditions.

Expansive winter sports hub where locals ski and sledge.

16 things in this story
  • Aletsch ArenaPlaceExpansive winter sports hub where locals ski and sledge.
  • Aletsch GlacierSight14-mile-long glacier snaking down from 4,000m peaks.
  • MärjelenseeSightJewel-coloured lake on the glacier-skimming day hike.
  • Elsewhere
  • Swiss National ParkSightZernez, SwitzerlandPristine park with trails high into realms of ibex and golden eagles.
  • MürrenNeighborhoodLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandCar-free village with front-row views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.
  • North Face TrailTrailLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandHikes across wildflower-freckled pastures, begins at top of Allmendhubel mountain.
  • SchilthornSightLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandFloat above clouds by cable-car to 2,970-metre peak, starred in Bond movie.
  • Piz GloriaRestaurantLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandRevolving restaurant with 360-degree views of 200 Alpine peaks.
  • Ustaria Crusch AlbaRestaurantGuarda, SwitzerlandPopular restaurant for local Grisons specialities like barley soup.
  • Parco ScherrerGardenMorcote, SwitzerlandSubtropical gardens with camelias, azaleas, palms and oleander.
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria del SassoPlace of worshipMorcote, SwitzerlandRenaissance-baroque church on the hill with stellar lake views.
  • Tenuta Castello di MorcoteRestaurantMorcote, SwitzerlandFamily-run estate for slow food, organic wines, and dinner under stars.
  • Sentier des FromageriesTrailGruyères, SwitzerlandEight-mile loop passing lush pastures and cheese dairies.
  • La Maison du GruyèreMuseumGruyères, SwitzerlandVisitors can get a glimpse at the cheesemaking process.
  • Fromagerie d’Alpage de MolésonRestaurantMoléson, SwitzerlandMakes rich gruyere cheese traditionally in a copper vat.
  • Maison de CaillerPlaceBroc, Switzerland
Read the full piece at National Geographic →
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