switzerland tourism federer

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Roger Federer on His New Gig: Swiss Tourism Spokesman

In his new role, the tennis champion and avowed chocolate lover shares favorite places to hike, play tennis and eat in his home country.

By Dave Seminara

Roger Federer , the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion, recently became an unpaid spokesman for Switzerland Tourism. In a Zoom call from his home in Switzerland’s Graubünden canton, he explained why travelers should visit his country when it reopens.

Mr. Federer has had plenty of time to rediscover his own backyard during the pandemic, and reflect on how much his country means to him while he recovered from knee injury. (He will return to the ATP Tour in Geneva later this month.) During a 30-minute interview, he held court on his favorite hiking trails, some under-the-radar Swiss getaways and his love of Swiss chocolate, among other topics.

The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Many tennis players live in Monte Carlo for the tax benefits, but you’ve stayed in Switzerland. And now you’re promoting Swiss tourism. Why?

It’s good timing for me to do this now. I feel like I’ve always represented Switzerland and I’ve done my fair share to be an ambassador for the country. But for me to do it in an official mission is a nice thing to do. I feel like I had to be a bit older to do this, At around 40 years old, I’ve been to maybe 60 countries. I live in Switzerland now and I will continue to live in Switzerland.

I know tourism here very well; I know the restaurants and hotels here very well. And I know how everyone is hurting right now. It’s a good time for me to be able to step up to the plate and help the country as we’re hopefully going to open again soon.

On Switzerland’s tourism website, you’ve outlined some of your favorite hiking trails. Tell us about a few of those and also where you like to cycle.

I’ve been told there’s something like 65,000 kilometers of cycling trails in Switzerland. Hiking and cycling are the go-to things for everyone to do in Switzerland. Some of the most spectacular hiking trails I like are by Gstaad in the Bernese Alps. It’s not so brutally up and down, it’s more of an even slope, which is great for hiking.

The same goes for Appenzel l, which is a very nice place that is not so famous. It’s also where I always went hiking when I was a boy. When I was hurt in 2016, I spent a lot of time on the hiking trails in Gräubunden , where I live now. We have the Swiss National Park over there — that whole area is incredible for hiking. Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland has some amazing places, little valleys and canyons and such.

One of my goals when I retire is that I’ll have time to explore our mountain bike trails. Mountain biking has become really big in Switzerland, because we want to make the mountain regions year-round destinations.

Can you give us a few off-the-beaten-path recommendations?

We Swiss people go to the less famous places, just like Americans would in your country. But even we Swiss like to visit the classics, like the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, the Rhine, the Old Town of Bern . You can base yourself in one of the cities and take nice day trips into the mountains from almost anywhere. Even in Zurich or Geneva, you drive 20, 30 minutes max and you are in the countryside. That’s the beauty of Switzerland.

It’s also interesting because we have four separate languages here in Switzerland, which makes very different cultures. I’m from Basel and I have a Basel accent, but if you drive a half-hour away from there, the accent changes and the people are a bit different, too. I think the trails in Ticino are not as well known and they are very beautiful.

I love to walk through small villages where life is still normal. Small places where people are driving tractors and there is one baker, one church. The people in these places aren’t multitasking. They go about their days in a normal way. Someone shows up and they want to know, “Hey, what brought you here?” It’s very friendly, so you can always have a chat with people.

Tell us about some of the Swiss tennis clubs where visitors can have a great meal and play some tennis.

Tennis club life in Switzerland is important. This is how I grew up. There are many scenic places where you can play tennis in Switzerland. Tennis Club Geneva , where the Geneva Open tournament is played is very beautiful. Tennis Club de Genève Eaux-Vives is also really nice. The clubs in Basel where I played growing up in the Interclub competition are quite nice.

There was a boom building tennis clubs when I was growing up, so every second village has its own club. We have to protect this tennis culture we have. The restaurants at the tennis clubs are very important. A lot of the clubs where I’ve played, they have really good chefs, really good service and very high quality. People spent a lot of their time at the clubs, so the food has to be good and it’s usually at a good price, too.

When you come back to Switzerland from abroad, what are the Swiss dishes or treats you crave? And if that includes chocolate, are you more of a milk chocolate guy or a dark chocolate guy?

I mean, chocolate, hello, you have to love chocolate if you’re Swiss. I used to be white, then I was milk, and now I even like going dark. I like it all. Then I like the Bündner Nusstorte , which is like a nut tart from the region of Graubünden. That’s beautiful. And then, of course, there’s rösti , a potato fritter dish. We have a dish called Zürcher Geschnetzeltes that’s like minced meat with a mushroom sauce , and I love to eat cordon bleu — that’s beautiful, too.

Play the role of travel agent for us. Where should we go if we have a week or two in your country?

Fly into Zurich or Geneva and go from there. In the summer, I think you would want to visit Lucerne and Interlaken and maybe visit the Jungfrau , Basel, Zurich, Bern, the capital — its inner city is also really beautiful. We also have some incredible museums in Switzerland. The Fondation Beyeler art museum is great. I grew up visiting the Tinguely Museum , which is very interesting.

In Lucerne, there is the Swiss Museum of Transport , which is still my favorite place to take my children. It’s a wonderful place where you can see old trams, trains, planes, cars, bikes, you name it.

Of course, we also have a huge festival culture in Switzerland. There’s fasnacht, a Lenten carnival in Basel, in March, and we have all these jazz and film festivals. The summer music festivals in Switzerland are incredible, actually, though I don’t think they’ll happen this year. The Montreaux Jazz Festival is maybe the most famous, but there are many smaller ones as well. There’s one in Lucerne , there’s one in the Alps as well. The atmosphere here in the summer when everyone can be outside is amazing.

Dave Seminara is the author of “Footsteps of Federer: A Fan’s Pilgrimage Across 7 Swiss Cantons in 10 Acts.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

Inside the World of Sports

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping professional, collegiate and amateur athletics..

What We Saw at Augusta: Golf enthusiasts regard a trip to the Masters as the stuff of dreams. Here are photos from this year’s tournament .

A Dizzying 3 Weeks: At times, Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s biggest star, seemed in danger of being tainted by a gambling scandal , before his longtime interpreter was charged with fraud.

A Soccer Team With Free Matches: When Paris F.C. made its tickets free, it began an experiment into the connection between fans and teams , and posed a question about the value of big crowds to televised sports.

Minor League Baseball’s Real Estate: The fight over a new stadium for the Eugene Emeralds  highlights a wider challenge for cheaper alternatives to big-league live sports.

New York’s Favorite Soccer Team: Some people splurge on vacations, fancy shoes and motorcycles. A group of dozens of friends, neighbors and co-workers decided to try something better (or maybe worse): They bought a middling soccer team in Denmark .

Here Comes Padel: The sport is played with a racket on a court with a net, but watch out for those bouncing shots from the back wall. Reporters take a look at the padel scene in New York City .

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts
• Video description

Roger Federer and Trevor Noah on why you should visit Switzerland | FT Globetrotter

Roger Federer reunites with friend and comedian Trevor Noah to give an exclusive interview to the FT on the set of the tennis great's latest film for Switzerland Tourism, in which they share advice on visiting the country, from Appenzell to Zurich, via cold-water swimming, train travel and skiing the Matterhorn — or not. Interview by Niki Blasina. Produced and edited by Richard Topping

• Share on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)
• Share on Facebook (link opens in a new browser window)
• Share on LinkedIn (link opens in a new browser window)
• Share on WhatsApp (link opens in a new browser window)

You can enable subtitles (captions) in the video player

Naturally, I've always represented Switzerland because next to my name has always been the Swiss flag. I just felt like with age and at the right time, maybe also with the pandemic and everything, it was the right time to jump into more of an official role.

Switzerland has always been a part of my life. My father's Swiss, so I always wanted to come to the country. Because I never did comedy in Switzerland I guess I never got around to it and then came to Switzerland for the first time in the summer, and it was absolutely stunning. Roger came out to the show in Zurich. He was actually my tour guide in Zurich, which was... I was like, wow, this guy really takes the Swiss tourism gig seriously.

I'd say you probably have to go to Uetliberg, which is sort of just a hill on the side here. It's a nice walk. You should go for a swim in the lake, summer and winter potentially. I'm not so much the winter swimmer, you know what I mean? It's not really my thing. There's some good international museums here as well that you can visit. And then I just think walking around the famous Bahnhof Strasse, do some shopping, and going maybe to the Old Town as well a little bit. And then honestly, you drive with a tram or a bus or with a car for 10, 15 minutes, and you're in beautiful countryside.

Hey, Bob, how are you doing?

Hey, Roger, how are you?

Just relaxing in the Swiss Alps. Take a look.

Wow. Wow, Roger.

It's been great fun doing the commercial shoots with Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, and now with Trevor. It's been wonderful. Doing this commercial shoot today with Trevor really brought me back to my childhood a little bit because I was always on trains, and I remember leaving home, looking out of the window, and seeing the trees and the fields go by, and thinking, will I be a good tennis player? Will I not? Will I win? Will I not?

There were a few moments where the train actually almost did take off with us. And we were laughing, saying, would that become the meta joke? Does that become the joke in the joke? They weren't even going to hold it for us. We were like, we're making an ad. And then they were like, yeah, and the train has a schedule.

So when I was younger, I was in the train all the time, or tram, or bus for that matter. I always think it's a great way to discover a new city, a new country because you've got to think about where you're going, and you've got to plan a little bit, whereas if you get in a car and you just listen to the navigation system, you don't actually pay attention so much where you go. And obviously flying, it's even crazier.

I also think Switzerland has some of the most picturesque landscapes that you can imagine. And because it seems so small, you don't think you can go anywhere. That's actually what becomes its advantage is you can just bounce around.

I'm a comedian, Roger.

In Switzerland, I would love to go to Tezino, the Italian speaking part. I don't know it that well. Even where I have my house in the mountains, it's the biggest Canton of the country in Graubunden. And I feel like there is so many nice little spots I still need to go to. Obviously, hopefully, I can do it as well with my children. I've taken them on some monster hikes, we call them in the family.

And yeah, I remember when I came down, my knees were shaking because I was actually rehabbing back in '16 and '17, and I was not ready for such a huge hike. And I underestimated the hike. And as I was coming down, we were all like, oh my God, this was too far.

Here in Switzerland, you take your backpack. You take your sausage. You make your fire. Then you grill the sausage. And it's a total cultural thing. And it's so much fun. But you've got to be a little bit ahead with planning, which route you're going to take. And sometimes I made the mistake of not doing that. And then you get caught in the rain or in some winds. I'm a big foodie. I love my food. For me, it's the getaway sometimes in the evenings with some friends and family and just get out and have a lovely meal.

There's like a thing that I always used to love eating I had the last time I was here as well. Is called like Rosti?

Yeah, Rosti, big time. I was hoping you were going to say Rosti.

Yeah, that's easily my favourite. There's a spot a few blocks from Bahnhof Castle on the other side of the river. There's a really nice spot that sells...

Yeah, some rosti.

There are different ways.

Yeah, and there's different styles of it.

With the egg on top.

But that's easily, easily, easily my favourite Swiss cuisine.

It's a bit heavy, I know. But it tastes the better.

Every time I talk to Roger, he'll always brag about skiing. And he'll always be like, I'm skiing. What are you doing in life, Trevor? Nothing.

Come on, I saw you river rafting.

I can't ski. I've tried it once in South Africa. But we only had enough snow for you to maybe ski and then hit the ground. So I want to come back and try that. I am not an outdoorsy person at all. I think my mum told me to go inside because she was outside and she wanted the peace and quiet.

So as I've gotten older, I've spent a little more time outdoors. And then I promised him I'd keep playing tennis because I learned to play with him. So that'll keep me outdoors here and there. But now, the next step is skiing. And my dream is to ski from the top of the mountain that was always on the Toblerone chocolates.

Yeah. That's my goal.

The Matterhorn.

It's my two dreams coming together.

You know you can't ski down from that, from the top?

That's my dream, Roger. Don't worry about my dreams.

Use the paraglider with you.

You take me there, and I'm going to make it happen. That's all I know.

International Edition

Roger Federer teams up with Switzerland Tourism

March 29, 2021 -- After years of positively representing Switzerland through his sporting excellence and friendly, down-to-earth manner, Roger Federer has now become an official brand ambassador for the destination of Switzerland. He’s entering into a long-term cooperation with the Swiss national tourism board, Switzerland Tourism (ST). The common goal: attracting guests to visit Switzerland with its energizing nature. 

Roger Federer and Switzerland Tourism (ST) will together develop initiatives to promote Switzerland globally. The support is much needed at this time, emerging from the biggest tourism crisis since the Second World War. Nobody is more equipped to do so than this iconic personality wearing the Swiss Flag, officials at ST are convinced. “This is a perfect match, because Switzerland and its unblemished nature have clearly contributed to Roger’s unprecedented career” explains ST’s CEO, Martin Nydegger. "I have always felt, whenever I step on the court, I am representing Switzerland. Whenever it says my name, there is a Swiss flag next to it. I have been very proud to do that for the first 22 years I have been on tour, and it will always be like that. To join forces with ST now is a logical step for me” says Roger Federer in a conversation with Nydegger. Both are excited to start this long-term partnership.

Energized by Swiss nature

Communication activities will begin throughout the month of April with a focus on European cities followed by the USA and Asia Pacific. A series of visuals and short clips will showcase Roger Federer being energized by Swiss nature. On MySwitzerland.com, guests will be able to discover Switzerland through Roger’s eyes. He presents his preferred places, Swiss highlights as well as hidden gems. “I have been all over the world. My favourite place has always remained Switzerland. It’s the country I miss the most, when I’m travelling” confesses Federer.

The stage is set

“Switzerland Tourism and Roger Federer share countless values. Establishing this partnership is a unique opportunity and of great importance to us. Making a difference while recovering from the challenges of the past months and beyond will be a journey with numerous highlights," emphasizes Nydegger. Roger Federer is highly motivated to support his home country, and he will do it for a charitable cause. The compensation for his appearances as new ambassador for ST goes to the Roger Federer Foundation supporting disadvantaged children in Switzerland. The stage is set – Switzerland Tourism and Roger are ready to officially become partners.

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

Roger Federer teams up with Robert DeNiro in a new Switzerland Tourism campaign

By Meredith Carey

Here's a pairing we didn't see coming: Robert DeNiro and Roger Federer. Ask the Swiss tennis star, recently named the new brand ambassador for Switzerland Tourism, and he'd say the same. 'I am a huge fan of his so I couldn't believe he said yes to the campaign,' says Federer, who calls up the Hollywood actor in a new advert spotlighting Switzerland's spectacular beauty.

The short film, which premieres exclusively across editions of Condé Nast Traveller worldwide today, features the unlikely duo, split between New York City and Zermatt , with a guest appearance from the towering Matterhorn.

To Federer, who has long been an outspoken advocate for his home country, Switzerland is an obvious choice for post-pandemic trips. For one, you can enjoy most of the country in a week or so. 'Usually when you go to Australia or America , you need at least a few weeks to visit, and you always have to go back many, many times,' he says. 'Give it a good week or two here, and you're gonna get a really good idea about Switzerland as a whole. You get to see the four different languages, the four different cultures, and how different every place is from the other – and you're only driving maybe an hour between [each place].'

And the outdoors is where Switzerland shines, Federer says, reminiscing about summer hikes near his home in Graubünden and beyond. We caught up with him to hear all about his Swiss must-sees, the villages he wants families to visit with their kids, and the incredible view from the Zermatt villa featured in his advert with DeNiro.

The EU recently announced it’ll likely be opening up to Americans this summer, Switzerland included. What are your favourite underrated summer spots?

I think a lot of people underestimate the mountains as a good place to go [in the summer]. I live in the mountains so I love the summer as much as I love the winters, because we have [something like] 40,000 miles of hiking trails in Switzerland and it's also amazing for biking.

We're also very proud of our lakes and rivers. I think Ticino, the Italian-speaking part, lends itself very well to a beautiful summer trip. A lot of people from the Swiss-German part travel down to the Italian-speaking part because it's really a hidden gem. People know about it here in Switzerland, but not on a worldwide level.

I once heard a rumour – I don't know if it's true – that wherever you stand in Switzerland, you’re within 10 minutes of a lake, so there is always a place where you can cool off or take a dip. Lake Lucerne is beautiful, and it’s probably overall my favourite bigger lake in Switzerland. And Bodensee, which is Lake Constance, in the north, where my wife actually grew up, has some beautiful spots. And then of course, some of my favourites are mountain lakes, which are obviously very cold but they are so beautiful to look at. Those are the ones that get put on postcards. I could rave about hiking and mountains a lot, but I really think our little cities are incredibly cute. People underestimate how easy and accessible they all are. Visiting Swiss cities is always a joy as well.

Are there family-friendly Swiss cities you like to visit with your kids?

The good thing about travelling to Switzerland with children [is that] it won't get boring. You have a bit of everything. I live outside Zurich , which is the biggest city in Switzerland, and if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle, you can drive 15 minutes and you're in the countryside. We have great museums and we have great food as well, and our big cities are not that big, so walking around doesn't destroy you by the end of the day.

If I was a tourist coming to Switzerland with kids, I also would want to experience the villages, which are incredibly cute. You have the fountain here, the one little bakery there, the church here, and then you have a couple of farmhouses here and there, and you can just walk through it all in five minutes. In the summer, you should really go to the Bernese villages such as Gstaad or Appenzell, which is in the north near Liechtenstein and Austria. It seems like the clock has stood still.

You just mentioned food – what is one Swiss dish that you think people are missing out on?

I always love coming back to Switzerland because I miss its food. Of course I love the Italian and the Mexican and the Peruvian foods. You name it, I love it. But there's nothing like Swiss food. For me, it’s all about the fondue and the raclette. I also love basler läckerli , from Basel, my hometown, and rösti with cordon bleu. Oh, and the dried meat is also very iconic – the bündnerfleisch is so great.

As the new ambassador for Switzerland Tourism, you filmed a short ad and called Robert DeNiro from a stunning villa with a view of the Matterhorn – can you spill on where that was?

That was in Zermatt. I actually had not been to Zermatt since I was 16 or 17, when I played a tennis tournament there in the summer. I've always wanted to go back. Swiss Tourism reached out to me about the film and said, We would like to shoot in Zermatt. So I brought my kids and took two days off with my family [after the shoot]. We had the best weather, as you can see in the advert, and we did all of the trains and took the gondolas to top of the mountains, and did [dog sledding] with huskies. It's so iconic. You just keep on looking up at the Matterhorn, going, ah, this is just so good.

You’re making a pretty good case for Switzerland, but in your own travels, is there anywhere – particularly in the UK – that you’re hoping to check off your bucket list soon?

Everybody knows London is the go-to place, but across the UK, I would love to go to Scotland . Not because of Andy Murray, per se – but, of course, if he's around, I’ll go and say hi. With all its castles and the Highlands and that vast nature, it’s a place I would love to visit. It's a bit wet, but that’s fine with me.

Like this? Now read:

Zürich, Switzerland - things to do

By Steve King

The best hotels in Switzerland

By Rosalyn Wikeley

The Swiss Alps in the summer

Advertising

Roger federer, trevor noah collab on youtube film for switzerland tourism, darwin blanch, 16, has hilarious reaction to drawing rafael nadal at mutua madrid open, simona halep says her body 'needs a little more time to be ready' before more tournament play, 'got any tips': novak djokovic jokes with world's newest tennis star, matthew mcconaughey, carlos alcaraz, paula badosa lead tributes to retiring garbiñe muguruza, maria sharapova, venus williams among stars who honor science achievement at breakthrough prize ceremony, andy murray returns to practice court after confirming he won't have surgery for ankle injury, “lucky charm” ons jabeur snaps five-match losing streak in stuttgart, mikael ymer changes his mind on return to tennis amid anti-doping ban: "retirement was boring", ashleigh barty and baby hayden go on a bjk cup date in brisbane, watch (with tissues): roger federer's farewell speech at laver cup.

Roger Federer is taking part in a docufilm, together with Trevor Noah, that promotes Switzerland to increase tourism in the country. 🇨🇭 "The Ride of a Lifetime" is releasing on March 30th. pic.twitter.com/fU67Swit7H — Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) March 27, 2023

Many travelers and Commuters at Zurich HB were quite astonished. Two international mega stars suddenly stood out from the normal rail traffic at Zurich's main station on Wednesday. Roger Federer and Trevor Noah were on hand, surrounded by a large film crew 🇨🇭🚆🤩 pic.twitter.com/n5Gi7Vxqi6 — hanay (@hanaycp) January 11, 2023

Roger and Trevor Noah shot a commercial at Zurich train station today 📽️ #federer pic.twitter.com/3Fxp4G5USt — danielle (@dm_mauron) January 11, 2023

bro i randomly bumped into roger federer and trevor noah shooting a commercial at the train station today💀 pic.twitter.com/RnRz1LOJQ7 — #LM8🇨🇭 (@barcal899) January 11, 2023

Roger Federer and Trevor Noah's stunt doubles😉😍🎥🎬 pic.twitter.com/AbymRC331G — Dinora♥RF 🐐 (@norinchi_df) January 12, 2023

Roger Federer’s guide to what to do and see in Switzerland

The tennis champion, now a tourism ambassador, shares some off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

Roger Federer is now an unpaid spokesman for Switzerland Tourism. Photograph: Roger Federer

Roger Federer, the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam tennis champion, recently became an unpaid spokesman for Switzerland Tourism. In a Zoom call from his home in Switzerland's Graubünden canton, he explains why travellers should visit his country when it reopens.

Federer has had plenty of time to rediscover his own backyard during the pandemic, and reflect on how much his country means to him while he recovered from a knee injury. (He will return to the ATP Tour in Geneva this month.) Here he holds court on his favourite hiking trails, some under-the-radar Swiss getaways and his love of Swiss chocolate, among other topics.

Many tennis players live in Monte Carlo for the tax benefits, but you've stayed in Switzerland. And now you're promoting Swiss tourism. Why? It's good timing for me to do this now. I feel like I've always represented Switzerland and I've done my fair share to be an ambassador for the country. But for me to do it in an official mission is a nice thing to do. I feel like I had to be a bit older to do this. At around 40 years old, I've been to maybe 60 countries. I live in Switzerland now and I will continue to live in Switzerland. I know tourism here very well; I know the restaurants and hotels here very well. And I know how everyone is hurting right now. It's a good time for me to be able to step up to the plate and help the country as we're hopefully going to open again soon.

On Switzerland's tourism website, you've outlined some of your favourite hiking trails. Tell us about a few of those and also where you like to cycle. I've been told there's something like 65,000km of cycling trails in Switzerland. Hiking and cycling are the go-to things for everyone to do in Switzerland. Some of the most spectacular hiking trails I like are by Gstaad in the Bernese Alps. It's not so brutally up and down, it's more of an even slope, which is great for hiking.

Travel News: The latest deals, events and happenings in Irish travel

Numbers booking hotels and flights rose last month, data shows

From Donegal to Cork: New tourist spots to visit in Ireland this year

The same goes for Appenzell, which is a very nice place that is not so famous. It's also where I always went hiking when I was a boy. When I was hurt in 2016, I spent a lot of time on the hiking trails in Graubünden, where I live now. We have the Swiss National Park over there – that whole area is incredible for hiking. Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, has some amazing places, little valleys and canyons and such.

One of my goals when I retire is that I’ll have time to explore our mountain-bike trails. Mountain biking has become really big in Switzerland, because we want to make the mountain regions year-round destinations.

Can you give us a few off-the-beaten-path recommendations? We Swiss people [often] go to the less famous places... but even we Swiss like to visit the classics, like the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, the Rhine, the Old Town of Bern. You can base yourself in one of the cities and take nice day trips into the mountains from almost anywhere. Even in Zurich or Geneva, you drive 20, 30 minutes max and you are in the countryside. That's the beauty of Switzerland.

It's also interesting because we have four separate languages here in Switzerland, which makes very different cultures. I'm from Basel and I have a Basel accent, but if you drive a half-hour away from there, the accent changes and the people are a bit different, too. I think the trails in Ticino are not as well known, and they are very beautiful.

I love to walk through small villages where life is still normal. Small places where people are driving tractors and there is one baker, one church. The people in these places aren’t multitasking. They go about their days in a normal way. Someone shows up and they want to know, “Hey, what brought you here?” It’s very friendly, so you can always have a chat with people.

Tell us about some of the Swiss tennis clubs where visitors can have a great meal and play some tennis. Tennis club life in Switzerland is important. This is how I grew up. There are many scenic places where you can play tennis in Switzerland. Tennis Club Geneva, where the Geneva Open tournament is played, is very beautiful. Tennis Club de Geneve Eaux-Vives is also really nice. The clubs in Basel where I played growing up in the Interclub competition are quite nice.

There was a boom building tennis clubs when I was growing up, so every second village has its own club. We have to protect this tennis culture we have. The restaurants at the tennis clubs are very important. A lot of the clubs where I’ve played, they have really good chefs, really good service and very high quality. People spent a lot of their time at the clubs, so the food has to be good and it’s usually at a good price, too.

Roger Federer: ‘Hiking and cycling are the go-to things for everyone to do in Switzerland.’ Photograph: Roger Federer

When you come back to Switzerland from abroad, what are the Swiss dishes or treats you crave? And if that includes chocolate, are you more of a milk-chocolate guy or a dark-chocolate guy? I mean, chocolate, hello, you have to love chocolate if you're Swiss. I used to be white, then I was milk, and now I even like going dark. I like it all. Then I like the Bündner Nusstorte, which is like a nut tart from the region of Graubünden. That's beautiful. And then, of course, there's rosti, a potato-fritter dish. We have a dish called Zürcher Geschnetzeltes that's like minced meat with a mushroom sauce, and I love to eat cordon bleu – that's beautiful, too.

Play the role of travel agent for us. Where should we go if we have a week or two in your country? Fly into Zurich or Geneva and go from there. In the summer, I think you would want to visit Lucerne and Interlaken and maybe visit the Jungfrau, Basel, Zurich, Bern, the capital – its inner city is also really beautiful. We also have some incredible museums in Switzerland. The Fondation Beyeler art museum is great. I grew up visiting the Tinguely Museum, which is very interesting.

In Lucerne, there is the Swiss Museum of Transport, which is still my favourite place to take my children. It’s a wonderful place where you can see old trams, trains, planes, cars, bikes, you name it. Of course, we also have a huge festival culture in Switzerland. There’s Fasnacht, a Lenten carnival in Basel, in March, and we have all these jazz and film festivals. The summer music festivals in Switzerland are incredible, actually, though I don’t think they’ll happen this year. The Montreux Jazz Festival is maybe the most famous, but there are many smaller ones as well. There’s one in Lucerne, there’s one in the Alps as well. The atmosphere here in the summer when everyone can be outside is amazing. – New York Times

Ireland’s favourite beach resorts: where to eat and what to do there

A new way to visit the aran islands and date nights in dublin, how long will it take to renew my expired passport, ‘we all loved working for jwt. it was a special place that dealt in dreams and sunshine’, spain to welcome tourists with covid certificates from june, q&a: what’s happened to joe walsh tours, and how do i get my money back, q&a: what are the chances of being able to holiday abroad this summer, in this section, birding and beyond: the marvellous mystique of the basque country, ‘america is nuts about guns … experiencing it for real is different’, ‘the future of the canary islands is hanging by a thread’ – why spain is falling out of love with tourists, the best places to visit around ireland on a daytrip, soaking up the mersey beat on a trip to liverpool, where music seeps from every corner, woman has €2.7m of €3m debt written off for just over €1,300, dutch academic fired by ucc after struggling to find housing awarded €300,000, baby reindeer’s richard gadd on the true story behind the show: ‘people are afraid to admit they made mistakes’, ‘when our last embryo failed, the clinic told us there was nothing more they could do for us’, juror’s toothache bites into trump hush money trial, latest stories, stardust state apology: ‘we failed you when you needed us the most’ - taoiseach simon harris tells dáil.

Tony Felloni, notorious Dublin heroin dealer, dies suddenly aged 81

Brianna Parkins: Taylor Swift isn’t the first to monetise her heartbreak. Here are five of the best examples

Google appoints Vanessa Hartley as new head of Irish business

Tactical breakdown: Clare’s wide open spaces a stark contrast to Limerick solidity

Aoife Johnston inquest: Limerick hospital was ‘not a safe environment’ for patients on night teen died

Garda lost toe in Dublin riots due to unsuitable boots, conference hears

80% of asylum applications to be processed ‘within three months’ under new EU rules

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

Europe Chevron

Switzerland Chevron

Roger Federer Teams up with Robert DeNiro in a New Switzerland Tourism Campaign 

By Meredith Carey

Here's a pairing we didn't see coming: Robert DeNiro and Roger Federer . Ask the Swiss tennis star, recently named the new brand ambassador for Switzerland Tourism , and he'd say the same. “I am a huge fan of his so I couldn't believe he said yes to the campaign,” says Federer, who calls up the Hollywood actor in a new commercial spotlighting Switzerland's spectacular beauty. 

The short film, which premieres exclusively across editions of Condé Nast Traveler worldwide today, features the unlikely duo, split between New York City and Zermatt, with a guest appearance from the towering Matterhorn. 

To Federer, who has long been an outspoken advocate for his home country, Switzerland is an obvious choice for post-pandemic trips. For one, you can enjoy most of the country in a week or so. “Usually when you go to Australia or … America, you need at least a few weeks to visit, and you always have to go back many, many times,” he says. “Give it a good week or two here, and you're gonna get a really good idea about Switzerland as a whole. You get to see the four different languages, the four different cultures, and how different every place varies from the other—and you're only driving maybe an hour between [each place].”

And the outdoors are where Switzerland shines, Federer says, reminiscing on summer hikes near his home in Graubünden and beyond. We caught up with him to hear all about his Swiss must-sees, the villages he wants families to visit with their kids, and the incredible view from the Zermatt villa featured in his commercial with DeNiro. 

The E.U. recently announced it’ll likely be opening up to Americans this summer, Switzerland included. What are your favorite underrated summer spots?

I think a lot of people underestimate the mountains as a good place to go [in the summer]. I live in the mountains so I love the summer as much as I love the winters, because we have [something like] 65,000 kilometers of hiking trails in Switzerland and it's also amazing for biking.

We're also very proud of our lakes and rivers. I think Ticino, the Italian-speaking part, lends itself very well for a beautiful summer trip. A lot of people from the Swiss-German part travel down to the Italian-speaking part because it's really a hidden gem. People know about it here in Switzerland, but not on a worldwide level.

I once heard a rumor—I don't know if it's true—that wherever you stand in Switzerland, you’re within 10 minutes of a lake, so there is always a place where you can cool off or take a dip. Lake Lucerne is beautiful, and it’s probably overall my favorite bigger lake in Switzerland. And Bodensee, which is Lake Constance , in the north, where my wife actually grew up, has some beautiful spots. And then of course, some of my favorites are mountain lakes, which are obviously very cold but they are so beautiful to look at. Those are the ones that get put on postcards. I could rave about hiking and mountains a lot, but I really think our little cities are incredibly cute. People underestimate how easy and accessible they all are. Visiting Swiss cities is always a joy as well.

Are there family-friendly Swiss cities you like to visit with your kids?

The good thing about traveling to Switzerland with children [is that] it won't get boring. You have a bit of everything. I live outside of Zurich , which is the biggest city in Switzerland, and if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle, you can drive 15 minutes and you're in the countryside. We have great museums and we have great food as well, and our big cities are not that big, so walking around doesn't destroy you by the end of the day.

If I was a tourist coming to Switzerland with kids, I also would want to experience the villages, which are incredibly cute. You have the fountain here, the one little bakery there, the church here, and then you have a couple of farmhouses here and there, and you can just walk through it all in five minutes. In the summer, you should really go to the Bernese villages like Gstaad or Appenzell, which is in the north near Liechtenstein and Austria . It seems like the clock has stood still.

You just mentioned food—what is one Swiss dish that you think people are missing out on?

I always love coming back to Switzerland because I miss its food. Of course I love the Italian and the Mexican and the Peruvian foods. You name it, I love it. But there's nothing like Swiss food. For me, it’s all about the fondue and the raclette. I also love basler läckerli, from Basel, my hometown, and rösti with cordon bleu. Oh, and the dried meat is also very iconic—the bündnerfleisch is so great.

As the new ambassador for Switzerland Tourism, you filmed a short ad and called Robert DeNiro from a stunning villa with a view of the Matterhorn—can you spill on where that was?

That was in Zermatt. I actually had not been to Zermatt since I was 16 or 17, when I played a tennis tournament there in the summer. I've always wanted to go back. Swiss Tourism reached out to me about the film and said, We would like to shoot in Zermatt. So I brought my kids and took two days off with my family [after the shoot]. We had the best weather, as you can see in the commercial, and we did all of the trains and took the gondolas to top of the mountains, and did [dog sledding] with huskies. It's so iconic. You just keep on looking up at the Matterhorn, going, ah, this is just so good.

You’re making a pretty good case for Switzerland, but in your own travels, is there anywhere—particularly in the U.S.—that you’re hoping to check off your bucket list soon?

I would love to visit Yosemite National Park . There are so many parks—the Grand Canyon, you name it—but I've heard so many nice things about Yosemite so that will be my go-to place to visit next.

Recommended

Badrutt’s Palace

Beau-Rivage Genève

Europe Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Southeast Asia
• North America
• Central & South America
• Australia & South Pacific
• Middle-East
• Solo Travel
• Zodiac Travels
• Wellness & Spas
• Family Travel
• The Conscious Traveller
• Accessories
• Points and Miles
• Manushi Chhillar
• Quick Style
• Rajkummar Rao
• Chefs Himanshu Saini & Neha Mishra
• Poorna Jagannathan
• Guru Randhawa
• Edition 2023-24
• Edition 2022-23
• Edition 2021-22
• T+L Experiences
• Web Stories

Take The Grand Train Tour Of Switzerland With Roger Federer and Trevor Noah

Roger federer and trevor noah embark on a train journey to discover switzerland. tag along and plan a trip to the alpine country.

By: Team T+L India Published: Apr 04, 2023 03:30 PM IST

The tennis legend and the popular comedian embark on a train journey to discover stunning locales of Switzerland. Tag along with them and plan a trip to the alpine country.

Switzerland with its majestic mountain ranges and picturesque villages is one of the prettiest countries in the world and it also happens to be Swiss legend Roger Federer’s homeland. Having promoted Switzerland in the past with Hollywood icons Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, Federer joins forces with comedian Trevor Noah this time.

In a recently released commercial titled “The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: The Ride of a Lifetime,” by Switzerland Tourism , Federer and Noah board the Grand Train and embark on a journey to some breathtakingly beautiful locations.

In a comedy of errors, the 20-time Grand Slam champion and Noah board the wrong train to Interlaken while filming a commercial. In an unexpected turn of events the two end up discovering the scenic routes of Switzerland on The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, all on board the country’s famous rail network.

Plan Your Swiss Adventure

Anywhere you go in Switzerland, you will come across snow-capped mountains, rolling green meadows, fairy-tale castles, and gorgeous blue lakes. So, take cues from Federer and Noah and plan your Swiss getaway this summer. And the best part is that you can easily explore the beautiful region on The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass , an all-in-one ticket to explore Switzerland from end-to-end and on-board the best of Swiss transportation by bus, boat or train.

Travellers can opt for a 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive-day passes for unlimited travel by train, bus or boat to more than 90 cities and towns, free admission to more than 500 museums and with seat reservations, unlimited travel on premium panoramic trains including the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Golden Pass Express.

Why You Should Take The Grand Train of Switzerland

If you like your vacations to be hassle-free and want to pack in the most at one go, then the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is your most apt answer. Picture all the highlights and scenic sites in Switzerland–there are 11 large lakes, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 1,280 kilometres of magnificent view to be savoured, and information available in four different languages! iThe Grand Train Tour of Switzerland merges the most panoramic lines into one unique route.

There is no prescribed direction or duration. You can hop on and off wherever you please. Whether at Zermatt or St. Moritz, in the Canton of Ticino or the Lavaux, at the Rhine Falls or Lake Lucerne. And best of all: You can experience the entire tour with only one single ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.

What’s more, travellers can design their own unique itinerary along the train route to travel at their own pace. One can also choose from a variety of pre-designed itineraries, such as the 8-day ‘Original Tour’, which is set across 10 different destinations like Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and other postcard perfect locations!

Starting and ending in Zurich, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland will take travellers from alpine landscapes, Mediterranean beaches and the idyllic countryside to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cosmopolitan cities and thrilling mountain escapades. Noah sums up the scenic journey aboard the train when he says in the commercial: “We’re never on the wrong train. This has been amazing man. Can I just say – This has been phenomenal.” And Federer replies with: “I’m happy we’re on the wrong train.” The video ends with the duo trying to pull off another escape from the film crew as they attempt to board a different train to Lucerne.

So if you’re waiting to get mesmerised by the best of Swiss sounds and sites, then you know just what to book!

Related : The Ultimate Alpine Escape: A Journey To Zermatt In Switzerland

• Roger Federer
• Swiss Railway Company
• switzerland tourism
• trevor noah

Team T+L India

Related stories.

Air India Suspends All Flights To Israel Until April 30

By Esha Dasgupta

Why Airplanes Are Almost Always Painted White

By Stefanie Waldek

London Tops List Of The World’s Best Cities For 2024, Singapore Comes In Fifth

By Travel + Leisure

World's Best Airport In 2024 Dethrones Singapore's Changi In Surprise Takeoff

By Priyaja Bakshi

All About The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, UP's Upcoming Skyscraper Temple

By Pyusha Chatterjee

Dubai Airport Advises Passengers Amid Floods: Come Only If Flight Is Confirmed

By Yashita Vashishth

Travelling To South America? Indians Will Now Need An e-Transit Visa Via Istanbul

A Literature Museum Will Open In Hong Kong This June

By Jianne Soriano

Work From Paradise: Italy Introduces Digital Nomad Visa

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.

Exploring Switzerland’s Grand Train Tour: Roger Federer and Trevor Noah’s Latest Advertising Campaign by Switzerland Tourism

Switzerland Tourism Launches Global Campaign for Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Featuring Roger Federer and Trevor Noah.

Switzerland Tourism has launched a new global campaign to promote the «Grand Train Tour of Switzerland». The campaign features former tennis star Roger Federer and US comedian Trevor Noah in a humorous ad where they accidentally board the wrong train. The campaign was created by Wirz, the same agency responsible for the successful campaigns of the past two years.

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is a 1280-kilometer train journey that combines all the famous panoramic routes, taking visitors to the most iconic destinations in Switzerland. The tour is a sustainable and spectacular way to explore the country, and the campaign aims to position Switzerland as an attractive destination for train travel.

The ad campaign centers around Federer’s attempts to film a commercial for Switzerland Tourism. After trying and failing to convince Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway in previous campaigns, Federer turns to Trevor Noah, hoping to finally create the perfect ad. Unfortunately, they board the wrong train, leading to a serendipitous adventure that showcases the beauty of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

The ad was directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper and features Federer and Noah in comedic roles, making it an entertaining watch for viewers. The campaign also includes a series of additional promotional materials, all under the tagline “I need the ride of my life. I need Switzerland.”

The previous campaigns by Switzerland Tourism were incredibly successful, with one of the ads becoming the second most-watched ad of the year globally. The success of these campaigns could have been intimidating, but Wirz used it as motivation to create an even better campaign. “We took the bar we had set for ourselves in recent years as inspiration and try to jump over it once again,” said Livio Dainese, Co-CEO of Wirz.

The new campaign will be promoted globally, with a focus on key markets such as the USA, India, Korea, Southeast Asia, Greater China, UK, and Germany. The campaign will leverage digital channels to reach a broad audience.

Switzerland has long been associated with luxury travel and high-end experiences, but the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland offers a different kind of experience. It allows visitors to explore Switzerland’s natural beauty in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The train tour takes passengers through picturesque landscapes and charming towns, providing them with a unique and unforgettable experience.

The use of celebrity endorsement is not a new tactic in the advertising industry, but it can be highly effective when done right. In this case, using Roger Federer and Trevor Noah adds a touch of humor and entertainment to the campaign, making it more memorable for viewers. The ad also showcases the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland as a unique and exciting way to explore the country, which may attract travelers who might not have considered train travel as a viable option.

In conclusion, Switzerland Tourism’s latest campaign for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is an excellent example of effective marketing. The use of celebrity endorsements, humor, and visually stunning footage all come together to create an engaging and memorable campaign. The ad promotes a sustainable and unique way to explore Switzerland’s natural beauty, which is becoming increasingly important to many travelers. The campaign has the potential to attract a broad audience, including those who may not have considered train travel before. It will be interesting to see the impact of this campaign on tourism in Switzerland, but it is safe to say that it has set the bar even higher for future campaigns.

Read more about Switzerland Tourism’s campaign with Roger Federer and Robert De Niro:

MySwitzerland: No Drama with Robert De Niro & Roger Federer

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My Portfolio
• Stock Market
• Biden Economy
• Stocks: Most Actives
• Stocks: Gainers
• Stocks: Losers
• Trending Tickers
• World Indices
• US Treasury Bonds
• Top Mutual Funds
• Highest Open Interest
• Highest Implied Volatility
• Stock Comparison
• Advanced Charts
• Currency Converter
• Investment Ideas
• Research Reports
• Basic Materials
• Communication Services
• Consumer Cyclical
• Consumer Defensive
• Financial Services
• Industrials
• Real Estate
• Mutual Funds
• Credit Cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash-back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Personal Loans
• Student Loans
• Car Insurance
• Options 101
• Good Buy or Goodbye
• Options Pit
• Yahoo Finance Invest
• EV Deep Dive
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Yahoo Finance

Press release: the swiss train adventure of a lifetime with roger federer and trevor noah..

New York, March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Switzerland Tourism (ST) brand ambassador Roger Federer embarks on the train trip of a lifetime in new Switzerland Tourism campaign. Co-star Trevor Noah, a comedian, best-selling author, producer, and philanthropist, who, like Roger Federer, is half Swiss, half South African is the perfect match for this year’s campaign. The team behind the camera is also top-class: the film was directed by Oscar-winning Tom Hooper. The film positions Switzerland as an attractive travel destination, focusing on rail travel.

Roger Federer and Trevor Noah join each other on screen.

After an unparalleled tennis career, Roger Federer retired from top-level tennis last year. But he has continued to act as a brand ambassador for ST. This makes sense, since Roger Federer was – and will continue to be – not only Switzerland’s greatest sportsman, but also its greatest ambassador. After collaborating on screen with Robert De Niro in 2021 and Anne Hathaway in 2022, the campaigns earned global recognition and set new standards in national tourism advertising. With this 3 rd film, ST, Roger Federer and Trevor Noah put the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (GTToS) in the forefront.

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, an experience that’s one of a kind.

Roger Federer, is touring the GTToS in 2023. It combines all the famous panoramic routes in one breathtaking round-train trip and takes visitors to the country’s most famous sights comfortably and at their convenience. From glaciers to lakes and from mountains to cities: each stage of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland has its own unique character. Visitors can discover Switzerland’s top experiences over 1,280 kilometers/795 miles and eight stages! Charming cities such as Lucerne, impressive natural wonders such as the Rhine Falls, and majestic mountains such as the Matterhorn and Jungfraujoch. The unparalleled train journey can be experienced all year round and put together just as you like in terms of duration and route. Want a little taste of what’s included? This could be, for example, the section from Montreux to Zermatt, leading from the Riviera on Lake Geneva to the mountain of mountains – the Matterhorn. Or it could be the route from St. Moritz to Lugano, taking you from glaciers to palm trees, which includes the Rhaetian Railway UNESCO World Heritage Route!

Up to two additional travel days on the Swiss Travel Pass are free of charge.

The Swiss Travel Pass all-in-one ticket is the key to the Swiss public transport network for visitors from abroad. With a single ticket, travelers can explore the whole of Switzerland by train, bus and boat over 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days. More specifically, this means unlimited travel by train, bus and boat in the area of validity , unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, including mountain excursions to the Rigi , Stanserhorn and Stoos , and much more. As part of a special offer, from April 15 to May 14, 2023, up to two additional travel days will be added free of charge when buying an eligible Swiss Travel Pass.

About Trevor Noah.

Trevor Noah is one of the most successful international comedians and was host of the Emmy® Award-winning “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central for seven years. A 2020 Grammy nominee, Trevor served as the Grammy Awards host for three consecutive years. Trevor is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. He has written, produced, and starred in 12 comedy specials, and has sold out stand-up comedy shows, including his current “Off The Record” World Tour. Trevor is developing and producing diverse, high-quality creative content with Day Zero Productions; and through his philanthropic work, has launched the Trevor Noah Foundation to improve equitable access to quality education for underserved youth in South Africa.

Watch the film featuring Roger Federer and Trevor Noah here .

Watch the “Train-terview” with Roger & Noah and the “Behind the Scenes” video.

Download behind-the-scenes footage here . Image credit: Switzerland Tourism / André Meier

Download GTToS pictures here . Image credits mentioned on each picture.

Further information :

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Travel Pass promotion

Press release

Navigate to myswitzerland.com

Destinations

Your swiss holiday time.

Holiday destinations

• Summer holiday destinations
• Winter sports & ski resorts
• Family destinations

Attractions

• Top attractions
• UNESCO World Heritage sites / biospheres
• Travel by train, bus or boat
• Top museums
• Swiss Parks
• Scenic nature

Experiences

Additional content about subnavigation experiences, family excursions.

• Food & Wine
• Group excursions
• Guided tours

Summer & Autumn

• Bicycle & Mountain bike
• Adventure & Sports Summer
• Zoo & animal experiences
• Ski and snowboard
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoe and winter hiking
• Tobogganing
• Winter excursions
• Christmas in Switzerland

Cities & culture

• Parks, Gardens and Squares
• Architecture

Experience Tour

• Car, motorcycle - Grand Tour
• Train, bus, boat – Grand Train Tour
• Mountain excursions

Accommodation

• Typically Swiss Hotels
• Wellness & Spa
• Family Hotels
• Bike Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Inspiring Meeting Hotels
• Swiss Historic Hotels
• Luxury hotels
• Winter sports hotels

Other types of accommodation

• On the farm
• Bed and Breakfast
• Mountains huts
• Group accommodation

Transport & Stay

• Travel to Switzerland
• Barrier-free travel
• Tickets public transport
• Service & support
• Money and shopping

About Switzerland

• General facts
• Custom and tradition
• History of Switzerland
• The Swiss Art and Culture Scene
• Health Travel
• Sustainability

Weather & Climate

• Climate in Switzerland
• Snow Report
• Water and pool temperatures
• City offers
• Touring offers
• Wellness offers
• Nature and outdoor offers
• Offers for families

Where are you from?

• België (Nederlands)
• Belgique (Français)
• Deutschland
• Netherlands
• Russia (Россия)
• Schweiz (Deutsch)
• Suisse (Français)
• Svizzera (Italiano)
• Switzerland (English)
• United Kingdom
• Canada (English)
• Canada (Français)
• China 中文简体
• China 中文繁体
• Gulf countries العربية
• Japan 日本
• Korea 한국어
• United Arab Emirates
• New Zealand
• International

Language, region and important links

• Slovenština

Service Navigation

• Help & Contact

Roger's Choice: Hiking Trails

Tennis is not Switzerland’s national pastime – that title goes to hiking. And the same goes for Roger Federer when he’s not on court. He too enjoys exploring his homeland on foot with friends and family. The chances of meeting the tennis ace in person would actually be pretty good, were it not for the fact that Switzerland has over 65,000 kilometres of hiking trails.

Ridge hike to the unique Aletsch Forest

This ridge hike through a varied landscape takes you along beautiful hiking trails from Kühboden to the Aletsch Forest. The views of the glacier and surrounding mountains are simply magnificent.

• Distance 12 km
• Duration 3 h 49 min
• Ascent 497 m

Lake Toma - Source of the Rhine

Oberalppass - oberalppass.

Lake Toma is regarded as the source of the Rhine, and this is the only place where the river that traverses four countries can be crossed with one step. The hike starts on the Oberalp Pass and crosses the valley southwards (with almost no variation in height); then it climbs 350m to the enchanted mountain lake.

• Duration 3 h 45 min
• Ascent 648 m

Lake Oeschinen

Lake Oeschinen, which lies above Kandersteg, is a pristine mountain lake, fed by the glacial brooks of the three-thousand-meter peaks of Blüemlisalp, Oeschinenhorn, Fründenhorn and Doldenhorn. People who love to swim, nature lovers and hikers can really enjoy themselves here.

• Distance  11 km 
• Duration  3 h 35 min 
• Ascent  420 m 

Gastlosen Tour

Jaun, musersbergli - jaun, musersbergli.

The Gastlosen circular route south of Jaun offers a variety of geology and flora seldom found by walkers in the Alpine foothills. There is a magnificent view of the Bernese Alps, with the peaks of the 13,000 foot Wallis Alps in the background.

• Distance 11 km
• Duration  4 h  
• Ascent  780 m 

Sentiero in Cresta

Monte lema – monte tamaro.

The views here are unrivalled: This ridge walk from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro is a classic amongst the Swiss high-altitude hikes. The panoramic views are unbeatable, extending from the Leventina region over the surrounding valleys and up into the Valais Alps to the west and the Graubünden Alps to the east.

• Distance 13 km
• Duration 4 h 40 min
• Ascent 873 m

Terrasses de Lavaux

St-saphorin - lutry.

From St. Saphorin in a diverse route going uphill and downhill through the vines to Lutry. Indeed, it is on the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces where bon vivants get into top gear.

• Duration  3 h 15 min 
• Ascent  440 m

5-Seen-Wanderung

Wangs-pizol (pizolhütte) - wangs-pizol (gaffia).

5 crystal clear mountain lakes and spectacular views of the Alps of Eastern Switzerland are the highlights of the mountain walk from the Pizolhütte to Gaffia. The 5-lake walk on the Pizol is one of the real classics among mountain walks.

• Distance  10 km 
• Duration  3 h 50 min 
• Ascent  640 m

The Swiss Path

Seelisberg (rütli) - brunnen.

The Swiss Path leads to historic sites pertaining to the Swiss Confederation. The path is divided into stages that are partially wheelchair-accessible, and can be reached by ship or by train. Overnight stays are possible at the end of some of the trails.

• Distance  35 km 
• Duration  10 h
• Ascent  1400 m 

Chosen for you

Roger federers choice: the best of switzerland.

According to Roger Federer, Switzerland’s natural scenery isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty close to it. He hasn't seen every corner of Switzerland yet, but here he offers an exclusive insight into some of his favourite spots and places he still wants to explore.

Hikes: Hiking & trekking

Discover the most beautiful hikes now. Switzerland is all about active recovery in pristine nature.

Snowshoe & winter hiking

Snowshoe tours, winter hikes and hotel tips away from civilisation. 

Because everyday life presents us with plenty of challenges, it’s no wonder that you and your loved ones want to get the maximum enjoyment out of your holidays.

Advertisement