Green acres
Ever fantasize about living like a Swiss farmer? Many farms offer accommodation as well as a unique perspective on rural life in Switzerland. Typical activities include hiking, biking and swimming. Simply relaxing is another option, as is trying your hand at farm chores. For children, the animals are a special attraction, particularly in spring when many babies are born. Pets are often welcome.
www.bauernhof-ferien.ch

Horsing around
Horseback riding is popular in Switzerland, and many stables organize trekking tours. Some are just a day or two, while others last for a week or more. Typical accommodation is either a tent or a mountain hunt – all the better for getting close to nature! If you like horses but worry about getting saddle-sore, another option would be a horse-and-wagon tour. It’s “Little House on the Prairie” – Swiss-style!

Vroom-vroom
Some people prefer a steel horse to a real one. Switzerland’s breathtaking mountain passes seem to have been made for motorcycles. If you have a valid motorcycle license, you can rent a bike and test the roads for yourself. There are companies that arrange group tours with a van that transports the luggage, leaving you free to enjoy the ride unencumbered.
www.motorbike-tours.ch

Flying high
The wind in your face – and under your feet! Switzerland is a great place for paragliding. In tandem paragliding, an experienced guide ensures that the two of you land safely. If you want to go it alone, you’ll need to take lessons first. Bungee jumping is an option if you’d rather let gravity do most of the work. Throw yourself off a rail bridge spanning a mountain pass or plunge from the edge of a dam like James Bond in “Goldeneye.”

Wet ‘n’ wild
Daredevils can explore Switzerland’s canyons from the inside. Clad in a helmet, wetsuit and life-vest, first you shimmy down the rocky canyon walls. Then it’s time to get wet, splashing around in turquoise pools and enjoying the natural waterslides. Rafting is another exciting way to enjoy the water.