There are trips, and then there are journeys. Our recent foray into the Swiss and Italian Alps firmly falls into the latter category. For days, we traded bustling cityscapes for the serene, sometimes demanding, embrace of ancient mountains, starting with the picturesque charm of Luzern before venturing deeper into the heart of the giants. And what an embrace it was.


Our adventure unfolded in mid-May, a truly magical time in the Alps. Spring was audaciously unfurling its vibrant colours in the valleys and lower meadows, while winter still maintained a subtle, snowy foothold on the higher passes and shaded north faces. This created a breathtaking tapestry of seasons, often within a single day's hike. Over the course of this unforgettable journey, our boots hit the ground for an incredible 123 miles. Each step, it seemed, took us further not just along the trail, but deeper into a world of breathtaking scale. We climbed – oh, did we climb – a total of 28,000 feet in elevation. To put our 28,000 feet of climbing into perspective, that's like scaling almost the entire height of Mount Everest from sea level! It really gives you a sense of the incredible vertical journey we undertook. All told, we spent around 56 hours actively hiking, a moving meditation through these stunning, ever-changing landscapes.


Our Swiss leg was a masterclass in alpine majesty. We eased in with the Rigi Panorama Trail, a stunning hike from Weggis to Vitznau that truly lived up to its name. Then, it was onto the iconic Jungfrau region. In Grindelwald, the hike from First to Bort via the shimmering Bachalpsee felt like stepping into a postcard. The trails around Wengen and Mürren offered us car-free tranquility and ever-changing perspectives of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Our paths didn't just cling to high alpine routes; sometimes our wanderings would lead us right through tiny, picturesque hamlets or past working farms, offering a glimpse into the resilient life carved out in these mountains, the scent of woodsmoke or fresh-cut hay momentarily joining the crisp alpine air. Staring up at the formidable Eiger North Face from Kleine Scheidegg was a moment of pure, unadulterated awe – the scale is simply immense.


Then, Zermatt beckoned, with the unmistakable silhouette of the Matterhorn dominating the skyline. We explored trails like the Edelweiss Hike and took in the views from Sunnegga, each path offering a new angle on that legendary peak and the surrounding glaciers, often framed by the fresh greens of spring at our feet and the white of winter on the peaks above.

Transitioning to Italy, the Dolomites presented a dramatic shift in scenery. The character of the mountains changed – equally grand, but with a rugged, sculptural beauty all their own. Tackling the loop around Sass de Putia and, of course, experiencing the sheer magnificence of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo felt like walking through a natural cathedral, their vertical faces catching the light in a thousand different ways.


The Alps don't just present a view; they command your attention. There's a certain weight to the silence, often broken only by the crunch of gravel underfoot or the whisper of the wind funnelling through a high pass. And sometimes, that silence was gloriously profound. There were stretches, for hours on end, where it felt like we were the only people on the planet – not another soul in sight. Just the distant calls of birds carried on the breeze, the incredibly crisp alpine air filling our lungs, and perhaps the gentle, musical clang of bells from a random herd of cows. Then, as if placed there by magic, a little mountain restaurant might appear. There’s a special kind of joy in finding such a haven, settling in with a warm cappuccino, and soaking in a world-class view that you’ve truly earned. These experiences, from utter solitude to convivial warmth, recalibrate your sense of place in the world.



What struck me, beyond the headline-grabbing summits, were the textures and the light, especially amplified by the season. The way the early morning sun would kiss the highest snow-capped peaks, turning them a soft alpenglow pink. The rugged, time-worn faces of the rock, etched with stories of millennia, standing proud against the tender new growth of spring. We’d frequently encounter random meadows bursting with wildflowers, a riot of colour laid out like a carpet leading towards those epic mountains in the backdrop. Standing there, with just the lightest breeze stirring the blooms, the sheer grandeur of the scene combined with an overwhelming sense of peace was simply unforgettable. The vibrant, almost impossibly blue alpine lakes, reflecting the dramatic skies above, completed this film-like panorama. There's an inherent nostalgia to these landscapes, a timeless quality that our photography aims to capture – that sense of enduring beauty, of moments suspended.


This journey was more than just a physical challenge; it was a visual feast, an immersion in the raw power and delicate beauty of the alpine world. The scale of the scenery, enhanced by that magical interplay of lingering winter and emerging spring, is something that stays with you, long after you've descended back to everyday life. It’s a reminder of the wild, magnificent places that still exist, waiting to be explored, respected, and, of course, photographed. Choosing which moments to share first is always an enjoyable dilemma, especially when you come back with nearly 9,000 photos! The images you'll see below are just a brief view, a first taste from all the incredible areas we explored. Think of it as an overture, with many more detailed movements to follow. Stay tuned as we continue to roll out more photos - I can't wait to transport you there.

Lucerne

A silhouette of a hiker stands on a grassy hill overlooking majestic snow-capped mountain peaks in the Alps.
Scenic Alpine lake view with turquoise waters and forested mountains surrounding a small lakeside village.
Rolling green alpine meadows and forested slopes cascade through mountain valleys under a bright summer sky.
Mountain chalet nestled on lush green Alpine slopes with scattered evergreen trees and rolling hills under blue skies.
Rugged mountain peak rises above forested foothills against a clear blue sky in the Alps.
Rustic farmhouse and barn sit atop green rolling hills against a misty blue sky in a pastoral countryside scene.
A narrow hiking trail winds along a green mountain ridge with snow-capped Alpine peaks visible in the distance.
A rustic farmhouse sits atop a rolling green hillside with scattered trees in the pastoral countryside.
Alpine chalet nestled on a grassy hillside with yellow wildflowers and dramatic mountain peaks in the background.
Aerial view of a rugged mountain slope with steep rocky terrain and sparse vegetation in remote wilderness.
Historic church spires and buildings reflect in the calm waters of Lake Lucerne with boats docked along the shoreline.
A narrow cobblestone street in a European old town with traditional architecture and a colorful flag on display.

Grindelwald

Snow-capped mountain peak rises above a green Alpine village nestled in rolling meadows with traditional chalets.
Snow-capped mountain peak rises behind blurred yellow wildflowers in an Alpine meadow under clear blue skies.
A winding mountain path cuts through a green meadow filled with wildflowers beneath dark, misty mountain slopes.
Paraglider soaring above snow-capped alpine mountains with dramatic peaks and green valleys below.
A winding mountain road winds past a cascading waterfall on a steep, rugged mountainside with scattered evergreen trees.
Snow-capped mountain peaks reflect in a partially frozen alpine lake under blue skies in a stunning winter landscape.
A panoramic view of snow-capped Swiss Alps with green meadows, rustic chalets, and misty mountain peaks in the background.
Snow-capped Alpine mountains tower over a small village with dramatic waterfalls cascading down steep cliffs in Switzerland.
Panoramic view of snow-covered mountain peaks against a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.
Alpine mountain landscape with wooden chalets nestled in a green valley surrounded by forested peaks and rocky cliffs.

Wengen, Mürren & Lauterbrunnen

Dramatic mountain peak shrouded in misty clouds with snow patches and dark pine forest in foreground.
A snow-covered mountain peak towers over a grassy meadow dotted with small white wildflowers in the foreground.
A small silhouette stands atop a rocky hillside against a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Snow-capped mountains tower over a green alpine meadow filled with white wildflowers along a winding path.
Snow-covered rocky peak of the Eiger mountain in Switzerland towers against a blue sky with dramatic shadows and terrain.
Snow-capped mountains tower over a lush green valley with scattered chalets in the Swiss Alps near Lauterbrunnen.
Snow-capped mountain peaks emerge through dramatic dark clouds in a moody alpine landscape.
Winding path between traditional wooden alpine houses leads up a green hillside in a mountainous Swiss village.
Small delicate white wildflowers with yellow centers bloom against a dark green blurred background.
White church with tall spire nestled in lush green valley beneath towering Swiss Alps mountains in Lauterbrunnen.

Zermatt

Snow-capped Matterhorn peak towers over a scenic Alpine valley in Switzerland under partly cloudy skies.
Aerial view of mountain slopes with green meadows and scattered alpine houses nestled in a Swiss valley.
Small white butterfly perched delicately on a green leaf blade in a sunlit garden setting.
Aerial view of an industrial processing facility with several large conveyor belts and equipment covered in snow.
A dimly lit restaurant dining room with plaid chairs and a dramatic mountain vista visible through large windows.
A yellow train car with electric pantographs on top sits in snowy mountain terrain under a bright blue sky.
A lone white cloud formation against vibrant blue sky with a thin airplane contrail streaking across.
A rustic mountain chalet with a snow-capped Alpine peak and dense evergreen forest in the background.
A dirt hiking trail winds through alpine meadow with snow-capped mountains and rustic cabin in the background.
Alpine meadow with yellow wildflowers beneath snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests in the Swiss Alps.

Dolomites

Snow-covered ridge beneath towering vertical limestone cliffs in the dramatic mountain landscape of the Dolomites.
Dramatic mountain peaks rise above green alpine meadows with traditional wooden cabins in the Dolomites, Italy.
Dramatic mountain peak rises above green meadows and dark forest under moody cloudy skies in the Dolomites.
Dramatic mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and green slopes under a moody overcast sky in the Dolomites.
A rolling field of vibrant yellow wildflowers stretches to meet the blue horizon under a bright summer sky.
Scenic mountain landscape in the Dolomites with snow-capped peaks rising above green valleys and small alpine villages.
A winding mountain road cuts through green alpine meadows with wooden chalets and dramatic Dolomite peaks in the background.
Snow covered mountain slope with jagged rock formations casting dramatic shadows against white powder terrain.
Wooden docks and boats on a misty mountain lake surrounded by towering peaks and evergreen forest in the Dolomites.
Rocky mountain peak rises above a verdant forest and green meadow in a scenic mountain landscape.
Dramatic panoramic view of snow-capped mountain peaks with jagged rock formations under cloudy skies.