Around the Alps in 80 minutes? There’s no better way to enjoy the majesty of the Swiss Alps than from a hot air balloon, a fact confirmed by no less than 600 balloons for hire in Switzerland.

Switzerland is a great place for both cycle touring and (literally) mountain biking. There are no less than 53 marked regional routes to discover the best of your chosen region in a day, and plenty of cycle hire (and higher) shops too

The high cost of land in Switzerland means that there are only about 30 courses in the whole country. Yes, it’s expensive, but stop puttering around and play the courses at Geneva, Lucerne or Lausanne, with their superb settings.

Hike through spectacular scenery in the Chemin du Gruyère: The Swiss Chocolate and Cheese Trail, from Charmy, with sampling all the way. Detailed walking notes make the most of some indulgent snacking.

The lake offers more than 20 outdoor activities, including kayaking, paragliding, sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and bungee jumping. Should be called Lake Thunderously popular.

Zermatt is the place to be for walking and cycling, summer skiing and snowboarding. The local cable cars provide a unique way to see the vistas, and the cog railway to Gornergrat, offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn as it climbs to over 3000 metres.