Given the Swiss tradition for top-notch timepieces, it's hardly a surprise that their rail system runs like clockwork, even in the lofty Alps where conditions can be challenging. The ingenuity and ambition of Swiss engineering have given us some the world's most iconic and scenic rail routes, perhaps most famously, the Jungfrau Railway whose terminus is the highest station in Europe.
A delicate crescent-shape, Lake Geneva sits on the border between France and Switzerland and is overlooked by the jagged Alps. With the city of Geneva at its southern tip and the spa resort of Évian-les-Bains on the opposite shore, this natural setting also boasts a chic, metropolitan vibe. The north edge of the lake is known as the Swiss Riviera; here, palm trees and wooded glens fringe the sandy beaches that stretch between Lausanne and Montreux. As one of Europe's premier holiday spots, there's plenty of local boutiques and alfresco eateries where you can soak up the culture, as well as relaxing lake cruises, easy walking trails and stunning sunsets to enjoy.
The luxury Alpine resort of St Moritz, in Switzerland's Engadine Valley, has been attracting visitors and members of the upper classes for nearly two centuries. A destination often ahead of its time, people travel here to experience the lifestyles of the well-to-do first-hand. There are gourmet restaurants galore, boutique shopping streets and world-famous sporting events throughout the year. In winter, St Moritz is transformed into a wonderland of frosted forests, frozen lakes and freshly-fallen snow, while in summer you can spend warm evenings admiring the scenery by horse-drawn carriage, discover the Grand Town's age-old history, or take a stroll through the charming Staz Forest.
Capital of Switzerland's Graubünden canton, Chur is also known as the country's oldest settlement, with a history dating back over 5,000 years. Its quaint Old Town boasts some fantastically-preserved medieval buildings and is entirely traffic-free, making it the ideal place to explore on foot. It's here you'll find the city's 800-year-old Cathedral of Assumption, as well as the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace. And once you've marvelled at the historical landmarks and beautiful mountain setting, there's nothing better than spending a couple of hours in a cosy café, sampling some of the local specialities such as crisp potato röstis and buttery pork schnitzel.
Translated as 'in-between lakes', the popular Swiss resort of Interlaken lies between Lakes Brienz and Thun, allowing visitors to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty of the area as well as its air of peace and tranquillity. The town's history can be traced back to a monastery built here in the 12th century, while the surrounding landscapes are precisely what you would expect from Switzerland, with the imposing peaks of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch mountains and evergreen forests year-round attractions. Interlaken is also the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, a region that's home to over 45 mountain railways and aerial gondolas.
Despite being Switzerland's most populated city, Lucerne is no high-rise behemoth but is instead a masterpiece of medieval architecture, majestic plazas and pastel-painted houses, each as beautiful as the mountain-ringed lake by which the city stands. Founded in 1178, in a little over a century Lucerne evolved into a wonderful holiday destination, its scenic location at the foot of the Alps combining with its colourful Altstadt, ancient city walls, and 14th-century Kapellbrücke. If you want to head into the Alps themselves, it's here you can join the Mount Pilatus or Rigi railways, or perhaps follow the picturesque cherry road into the countryside, where fragrant fruit orchards and kirsch tastings await.
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Probably the world's most recognisable mountain with its pyramidal peak, the Matterhorn has one of the highest summits not just in the Alps, but in Europe. Positioned on the border between Switzerland and Italy, the Matterhorn has been a magnet for thrill-seeking climbers, enticed by the challenges of its steep gradients and high altitude, since 1857. The history of these attempts, both triumphant and tragic, is laid out in Zermatt's fascinating museum, a town that sits in the shadow of this indomitable mountain. Travel to the top of the nearby Gornergrat and Rothorn mountains by rail, and be greeted by views of this majestic natural wonder soaring 14,692 feet into the clouds.
The Swiss Alps offer some of the most dramatic and cinematic railway journeys on the planet, and the Jungfrau Railway is a perfect example. Climbing from Kleine Scheidegg, much of the ascent takes place in a tunnel carved straight through the Eiger and Mönch mountains, pausing at observation windows built out of solid rock along the way. The journey is just the start of the jaw-dropping vistas, however. The railway's final calling point is Jungfraujoch, which boasts the accolade of the highest railway station in Europe. From this lofty perch, stand in awe before a panorama of vast mountain ranges, all blanketed by a layer of fresh white snow.
Château de Chillon rises dramatically from the waters of Lake Geneva, set against a backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery. This 13th-century Gothic castle is thought to be one of the continent's best-surviving medieval fortifications. It's nestled on a rocky island at the edge of the lake, connected to the shore by a traditional wooden drawbridge. Said to be the inspiration for Prince Eric's castle in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid', the château has an undeniably fairy-tale feel to it with its natural moat, stately courtyards, great hall, frescoed chapel and underground vaults.
The 446-foot long Landwasser Viaduct, an impressive six-arched, limestone bridge, is a highlight of any journey aboard the Bernina Express. The structural complexity it posed to engineers in the early 20th century has contributed to the line winning UNESCO World Heritage status, being described as, "an outstanding technical, architectural and environmental ensemble". And when you get a glimpse of its tapered columns reaching up 200 plus feet to connect the ground with the railway line, it's not hard to see why it's so revered. The views travelling across it aren't half bad either; the verdant valley floor and winding Landwasser River flowing beneath your feet as you enter a tunnel which runs straight through the approaching cliff face.
Originally built in 1333 but partially reconstructed following a fire in 1993, the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) in Lucerne spans the Reuss River and is perhaps the city's most iconic landmark. Particularly beautiful when viewed at sunset, as the last of the day's sunlight reflects off the water below, illuminating the latticed wood in a golden glow. A stroll along its wooden walkway is also a journey through the history of Lucerne, as the town chronicler, Renward Cysat, dedicated himself to recreating the most significant moments in the region's history in painstakingly-painted panels.
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