Spring is just around the corner and the mild weather is again inviting us to spend time outdoors! After winter, it's finally time again to put on comfortable shoes, pack your backpack, and head out to explore new trails and new places easily accessible by public transportation and with not much effort. So here for you is a selection of 6 destinations or hiking trails worth visiting on a day trip or a weekend trip around Switzerland. And if you are in the mood for a short trip across the border, scroll down to the end of the article!
We love... Spring!
Spring is just around the corner and the mild weather is again inviting us to spend time outdoors! After winter, it’s finally time again to put on comfortable shoes, pack your backpack, and set out to discover new trails and new places easily accessible by public transportation and with little effort. Switzerland is a perfect destination for all seasons. In Spring, when the mountain trails are not yet safe, the extensive national hiking network offers many enjoyable valley trails, made even more fascinating by the slow awakening of nature. On the other hand, if you prefer to explore cities or indulge in urban leisure and shopping, then you will find good ideas in this article for you as well!
And so here is a selection of 6 destinations and hiking trails that are worth visiting on a day trip or weekend break. And if you’re in the mood for a short trip out of the border, scroll to the end of the article to learn about two places just out the borders you should definitely visit this spring!
Spring Hikes
Along the picturesque terraces of the Lavaux
The Wine Trail along the Terrasses de Lavaux is a fascinating hiking trail that runs along the rolling terraced hills on the northeastern side of Lake Geneva. This wonderful wine region, about 800 hectares wide, is one of the largest in Switzerland and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The walking trail, about 12 kilometers long, starts from St. Saphorin and reaches Lutry. In this article, we tell you about our itinerary and give you some useful tips for planning your visit. And if you have a full weekend available, we definitely suggest combining the excursion with a visit to the city of Montreux and its many highlights.
Along the shores of Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz is certainly one of the most popular in Switzerland and among foreign tourists. Its turquoise waters and the enchanting mountain scenery that surrounds it – rich with hiking trails and historical routes to discover – make it a perfect destination for all seasons of the year. The hike we propose is a linear route that starts from the small village of Iseltwald and, following the path along the shoreline of Lake Brienz, reaches the valley station of the Giessbach funicular railway and then the Giessbach waterfall and the Grand Hotel of the same name. From here, after a brief exploration of the falls, it is possible to take the funicular back down to the valley or walk down the trail to the boat terminal that takes you back to Brienz. In this article, we tell you about our hike here and give you some useful tips for your itinerary!
The three castles of Bellinzona
Located in the heart of Ticino, in a valley crossed by the homonymous river, Bellinzona as well as being the capital of the Canton Ticino is also one of the Swiss cities richest in history and evidence of the past. The city welcomes visitors with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the warm colors of its historic center and the grandeur and austerity of its castles and fortifications. Three medieval castles are located really close to the city center and wherever you’ll look you will surely find traces of the ancient fortifications and the mighty defensive walls. We had already been visiting the city in 2017 but, thanks to a small unforeseen train delay, we decided to return to visit the three castles, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, through an excursion itinerary that starts from the train station and returns there, passing through the historic center and the fortifications. So in this article for you is our route and some useful tips!
City tours
Discovering Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland’s most famous French-speaking city, is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, where the Rhone River leaves the great water mirror to continue its journey first to France and then to the Mediterranean Sea. The elegant and sophisticated city, both modern and ancient, is famous throughout the world for its humanitarian vocation and for being the headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross. But despite this strong institutional character, you will certainly be amazed by its ability to perfectly combine an ancient soul with a young and modern attitude. In Geneva you’ll find many attractions not to be missed and lots of opportunities for leisure and entertainment. In this article we point out the eight must-see attractions for your weekend in the city!
Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls
Located in the northeastern part of Switzerland, just a stone’s throw from the German border, Schaffhausen is certainly one of the most charming Swiss cities. The city is perfect for a weekend or a day trip, especially during spring and summer when the green surrounding it becomes intense and the Rhine Falls are stronger and more spectacular than ever. Over the centuries, the city has preserved its valuable old town like few other major cities have, by restoring historic buildings and preserving their charm. And if you are visiting Schaffhausen, you can’t miss a visit to the nearby Rhine Falls, which, with their 150 meters wide, are the largest waterfalls in Europe! For a first visit in the city, in this article you can find our tips and places not to miss!
Lucerne, the city of lights
Situated on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape, Lucerne represents a perfect synthesis of all that Switzerland has to offer to visitors and, also for this reason, it is an unmissable stop for those visiting the country for the first time. The small, hospitable and people-friendly town has a quaint, well-kept old town centre, an elegant lakeside promenade and numerous attractions not to be missed. Despite its small size, the town has a lively and first-class cultural offer. There are many museums to visit, and even more shows and concerts for all tastes at the city theatre and the larger KKL, a modern cultural centre on the lakeside in the city centre. We are really in love with this town, which we have been calling home for two years! In this article we point out the attractions not to be missed during a weekend trip!
Outside the border
Mainau, the island of flowers in Germany
Located on the southern shore of Lake Constance (Bodensee) and connected to it by a footbridge, Mainau Island in Germany is certainly a must-see destination for anyone visiting the lake area and its historical and natural attractions. Thanks to a mild climate – the same that has allowed to develop a rich winery tradition in the area – the whole island is a wonderful garden that offers events throughout the year and invites visitors to relax and have fun in close contact with nature. The island can be visited – by purchasing an entrance ticket – throughout the year and in every season it will amaze you with its ability to transform and change its face. However, we absolutely recommend a visit in April, when first the daffodils and then the tulips blossom and dress the island in a triumph of colors: a true wonder! We were here on a day in mid-April and in this article we tell you about our visit and give you some useful tips for your stay.
The lands of Prosecco in Italy
All over the world, Veneto is synonymous of Venice. The great lagoon city, with its unquestionable charm and its peculiarities, certainly steals the scene to all other places and attracts the attention of travelers who choose the regions of northeastern Italy for a vacation or a weekend.
However, the region of Veneto is very big and, in its territory, it successfully combines the maritime spirit of Venice and the mountain soul of the provinces of Belluno and Treviso. It also has a rich and varied history that gives it unique characteristics in the Italian cultural and tourist panorama. That’s why in this article we want to leave the well-known and popular lagoon and move a little further north, close to the Alps: we bring you with us to the province of Treviso, to discover the green hills of Prosecco in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, territories that, moreover, since 2019 are part of the Unesco World Heritage Sites.
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