"Chocolate Demonstration and Tasting at Chocolatier Durig Switzerland certainly doesn’t lack for world-class chocolate, and Durig Chocolatier continues the tradition with a focus on organic and fair-trade ingredients. At the chocolaterie in the French-speaking Swiss city of Lausanne, master chocolatier Dan Durig leads demonstrations of chocolate-making techniques and treats participants to samples of rare varieties. You’ll want to stock up on sweet souvenirs before you leave, but because no artificial additives, colorings, or flavorings are used, Durig chocolate is best enjoyed within three weeks of purchase. Sponsored by Swiss International Air Lines"

"Secluded Thermal Baths Whether after an adrenaline-fueled day on the slopes or a muscle-sapping climb, the Swiss know how to unwind in their luxurious spas. Les Bains de Lavey provides the warmest thermal baths in Switzerland and is equipped with saunas, Turkish baths, a revolving whirl pool and various options for massages. Its location, in the valley of Lavey just north of Martigny, encapsulates the feeling of solitude needed for just an occasion. Listen out for the underwater classical music!"

"First W Hotel in Switzerland Switzerland’s first W Hotel, in the village of Verbier, is a refreshing addition to the country’s luxury accommodations. Glass fireplaces make the rooms a modern retreat, and Spanish chef Sergi Arola collaborates with local farmers to create Swiss-style tapas. From $539. wverbier.com . This appeared in the January/February 2014 issue."

"It's a castle--it's a village--it's a cheese: Gruyère! Could there be a more glorious setting for a cheese's origin? These pastures surrounding a hilltop village (Gruyères) crowned with a castle (the Château de Gruyères), happy Swiss cows grazing with views of the Alps all around, producing the milk which, in time, arrives on grocery shelves as cheese around the world, stamped 'GRUYÈRE'...and there's a geometric garden in the castle's courtyard, too."

"A Tasting Tour of the Valais Vineyards Switzerland’s largest and oldest wine region (viticulture in this area dates back to the Roman Era) stretches fifty miles along the Rhône River in the canton of Valais. Plan an excursion along the Chemin du Vignoble, a meandering wine route leading through 24 idyllic Valais villages. Wines can be tasted without appointment at most vineyards along the way, and you’ll find over 50 grape varieties—many indigenous or regional specialties found nowhere else in the world. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the nuances of Swiss wine—only 1-2 percent of production is exported abroad. Sponsored by Swiss International Air Lines"

"Misplaced in Translation From Hebrew into Latin into Gothic stone: Moses sprouts horns in this entryway of Lausanne's Cathedral. Commanding a hill above Lake Geneva, this 12th-century jewel of Swiss architecture is not alone in depicting a doubly-protuberant prophet. Perhaps the most famous example is Michelangelo's sculpture in the Vatican. These curious statues stand as permanent reminders to language-learners everywhere: Be very careful when translating. The Hebrew original states that Moses' face "emitted rays (of light)" after coming down from Mt. Sinai; when translated into the Latin Vulgate in the 4th century, his face ended up "emitting horns." And so, through Medieval and Renaissance sculptors' hands, Moses gains a satyr's head. Oops."

"Alphorns and Apricots on a Sunday Morning One weekend during a summer study abroad in Switzerland , a fellow student and I decided to explore a different corner of the country. So we hopped on the train... It was a Sunday morning when we found ourselves in Martigny. We left the sleepy train station and soon found an excavated section of an old Roman road that used to lead up through the Alps and then down into Italy. As we walked along it, we found apricot trees, full of ripe fruit—there is nothing sweeter than an apricot warmed by the sun on a Swiss morning. Then we began hearing something. "Is that Alphorn-playing?” We couldn't help but think of the old Ricola commercials. So we followed the sound, walking and still eating apricots, and ended up finding a rehearsal by an alphorn band, practicing in the two-thousand-year-old ruins of a Roman amphitheater."

"Rye Bread With Its Own Appellation d’Origine Protégée It would be a sin to leave Valais without tasting the ubiquitous pain de seigle valaisan , a rye bread with its own AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée). The Verbier bakery Pâtisserie de la Poste makes one of the best versions. Grab a loaf and sit down with a coffee before hitting the slopes. The bread is often served with gooey raclette cheese and charcuterie. This appeared in the January/February 2014 issue."

"The vast wilderness of Glacier 3000 continues to beguile visitors year after year. While you can ski here, most take a snow cat or dog sled across the plateau, or hike to the precipices and look down on the surrounding area. Glacier 3000 is also home to the world’s highest rollercoaster, which hurtles around corners and dips drastically, imitating the sensation of freefalling toward the ice at heart-racing speeds."

"Timber Lodges: Chalet RoyAlp, Vaud, Switzerland A sleek, bustling hotel in the Vaud Alps, Chalet RoyAlp also honors traditional Swiss architecture with its fir walls and intricately carved balconies. The mountain railway adjacent to the chalet offers easy access to the slopes. Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, Villars-sur-Ollon, Vaud, Switzerland . 41/(0) 24-495-9090, royalp.ch . From $533. This appeared in the November/December 2010 issue."

"Expect to be transported back to medieval times during your visit to Château de Chillon. More than 1,000 years old, the beguiling castle has inspired many poetic greats, none more so than Lord Byron, whose poem The Prisoner of Chillon was based on François Bonivard’s imprisonment. Travel across Lake Geneva on a paddle steam boat to arrive at the castle and note that the Rivera Pass, offered by most hotels, grants you half-price admission. Once inside, pick up an audio guide (available in English) and explore everything from cobblestone courtyards and eerie dungeons to secret passageways and castle walls."

"Sprint against Usain Bolt at the Olympic Museum Ever wondered what it’s like to race alongside Usain Bolt? Switzerland’s Olympic Museum lets you to sprint against the fastest human on earth...well, his record time anyway. Fresh from a two-year renovation, the highly impressive museum in Lausanne takes you on a trip through the greatest games on earth. Impressive movies, an array of medals, torches and champion’s jerseys fill the multi-floored establishment. Among the highlights is a reaction test, race track, meditation chair, equipment from Olympic greats such as Michael Johnson, Chris Hoy and of course Usain Bolt. Entrance is a reasonable 18CHF (18 dollars) with an audio guide costing 5CHF. Afterwards, warm-down with a meander along the stunning Lake Geneva waterfront."