September’s great for visiting Switzerland, so start planning your long weekend now! The peak summer season is over, the weather’s usually good and, from Gloucestershire, easyJet’s Bristol–Geneva service is convenient. So catch a Friday flight and enjoy a long weekend on Swiss time.

Since Geneva Airport station opened, it’s a short walk from ‘Arrivals’ to your train along Lake Geneva and the Rhone valley. Arriving at Brig a couple of hours after landing, grab a snack and a glass of delicious local Dôle at the Bahnhofbuffet. Then change to the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn and travel onwards up the valley – birthplace of famous hotelier, César Ritz.

Fall asleep to the tinkling of cowbells
The sun’s setting, rich and golden like perfect Rösti, as you reach Fiesch. Check into the cosy Fiescherhof, Derby or another village hotel, dine on Fondue or Raclette, then fall asleep to the tinkling of cowbells.

Next morning, visit Eggishorn and the Aletsch Glacier by cable car, or walk the beautiful Goms valley to Oberwald. After a short train ride through the Furka tunnel you reach daylight again in Canton Uri’s Urserental (lit. bear’s valley) where Realp or fast-growing Andermatt offer accommodation. In between there is peaceful Hospental – try Pension Egg or Gasthaus Pension zum Turm for delicious pizza and local yak dishes. For (relatively) bright lights, book one of Andermatt’s cosy B&Bs (try Bellavista on Oberalpstrasse 67) or five-star luxury at the new Chedi Andermatt.

Go up the Gemsstock for stunning views
After Sunday breakfast, why not go up the Gemsstock for stunning views and later descend the romantic Schöllenenschlucht where, centuries ago, shrewd locals reputedly tricked the Devil! At Göschenen where the autobahn and old mainline dive into tunnels, you can catch a train or bus down the Reuss valley. On the way you’ll pass Erstfeld, where the new 35-mile (57 Km) Gotthard rail-tunnel makes engineering history as the world’s longest!

Lakeside Flüelen, or historic Altdorf with its famous William Tell statue, are both excellent options for your final night. Martha Arnold-Boi’s Zopfgarten B&B is one of Altdorf’s hospitality secrets. Advance booking is essential, but whether you B&B or stay in Martha’s self-catering apartment, it’s wonderful.

Four days, seven cantons and wonderful experiences ensure great memories
Then it’s Monday, you’re saying ‘Uf Widerluege’ to Kanton Uri and crossing Switzerland’s Mittelland to Geneva Airport. Four days, seven cantons and many wonderful experiences should ensure great memories – and have you planning to stay longer next time you visit Switzerland.