SWISS BLISS

While Switzerland might conjure images of pistes rather than pools those in the know relish the calm summer season

BY CHRISTINA OHLY EVANS

The bucolic hills of Switzerland will be alive this summer with the sound of music—courtesy of the country’s many music festivals and clanging cowbells—but they’ll also be blessedly quiet and free from the typical tourist throngs. While many will flock to summer staples such as the Amalfi Coast and the Côte d’Azur, those looking for a truly regenerative escape might opt for one of the 26 cantons that comprise Switzerland. There, pristine glacial lakes and Alpine adventures (not to mention a fine fondue) await. Direct flights from the U.S. to both Zurich and Geneva—and timely trains from either airport—make accessing the scenic mountain towns a breeze. A night in either city is a pleasure, one that makes the (often early-morning) return flight more manageable.

Zurich

Zurich is full of churches, cobblestone streets and chocolate shops—all of which contrast brilliantly with contemporary art gal- leries and the latest in technology and transportation. Book in for a night at the iconic Baur au Lac (bauraulac.ch) for old-world elegance on the shores of Lake Zurich. Enjoy a sumptuous meal at the two- Michelin-starred Pavillon or savor a traditional wiener schnitzel in the more casual Martin Brudnizki–designed brasserie Baur’s. Just at the edge of the city sits The Dolder Grand (thedoldergrand.com), a castle-like hideaway with 175 rooms and suites as well as a 43,000-square-foot Foster + Partners–designed spa. Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking and biking the trails around the lake or Käferberg and Greifensee—all with a gourmet picnic basket full of local cheeses and charcuterie in tow. Aesthetes will want to make time for the expansive Kunsthaus Zurich, which holds treasures from the 17th century as well as Alberto Giacometti sculptures and contemporary photography by Cindy Sherman