The Swiss holiday resort at the foot of the imposing Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau mountain range, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, offers miles of ski pistes and cleared paths for winter walkers. It is also a very picturesque retreat in summer.

ALPENROSE
Wengen 3823 (00 41 33 855 5151; fax: 855 1518). This small, warm and cosy place was Wengen's first tourist hotel. South-facing rooms offer fantastic views of the Schilthorn. Closed mid-April to mid-May and end of September to mid-December. £

REGINA
Wengen 3823 (00 41 33 855 1512; fax: 855 1574). Grand, turn-of-the-century alpine style hotel with a genteel wooden lounge. Closed from beginning of November to mid-December. £

FALKEN
Wengen 3823 (00 41 33 856 521; fax: 855 3339). Also has a grand, turn-of-the-century alpine style and is a favourite of the English visitors. B&B. Optional half board. Open all year. £

CAPRICE
Wengen 3823 (00 41 33 855 4141; fax: 855 4144). A modern hotel, wooden inside and out with lovely rooms, a cosy bar and a snooker table in the basement. Closed November and April. £

JUNGFRAU
Wengernalp (00 41 33 855 1622; fax: 855 3069). Open mid-December to Easter. £

HOTEL SUNSTAR
(00 41 33 856 52 00;fax: 00 41 33 856 53 00). Very convenient for skiers, across the road from the nursery slopes and skating rink. £

Of all the places on offer, Piz Gloria is the most unique. A revolving restaurant, boutique and viewing platform located 3,000 metres up, on the very top of one of the highest peaks in Europe, the Piz Gloria was featured in the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service and offers a 360º panorama of more than 200 pristine snow-capped Alps.

It's not only skiing that's on offer here. As well as the miles of ski pistes available, this Swiss holiday resort boasts some wonderful cleared paths for walkers. Wengen also hooks up to the picturesque villages of Grindelwald and Mürren, via its railway and cable-car system.

AIRPORT
Bern is the nearest airport. Trains run direct from the airport to Interlaken Ost, where you can change trains for Lauterbrannen. There, take the narrow-gauge train to Wengen (journey time about two hours). Wengen can also be reached by train from Zurich and Geneva airports. See below.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK
British Airways (0845 779 9977; www.british-airways.com) has direct flights to all major airports in Switzerland, while easyJet (0990 29 29 29; www.easyjet.com) flies to Geneva.

BY RAIL
Book your rail tickets in advance through Switzerland Tourism (020 734 1921). A Swiss card gives you return transfers between the airport and your destination, and a 50 per cent discount on all subsequent state-owned train and cable car tickets.

You can visit Wengen all year round, but for skiing and walking go between December and April.

Contact the local tourist office on 00 41 33 855 1414.