Swiss mountains, lakes and chocolate

Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity while staying in Bern but it doesn’t take a genius to see why Switzerland is such a draw for holidaymakers. Motorhomer John Rawlings and his family set off to explore the spectacular mountainscapes, tranquil lakes and charming towns.

During their one-week tour they enjoyed:

• Swimming in lakes and rivers
• A cable car ride up a mountain
• Cycling along river banks and through sunflower fields
• Shopping in traditional Swiss markets
• An adrenaline-fuelled zip-wire experience
• Exploring castles and museums

First stop, Solothurn...

Our first stop was near Solothurn, in the north-west of the country and about 35 minutes’ drive from Bern. On the banks of the River Aare, this attractive settlement is known as the ‘ambassador’s town’ and certainly has an air of sophistication.

Go to Camping Solothurn

At Camping Solothurn ­- about 20 minutes’ walk out of town - we were able to bathe in the river that skirts the site, as well as in the superb outdoor swimming complex next door. We loved it here and could easily have stayed a whole day.

Cycle along the river

We wanted to take advantage of the plentiful opportunities for hiking and cycling in the area so picked a child-friendly, 24km, circular bike route following the River Aare along the valley to Grenchen and back. We passed glorious fields of sunflowers and pedalled through the curious village of Altreu, famous for its white storks, mostly on car-free paths or quiet back roads.

A walk in the mountains

The following day we caught a bus to the Weissenstein mountain. The gondola ride to the top was breathtaking and it was fun to watch paragliders launching themselves off the hillside before we hiked back down through the woods.

Another day out involved a drive to the Balmberg Rope Park, a treetop woodland adventure park offering 10 courses feturing zip-wires and nerve-wracking sections where you walk on steel tightropes.

Next stop, Magnificent Morges

Our second campsite was Camping Morges on the banks of Lake Geneva. Leaving the motorhome on site, we strolled along the waterside into Morges to potter through the market and sat by the lake to watch the boats and take in views across to France.

Go to Morges

Morges’ 13th-century chateau is well worth a visit and houses three museums dedicated to the Vaud region – including one which plays host to an incredible collection of miniature figures (10,000 colourful little characters are meticulously placed in dioramas depicting everything from Egyptian court rituals to Swiss troops fighting for Napoleon).

Lausanne and Geneva

Lausanne is just a 20-minute drive around the lake. Seemingly blending ancient and modern, this elegant city is home to the International Olympic Committee, and sports lovers should race to the Olympic Museum near the waterfront. Geneva is a 45-minute drive south-west of Morges where you can experience Switzerland's legendary chocolate by visiting a ‘confiserie’ (confectioners) as well as checking out the Patek Philippe Museum which is home to more than five centuries of watchmaking history.

Our two-stop Swiss adventure was sadly far too fleeting – like the chocolate, though, our sojourn in this magical country had left a very sweet taste in the mouth.