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Essentials
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So what's it like?
Walking
Grindelwald
Get up close and personal to the North Face of the Eiger and take the Eiger Trail between Kleine Scheidegg and Alpignen. Under the shade of its awesome face keep any eye out for brightly coloured alpine flowers below (Gentians) and brightly coloured mountaineers above (Humans). Though relatively straight forward a good pair of walking shoes is advisable. From the top of First mountain there are plenty of choices, including a zip line straight back to Bort. Follow the signs to Bachalpsee (the 'see' translates to lake) the route starts with a gentle climb before dropping down to the lake. From the shores of the lake grab yourself a picture postcard photo of mountains being mirrored into the lake.Culture
When you arrive in Wengen or Grindelwald you are following in illustrious footsteps, for centuries the famous and infamous have journeyed here to see the area's beauty for themselves. From Julius Caesar to Sir Henry Lunn, one of the fathers of British tourism, everyone who is anyone has visited at some point.
It's not only the views that people come for, the quaint summer concerts and traditional street festivals also add a certain charm to these mountain villages.
The local cuisine is another major draw, the mountain cheeses are some of they best you'll find. Perhaps it is no surprise when you see the happy cows in their lush green meadows. For a splendidly Swiss meal with a cheesy theme go for the fondue - Café Mary mountain restaurant is highly recommended.
Why not try -- Heading to Interlaken and taking a boat trip around the lakes of Brienz of Thün.
- A night on the tiles in Grindelwald or Wengen. Both have a good range of bars.
- Trip to the Schynige Platte, the alpine botanical gardens are sure to impress with over 600 varieties of beautiful flowers.
Jungfraujoch: £64
Up at 3,454m Europe's highest altitude railway station opens up a world of snow with an ice palace, a restaurant & observation terrace.
Schilthorn: £47
Scenes from James Bond ('On her majesty's secret service') were filmed up at the summit - experience beautiful views of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau from the revolving restaurant.
Cruise on Lake Thun*: 1st class £34 2nd class £26
Get out on the lake and see Interlaken from a different perspective. Sit back and relax as you pass the historic castles and pretty villages that line the shores.
Waterfalls Tour*: £70
A guided full day tour including the spectacular Riechenbach & Giesbach Falls, Aareschulct - a short walk with magnificent views, and a visit to the wood carving town of Brienz.
Schynige Platte*: £25
An enchanting old fashioned cogwheel railway wil take you to the botanical gardens on the Schynige Platte.
* Excursion starts in Interlaken - train to Interlaken costs approx 13chf.Active
• minigolf • mountain biking • tennis • bowling • golf in Interlaken • sailing on nearby Lake Thun • sports centre (from June) with facilities that include indoor pool (FREE with Grindelwald visitor card), spa centre with Finnish sauna, steam bath and gym • summer concerts & street festivals held regularly