American Express Selects | Little adventures with a lasting effect

Quick getaways you’ll remember for a long time

"Just get out there and do it, adventure is so close at hand" – it is with this credo that Englishman Alastair Humphreys started a trend which is becoming increasingly popular here in Switzerland as well: the "micro adventure". Alastair takes the view that the more stressful everyday life gets, the more essential these little escapes are. After all, sometimes only a short time away from the daily routine is enough to clear your head. So with that in mind, let’s go!

Camping with a dash of glamour

Sleep under the stars for once before going to work the normal way the next morning. You’ll feel refreshed, with a little reset behind you: a typical micro adventure in the style of Alastair Humphreys.

You could do just this at Fischer’s Fritz on the shore of Lake Zurich, for example, where a legend from the world of American camping awaits you that you’ll recognize from the movies: a silver Airstream caravan. And right beside it: an "Out of Africa" safari tent with a wooden floor, tasteful furniture and a comfortable double bed. There couldn’t be a more romantic way to get closer to the stars. And those wanting to spoil themselves with some great food can enjoy market-fresh cuisine at Fischer’s Fritz and a glass of wine from the acclaimed cellar, with its rare vintages.

Glamping is no longer exclusively confined to Zurich. "Camping for non-campers" options are now available throughout Switzerland – at the close-to-nature sandy beaches on the southern shores of Lake Neuchâtel, at La Nacelle campsite or at Estavayer La Nouvelle Plage campsite. Details on further selected locations are available in the list of glamping locations in Switzerland from the Touring Club Switzerland. Details of more unconventional glamping accommodation are also available in a summary from Switzerland Tourism.

Don’t forget: the right luggage is essential for your next micro adventure. Those who buy a suitcase at Victorinox receive a complementary gift worth CHF 195.- – exclusively for holders of an American Express Card.

Enjoying what’s nearby

Micro adventures also mean calling in at a place you usually drive by. Or finally visiting somewhere you’ve always wanted to go but never have – as you’ve told yourself you can go there any time.

The Auried nature reserve on Lake Murten, for example, invites you to embark on a quiet journey of discovery. It is home to kingfishers, beavers and tree frogs – visitors who proceed quietly are sure to be rewarded with a charming encounter. And if you feel like a bite to eat after marveling at the wonders of nature, a visit to the Romantik Hotel & Restaurant Château Salavaux is also recommended, excellent cuisine and clear views of nature and the lake included.

The Le Chalet du Mont-Pèlerin restaurant also offers spectacular lake views, perched picturesquely above Vevey and Lake Geneva. After a stroll through the beautifully preserved old town with its narrow, cobbled streets, the charming restaurant at the top of Mont-Pèlerin invites you to stay awhile and enjoy yourself. American Express Cardholders benefit from a 15% discount on all bookings.

Those traveling with children will find the perfect adventure at the Treetop Adventure Park in Geneva: Climbing and zipping along in the treetops is a liberating thrill for both children and adults alike. And for those who want to take proximity to the forest even further, at Auszelt in Solothurn it is possible to spend the night in an elevated tent suspended between the trees – a micro adventure straight out of a storybook.

Good to know: Hertz has the perfect van for a trip away with friends or the whole family – exclusively available to American Express Cardholders with a 20% discount. And the offer naturally applies to the entire fleet, including the Prestige and Fun collections.

Hiking and biking on the Queen of the Mountains

Mount Rigi is situated in the heart of Central Switzerland, nestling between Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz – those who make it to the summit quickly forget the daily grind and rapidly understand why it is also known as the Queen of the Mountains.

As an American Express Cardholder, you enjoy a 30% discount on day tickets from Monday to Friday in the Rigi Railways online shop throughout June. Whether it’s the extensive hiking trails or varied mountain biking trails: Both are equally rewarding up here.

And for those who’ve got a taste for it, here’s a list of six spectacular mountain biking tours at various locations throughout Switzerland. The perfect bike for the occasion is available at the Tropical Bike & Fun Shop in Solothurn – with a 20% discount for American Express Cardholders.

Culture, precision, and great coffee

It goes without saying that micro adventures don’t always have to be outdoors. Western Switzerland invites visitors to experience cultural discoveries indoors that are just as impactful.

In the Vallée de Joux, the heart of Swiss watchmaking, the Espace Horloger in Le Sentier has recently reopened after renovations. The museum is dedicated to the heritage of local watch and clockmaking – with historical exhibits, interactive installations, and the fascinating story of the "grand complications". Those who decide to spend the night in the Vallée de Joux can stay at the Hôtel des Horlogers, whose architecture transforms the precision of watchmaking into a spatial experience – exclusively available to American Express Cardholders with a 15% discount.

For people who prefer something on a larger scale: CERN in Geneva opens its doors to the world of particle physics with guided tours and exhibitions – science you can touch, and which also inspires visitors without prior knowledge.

For those who prefer to broaden their horizons with a cup of coffee, a Nespresso Masterclass turns coffee into an experience. And sometimes that’s all you need for a reset!