For those who prefer an easy ride, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that Switzerland isn't all hills and mountains. Cycle through the gentle valleys of northwest Switzerland passing lakes, vineyards and historic towns and villages. Avenches, for example, was founded by the Emperor Augustus, whilst the Chateau of Grandson is where Charles the Bold (Duke of Burgundy), suffered a humiliating defeat by the Swiss confederate army. If the going gets hot, you will have the occasional opportunity to swim in a lake, Swiss style, and free days give you the chance to explore this area of Switzerland on foot, wander round towns and villages or to try a more challenging ride.

The Bernese Oberland offers spectacular scenery, from alpine meadows to glaciated lakes and waterfalls inside mountains. On our hiking tour from Kandersteg to Lauterbrunnen you will see the glaciated alpine lake of Oeschinensee, get outstanding views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau and walk through unspoilt Swiss countryside. A couple of free days let you explore Interlaken, perhaps taking a relaxing boat trip on lake Thun or Brienz, seeing the Trummelbach Falls that are inside a mountain, or pretending you're James Bond at the summit of the Schilthorn, where part of On Her Majesty's Secret Service was filmed.

If you want to practice your European languages, try our Alpine Trails trek that visits France, Italy and Switzerland. Walk part of the classic Tour du Mont Blanc, cross from Italy into Switzerland via a glacier and finish in the Bernese Oberland. To ease your aching limbs, you have the option of visiting the thermal baths at Brig en route from Zermatt to Kandersteg. Some free time gives you the opportunity to explore the ancient Roman town of Aosta in Italy, go white-water rafting and take the train to the Jungfraujoch.