Round the Swisst

My trip ended by catching the state-of-the-art GoldenPass Express train from Gstaad to Montreux - an 80-minute journey offering panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and valleys plus Lac Leman (Lake Geneva).

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This route is included in the Swiss Travel Pass (see information box above right) and seated in prestige class - elevated in terms of height in the carriage and service - I tried out my heated leather seat, capable of rotating 180 degrees, before enjoying a cheese board and coffee.

Gazing out the window as I glided through this breathtaking scenery, I was offered one final reminder of how avoiding well-trodden paths, going out of the main season and taking in the sights at your own pace makes travel so much more satisfying.

positioned only several strokes away.

It's a short drive to Engstilgenalp where you can jump on a cable car and head above the second tallest waterfall in Switzerland, 1,969ft Engstilgenalp Falls.

A trip to the neighbouring town of Gstaad was next on the agenda. Famed for its old-world elegance, which has attracted the likes of Princess Diana and Madonna to the region, I enjoyed a taste of the finer things, checking in at the new Mansard Boutique Hotel.