This Christmas in Europe itinerary includes some of the best holiday markets in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. From Christkindlmarkts in Nuremberg and Munich to Marche de Noel in the Alsace region of France, these are the most magical places to spend the holidays.

A Switzerland road trip is the best way to see tons of mountains, lakes and historic sites, and this Switzerland itinerary for 5 days in the country will help you plot your path. The agenda is fast-paced, full of big city sightseeing, quiet villages, stunning castles and scenic hikes.  

The most beautiful places in Switzerland are often hidden high in the mountains, tucked into quiet valleys or scattered along the shores of emerald lakes. From castles immortalized by poets to crystal clear streams, these are 11 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland.

Emerald Oeschinen lake is a hidden gem in the Swiss Alps, tucked away in the mountains above Kandersteg, Switzerland, but easily accessible by cable car. This Kandersteg to Oeschinensee Lake day trip guide will show you how to get there and what you can’t miss at Oeschinensee.

Swiss castles, Swiss lakes, Swiss Alps, and Swiss cheese — without a doubt, the four best parts of a vacation in Switzerland. What’s even better? Combining as many of these lovely ingredients as possible into one. The castles below fit the bill perfectly, most on sparkling turquoise lakes, all with Alps views and some even atop hills themselves.