Alpine Escapes: Switzerland in Summer

Most people think of Switzerland in winter — ski runs, fondue, and firelit chalets. But summer in the Alps is arguably more spectacular, and far less crowded. The meadows are in full bloom, the hiking trails are open, and the mountain railways carry you up to panoramas that feel genuinely impossible.

The Bernese Oberland is our starting point: a region of dramatic contrasts anchored by the trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Base yourself in Grindelwald or Wengen — both are car-free and beautifully preserved — and spend your days hiking between alpine huts, swimming in glacial lakes, and riding the cogwheel railways that have been threading through these mountains since the 1890s.

For a more intimate experience, the Engadin valley in canton Graubünden offers fewer crowds and equal grandeur. St. Moritz has long attracted a discerning clientele, and its combination of world-class hotels, culinary excellence, and access to the Bernina Pass make it a natural anchor for a longer Alpine itinerary.

Lake Lucerne deserves at least two nights. The old town is among the most beautifully preserved in Europe, and an evening cruise on the lake as the light fades over the surrounding mountains is one of those simple pleasures that stays in the memory.

Fifi + Hop has preferred relationships with Switzerland's finest mountain properties and can arrange private guiding, helicopter excursions to remote alpine locations, and seamless rail journeys across the country. Summer in Switzerland is a revelation.