Swiss Alps: Take a deep breath between snowy mountains and lakes

Switzerland is the heart of the Alps. Seven days and six nights, from the lake lights of Interlaken to the snowy summits of Jungfrau — breathe the world's cleanest air between gear trains and glaciers.

The base is Interlaken, a small town situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Early in the morning, opening the window, the snow-capped summit of Jungfrau is right before your eyes. Take a boat tour on the lake; the water is as green as a gem, and smoke curls from wooden houses on the opposite shore.

Climb Jungfra, the pinnacle of Europe. The gear train descends from Kleine Scheidegg into the mountains and arrives at the 3,454-meter station. Outside the Sphinx viewpoint, the Aletsch Glacier stretches into the sky, offering the most magnificent glacier panorama in the Alps.

Go to Lucerne, a medieval old town amid lake and mountain scenery. The triangular oil painting on the Kapel Bridge tells the history of the ancient city, with a silent and sorrowful statue of a dying lion. Take a boat ride on the lake, where Mount Pilatus is reflected in the water.

At the southern end, Zermatt is the gateway to the Matterhorn. This car-free town is exceptionally quiet, and the iconic pyramid silhouette of the Matterhorn is dyed rose gold at sunrise, making it the star of countless postcards.

Switzerland's cleanliness is almost a luxurious order. Trains are on time, lakes are drinkable, and snow-capped mountains are within reach. When leaving, your lungs are filled with the cold air of the Alps—the best souvenirs in the world.