t Mountaineers heading up towards the Matterhorn

The Matterhorn (4,478 m/14,692 ft) is Switzerland’s most recognizable natural sight. Often referred to as a pyramid, the mighty peak has, in fact, four sides divided by steep ridges. Although it is only the tenth-highest mountain in the country, the extreme difficulty of reaching its summit meant that it was the last of the great Swiss mountains to be conquered. In 1865, a team led by the British explorer Edward Whymper made it to the top, but four of the climbers were killed during the descent. It is still a huge draw for experienced mountaineers from all over the world to this day. The tiny pastoral village of Zermatt, at the base of the Matterhorn, grew quickly at the end of the 19th century to serve climbers. It soon became a major ski resort, home to one of Europe’s largest networks of pistes alongside a host of chic bars, restaurants and shops. Today Zermatt is also busy in the summer, offering hiking, climbing, glacier skiing and snowboarding. The village has been car-free for decades, with visitors arriving by train from Täsch.

Experience Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais

t The sparkling lights of Zermatt seen as the sun sets over the bustling village