Interlaken, Switzerland

Among the lakes and peaks of Switzerland's Bernese Alps, Wanderlust digital editor Jessica Reid savours both the wild and quiet sides of Europe's adventure capital

- Marieke Egan

Highlights: The town of Interlaken and its surrounds provide the most idyllic backdrop for outdoor summer adventures. Whether sitting in Höhematte Park, glancing up at the snowdusted peaks and watching a continuous stream of paragliders float back to Earth, or travelling on a funicular up Harder Kulm - the top of Interlaken - to gaze across the placid waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz from its 1,322mhigh viewing platform, the Alpine scenery here will often leave you speechless.

Must see: Schynige Platte is a mountain ridge just south of Interlaken. What makes this viewpoint special is the 19th-century cogwheel train that trundles its slopes. It's one of the slowest locomotives in Switzerland, but also one of the most scenic, with red-and-mustard carriages that inch their way to the top. From there, botanical gardens and Alpine views await. You can opt for a short circular walk or continue on a six-hour hike across the peaks to First, where you can catch a gondola down to the town of Grindelwald.