The mighty Aletsch Glacier comes in at a tidy 23km (14mi) in length and covers some 120 sq km (46 sq mi), making it the biggest glacier in the Alps. It’s part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area (and is also visible from Bernese Oberland’s Jungfraujoch, which is where most people first gaze upon it). In 2001 it was added to Unesco’s...

Ascona makes for an excellent alternative to its twin town Locarno, and is located some 3km southwest on the other side of the Maggiore delta, with charming views of the lake and tempting lakefront restaurants, cafes and hotels. Sun-drenched, gaily painted Piazza Motta, right on the lakefront, is the place to preen and parade come passeggiata time, with the wealthy town’s chic residents...

The town of Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, warrants a visit mainly for its trio of Unesco-heritage-listed castles: Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro. Castelgrande Castelgrande rises from a huge rock in the center of town, making it the most easily accessible castle if you’re short on time. It’s also the only one of the three castles that is open year-round. Construction...

Over 83 bridges and through 34 tunnels, the Centovalli Express chugs its way from Locarno in Ticino to Domodossola in Italy, providing myriad photo opportunities along the way, thanks to lush vegetation, rocky mountains, cute stone villages and plunging valleys. The initial decision to construct a railway between the Centovalli and Valle Vigezzo was first made in 1898, but it wasn’t...

This is definitely a slow train worth taking (don’t let the word ‘express’ fool you!): from Zermatt to Davos or St Moritz in a day (just over seven hours) and with a lifetime’s worth of memorable scenery passing by your panoramic window. Think stunning Alpine landscapes, bridges (291 of them), tunnels (91 of them), jaw-dropping gorges and a level of comfort and...

The 40-minute ascent from Zermatt to Gornergrat (3089m or 10,135ft) on Europe’s highest cogwheel railway is a sure-fire recipe for staggering mountain views and a sense of wonder (and not just at the steep price of the return ticket!). Best Matterhorn Views? If you’re angling for the best Matterhorn views, make sure you’re sitting on the right-hand side of the carriage...

Postcard-perfect 19th-century botanical gardens with some 1700 species of plants from around the subtropical world are the order of the day on the tranquil Isole Brissago (Brissago Islands, that is the larger island known as Isola Grande or San Pancrazio and the smaller island known as Sant’Apollinare), placed just so in splendid, sunny Lake Maggiore. The islands owe much of their current appeal...

One of Italy’s most famous lakes shares its northeastern end with Switzerland, allowing visitors to the Italian-speaking region of Ticino (blessed with the mildest climate in the country) to lap up a little ‘dolce vita’ during their Swiss sojourn. Think palm-fringed lake paths, pastel-colored piazzas, lushly green mountains, clear waters and Switzerland’s sunniest disposition. Sightseeing possibilities on Lago Maggiore include visiting the...

Locarno is all palm trees, gelato and pastel-hued Piazza Grande, the huge open space that will have you thinking you’ve been transported straight to Italy (especially on Thursday, which is market day). Other sights in this attractive city include the marvellous Sacro Monte Madonna del Sasso, overlooking Locarno and with glorious views over the lake. It’s accessible by funicular (complete with Mario Botta-designed gondola!) from the town...

The defining symbol of Switzerland and an absolute highlight for many, the pyramid-like Matterhorn ranks as one of the most photographed and photogenic mountains in the world, thanks to its proportional perfection and the dazzling changes wrought by light, shade and the passage of time. ‘Meadow Peak’ The name Matterhorn means ‘meadow peak’ in German and the mountain is known as Le...

This area, which includes Klein Matterhorn (Little Matterhorn), has Europe’s highest cable car station (3820m; 12,533ft) and views to die for (from the panoramic viewing platform located at 3883m; 12,740ft) over a combination of 38 Swiss, Italian and French peaks and over a dozen glaciers. Year-round Skiing It’s also famous for its year-round skiing and boarding and children will enjoy...

Zermatt’s one-time casino now houses the worthy Mattherhorn Museum. It’s a good place for visitors to one of Switzerland’s most famous winter playgrounds to come to grips with the majestic mountain that looms over the town, and the perfect spot for a rainy-day outing. The conceptual hook from which the museum hangs is Zermatlantis (the museum is housed under a glass...

Surprisingly, Switzerland’s second-highest paved alpine road pass (2478m, 8130ft) doesn’t garner the fame and fandom it could, but to miss it would be a real shame, given its dazzling series of hairpin bends and sweeping views once you get to the top. Linking Ticino and Valais The Nufenen Pass (Passo della Novena in Italian), which dates from 1969, links the...

Legend has it that Franciscan monk Fra Bartolomeo had a vision of the Virgin Mary at this spot in 1480, and now, perched on a rocky outcrop, this sanctuary attracts religious pilgrims and those looking to take in superb views over Locarno and Lake Maggiore. The church’s interior, a confection of religious adornment, certainly merits a visit too. The whole...

One of Switzerland’s greatest drives, the St Gotthard Pass (2106m, 6909ft), connecting Ticino with central Switzerland (and ultimately Valais for this itinerary), is a historic adventure worth repeating. While a pass has long existed in this location, it has been since the early 13th century that this route became better known (and dedicated to St Gotthard of Hildesheim), after bridges...

Known for both its freeride and après-ski opportunities (as well as its avalanches), Verbier is a Valaisan ski resort par excellence and plays host to a boisterous, cashed-up crowd year after year (Prince Harry, Leonardo Dicaprio et al). Be warned though: its popularity can bring some fearsome queues at its lifts. Not great for beginners, but part of the famed 89-lift 4...

Switzerland’s iconic ski resort (with its majestic mountain, the Matterhorn) is a must-see-and-ski, a beautiful town ringed by 38 4000m+ peaks and a ferociously well-organized tourism industry making sure that everything runs smoothly. Famous since the advent of mountain tourism in the 19th century, Zermatt enjoys year-round skiing and snowboarding opportunities (thanks to its glacier, with its Matterhorn Glacier Paradise)...