Living There
Switzerland is not a large country, in fact it only consists of 15,940 square metres of land, but it has some of the most diverse landscapes in all of Europe. Mountains, lakes, rivers and lively cities make Switzerland an incredibly beautiful country and one well worth exploring by booking a Switzerland campervan self drive rental.
It features some of the world’s best roads, making it possible to reach nearly every corner of the country. Only the mountain peaks are not accessible by self-drive, though these are best discovered on foot anyhow, and there are plenty of camping facilities that will allow you to park and enjoy its 60,000kms of hiking trails.
As part of your honeymoon in Switzerland why not consider a roadtrip in a motorhome, the trip can be over a couple of days or a few weeks. It really is up to you, as it is not a large country so it just depends how many stops you would like to make and for how long. Regardless of which route you take, you will pick up your vehicle in Zurich or when arriving at the Zurich Airport. Then you just drive south towards Zermatt, west to Geneva and north back to Zurich to drop-off your motorhome.Here are some of the spectacular things you will see on this journey.
Lake Lucerne
This is a must for history buffs, as it is where the Swiss Confederation was founded. It is also just a picturesque spot that offers magnificent views of the surrounding Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. You can also climb to the top of the nearby Fronalpstock for some stunning views down onto the lake.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Located in the Burnese Highlands, the Lauterbrunnen Valley runs through the tallest mountains in the country. The scenery is spectacular and always amazes me, with both sides of the valley being lined with remarkable cliffs that reach up to 300 metres high before they meet the mountains’ slopes.
The villages throughout the valley are small and unspoilt, and are great places to stop and rest while enjoying the views, skiing or hiking in the mountains. I also recommend taking a cable car from Mürren to Schilthorn for the incredible views, and visiting the famous glacier Trümmelbach Falls.
Lötschental Valley
This stunning valley runs through the Burnese Alps close to the Italianborder. It is a picturesque valley that extends for around 27kms and is surrounded by mountains that tower for 3,000 metres. There are some lovely villages to spend the night in, like Kippel, Ferden and Wiler, which is my personal favourite.
Zermatt
Zermatt is a vehicle-free zone, so you will need to park your motorhome in the nearby town of Täsch and take a train from thereto this magnificent alpine town. Zermatt is surrounded by the Matterhorn -the tallest mountain in the Alps- and offers absolutely breath-takingscenery. From here, you can hike, climb, ski or cycle in the mountains and take in the unforgettable scenery.
Lake Geneva
One of Western Europe’s largest lakes sits between Switzerland and France. It is a famous lake that offers skiing, hiking and swimming as well as being home to numerous attrcations, such as Montreux’s Château de Chillon, Lausanne’s Palais de Rumine and Geneva’s Cathédrale St-Pierre, among other things.
La Gruyère
Chocolate lovers should definitely make a stop in La Gruyère, which is home to Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand; Callier. It is also where the famous Gruyère cheese comes from. La Gruyèreis a picturesque town in the Saane River’s upper valley that sits atop a hill in the slopes of mount Moléson. Though chocolate and cheese are what the town is most famous for it also has some other great attractions, such as Saint-Germain Castle and Gruyères Castle.
Berne
Switzerland’s capital city of Berne is a must, as not only is it listed as a World Heritage site but it also is a beautiful city that sits along both sides of the Aare River. The city has an amazingly preserved old town that is home to famous landmarks like Zytglogge, the Bern Minster and the Holy Ghost Church. Outside of the old town’s walls are even more historical sites, including the Federal Mint building, the Swiss National Library and the Natural History Museum.
Appenzell
Before returning your motorhome you should visit this lovely area, which is dotted with picturesque farming houses and numerous hiking trails. It also offers some great alpine scenery and cable cars that will take you up to some of its surrounding peaks, with Säntis being the highest. From here you can see all the way to Germany and Austria.
Wrap-up
There are of course plenty of other routes that can be taken and things that can be seen when enjoying a Switzerland roadtrip in a motorhome. You can explore the beautiful Val Müstair district at the very east corner of the country, or drive south to the Italian speaking Ticino region and Lago di Lugano. If you have time you can even continue on into France, Italy, Germany, Austria or Liechtenstein, all of which border Switzerland.
