White Merlot, donkey salami and modern day monks who keep mobile phones in their cowls; not the first images that would come to mind if you were booking a holiday in Switzerland, but, strangely more common in the land of the Alps than one might think.

Indeed, while goats, mountains and Heidi-esque milk maids can still be found in this often overlooked little country: Switzerland has far more to its culture than first meets the eye. I began my education in all things Swiss in the northern city of Lucerne; a tourist hotspot well known for providing relaxing breaks. Switzerland boasts breath-taking scenery and from my balcony in the five-star Palace Lucerne I certainly enjoyed a room with one hell of a view.

Be warned: the service in Swiss hotels is second to none so you may want to allow yourself an extra day to enjoy the hotel facilities alone. Spending your entire visit to Lucerne in a Jacuzzi would of course be an outrageous waste of such a fantastic location (but hey, there are worse crimes...), so I decided to stretch my legs a little and climb Mount Pilatus (although the use of the word 'stretch' may prove to be a little misleading).

Taking a Golden Round Trip' I was whisked up to the Pilatus Kulm peak, via the world's steepest cogwheel railway, where I was astounded by postcard-worthy views.

The mountain overlooks no fewer than 73 mountain peaks (you can count them yourself if you're sad enough) as well as an array of Swiss lakes and villages. The excursion wouldn't be complete without dining in one of the mountain's restaurants, all of which specialise in local cuisine (no - this isn't where the donkey salami comes in).

To finish the day, a fantastic ride by aerial cableway and gondola took me back to the hotel. If heading up mountains isn't your scene then don't worry; the city offers a fabulous choice of shopping and other historical landmarks.

Sadly my time to leave Lucerne came round all too quickly and it seemed like I had only just arrived before the second leg of my Swiss adventure was to begin on board the Wilhem Tell Express.' Named after the city's national hero William Tell, the Wilhem Tell Express' is a paddle steamer which ferries you across Lake Lucerne.

The three and a half hour trip takes you past sleepy bays, picturesque villages and impressive valleys: in fact, after a while it starts to feel like you have stepped into a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

After my leisurely cruise across the lake I finished my voyage with a two hour train trip. Now granted, anyone who has had to use the British railway system more than once would be horrified at spending hours on board a train in the midst of their holiday; images of delays, screaming children and irritable passengers instantly springing to mind.

But with the Swiss travel system you can cast these fears aside and instead picture a timetable to set your watch by, floors you could eat your dinner off and seats with more leg room than a La Z Boy recliner.

In fact if I had have been any more relaxed by the time I reached Lugano I fear I may have been clinically dead. The best thing about travelling Swiss is that any journey you take can only add to the pleasurable experience of your holiday. Indeed, my transfer from Lucerne to Lugano was a highlight of the tour and allowed me to see some beautiful scenery I would otherwise have missed.

On arrival I found Lugano was nothing like Lucerne. With Italy so close you can actually see it from your hotel room, there is a strong Italian vibe and even in October there's a lovely Mediterranean warmth.

My hotel, the Villa Sassa, was ideally located in the heart of Lugano and although, like the Palace Lucerne, it boasted excellent spa and wellness facilities I decided that this time I would head straight out to explore.

Bellinzona, only a short half an hour away by bus, is a great place to start seeing the sights. Hailed the key to Italy' it is dripping in history and you will find yourself being carried away by the time-honoured ways of living that villagers still hold on to.

If you go on a Saturday there is a traditional market where you can buy local produce, crafts and, you guessed it, donkey salami. I chose to go for some rather tasty goat's cheese instead but nonetheless was told the salami was very good If you go to Bellinzona in the morning you should have time to squeeze in a quick trip to Locarno in the afternoon. Made up of lots of narrow streets and alleyways, Locarno has an undeniably Italian feel and is a beautiful setting to take a post lunch stroll.

Don't miss the opportunity to see the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso whilst you're there. This old monastery was built after a monk claimed to have seen visions of the Madonna in the grounds. Visitors have since been making pilgrimage to the site in order to pray to the Madonna and ask her to grant their wishes. Pictures left as thanks are on display throughout the building from those who claim to have had their prayers answered.

And yes, it was here that I witnessed a monk receive a genuine calling. Scrambling around in his cowl for his mobile telephone he took in his audience's bemused faces with a raised eyebrow before commenting: "What? We are the monks of the future don't you know."

Surely that in itself has got to be worth a visit? If time is short and there is only one excursion you can undertake, it must be to the village of Gandria. Not only does it involve another delightful cruise, but you will leave this place feeling like you have stepped out of the real world.

Located on the shores of Lake Lugano the only way to access Gandria is on foot or by boat. Once there, you will find a village made up of clusters of tiny houses perched precariously on the side of a mountain with a population of fewer than 300 people.

Gandria is not ideal if you've let yourself become a little ... how shall I put it? ... out-of-condition, as many of the alleyways are steep and the steps come in their thousands.

However, wine connoisseurs will relish this tantalising little town as it is here you can pick up a bottle of extremely rare white Merlot. In fact, you can get red, white or rose Merlot and at very reasonable prices too. Many restaurants are happy to offer you a wine tasting session, but just remember you have to get back down those steps to get home.

Switzerland can offer a holiday like no other. If you travel from the north to the south as I did, you can experience two types of holiday in one. The country has a reputation for being expensive, but then you get what you pay for.

Any couple planning a honeymoon or relaxing get away together should definitely consider this a prime destination. I know I will.

HEIDI, HI! There's a lot Switzerland is famous for, starting with Heidi, and its world-renowned tasty chocolate, not to mentions its banking system (Swiss bank accounts, anyone?) and its neutrality (it is not a member of the European Union). Throw in its watches and mountains, and Switzerland seems to be famous for quite pleasant things.

FOUR nights at the four star Art Deco Hotel Montana in Lucerne, first class Wilhem Tell Express from Lucerne to Lugano, three nights at the Villa Sassa in Lugano, including flights and first class rail travel based on sharing a double room with bed and breakfast: £878 per person The Swiss Holiday Company can tailor your holiday to your needs and offers very competitive prices.

For more details, visit www.swissholidayco.com or call 01727 827222.