Green meadows filled with wild flowers, snow-capped peaks and pure mountain air, nothing beats Switzerland in the spring.
While skiing is the top activity in the winter, spring and summer are the perfect time for mountain biking and treks to the glaciers, writes Caroline.
Accommodation is a fraction of the cost of the winter season and the weather can be surprisingly warm and sunny.
As old as the hills
Along the hiking trails, you’ll see stone formations from the Bronze Age and fossilised dinosaur prints.
Scenic train ride
I took the train from the gothic town of Chur to St Moritz, high in the Swiss Alps.
The 90-minute journey took me through winding tunnels carved through the mountains and picturesque villages as the jagged peaks got closer.
Fairy tale
In the woods above the lake of St Moritz, I visited the fairy-tale house of the Swiss artist Mili Weber (1891-1978).
From the outside, Mili’s home is a modest log house. Step inside, it becomes a magical experience. Weber painted every available surface, from walls to ceiling, with scenes from nature, including her angelic ‘flower soul’ children, emerging from the flowers, as depicted in her books.
At one with nature
The Engadine is a vast nature reserve, boasting evergreen trees, lakes, crystal rocks, alpine plants, berries and wild animals, such as deer and marmots. I can still conjure up the intense aroma of the Swiss pine forest during my ‘Vita Parcours’ nature run, reminding me of frankincense.
Glacial swim
One sunny day, I swam in the glacier water of the lake of Lej Marsch: bracing! I sunbathed on the grassy shore and shared a picnic, just a stone’s throw from the former Olympic ski jump.
Regional cuisine
While staying in the Engadine I sampled the local cuisine and bubbling spring water. The region is well known for its mouth-watering honey and walnut Nusstorte cake. The wood-panelled houses, featuring intricate wall etchings, are cosy and inviting.
Top of the world
I took the cable car up to the Corvatsch glacier which, at 3,451m above sea level, has snow all year round.
Contemplating the breath-taking view over the expanse of the valley and lakes, I understood why St Moritz is named ‘top of the world.’
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.”
~ John Muir
Beauty Makes Scents 