Luxury hotel holidays to the Bernese Oberland

Luxury holidays to the Bernese Oberland: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to the Bernese Oberland encompasses jagged Alpine peaks, over 800 lakes, dense forests of evergreen trees, and the chiming cowbells and rustic lodges of authentic towns and villages. The Bernese Oberland certainly captures the best of the Swiss natural landscape and culture. A stay here as part of a rail touring holiday is suited to those who seek an active sports holiday spent climbing, hiking, kayaking, and windsurfing, as well as those looking for a relaxing opportunity to soak up the sublime panoramas from the terrace of a gourmet restaurant or from the edge of a pool. Nestled into the steep valleys dusted with rich green vegetation, are beautiful chocolate box villages that border the many serene lakes. Mystical grottos have been carved into the rock by centuries of melting and re-freezing ice. Twisting rivers and streams have etched out their pathways down the mountainsides, flowing tranquilly in places and turbulent in others. Some of our favourite places in the Bernese Oberland include: Interlaken, poised majestically on the thin stretch of land between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun; Wengen, a picturesque village clustered between sheer rock faces; and Grindelwald, a village overlooked by harsh snowy peaks, the famous Jungfrau, and the Gletscherschucht glacial gorge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Each makes an excellent base, and the choice depends on whether you value convenience, tranquillity or mountain views above all. Interlaken, on the flat land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is the region's transport hub, with frequent trains and lake steamers in every direction, and it suits those who would like to combine the lakes and the mountains; the grand Victoria-Jungfrau, which opened in 1865, and the Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage offer traditional five-star comfort, while Hotel du Nord is a smaller, central choice. Wengen is a car-free village on a sunny terrace above the Lauterbrunnen valley, reached only by cog railway, and is quiet, unhurried and close to the best walking; Hotel Silberhorn and Hotel Wengener Hof both enjoy fine views of the Jungfrau. Grindelwald, beneath the north face of the Eiger, is a larger and livelier mountain village with direct access to several lift systems, and the Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof is a characterful chalet-style hotel in the village. Many clients combine two bases, perhaps three nights in a mountain village followed by two by the lakes. We know these hotels individually and will help you choose the right combination for your interests.
For most visitors it is a highlight of a stay in the region, provided the weather is clear. The Jungfrau Railway, completed in 1912, climbs through a tunnel inside the Eiger and the Mönch to the Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest railway station in Europe. At the top, the Sphinx observation terrace looks over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps and the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there is an ice palace carved inside the glacier. The journey is now quicker than it once was: from Grindelwald, the Eiger Express gondola runs to the Eigergletscher station, where you join the railway, and the whole ascent takes under an hour. We recommend going early in the day, when the views are clearest and the crowds lightest, and checking the summit webcams before you set off, since the excursion is costly and a cloudy day shows very little. The altitude can cause breathlessness or a headache, so move slowly and drink plenty of water; anyone with a heart or breathing condition should seek medical advice first. A rewarding way to return is to stop at Kleine Scheidegg and walk part of the way down to Wengen or Grindelwald.
There are many, and several are less crowded and less costly while offering views just as fine. The Schynige Platte railway, a historic cog railway from Wilderswil, climbs to a high ridge with a botanical alpine garden of several hundred plant species and views over both lakes and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. From Grindelwald, the gondola to First leads to an easy walk of about an hour to the Bachalpsee, a small lake that reflects the peaks on a still morning. The cable car from Wengen or Grindelwald to the Männlichen gives one of the most extensive panoramas in the region and is the start of a gentle, largely level walk to Kleine Scheidegg. From the car-free village of Mürren, above the Lauterbrunnen valley, a cable car rises to the Schilthorn, with its revolving restaurant. In the valley itself, the Trümmelbach Falls, a series of glacial waterfalls thundering inside the mountain, are reached by a lift and illuminated tunnels. Closer to Interlaken, the funicular to Harder Kulm offers a view down over both lakes. Your hotel can advise each morning which excursion suits the weather best.
The two lakes on either side of Interlaken are quite different from the high mountains, and a day or two on the water balances a stay in the region well. Lake Thun is the larger and gentler of the two, with vineyards, villas and a string of castles along its shores: the medieval castle above the old town of Thun, the lakeside castle of Oberhofen with its gardens, and the castle and church at Spiez. Lake Brienz is narrower, deeper and wilder, its water a distinctive turquoise, and on its southern shore the historic Grandhotel Giessbach stands beside a series of waterfalls, reached by one of the oldest funiculars in Europe. Brienz is the centre of Swiss woodcarving, with a school and workshops, and nearby the Ballenberg open-air museum brings together more than a hundred historic farmhouses and buildings from across Switzerland, with traditional crafts demonstrated through the summer. Both lakes are served by a fleet of passenger boats, including historic paddle steamers, which link the villages and allow an unhurried day of exploration. In July and August, the Thunerseespiele festival presents a musical on an open-air stage beside Lake Thun. We can include boat travel in your plans, often covered by your rail pass.
It is one of the finest walking regions in the Alps, and the network of mountain railways and cable cars means that walkers of almost any ability can reach high, open country without a long climb. Paths are well maintained and clearly signed, with timings in hours rather than distances, and colour coding indicates their difficulty: yellow for easy walking paths, white-red-white for mountain trails that need sure footing. Among the most rewarding walks for most of our clients are the gentle route from the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau; the walk from First to the Bachalpsee; and the level path along the floor of the Lauterbrunnen valley, past waterfalls such as the Staubbach. Those who are fit and experienced might enjoy longer descents, such as from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen or Grindelwald, or the walk through the Lauterbrunnen valley up to Mürren. Our self-guided walking holiday, based in Grindelwald, comes with route notes and lift passes, and in winter we offer a self-guided snowshoe walking holiday. We will match routes to your fitness, and the hotel can always advise on conditions on the day.
Yes, and it is one of the most enjoyable ways to arrive. Our By Rail to the Bernese Oberland holiday travels from London on the Eurostar to Paris, then by high-speed train to Basel and on to Interlaken, reaching Grindelwald the same day. For those who prefer to fly, Zurich and Geneva are both well connected, with direct trains from Zurich airport and Bern to Interlaken. Within the region, getting around without a car is easy and in many places necessary: Wengen and Mürren are car-free, and a network of trains, cog railways, cable cars, buses and lake boats links every village. Swiss trains are punctual and comfortable, and we can arrange a rail pass, such as the Swiss Travel Pass or a regional pass for the Bernese Oberland, where it offers good value, as well as luggage forwarding between hotels so that you travel with only a day bag. The region also sits on some of Switzerland's great scenic rail routes: the GoldenPass route runs from Montreux on Lake Geneva through Interlaken to Lucerne, and several of our grand Swiss rail tours include it.
It depends on what you would like to do, as the region is rewarding in every season. From mid-June to mid-September, the high walking paths are generally clear of snow, the Alpine flowers are at their best in early summer and the lake steamers run their full timetable; this is the best time for walking and for mountain excursions, though July and August are the busiest months. September and early October are often settled and clear, with fewer visitors and autumn colour in the valleys. In late autumn and late spring, some lifts and hotels close for maintenance, so we will check before you book. Winter, from December to March, brings skiing, winter walking, snowshoeing and long sledge runs, such as the run from the Faulhorn down to Grindelwald, and in January the region hosts two classic World Cup ski races, at Adelboden and the Lauberhorn above Wengen. Alpine summer is also the season of the mountain dairies, when cheese is made on the high pastures; the Diemtigtal, in the west of the region, is known for its Alpine cheese, and many farms welcome visitors for tastings. Meiringen, at the eastern end, claims the invention of the meringue. We will advise on the right season for you.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to the Bernese Oberland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of the Bernese Oberland

As a place of incredible natural beauty and the birthplace of skiing, the Bernese Oberland is a destination with a host of possibility for active and cultural activity. Essential to any visit to this region is the Jungfraujoch glacier, known as the Top of Europe, accessible via the narrow cog railway (Jungfraubahnen) up to the Jungfraujoch train station, standing at 3,454m above sea level. The Peak Walk suspension bridge, crossing between two peaks above Glacier 3000, reaches a thrilling 107m long and affords walkers magnificent views of the Matterhorn, the Mont Blanc Massif, the Eiger, the Monch, and Jungfrau. We also recommend visiting the area around Grindelwald, from which it is easiest to board a rail trip to Jungfraujoch, to see the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe, and begin a hike or mountain walk through the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The adventure sports centre of Interlaken is perfect for lake swimming, boat cruises, hiking, biking, horse-riding, and water sports. One of the area's quirkier landmarks is the Big Pintenfritz, Europe's longest toboggan run, reaching 15km in length and descending a total of 1,631m.

Festivals in the Bernese Oberland

The festivals and celebrations in the Bernese Oberland tend to revolve around the prominence of winter sports, such as the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup in Adelboden and the International Lauberhorn ski races in January; yet, during the summer and autumn months, there are many more that celebrate Swiss culture and tradition. Unique in the winter months, however, is the Belle Epoque week in Kandersteg, when the Belle Epoque era is embodied in a series of sporting and social events. In July and August, the Lake Thun Festival brings the peaceful lakeside alive with musicals and productions from all over the continent. In October, the AlpKultur Festival in Lenk im Simmental pays homage to all aspects of the region's traditions for a period of two weeks, with an Alpine festival, Hornussen tournaments (a type of Swiss ball game), and a range of interactive workshops.

Gastronomy in the Bernese Oberland

Like much of Switzerland, cheese makes up a large part of the regional food production. The Diemtigtal, in the west of the Bernese Oberland, is the largest Alpine cheese-making area in Switzerland, and so is the optimum place to visit an authentic mountain dairy. Many farms will serve breakfast or lunch alongside a cheese-tasting, or allow visitors to watch the cheese as it is made. The organic dairy on the Schwarzenberg Alp in the Wiriehorn area is one such as this. The AlpKultur Festival in Lenk in Simmental offers visitors the opportunity to briefly live life as a mountain farmer: helping with milking, cheese-making, looking after the animals, visiting farmsteads, and sleeping in the Alps.

Bernese Oberland travel information

The Bernese Oberland is reached very easily from the UK by air and rail.

By air

Flights from the UK into Geneva or Zurich are regular, providing a quicker alternative for those who would like to spend their entire trip in Switzerland. From the Bernese Oberland, you are well placed to continue your tour into Saanenland, towards Bern, towards Lake Lucerne, or down into Ticino.

Rail travel

Due to the excellent rail service available in Switzerland, we always recommend navigating your tour, while in the country, by rail. Trains are known for being punctual and comfortable and offer an excellent way of viewing the sublime scenery as you pass. Many of the most picturesque villages and towns in Switzerland are also traffic-free, or have complex, winding roads as their only access-point by car; yet, you will find they almost unfailingly have a rail station. Many iconic rail journeys allow travel from the UK direct through France into Switzerland, which we have always found adds a new dimension to your trip.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to the Bernese Oberland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Bernese Oberland showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to the Bernese Oberland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

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GRAND HEART OF SWITZERLAND MOUNTAINS RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. An 11-night grand tour by train of Switzerland’s mountains including travel on three iconic scenic train journeys, the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line. Prices from £4,100 per person.
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GRAND LAKES OF SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 11-night grand touring holiday of the lakes of Switzerland by train, visiting Lakes Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich as well as lesser-known ones. Prices from £4,100 per person.
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THE GRAND, GRAND SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 15-night grandest of grand ultimate Swiss rail touring holiday visiting dramatic mountains and serene lakes of Switzerland, from Lake Geneva to Zermatt, Lugano to Lucerne, St Moritz and the Bernese Oberland. From £5,320 per person.
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BY RAIL TO THE BERNESE OBERLAND HOLIDAY

BY RAIL. 7-night rail holiday to the Swiss Bernese Oberland staying in Grindelwald with rail travel from London via Paris, Basel and Interlaken. Stay in one hotel and explore the Bernese Oberland in depth. Prices from £4,200 per person.
Alpine wooden houses with thick snow on roof at Grindelwald

BERNESE OBERLAND WINTER SNOWSHOE HOLIDAY

7-night winter, self-guided walking holiday for individuals in Grindelwald in the Swiss Bernese Oberland with travel by air and/or train. From £2,415 per person.
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WALKING HOLIDAY IN THE BERNESE OBERLAND

7-night self-guided walking holiday for individuals in Grindelwald in the Swiss Bernese Oberland with travel by air and/or train. From £3,025 per person.
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HOTEL DU NORD Interlaken

This is a 4-star boutique hotel in an excellent location in central Interlaken. Comfortable accommodation and easy access to the rail network make it a good choice for Interlaken.
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HOTEL SILBERHORN Wengen

This is a boutique 4-star hotel in a stunning natural location. Delicious cuisine, outstanding service, indulgent spa facilities and magnificent views afford guests a truly relaxing and restorative Alpine experience.
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HOTEL VICTORIA JUNGFRAU Interlaken

A grand, regal, 5-star hotel in the centre of Interlaken with 212 rooms and suites. Extensive spa facilities, fine dining with alpine sports nearby.
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HOTEL WENGENER HOF Wengen

This is a 4-star boutique hotel surrounded by beautiful grounds and natural views. Pampering saunas and delicious cuisine make it an ideal recuperate after exploring the Jungfrau and the valleys of the Bernese Oberland.

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LINDNER GRAND HOTEL BEAU RIVAGE Interlaken

This is a 5-star hotel in the centre of Interlaken. Excellent spa and wellness facilities, delicious cuisine and luxury accommodation make this an ideal base from which to enjoy the natural delights of the area.
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ROMANTIK HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF GRINDELWALD Grindelwald

This is a 5-star chalet-style hotel with an abundance of character and immense sense of privacy, perfect for couples or families travelling together. The style, ambience, service and cuisine offer a glimpse of authentic Swiss life.