Switzerland
Set between the turquoise lakes of Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland's greatest theatre: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau above the cliff-hung Lauterbrunnen valley. Grand nineteenth-century hotels, car-free mountain villages and Swiss-precision railways make the high Alps unusually effortless.
The lakes-between town itself offers belle-époque grande dames, the Höhematte lawn's Jungfrau views and every rail connection upward.
The liveliest mountain base sits beneath the Eiger's north face, with the Eiger Express gondola speeding access to the high country.
A waterfall-laced valley flanked by two car-free terrace villages, reached by cog railway and cable car, with balcony views across to the great peaks.
Spiez and Thun add castles, vineyards and lakeside swimming to the mountain programme, minutes from Interlaken by boat or train.
Dining spans fondue chalets, lake-fish restaurants on Thun and Brienz and polished hotel tables in Interlaken. Nightlife is modest — mountain villages wind down early — with hotel bars carrying the evening.
Cog railways, the Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain, summer toboggan runs and boat trips give families a full programme without long walks. Car-free Wengen and Mürren are especially relaxing with children.
Couples take the railway through the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch, ride first cable cars ahead of the crowds and dine above the clouds at Schynige Platte or Harder Kulm. A lake-view suite in a belle-époque palace completes the picture.
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