How to Have Fun in Switzerland’s Epic Winter Wonderland
Welcome to Italy! That’s right, this two-week Swiss holiday begins with your arrival in the northern city of Milan. That’s because it’s the most convenient hub to arrive by train at your first destination: Lugano. Located on an eponymous lake in southern Switzerland in the Italian-speaking canton (state) of Ticino, this historic town draws visitors for its idyllic waterfront setting and mix of cultures.
Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day to explore on a self-guided tour. A great place to start is in the city center. Highlights include ornate Renaissance churches and modern cultural landmarks like the Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana (Art Museum of Italian Switzerland) and the Auditorio Stelio Molo, a cutting-edge concert hall with world-class acoustics. Lugano is also famous for its fusion cuisine, mixing Italian and Swiss cultures. If you like, warm up with a hot bowl of minestrone (vegetable soup)—a local specialty.
You’ve had some leisure time in town; now it’s time to visit the countryside and really immerse yourself in the Swiss winter. In the morning, transfer into the mountains outside Lugano and explore the majesty of the Swiss Alps in style on a full-day snowshoe adventure. It begins with your arrival in the village of Bosco Gurin, located at the highest point in the Ticino canton at 4,934 feet (1,504 m).
This village is a well-loved destination for winter sports enthusiasts and skiers. Upon arrival, you’ll strap on your snowshoes and embark on a brief, scenic loop through wild and snowy mountain landscapes. The journey will offer incredible vistas out over Bosco Gurin, as well as winding routes through native forests. Eventually, you’ll arrive back in town and transfer back to Lugano.
Day 3: Train to St. Moritz, Self-Guided Tour
Rise early because you’ve got a long (but scenic) train ride ahead. Transfer to the station for the mountain railway journey through the Alps to St. Moritz, an exclusive resort town nestled in the Engadin Valley. It features prominently in Olympic history, as it has hosted the Winter Games twice. Also, when the town’s eponymous lake is frozen over, it hosts polo, cricket, and horse racing on snow. In addition to their well-maintained cross-country ski slopes, nearby mountains like Corviglia, Diavolezza, and Corvatsch offer skiing and snowboarding.
You’ll get to experience the surrounding nature soon enough. For now, check into your hotel, after which you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town. If you like, take a scenic stroll on the waterfront or indulge in some retail therapy at the luxury shops and boutiques on Via Serlas, St. Moritz’s high street. There are also plenty of gourmet restaurants here that would make a nice dinner option.
Train to Zürich, Sunset Fondue Cruise
After breakfast, hop on a train for the three-hour ride north to Zürich. Located in northern Switzerland and sitting on the lake of the same name, this is the country’s financial heart. But Zürich is much more than commerce, as you’ll see when you stroll the streets after checking into your hotel. Embark on a self-guided tour around Altstadt (Old Town). Here, cobblestone streets lead past medieval buildings, historic churches, museums, and quaint squares.
Later in the afternoon, you’re in for quite a treat (literally) as you enjoy a foodie boat cruise on Lake Zürich. At the waterfront, you’ll board a ship for a three-hour sunset ride around the lake. During the outing refreshments like wine and hot tea will be served with the main course: cheesy fondue!
Drive to Zermatt, Cable Car to the Matterhorn
In the morning, get back behind the wheel for the two-hour drive south to Zermatt. Located in Switzerland’s Pennine Alps, this is yet another idyllic mountain town. Mostly, Zermatt is famous for its views of the nearby Matterhorn peak—an iconic mountain you’ll see up close and personal a little while later. For now, check into your hotel and drop off your bags.
A short while later, you’ll embark on perhaps the most famous gondola ride in all of Europe: the 40-minute journey up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. At 12,740 feet (3,883 m), this is the highest mountain station on the continent. At the summit, there’s a viewing platform where you can enjoy 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding peaks that are unrivaled anywhere else in the world.