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Clear alpine lakes, bucolic valleys, dramatic craggy peaks, fresh mountain air, perfect chalets, the gentle tinkling of cowbells carried on the breeze: The Swiss Alps remain the most iconic mountain landscape in the world. Drive over breathtaking mountain passes, hike meticulously maintained trails, ski pristine powder, indulge in a world-class spa – the picture-perfect scenery will stay with you long after you leave.

Snowcapped mountains piercing the sky, Alpine lakes lapping against sun-drenched shores, and a range of outdoor activities to get your heart pumping—it’s no wonder the Bavarian Alps continue to draw curious travelers from all over the world. No matter the season, the iconic region displays nature at its best. In summer, Alpine valleys blossom with a verdant array of flora that encircles traditional villages and emerald lakes. In the colder months, waterfalls freeze, lakes frost over, and blankets of snow cover mountainsides, forming a winter wonderland befitting any fairy tale.

The Swiss Riviera stretches from Lausanne to Montreux and encompasses the beautiful Lavaux vineyards perched on steep hills with a dramatic view of the lake and the Alps on the other side. Then you reach Vevey and its old town, passing La-Tour-de-Peilz before ending in Montreux, its casino and of course Chillon castle.

The glorious peaks enveloped in pristine snow are just one reason skiers and hikers flock to the French Alps. Another is the scene—here, it’s about as glitzy as it gets, with everything from luxury hotels and Michelin-starred dining to world-class shopping and a lively après-ski nightlife that draws visitors from all over the world.

Switzerland seduces visitors all year round with some of the best and most astonishing natural scenery in the world. In summer, the shimmering lakes of Geneva, Zurich, and Como host an array of water activities and have numerous scenic spots to lounge around. Rising up from the blue waters are the dramatic Swiss Alps, with their snow-capped peaks penetrating the wispy clouds. In winter, Switzerland’s scenic mountains dominate the skyline—none more so than the iconic Matterhorn.

Whether you’re carbo-loading in Aguas Calientes for the hike to Machu Picchu or eating light for a day of sightseeing at the Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas, you’ll find a wide range of food that includes local cuisine as well as pizza and vegetarian food.

The comforting taste of familiar Italian food is transformed into a different cuisine in Venice, where the cooking is influenced by spices like saffron brought by traders and by its proximity to both the Alps and the sea. Fresh fish dominates menus, turning up in seafood risotto and pasta as well as in spreads for cicchetti, tapas-like snacks. Sample typically Venetian dishes at family-run trattorie or dine at a fancy restaurant with a view with these top restaurants in Venice.

Finding a charming alpine town snug at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains may make skiers, hikers, and lovers of beauty feel like they’re having a fever dream, but the dream is real. Whether you come in winter for the world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding, or in summer for mountain biking, hiking, gallery-hopping, and long evenings spent on restaurant decks, you’ve found Whistler Village, one of the jewels of British Columbia.

Switzerland’s largest city mixes urban pleasures with lots of natures, most notably Lake Zurich. The Swissôtel’s location near the train station is convenient for business travelers, while 25 Hours Hotel Zurich West offers a business lounge alongside playful local touches such as a kiosk selling Freitag bags. For 5-star service, book the Baur au Lac, set along the lakeshore and close to Zurich’s famous shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. Escape to the fairytale-like Dolder Grand for a true splurge.

If eating huge plates of pork, deciphering local slang, and snowshoeing through the woods of Québec can’t bring two siblings together, what can?

Of course there’s Mexican food, and New Mexican food, and great hearty breakfasts for pre-ski or pre-hike mornings, but the international culinary options in this funky little town may surprise visitors expecting little more than margaritas. (Those margaritas are pretty tasty too.)

New Zealand’s city hotels combine comfort with modern design touches, while the lodges and country houses—set amid coastal cliffs, pristine fjords, and the soaring Southern Alps—serve luxury with a side of drama.

Chris Walker and Morgan Hartley spent three months cycling through central Asia as part of an 18-month bike trip. Here is part one of five of their account, in which their trip is almost thwarted from the start.

The tallest international 4-star business hotel in Zurich is also surprisingly appealing for non-business types. The 347 rooms are contemporary and elegant, stacked with modern conveniences like flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee and tea makers, and, of course, large work desks for business travelers. Upper-level rooms come with panoramic views of Zurich and the Swiss Alps.

There’s an expansive spa area on the 32nd floor, which also has killer views, and restaurant Le Muh is a bright, refined space for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Add a hairdresser, café, and shoe shop—all located in the lobby—plus a convention center that holds up to 800, and the result is a business and leisure superstar.

The Swiss know service. Whether you’re on business at Le Kempinski Lake Geneva or at play and staying at Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort in Zermatt, you’ll find outstanding food, pampering spas and super friendly staff. Nira Alpina hotel is renowned for its fantastic chef while Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken is a haven for sybarites in search of serious spa time. The Dolder Grand in Zurich looks like a fairy tale castle and boasts a museum-worthy art collection.