Soaring, snow-covered peaks, sure … but Swiss islands? Turns out this gloriously beautiful, landlocked country has plenty of islands rising from the surface of sparkling lakes and rivers. Explore this autumn and enjoy the crisp alpine air, vibrant leaf colors and the best of the fall harvest showcased in delicious local cuisine. Here are three islands to consider:
St. Peter’s Island
St. Peter’s Island lies in the middle of Lake Biel in the canton of Bern. Its idyllic landscape was once enjoyed by long-ago Roman explorers and Middle Ages nobility. Today it’s a sought-after destination for hiking, walking, cycling and mountain biking. Reach it on foot via the Heidenweg path from the town of Erlach, by boat from La Neuveville, Ligerz or via the Zihl Canal from Neuchâtel.
Ogoz Island
In Lake Gruyère the ruins of an ancient castle rise above the greenery of Ogoz Island. Access the island by boat to wander among the remains of the historic stone structure. Located in the Fribourg region and noted as one of Switzerland’s loveliest spots, Ogoz Island provides views of Gibloux mountain in the west and the Fribourg Pre-Alps in the east. Enjoy the tranquility, then explore nearby sights such as the winter sports resort of La Berra, the chocolate factory in the village of Broc and the castle in Gruyères.
Schwanau Island
A ferry runs to and from Schwanau Island in Lake Lauerz, positioned between the peaks of the Rigi and the Grosser and Kleiner Mythen mountains in Schwyz canton. You’ll find another castle here along with the Chapel of St. John. Guided walking tours are available, or you can explore at your leisure. Be sure to work up an appetite: The island is also home to the rustic Insel-Restaurant Schwanau, specializing in regional favorites. The menu offers lunch and dinner, but you can always stop in for afternoon coffee and cake.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedGlobal City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 25, 2024Executive Chef Shaun Thomson Adds Fresh Flair to Nanuku Resort Fiji
PHOTOS: © NANUKU RESORT FIJI , © ERICA ALLEN
Sponsored Content
Daejeon Prepares for Its Iconic Zero O’Clock Festival
Daejeon, South Korea, looks forward to August 2024 and the return of its iconic tradition, the Zero O’Clock Festival. This year, the event is held Aug. 9 –17 with a time travel theme featuring past, present and future zones. Find events pertaining to each zone’s characteristics in the area of Jungang-ro Street, from Daejeon Station to the former site of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office. These streets will be free of vehicles, and public transportation is highly recommended.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 24, 2024Global City Guidebook: Shanghai
The third-largest city in the world, Shanghai has transformed into one of the world’s most important centers for business, finance, science, culture and transportation. In fact, Shanghai is home to the first free trade zone in Mainland China. The city sits on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, and the Huangpu River flows right through the 26-million-strong city. Art Deco- and Shikumen-style buildings, museums, skyscrapers, gardens, temples and food markets fill the lively, Eastern Chinese city.
Z Hotels Launches Special Summer Offers
eFlyer Deals
Jul 24, 2024eFlyer Deals
Jul 24, 2024TAP Air Portugal Announces Limited-Time, One-Way Fares to Europe
Through Sept. 15, TAP Air Portugal offers one-way fares to Europe for as low as $214. These low, one-way fares are available from all seven of the airline’s U.S. gateways, including:
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:
eFlyer Lead
Jul 24, 2024Delta Air Lines Struggles to Recover from Tech Outage
While most airlines successfully recovered from the worldwide technology outage caused by a software update, Delta Air Lines continues to bounce back from the issue, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. The historic outage across Microsoft systems not only affected airlines but also hospitals and countless other businesses. Contactless payments were also impacted.
ShareThis