‘I looked out on shimmering Lake Lucerne, the Bürgenstock cliffs and the Alps beyond’

Last week’s story about Switzerland provoked a stream of memories featuring snow, water, hospitality and epic landscapes

BRAVO, BENNO!

The snowfall had been colossal, but the famously efficient Swiss rail network took us safely from Zürich airport to the Engadine Valley. Alighting into a blizzard, we found there was no bus to take us up a steep hill to the village of Guarda, our base for a walking holiday. We phoned the hotel, more in hope than expectation, and Benno, the owner, came to rescue us in his 4x4.

Next day, because of the snowfall, all the walking paths were closed. No problem, said Benno, handing us (free) snowshoes and poles, then taking us on a tour across pristine slopes under azure skies. In Swiss fashion, the paths were open again within 24 hours and we had a wonderful week of walking. Gillian Locking, East Yorkshire

THE HILLS WERE ALIVE

Flims, in the “Weisse Arena” ski area, is transformed in summer. Cupped in the hands of the mountains, the valley basks, tilted to the sun. From the charming, hay-scented town centre, take the fast gondola. The hills really are alive with music: Sunday church services take place at the upper cablecar stations and you see folk with trombones and impressive drum sets.

Take the chair ride to Nagens, over flowering meadows, forests and lowing cows. Walk down to the Runca Höhe restaurant for a meal of mountain cheese and dried ham. The path leads on to Lake Cauma: soft meadows for lazy lounging, cobalt water silkily lapping, tempting shivery depths.

Liz Kolbeck, Manchester

MAGICAL MIST TOUR

We were in Geneva with just six hours to spare before boarding our flight home after a holiday on the French/ Swiss border. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, the humidity causing a grey mist to hang over the lake, hiding Mont Blanc.

To make full use of our limited time, we caught a sightseeing bus. At the Place des Nations, we saw the threelegged Broken Chair artwork, symbolising opposition to landmines. We glimpsed parks, monuments and designer fashion stores. Later, we ate at a waterside restaurant, the veil of mist dissipated and the sun appeared, allowing us a perfect view of Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau fountain. Margaret Reed, Wiltshire

ALL IS KULM, ALL IS RIGHT

I learnt to ski in Arosa, where my parents had booked into the Kulm hotel, right on the slopes. Later, in 1963, my fiancé chose a skiing honeymoon, but unable to afford the Kulm, we booked into a pension opposite.

On arrival, we learnt that, because of a booking error, our first night would be at the Kulm. Full of anticipation, we crossed the road and were shown to our room, an unprepossessing boxroom. Undaunted, I changed into my new pink trouser suit and, thinking I looked the bee’s knees, went down to dinner. The manager said: “We don’t allow trousers, you will have to change.” This I did – and dinner was delicious.

Since then, we have been able to afford a return visit and can report that the hotel has changed its dress code. Louise Boxhall, Devon

HOME FROM HOME

Our love affair with Switzerland began with a school trip to a beautiful mountain village in the Valais in 1961. We returned 10 years later, now married, for a holiday in Vevey, on Lake Geneva, having remembered how lovely it was there. We can still recall how warm it felt when we arrived in Zürich from a cold Glasgow.

We travelled by train to our hotel, arriving in time for a wonderful lunch (full board in those days). The food was delicious, and we were offered second helpings on most days. We later had many successful holidays around Lake Geneva, as there were so many wonderful places to visit, both by the lakeside and in the mountains.

When we retired, we bought a holiday home on the French side of Lake Geneva and enjoyed looking at glorious Switzerland from our balcony. Margaret Nicol, Perthshire

OUR GRAN TOUR

It was 1960 when I went on my first ever holiday abroad. My grandfather had set his heart on taking the whole family to Switzerland in memory of my grandmother, who had passed away having spent many happy times there.

So we set off, all 16 of us, travelling by road, cross-Channel ferry and train to Interlaken. Unfortunately, I was travel sick all the way – but this was a small price to pay. What new and amazing sights awaited us: flower-filled meadows, snowcapped mountains, glaciers, lakes and ratchet railways.

My indelible memories from that trip are of cuckoo clocks, cows, Alpine horns, chocolate and little bread rolls with black-cherry jam for breakfast – a real treat. It was an unforgettable experience all round, in the company of our beloved Grampy, plus my parents, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins. Kate Brown, Berkshire