Across the Alps

Chamonix Mont Blanc is one of France’s most famous resort towns. The town is located at the base of the Mont Blanc, where France, Italy and Switzerland meet. It’s a beautiful year-round destination, most popular for its unsurpassed winter sports.

• Get a sky-high view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps with a ride up the the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
• Take a hike along part of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, a trail that stretches for 170 kilometres, crossing through France, Switzerland and Italy.
• Try local produce at the weekly market held at Place du Mont Blanc in Chamonix.

Zermatt, home to the jagged Matterhorn, is perhaps Switzerland’s most iconic Alpine destination. It’s accessible by train only, and its remarkable scenery makes it perfect for hiking in summer. During winter, Zermatt offers travellers some of Switzerland’s best skiing conditions.

Zermatt is the start of the jaw-dropping Glacier Express line, which you'll take to reach St. Moritz and continue your journey through the Alps. 

• Said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world, the Matterhorn is visible from around Zermatt. However, it's possible to get an even better view of the landmark by taking one of the mountain lifts from town to the nearby peaks. 
• On the "5 Lakes Walk," you can reach five Alpine lakes: the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. 
• As you explore the trails and mountains around Zermatt, pay attention to the flora around you; dozens of plant species found in Zermatt are considered rare in the rest of the country.

At the end of the scenic Glacier Express line, you'll reach St. Moritz, an exclusive Alpine resort set around an idyllic lake. The posh Alpine destination is also midway along the famous Bernina Express line, which you'll take next to travel from Switzerland into Italy.

• Hike to the teal-blue Lej da Staz and go for a swim in the Alpine lake. Not up for a dip? Bring lunch and picnic on the lakeshore.
• Visit the Alp-Schaukäserei Morteratsch dairy and watch as Heutaler cheese, glacier-mutschli and ricotta are made over an open fire.
• Don't miss the chance to see the off-kilter St. Mauritius Church, which tilts even more dramatically than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

The scenic Bernina Express train takes travellers through the Alps from Switzerland into Italy, delivering some of the most remarkable views and railroad engineering on the continent. It ends in Tirano, a charming Italian city that's perfect for an overnight stop while exploring the Alps by rail.

• Get an up-close look at ancient Alpine history at the Rock Engraving Park in Grosio, which includes one of the biggest petroglyphs in the Alps.
• Hop from castle to castle, visting a few of the historic fortresses around Tirano, such as Castello San Maria Diroccato, the Torre de li Beli Miri and beyond.
• If you visit in spring, you may catch the apple orchards in the area around Tirano in full bloom. This phenomenon is glimpsed best on the nearby Valtellina Wine Road.

Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol and an ideal base for exploring the beauty of the mighty Dolomites. The city possesses a unique blend of Mediterranean and Alpine culture, with plenty of restaurants, museums and other highlights to delight locals and visitors alike.

• Taste fresh produce from the region at the fruit and vegetable market held on weekdays at the Piazza delle Erbe, in operation since 1295.
• Travel back in time at the Alto Adige Museum of Archaeology. In its collection is "Ötzi," also called The Iceman, a Copper Age mummy discovered by a nearby glacier.
• Experience the beauty of the Dolomites with a day trip to Obereggen or another nearby mountain village accessible by public transit.

This fairytale city is famous for its charming old town, dramatic hilltop castle, and incredible views of the Alps. It's also famous as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for the musical The Sound of Music.

• Hear the music of Mozart performed in his home city at Mirabell Palace, a Baroque landmark where concerts are held several times per month. 
• Take a break from the Baroque with a visit to the Museum der Moderne, perched above Salzburg's old town. 
• Hike from the city centre to Nonnberg Abbey, shown at the beginning of The Sound of Music.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is just a short train ride from the peaks and hiking trails of the Julian Alps. The quiet, lush city is the perfect place to spend time reflecting on the awe-inspiring scenery you encountered on your adventure through the Alps. 

• Every Friday between mid-March and the end of October, chefs of Slovenian restaurants cook dishes from around the world at a market hosted in Pogačarjev trg square.
• Book a workshop at Marija Lah's umbrella repair studio, where Marija teaches visitors about her family's long-time trade. 
• Get a closer look at the Julian Alps with a day trip to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj or Triglav National Park, home to the highest mountain in Slovenia.