Finding the Seychelles in Switzerland

Written by Artur K. Vogel

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It doesn't always have to be a trip abroad. In Switzerland, there are visually surprising alternatives to Scotland, Thailand, and the Indian Ocean.

A German acquaintance was driving for the first time in her life on the A6 from Bern toward Thun when the jagged Alpine panorama appeared on the evening horizon. She was delighted: «That looks like Colorado, only more imposing.»

Indeed, the Bernese Alps are in no way inferior to the Rocky Mountains. The highest peak in Colorado, Mount Elbert, is 4,401 meters high, while Finsteraarhorn, the highest peak in the canton of Bern tops out at 4,274 meters.

With a little imagination, many other places in Switzerland can be found that feel like foreign destinations.

Guadeloupe

Soufrière on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe is a famous crater landscape. Less well known, but just as spectacular, is the rocky landscape of «Gryden» above Lenk in the Simmental. The ridge consists of gypsum rock, slowly dissolved by rainwater, which then seeped away forming funnels that look like mini-volcano craters.

The Gryden rock landscape on Lenk is reminiscent of Guadeloupe. (Image: Lenk.ch)

Ireland

Also in the Bernese Oberland, in the area of the Bachalpsee at 2,265 meters above sea level near Grindelwald, one might feel like they're in an Irish valley. There is even an Ireland-like moor around the lake with only herds of sheep kept in line by Border Collies missing.

The Bachalpsee could also be in Ireland. (Image: Swiss-Image, Jan Geerk)

Thailand

Depending on the angle from which you look at the lakeside villas of the Deltapark Vitalresort in Gwatt on Lake Thun, you could imagine yourself in a sophisticated Thai beach resort. A fabulous spa According to the «Daily Telegraph» and other wellness facilities beckon.

The view of the Jungfrau massif and the striking peak of the Niesen is completely un-Thai, but the proximity of a Thai restaurant makes the analogy plausible.

The idyllic atmosphere at Lake Thun - as otherwise only in Thailand. (Picture: Delta Park)

Kind Ludwig's Castle

You can get a feeling of Neuschwanstein, this «illusion of an ideal medieval castle» built by Bavarian King Ludwig II in 1869, in Lucerne. The Château Guetsch above the city was built in 1901 on the Bavarian model, but it has one advantage: it's a hotel where you can dine and spend the night.

Magnificent views over Lucerne, Lake Lucerne, and the mountains are included.

The Château Gütsch in Lucerne is almost as beautiful as Neuschwanstein Castle. (Image: Bohao Zhao)

Norwegian Fjord

Staying on Lake Lucerne with its deep indentations is often compared to Norwegian fjords. You get this impression especially when you look from Rigi Hochflue in the direction of Flueelen.

The striking resemblance of Lake Lucerne to a Norwegian fjord. (Image: Swiss-Image, Martin Maegli)

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera north of La Spezia is a popular destination for the Swiss. The five romantic villages on the cliffs evoke similar feelings on the shores of Lake Lugano in Gandria. The village, which belongs to the city of Lugano, has preserved its character.

Just as beautiful as the Cinque Terre: the Ticino village of Gandria. (Image: Swiss-Image, Ivo Scholz)

Monte Carlo

The missing casino can be found not far away in Montreux. Although the yachts are smaller, the port of Lausanne-Ouchy is reminiscent of Monte Carlo. Even the noble hotels from the 19th century are not missing with the neo-Gothic Château d'Ouchy and the Beau-Rivage Palace satisfying even the most finicky guests.