Experience the best of Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen lies in the Bernese Oberland, in a steep-sided, U-shaped valley carved by a glacier, with sheer cliffs on both sides. Dozens of waterfalls pour from the rock walls, the best known being Staubbach Falls, which drops from a cliff beside the village. The valley lies at the edge of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage area, and its scenery is said to have inspired J. R. R. Tolkien's Rivendell.

Trümmelbach Falls, a series of glacier-fed cascades running inside the mountain, can be seen from walkways and a lift. A cogwheel train climbs to Wengen, and a cable car and rail line lead to Mürren, both villages without cars on terraces high above the valley, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Schilthorn summit has a revolving restaurant, and Interlaken, between two lakes, is a short train ride north.

Alpine dairy farms supply the cheese for fondue and raclette, and rösti, fried grated potato, is the staple side dish, with chocolate and meringues with cream for dessert. Cowbells ring in the meadows in summer, the waterfalls are strongest when the snow melts in early summer, and winter brings skiing around Wengen and Mürren.