Sat between the Thun and Brienz Lakes, the town of Interlaken looks small and remote on the map; a town of just 5000 people close to the centre of this mountainous country but for the adventure seeker and adrenaline junkie it's a worldwide magnet in a chocolate box setting.

Some time, long ago, so the legend has it, a young lady from a nunnery above Interlaken ventured onto the hills and attracted the attention of an ogre living on a neighbouring hill. To protect the nun from the ogre a monk climbed the mountain between them to stand in its way. And so the names of the Jungfrau (young woman) Monch (monk) and Eiger (ogre) were born.

It's impossible to mention the name Zermatt without thoughts immediately turning to the Matterhorn, the iconic "Toblerone mountain" that defines the town. Supported by Switzerland Tourism and Zermatt Tourism we continued our annual series of long-weekend autumn alpine adventure tours to possibly the most English of Swiss towns to see just how much fun you can pack into 3 days.

Cycling is my preferred way of getting fit. It's also my preferred way of keeping fit. Face it I just love cycling. I've got 8 or is it 9 bikes? Hey don't judge me at least I have a faint idea and I know how many children I have. Well anyway last Autumn I was asked if I'd like to try a hybrid from Canyon. Well how could I refuse

In September 2017, My Outdoors was lucky enough to be invited by Swiss Tourism on a press trip showcasing hiking through different regions of Switzerland using the World famous Swiss public transport system that combines trains, boats and a system of cog and funicular high-mountain railways. A spell of high pressure ensured the weather was perfect for the whole trip, making for perfect conditions to explore the mountains.

Think of Chamonix and you probably think of Mont Blanc, mountains and skiing. In winter its streets are packed with tourists skiing and boarding the slopes from Les Houches to Vallorcine and in summmer it's the destination for hikers, runners and mountaineers. In between the summer high season and the start of the skiing season, however, there's a small window when the kids are back in school all over Europe, the flights and accommodation costs are down to a realistic level, and with the right weather you can fill a week with adventures.