Switzerland Archives - POD Travels

Adventure, Europe, Family, France, Switzerland, UK

Driving to Switzerland: An itinerary

Our family road trip to Switzerland was EPIC! We hiked to the most stunning lakes, took in the breathtaking scenery and felt like we were on top of the world. Not only that it was our first time camping (as a family) and the site we stayed at had the most spectacular mountain views whichever way we looked. Having breakfast while watching the mist rise from the peaks and the sun hit the valley was the best. But what about the journey there? It’s a few hundred kilometres from the UK so here’s how we managed driving to Switzerland with a child in tow.

Adventure, Europe, Family, Skiing, Switzerland

Family-friendly activities in the Swiss Alps

We relished our time in Switzerland and found plenty of family-friendly activities in the Valais region. During the summer months, there’s hiking, swimming and adventure parks on offer with the winter providing skiing, snow playgrounds and ice skating. More than enough to keep adventurous families occupied that’s for sure! Here’s a taste of the activities available in the Swiss Alps Valais region.

Adventure, Europe, Family, Switzerland

Discover the tallest gravity dam in the world

Built between 1951 and 1965, the Grande Dixence Dam in the Swiss Alps is the tallest gravity dam in the world with a width the equivalent of two football pitches. The dam retains a whopping 400 billion litres of water collected from 35 Valaisian glaciers in the area surrounding Zermatt and up to Val d’Hérens.

Adventure, Camping, Europe, Family, Switzerland

A family camping holiday in Switzerland

This summer we popped our camping cherry, staying at the most wonderful campsite in the Swiss Alps. The three of us are more than used to glamping but this was our first family outing pitching and staying in a tent. But it was an epic trip! We honestly couldn’t have stayed anywhere more idyllic and the Valais region exceeded all expectations.

Europe, Family, Off the beaten track, Switzerland

Lac d’Arbey with its views of Dent Blanche

Evolène, with its mountain peaks, is ideal for hikers. Located in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps, there are more than 250 kilometres of paths, 100 kilometres of cycle trails and spectacular alpine scenery including the magnificent Dent Blanche. For the more adventurous, there’s always Via Ferrata!

Adventure, Camping, Family, Switzerland

Camping Molignon, Les Haudères

We’ve been saying we must camping for ages but it was only recently we finally committed to sleeping beneath the canvas. JD and I camped as kids but since then it’s been all about the glamping – aside from the days we had in the Venezuelan jungle. We had the best time camping in Switzerland. Lots of you asked to see more of the beautiful Camping Molignon campsite so here it is!

Europe, Family, Off the beaten track, Switzerland

Hiking to Lac Bleu, Val d’Hérens

The sun-kissed Valais region in the Swiss Alps is ripe for exploration what with its lush countryside, snow-capped mountains and magnificent alpine lakes. It truly is a hikers paradise with more than 8,000 kilometres of marked trails. Our trek to the strikingly beautiful Lac Bleu of Arolla took us through the forest, which is home to red squirrels, marmosets and chamois (goat-like antelope) while offering the most breathtaking scenery.

Camping, Europe, Family, Switzerland

Vango Winslow 600 tent review

On the hunt for a good quality tent suitable for family camping trips and group weekends away? The Vango Winslow 600 could be exactly what you’re looking for if our first outing under the canvas is anything to go by. Find out how we got on when we camped out for the first time as a family in the Swiss Alps.

Adventure, Camping, Self catering, Switzerland

Planning our first family camping trip

We do love a summer road trip even if exploring for a full 6 weeks isn’t doable – we wish! We didn’t get our road trip fix last year although we did squeeze a lot of travel in with August spent showing POD Venice and exploring the Venetian islands before taking an activity break with Neilson Holidays in Sardinia. We really not having a summer road trip though so later this month we’re hitting the road again. This time, instead of taking the ferry, we’ve set our sights on driving from Calais to a campsite in Switzerland. Yes, we are embarking on our first ever family camping trip!!!

Adventure, Europe, Self catering, Skiing, Switzerland

Is Zermatt the best ski resort in Europe?

Zermatt is nestled in the shadow of the Matterhorn and the perfect destination for a fantastic ski holiday, on and off Piste. The town is 1,620 m (5,310 ft), and lies about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the over 10,800 ft (3,291.84 m) high Theodul Pass bordering Italy. With no cars allowed you can explore the snow covered streets with ease and drink in the atmosphere of this quintessentially Swiss resort.

Switzerland

Driving to Switzerland: An itinerary

Family-friendly activities in the Swiss Alps

Discover the tallest gravity dam in the world

A family camping holiday in Switzerland

Lac d’Arbey with its views of Dent Blanche

Camping Molignon, Les Haudères

Hiking to Lac Bleu, Val d’Hérens

Vango Winslow 600 tent review

Planning our first family camping trip

Is Zermatt the best ski resort in Europe?

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Lac d’Arbey with its views of Dent Blanche