STAGE 1 - Bern
Fly into historic Bern - the Swiss capital - and spend a few hours soaking up the historic atmosphere of this medieval city, a UNESCO world heritage site.
The best views are from the Rose Garden above the Bear Park and the 101m high cathedral tower, where you can gaze down on the old town, with its bars, boutiques and cabaret stages.
Art fans will enjoy the Zentrum Paul Klee, with the most comprehensive collection of works by the Swiss/German artist. Albert Einstein’s former home provides a glimpse into the life of the physics genius.
If you don’t feel like a busy city day - don’t worry - you can always escape to River Aare, which is so clean that swimmers drift along enjoying views of the Houses of Parliament as they go.
Head south towards Lake Thun, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland and home to a thriving music festival every July and August. Skirting round the south banks, you get your first glimpses of the breathtaking lakes and mountains scenery the area is so famous for.
We’ll return to Lake Thun later, but for now turn away from the lake at Spiez and journey towards your stop for tonight, Landgasthof Ruedihus.
The Swiss chalet, the Ruedihus is packed with country charm, from crocheted tablecloths to antique pine furniture.
A 250-year history in hospitality means you’ll be warmly welcomed, whether you’re staying in the main house or in the ‘romance pergola’ - a private chalet, complete with four-poster bed.
The heart of the hotel lies in the cosy restaurant where cheese fans will be in heaven: both raclette and fondue are specialities.
STAGE 2 - Spiez and Lake Thun
When you’ve had your fill of cheese and Swiss hospitality, retrace your footsteps back to Spiez, on the shores of Lake Thun.
Naturally enough, Spiez life revolves around the lake. Try a dip in the swimming cove, windsurfing or sailing, or perhaps a stroll along the promenade for those seeking relaxation. You can even take a trip on the fully-restored Blümlisalp paddlewheel steamship, which ferries passengers the length of the lake all year round.
A picturesque medieval castle overhangs the lake itself - and there’s a museum of winemaking to whet your appetite for a few drinks later.
Locals make the most of the mountains whatever the weather, with extensive hiking and biking trails among the outdoor activities on offer. The best views of the area are from the Niesen summit, the pyramid mountain visible from the water. You can make the climb if you want but a funicular railway will take you to the top with ease; alongside it is the longest staircase in the world.
Journey towards Interlaken before heading south towards your next stop, Hotel Falken, in Wengen. You won’t be able to drive all the way there though - a rack and pinion railway is the only means of transport from Lauterbrunnen, leaving Wengen peacefully car-free.
As you might expect from such a far-flung location, the views are spectacular, overlooking the magnificent Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnental.
This beautiful belle époque hotel was built in 1894, perched on a hilltop in its own grounds. The original features delight guests and - perhaps because it’s still a family-run hotel - it retains plenty of original charm. Our tip? Explore the excellent wine cellar, featuring Italian, Swiss and French specialities.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Falken
Wengen, Wengen, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
STAGE 3 - Interlaken
Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and the turquoise Lake Brienz, dwarfed by the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Its incredible position means you’ll have access to more than 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts, while thrill-seekers will love the paraglider paradise just 10km away on Beatenberg-Niederhorn’s sunny south-facing slopes.
Head back into the mountains for an incredible drive up to Hotel Bellevue des Alpes, boasting the finest views on the Scheidegg Pass.
Managed by the von Almen family for five generations, it has many claims to fame, including being one of the locations for The Eiger Sanction, starring Clint Eastwood and North Face with Benno Furmann.
Follow in the footsteps of great mountaineers and celebrities by stepping into its luxe 1920s interiors. With a backdrop of sheer rock face and elevated position, you really will feel like a character in an Agatha Christie novel as you settle into the lounge with a large brandy.
STAGE 4 - Brienz
Alps panoramiv view, Brienz
Head back down the winding mountain road and rejoin the lakeside path along the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz. Then, from the pretty town of Brienz, take the oldest steam rack railway in Switzerland up to the Brienzer Rothorn, giving you panoramic views of the whole region.
Back down by the lake, paddle steamers and other boats buzz around the lake. Perhaps the most spectacular boat trip is to the Giessbach Falls, which roar 55m down, alongside the beautiful Grand Hotel Giessbach, which is your spectacular stay for the night.
Just one look at the fairytale turrets of this imposing building shows you that it’s a special place. Built in 1874, its elegance and location quickly attracted high society and it became popular with painters, photographers, poets, philosophers, emperors and kings.
It survived World War 1 as a peaceful hideaway, where leaders could share state secrets, as well as gossip. However, it later fell into decline and closed in 1979, amid talk of demolition.
Swiss ecologist Franz Weber rescued Giessbach for the nation in the early 1980s, slowly renovating the rooms until it was revived as one of the most beautiful buildings in Switzerland.
Watch the falls thunder past as you indulge in classic Swiss cuisine in the orangerie - or sip a glass of local wine on the terrace, with views down to the dazzling waters of Lake Brienz.
STAGE 5 - Grimselsee
Finally, turn away from these two lakes and drive along the winding mountain road to Lake Grimsel. Artificially created by dam to provide hydroelectricity, the lake lies in a very different landscape - a sparse region, with granite rocks and a narrowing route that climbs through the canyons.
Stop off at Guttannen, the ‘crystal village’ to admire an array of crystals in the Prospector’s Museum before continuing to your final charming hotel, the Alpinhotel Grimsel Hospiz.
It’s incredible to think that mule traders would traverse these dizzying mountain paths, carrying Swiss cheese and trading with Piedmontese traders, bringing wine, rice, corn and leather. They often sealed their deals at the old hospiz, which is now flooded by the reservoir lake.
The new hospiz was built in 1932 and has always been gratifyingly cosy: the electricity generated by the lake meant the hotel was the first electrically heated hotel in Europe.
That’s not to say that the place is reserved for comfort-lovers. A world-class mountain can be glimpsed from every hotel window and, when you step outside, there are hiking paths galore.
Those with a strong head for heights can even take a journey on the Gelmer Funicular - the steepest found in Europe - or glide in a gondola above the Gadmen Valley by way of the Trift aerial cable car. The views are absolutely worth overcoming any dizzy spells for.
