Switzerland usually brings to mind snow-covered mountains, pretty lakes, scenic train rides and storybook towns. Islands rarely make the list. Yet, scattered across the country’s lakes are tiny stretches of land that offer a rather different side of Switzerland, with old stories, unusual landscapes and plenty of peace.
Peter’s Island can be part of the experience. Visitors can walk from Erlach along the four-kilometre Heidenweg path, take a summer shuttle or arrive by boat from places such as La Neuveville, Ligerz and Neuchâtel. The peninsula makes a lovely option for a slower day beside the lake, particularly for those who enjoy combining history with time outdoors. Isola Grande, the larger of the two islands, is home to the Botanical Gardens of the Canton of Ticino. These islands may be tiny, but they add plenty of variety to a Swiss holiday. St. Peter’s Island brings together history, philosophy and lakeside calm, while the Brissago Islands offer a subtropical botanical experience in the heart of Ticino.
Spread across 2.5 hectares, the gardens feature around 1,700 plant species from subtropical parts of Asia, South Africa, America, Australia and Oceania. Today, getting to St.
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