Driving along the scenic northern shore of Lake Geneva, the picturesque resort town of Montreux is just over an hour from the campervan depot. The Alps rise sharply to the east of Montreux, framing the town as it stretches along the lake’s pristine shoreline.
Just off the shore sits the medieval island castle Château de Chillon, while the town itself is dotted with grand Belle Époque buildings and a modern casino.
The many towns that make up the ‘Swiss Riviera’ are well connected by local trains. Leave the campsite and head to Vevey, a charming small town that has long attracted artists and intellectuals from Charlie Chaplin to Lord Byron.
Treat yourself to an indulgent, Michelin-starred meal at the beautiful La Véranda to start your Switzerland road trip in style. Make sure you spend a full day in the nearby Lavaux wine region, with some 30 km of terraced vineyards running along the shores of Lake Geneva.
Nestled in the foothills of the Jura Mountains, Neuchâtel is arguably an undiscovered gem in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. We’re not sure why it isn’t on many travellers’ radar, but we’ll happily include it on this blissful Swiss road-trip itinerary.
Wander its medieval Old Town, dotted with pretty pastel mansions and numerous fountains, or indulge in some speciality shopping along its twinkling, modern boulevards.
If you’ve got at least a full day to explore, get your fill of historic architecture — like the Gothic Collégiale — and the impressive, varied collections at the Art & History Museum.
If you’ve got your sea legs, a sailing trip on Lake Neuchâtel is not to be missed. As the largest of all the Swiss lakes, it’s a firm favourite with sailors and boating enthusiasts. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the exciting Bol d’Or du Lac Neuchâtel regatta, held here every May.
Flick through any travel postcard rack and you’ll see photos of central Switzerland’s stunning Bernese-Oberland region. Settled between the bright blue waters of Lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the perfect base for exploring this area.
Speaking of postcards, your first stop on your road trip should be a visit to the fairy-tale Oberhofen Castle, with its dreamy turreted tower rising right out of Lake Thun.
If it’s an adventure you’re after, Interlaken’s incredible landscape makes it a popular spot for tandem paragliding. For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, a worthy alternative is the Harder Kulm viewpoint, accessible by funicular with panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and beyond.
Leave a day to explore the surrounding villages, many just a short drive from your campsite. Lauterbrunnen is a must, a pretty little Alpine village tucked into a green valley at the base of a gushing 300-metre waterfall. Talk about a real-life postcard.
Pulling into the medieval town of Gruyères, the first thing you might notice is a certain pungent smell wafting through your windows. The town is home to one of Switzerland’s most popular exports, the meltingly delicious Gruyère cheese.
Get your fill of the good stuff straight from the source. La Maison du Gruyère offers several tasty tours of its cheese-making facilities each day, along with a traditional cheese shop where you can stock up on treats to take home.
After all that fondue and chocolate, you might feel a bit over-indulged towards the end of your Switzerland road trip. Work off some of that excess with a refreshing walk around nearby Lake Montsalvens.
Starting in Charmey, the moderate circular route takes about three hours and offers stunning views of the Alpine scenery, the reservoir and dam. Best of all, the route finishes close to the luxurious Gruyère Baths — the perfect final stop on a blissful Swiss road trip itinerary.
