Understated elegance in beautiful surroundings

Gstaad is a discreet and charming resort much favoured by the cream of European society. The summer season here is relaxed and unpressured. Nearby Chateau d'Oex is a major ballooning destination, and there are some superb walks in the gentle alpine surroundings. For mountain biking, why not try the tour around the Lauenensee lake – riding past rushing rivers and pasturing cows to the nature reserve area of the Lauenensee – a pure experience out in the middle of nature.

There are watersports to enjoy such as rafting and canyoning, or try your hand at building a log-raft. For less energetic pleasures, the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad is an international classical music festival, starting in mid-July and continuing through August. Or sample Gstaad’s restaurants, which have been awarded no fewer than 191 Gault Milau points in total. No other region has managed the feat of achieving such culinary competence with its top 13 restaurants. Of course there are also countless others...