"One of the highlights of any Swiss sojourn should be relaxing and rejuvenating at a luxurious spa, surrounded by the stunning Alps. At Peak Health in Saas-Fee, you can go one step further with a retreat to fully refresh your body. With help from experts in health science, guests learn how to make sustainable improvements in their lives, focusing on physical fitness, diet and nutrition, sleep quality, and mental wellness. Held at five-star resort The Capra, the program claims to leave participants with a new understanding of their bodily potential."

"To truly live the Alpine life in Germany, you must dine on authentic Bavarian fare surrounded by majestic mountains. Freihaus Brenner am Tegernsee offers your best chance to do so—with a five-star finish, to boot. Here, spectacular views over Lake Tegernsee complement exceptional food, which changes depending on the season. In summer, the outdoor patio teems with diners enjoyingfresh tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella with basil sorbet, or just-caught trout with lemon and parsley potatoes. Come winter, guests can tuck into wholesome fare like Bavarian sausage and glazed veal shankpaired withlocal draft beer."

"Few Alpine resorts satisfy shopaholics like glitzy Zermatt. Located at the base of the towering Matterhorn, the Swiss town boasts everything from top-notch jewelry stores to boutiques filled with world-class watches. For some of the best shopping, head to the bustling Bahnhofstrasse, where you’ll find stores with the finest outdoor gear for skiers, snowboarders, and climbers, as well as bakeries and chocolate shops hawking freshly made Swiss desserts."

"There’s no shortage of world-class restaurants in Switzerland but a few stand out for their exquisite culinary experience. With three Michelin stars to its name, Schauenstein Schloss is such a place. Housed in a tiny, renovated castle in Fürstenau, the restaurant serves beautifully crafted dishes, dreamed up by award-winning chef Andreas Caminada. Look forward to a vast wine selection, impeccable service, and signature courses like succulent Graubünden lamb and ravioli with lemon peel."

"There’s nothing quite as magical as a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy wonderland that is the Alps in winter. For the most romantic option, head to Salzburg and take a ride through the Salzach River Valley, past snow-topped Alpine chalets, quaint inns, and huge glaciers. Panorama Tours offers excellent December tours, during which guests snuggle beneath warm blankets before warming up with traditional Styrian cuisine in Ramsau."

"This champagne bar looks like a mirage as you're coming down the last stretch of the narrow Sunnega run back into Zermatt. A classic après-ski spot, it’s where the local instructors gather at day’s end. The Cuban-born bartender is always playing great music, from Bob Marley to Jack Johnson, while skiers stay warm with heat lamps, fur blankets, and, of course, multiple glasses of Veuve Clicquot."

"As one of Austria’s most prestigious Alpine resort towns, Kitzbühel has a reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous. However, you don’t have to be wealthy or well-known to enjoy winter here. Medieval Kitzbühel manages to balance its historic charm with a stylish, contemporary vibe. Base your stay at the Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel, which features a fancy bistro, luxurious spa, Alpine golf course, and views of the majestic Alps. When hunger strikes, head to Huberbräu-Stübel for Austrian classics like schnitzel and dumplings, or Jagastube at the Hotel Zur Tenne for strudel. Then, hit the town for some high-end shopping, or head to the slopes for incredible skiing."

"The most famous castle in Germany—and one of the best known in Europe—Neuschwanstein is renowned not just for its fairy-tale architecture (which directly inspired the Disney Castle) but also for its creator, “mad” King Ludwig II. Begun in 1868, it wasn’t completed until four years after Ludwig’s death, in 1892, but was very advanced for its time, with larger-than-usual windows, central heating, an elevator, telephones, and indoor plumbing. However, it’s the castle’s mountaintop setting and soaring towers that really impress. When visiting, be sure to check out the paintings inspired by the operas of Richard Wagner—Ludwig’s friend and the person to whom he dedicated the castle. Also take in the stellar views from the Marienbrücke, and if you want to visit in style, consider a horse-drawn carriage ride back to your car. There’s a restaurant on-site, but plenty of cheaper options are in the town below."