Switzerland: Lake Geneva and the Alpine Foothills Route, tailor-made by car

No wonder that the Empress Sisi, the romantic poets Shelley and Byron, the great Charlie Chaplin and the sadly-missed legend Freddie Mercury used to holiday on the shores of the stunning Lake Geneva. This small and private 'inland sea' of Switzerland, the largest lake in Western Europe, and its picturesque surroundings seem to have been tailor-made for your exploration and enjoyment. And what better way than at your leisure, at the wheel of your car and travelling through the jaw-dropping landscapes along the 'Lake Geneva and Alpine Foothills' tour. On your road trip, you'll get to visit vibrant lakeside cities such as Geneva, the World Capital of Peace; Lausanne, the Olympic Capital; and Montreux, with its majestic Chillon Castle, dating back to medieval times. And while you're travelling from one location to another, you'll come across UNESCO-listed vineyards perched on hills that cascade down to the lake; you'll get a first-hand insight into the handmade process involved with the world-famous Gruyère cheese (and of course, savour a freshly-made or an aged version); and you'll be able to pay your respects at the grave of the legendary actress Audrey Hepburn, who spent the last thirty years of her life in the quaint town of Tolochenaz. These are just some of the many adventures that will make this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The sparkly silver waters of Lake Geneva with the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc piercing through the horizon have that very effect.