20 Years, 20 Holiday Ideas: A Celebration Of Switzerland

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, the team here at The Swiss Holiday Company thought it was the perfect moment to look back on some of our happiest memories of visiting Switzerland over the years. We’ve shared a lot of adventures between us and it’s been such a joy to reminisce about the moments that made us fall in love with this incredible country in the first place.

A couple of the team even let us in on what’s still on their wish list (because let’s be honest, with Switzerland, the list never really gets shorter!). Between favourite hikes, scenic train journeys, charming villages and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we’ve gathered 20 ideas to help inspire your next holiday.

What really shines through is our shared passion for Switzerland. It’s a place that keeps drawing us back, year after year. Helping our customers discover the parts we love - and find new favourites of their own - is genuinely what gets us up in the morning. We hope our stories spark a little wanderlust and maybe even encourage you to start planning your next Swiss adventure.

     1. “Visiting the Jungfraujoch was the highlight of my trip to Wengen. We started with the Männlichen cable car, enjoying the amazing views of the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys, then travelled on the Eiger Express to the Eigergletscher for the final ascent to the Top of Europe! We spent around 4 hours up there and after having lunch, exploring the Ice Palace, and admiring the Aletsch Glacier, we returned via Kleine Scheidegg taking in the beautiful alpine view along the way. Top tip when visiting the Jungfraujoch – get up there early! It gets very busy and if you want to avoid the crowds start making your way up there at around 8am as it makes the journey much more relaxing. And remember to take it slow … you are after all 3,545 metres above sea level!” Stephanie

 2. “Kandersteg is this lovely little mountain village tucked away at the end of the Kander Valley in the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by dramatic alpine peaks in every direction. It’s best known for the breathtaking Oeschinensee - a sparkling turquoise lake that honestly looks like something out of a postcard. If you love the idea of a peaceful alpine getaway but want to skip the crowds of Interlaken (which is just over an hour away by train), Kandersteg is perfect. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, don’t miss the cosy, family-run Hotel Bernerhof. It’s a delightful three-star chalet-style hotel that perfectly blends alpine charm with genuine, warm hospitality - a real hidden gem in the heart of the village.” Jackie

 3. “Glacier 3000 is a must! The journey from Montreux on the GoldenPass Express is a delight and then you board the PostBus from Col du Pillon to Gstaad, taking in the wonderful views. It’s then take a short cable car ride to the Glacier where you can marvel at the stunning mountain views. The Alpine Coaster is a fun experience to do whilst on the Glacier too. A stroll around charming Gstaad on the way back is a lovely way to finish the day.” Katie

 4. “I’m dreaming of visiting Saanen as it is quieter than Gstaad, but as they are near each other you can still enjoy the glamour that Gstaad has to offer. The cobbled lanes, wooden chalets and meadows, speaks idyllic storybook Switzerland for me. I would like to stay at Hotel Spitzhorn in Saanen, as it gives off warm, boutique-style hideaway vibe with its alpine-modern wood interiors, spa and pool, big-mountain views, and the reviews of genuinely friendly service makes its sound really attractive. It’s also right next to Gruyères Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park, known for its outstanding natural beauty.” Raj

5. “I enjoyed being in the Hotel Alexander bar at sunset. It was July in the lovely resort of Weggis… a very warm evening, and everyone was sitting outside on the terrace until late watching this beautiful red sky set over the lake and the mountains. The waters were so calm and for me this summed up a lakeside resort in Switzerland.” Lucie

6. “I highly recommend the Olive Grove Trail walk in the Ticino region between Castagnola and Gandria. It has fantastic views of Lake Lugano along the way and there are lovely traditional grottos to visit for refreshments. You can also take part in a cooking experience in a small family run restaurant whilst taking in the wonderful views.” Katie

7. “A favourite hotel is the 3-star Hotel Bon Rivage in La Tour-de-Peilz (Vevey), on Lake Geneva. I enjoyed the best of both worlds here, with easy access to lively Montreux followed by a peaceful night’s sleep. The half board menu was beautiful and, personally, a lake view room is a must – for me and my partner, sharing a bottle of wine on the balcony watching people try (and fail!) to hoverboard across the water at sunset is a simple but special memory.” Lauren

8. “This summer, I visited Lake Oeschinen and Blausee (the Blue Lake). I was lucky to have wonderful weather, and combining both in one day was a lovely way to explore the area. I hiked up from the valley station to the top taking in the scenery on the way. I enjoyed a spot of lunch and a leisurely walk around part of the lake, before taking the cable car back down, where I then went on to visit Blausee. It was a perfect day out and I can highly recommend it.” Nathalie

9. “If I was lucky enough, I would take the GoldenPass Belle Epoque - the vintage, 1930s-style train that journeys between Montreux and Zweisimmen - and lap the luxury of its plush armchairs, brass details, and panoramic windows for the views. While in the region, I’d visit vineyards and some of my bucket list activities would include doing the Wispile ridge walk, taking a gondola up to Glacier 3000 for the suspension bridge and tandem paragliding over the valley. Depending on the time of year I’d possibly even be brave enough to do some wild-swimming at Lake Lauenen. I LOVE cheese, so would love to do some cheese tastings in nearby dairies” Raj

10. “A recent two hour rail journey from Lucerne to Interlaken reminded me how easy it is to just sit back and allow the ever-changing world reveal itself with a different lake or mountain view around every bend of this wonderful journey over the dramatic Brünig Pass. The Luzern-Interlaken Express train buffet supplied the necessary refreshments, making this a perfect experience.” Alan

11. “The Chocolate Train - from stunning views of Lake Geneva to the Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc, this is a must for anyone who loves chocolate, cheese and Swiss scenery! We started the tour on the Pullman carriage with a coffee and pain-au-chocolate and travelled to Montbovon. Once there, we got on the ‘chocolate coach’ for the remainder of the trip. We arrived at the La Maison Gruyère cheese factory and enjoyed a tour of the factory and some cheese samples!  We then travelled to the beautiful medieval town of Gruyères, where we had some free time to have lunch. Now the part we were wating for – onward travel to Broc to the Cailler factory!! It was interesting learning the history of the family and how the chocolate is made and of course the mountains of free chocolate you receive along the way!” Stephanie

12. “During my stay in the charming town of Winterthur, I had a free morning and decided to visit the nearby Rhine Falls - Europe’s largest waterfall. After a short train ride, I walked towards the Falls and could already hear the power of the water. The views were absolutely stunning, especially across the river toward Laufen Castle, which dates back to the year 858. I followed the path toward the bridge, stopping at a few viewing points along the way for some incredible photo opportunities. Crossing the bridge gave me a magnificent perspective of the falls in all their glory. At the castle, you can explore the historic grounds or stop for a meal at the restaurant overlooking the water.” Lucie

13. “I’ll always treasure the memory of the Brissago Islands botanical gardens. It was a perfect day with not a cloud in the sky as we cruised over the lake from sunny Locarno. The whole island is given over to the subtropical gardens, bursting with thousands of stunning flowers and wonderfully exotic plants from all over the world. The vibrant colours and scents were just amazing. There’s loads for kids to enjoy and a great restaurant with a terrace set amongst olive and lemon trees. We hopped off the boat at Ascona on the way back for a drink in a lakeside café which was a real treat too”. Jaynie

14. “My stay at the Chalet Hotel Schönegg in Zermatt was fantastic. It offers friendly and efficient Swiss service and one of the nicest stübli bars in town for après ski, with lighter food options. The hotel also has the most amazing terrace for lunch or après ski. I love the rooms with Matterhorn views – it’s well worth paying the extra to draw the curtains in the morning on a clear day and see it in all its glory. My top tip is to start or finish your ski day at the Champagne bar behind the hotel.” Nigel

15. “Over the years, I have spent many hours sledging from Wengen and Grindelwald. There are different routes to choose from, including the longest sledge run that requires a 2½ hour hike from Grindelwald-First to the Faulhorn, only accessible by foot. From there you have the choice to sledge all the way to Bussalp, where the local bus takes you back to Grindelwald. Wengen-Grindelwald is a great winter location for sledge enthusiasts. This area also has a lot to offer even for a non-skier, including hiking opportunities and excursions, such as the Schilthorn. Well recommended.” Nathalie

16. “I’d like to visit Montreux at Christmas because it looks like a beautiful place to enjoy the holiday season. The Christmas markets by Lake Geneva seem amazing, with all the lights, decorations, and stalls selling food, gifts, and warm drinks. I’d love to try some Swiss treats and walk along the lakeside while seeing the snow-covered mountains in the background. It seems like a calm and cosy place to experience winter and the festive atmosphere.” Cara 

17. “I highly recommend Chez Vrony restaurant on the slopes of the mountain. Just off the main track in Zermatt, it’s a great spot for an al fresco lunch. Simple food done well in a stunning location! It’s a five minute walk off the main slope which is just far away enough to put off the crowds, although booking during peak hours is recommended. The restaurant is blessed with the perfect location to catch the late morning and afternoon sun.” Nigel

18. “The Glacier Garden is a great visit for anyone who enjoys history mixed with adventure and discovery … it features a fascinating mix of ancient glacial potholes, quirky exhibits and stunning views, making it a surprisingly magical stop while in Lucerne. Actually, from seeing the famous Lion Monument to climbing the Observation Tower, there is so much to discover all in the very heart of Lucerne. I would definitely recommend visiting on a sunny day as the sunshine really highlights the peaceful setting of the Lion Monument and just how fascinating it is up close.” Sarah

19. “For a unique trip out, visitors to the Ticino region should consider taking a local bus to the Contra Dam, also known as the Verzasca/Locarno Dam. James Bond fans will recognise this from the opening scenes of GoldenEye, and I can confirm the view from the top is as breathtaking as you’d imagine – bungee jump optional!” Lauren

20. “A night spent on a mountain summit at 3,100m is a real privilege. I was lucky enough to stay in the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat in August ... words cannot describe the stunning views of the Matterhorn from up there and once all the day trippers have gone home there is a unique, otherworldly atmosphere. It feels as if you have the Matterhorn all to yourself. We waited for night to fall, wrapped up warm, and headed out to the terrace – the ink black sky seemed to go on forever and was filled with a blanket of stars twinkling away. Magical.” Jaynie