WHERE TO GO ON HOLIDAY IN SWITZERLAND 2020
by Laura from Let’s Explore
Summer plans cancelled? No travelling to exotic destinations this year? Most countries ask their citizens to think about spending their holiday domestically this year to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, and this is no different for Switzerland.
So while you may have been dreaming about lazy days by the beach, consider booking yourself a Swiss vacation instead. And even though there are no beaches by the sea, there are beautiful lakes to swim in, waterfalls to admire, and plenty of different regions to explore!
TICINO REGION
Approximate driving distance from Geneva: 4,5 hours
The Ticino is the Swiss Canton with a Mediterranean feel! If you want to hold on to the Dolce Vita you had imagined over summer, then Ticino is the region you should head to! Palm trees, warm temperatures, Italian food, coloured houses and a relaxed atmosphere – combined with the mountains, remote valleys and Swiss organization! Ticino is one of the regions we love most! Last fall we went to the area around Ascona and saw the famous bridge on the Valle Verzasca. In summer, people swim in this river and put their beach towels on the rocks around it. It may get a bit busy in summer as it’s a popular place to visit. If you would like a less busy place to enjoy in this area, then do check out the more remote valley Val Bavona, with its waterfalls and cute villages that make you feel as if you have travelled back in time!
To find out all about this area, check out our full article on this region: HERE
VALAIS REGION
The Canton of Valais, which is closer by, has so many options for a great summer vacation! Hiking along the famous ‘bisses’ (historic irrigation channels), enjoying the views, and eating some typical Swiss food. You may have been to the Valais on skiing trips already, but it also really is a great place to explore in summer. Some of the places we love in the Valais, are the areas around the great Aletsch Glacier, the town of Bettmeralp with its cute alpine chapel, the World Nature Forum exhibition explaining all about the Swiss natural World Heritage, and of course, a must on everyone’s Swiss bucket list: Zermatt! The Matterhorn mountain is definitely the most iconic mountain of Switzerland and during the semi lockdown, the mountain became even more a symbol of hope to the Swiss, as messages of hope and support were projected with lights on the famous triangle-shaped mountain top every night.
Zermatt has kept its authentic Swiss village feel, despite being famous, and many good restaurants can be found here with the Matterhorn as a breathtaking backdrop.
To read our tips on a visit to Zermatt, restaurants, and how to get there: HERE
BERNER OBERLAND
Green valleys, mountain lakes, suspension bridges, and hiking. We have only started to visit the Bernese Oberland region a few years ago, but absolutely love its green hills and high peaks. Lake Blausee is maybe one of the most famous places to visit, and it is beautiful, but we really fell in love with Lake Oeschinen! Swiss summer culture can definitely be found here as in summer people grill by the lakeside and swim in the high-altitude mountain lake. Another area we like in the Bernese Oberland is the area around Gstaad and Saanen. We always thought Gstaad was for the rich and famous, but we really enjoyed a weekend hiking here and having a cheese fondue in the open air in a giant fondue pot! It doesn’t get any more Swiss than that. All the information on where to lend your Swiss Fondue Hiking Pack, and more, here: CLICK HERE
GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND
Swiss Tourism has created the ‘Grand Tour of Switzerland’ which gets you to most of the country’s highlights and will help you realize some Swiss Bucket List goals. You can enter your starting point on the Grand Tour site and get inspired by all the places or towns to explore and make sure you don’t miss out on anything. It is the perfect starting point to plan a Swiss road trip: CLICK HERE
APPENZELL REGION
BUDGET SUMMER OPTION! Free and eco-friendly travel to Appenzell!
This is by far the best offer we saw for a Swiss Holiday! The region of Appenzell offers you your train ticket to their region if you book 3 consecutive nights in one of the participating hotels! After that, you will also receive the Appenzell Card for more freebies during your stay! We have not been to the Appenzell region ourselves yet, but this offer is definitely tempting! More information: HERE
MORE SWISS SUMMER TIPS
More inspiration on a perfect Swiss Summer Holiday can be found in our Swiss Summer article on Let’s Explore: CLICK HERE for more ideas
What is your favorite region in Switzerland? Please do leave your comments below. We love to hear from you.
WHO IS LAURA?
Our guest blogger Laura writes her own blog – Let’s Explore, where she shares her tips and ideas for travelling with children, and hiking and skiing around Geneva. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in Switzerland with her French-Swiss husband and two boys. Passionate about cultures – whether they be far away or closer to home, she sees moving around as a ‘school of life’. When she is not moving around, she still discovers cultures by cooking recipes with locals from multiple countries! If you would like to find out more about Let’s Explore’s travel tips or recipes, you can visit her blog, or follow her Facebook or Instagram Pages.
