Swiss bliss

FROM MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO TASTY CHEESE FARMS, TOM CAVILLA FINDS IT ALL IN SWITZERLAND

- TOM CAVILLA

STRIKING the right balance between relaxation and exploration can prove a challenge on any trip.

The temptation when on the clock in a new place is to rush around ticking off sights, often resulting in blurred memories and fatigue.

My visit to the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland taught me a lesson in how to really take in my surroundings and resist the urge to press on with a hurried stride.

Take time to smell the roses, or in my case, the cheeses.

This awakening experience began in the picturesque village of Adelboden, an idyllic chalet village 4,430ft above sea level, with blooming alpine meadows and crystal-clear lakes.

Home to only 3,500 inhabitants, versatile Adelboden comes alive during winter with tourists swooping in for its mountain sports on its dream pistes and World Cup race in January.

It actually became the destination for the first winter sports package holiday, organised by tourism pioneer Sir Henry Lunn in 1902.

In the warmer months, it’s ideal for those wanting to gaze at the scenery at their own pace while traversing its walking trails, mountain bike routes, cable cars, or swimming in the lakes.

The village's standout hotel was acquired by Welsh brothers Craig and Grant Maunder in 2009 and renamed The Cambrian a subtle nod to their home country.