Zermatt Holidays

With views that scream 'wish you were here' and some of southern Switzerland's most famous peaks on its doorstep, Zermatt has options for both mountain adventures and fireside relaxation. Carve up the ice with a game of hockey at the leisure arena, hike the trails of the Matterhorn and end the day shimmying at local nightlife joints.

There's no ignoring the Matterhorn, that titanic peak that guards over the picturesque streets. Serious climbers can scale the summit or you can get to key viewpoints by cable car or whimsical cogwheel railway – Theodul Glacier's the highest gondola station in the world. If you strap on your skis, getting down can be just as exciting.

It's not all winter sports and spiced wine here. Delve in to a subterranean village at the Matterhorn museum, or light a candle 3000 metres up at the historic Bernhard von Aosta chapel. The town also offers locally sourced shopping and a couple of children's playgrounds.

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Zermatt:

• Cycle routes
• Guided glacier walks
• Tennis courts
• Museum
• Minigolf
• Paragliding