Switzerland has long been, and still is, a stage for great literature. In this newsletter, we take you to places that inspired world-famous authors: from the Reichenbach Falls, where the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes met his (apparent) end, to the sanatorium in Davos, and to Lake Geneva, where Mary Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein. Join us on a literary journey – and start writing your own chapters.

Autors

1. Arthur Conan Doyles
2. Thomas Mann
3. Friedrich Nietzsche
4. Mary Shelley
5. Friedrich Schiller

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Crime Scene: Reichenbach Falls

“We had strict instructions, however, on no acount to pas the falls of Reichenbach, which are about halfway up the hill, without making a small detour to see them..”

– The Final Problem, The Memoires of Sherlock Holmes (1893), Arthur Conan Doyles

The dramatic Reichenbach Falls, tucked deep in the Haslital (BE), are not just a natural wonder, they’re also the site of one of the most iconic duels in literary history. It’s here that Sherlock Holmes plunges into the depths during his final showdown with arch-enemy Professor Moriarty, or so it seems. In The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the waterfall marks the (temporary) death of the legendary detective.

👉 Travel Tip: Want to dive deeper into the mystery? The Sherlock Holmes Museum in Meiringen and the nostalgic Reichenbachfll funicular brinng you right into the footsteps of the master detective.

Reichenbach funicular © Grimselwelt

Our hotel tips nearby

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A sanatorium that made literary history

“Laughter is the sparkle of the soul.”

“An ordinary young man was on his way from his hometown of Hamburg to Davos-Platz in the canton of Graubünden.”

– The Magic Mountain (1924), Thomas Mann

Davos was not only a health resort, it also served as a powerful source of inspiration for world-renowned author Thomas Mann. After visiting his wife Katia at a local sanatorium for lung patients, Mann envisioned the setting for his famous novel The Magic Mountain. Die Höhenlage, das Licht und die Atmosphäre von Davos prägen den Roman ebenso wie die geistigen Gespräche im Sanatorium.The high altitude, the unique light, and the tranquil atmosphere of Davos shaped the story just as much as the philosophical conversations within the sanatorium walls.

👉 Travel tip: Visitors can still walk in the footsteps of Thomas Mann and his literary classic – for instance, along the Thomas Mann Trail.

Davos Schatzalp © ab in den Urlaub

Our hotel tips in Davos

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A Place for Great Ideas

“Hier sass ich, wartend, wartend, - doch auf Nichts,
Jenseits von Gut und Böse, bald des Lichts
Geniessend, bald des Schattens, ganz nur Spiel
Ganz See, ganz Mittag, ganz Zeit ohne Ziel.”

– Poem Sils Maria (1924), Friedrich Nietzsche

Sils Maria, in the Upper Engadin, was a place of deep inspiration and reflection for Friedrich Nietzsche. Surrounded by majestic mountain landscapes, he found the peace to write some of his most important works, including Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It is said that the idea of the “eternal recurrence” came to him on the shores of Lake Sils, near the so-called “Nietzsche Rock.” Between lakes, larch forests and rugged peaks, Nietzsche found a spiritual home in Sils Maria – a place that left a lasting mark on him and continues to attract philosophy lovers from around the world.

👉 Travel tip: The roughly 200-year-old Nietzsche House in the village center of Sils Maria – where Nietzsche spent seven summers, once belonged to the Durisch family. Today, the museum offers a fascinating collection of photographs, manuscripts, and letters from his time in Sils.

© Sils Tourismus / Gian Giovanoli

Our hotel tips in Sils

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The birth of a Monster on Lake Geneva

“I contempleted the lake; the waters were placid, all around was calm and the snowy mountains... the calm and heavenly scene restored me and I continued my journey toward Geneva.”

– Frankenstein (1818), Mary Shelley

One of the most iconic stories in world literature began on the shores of Lake Geneva: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. In the summer of 1816, the “year without a summer”, the young author gathered with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron at Villa Diodati in Cologny. Trapped indoors by terrible weather, they challenged each other to write the scariest story. That’s when the idea for Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus was born. The lake’s gloomy atmosphere and the raw power of the surrounding nature deeply shaped the novel’s mood.

👉 Travel tip: The Frankenstein Factory in Geneva is a quirky, slightly spooky attraction for those wanting to explore the city’s darker side. In a one-hour guided tour through Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s cabinet of curiosities, you’ll uncover mysterious stories from Geneva’s past.

Lake Geneva © Essen und Trinken

Our hotel tips on Lake Geneva

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The Legend of William Tell lives on

“We want to be a single People of brethren, Never to part in danger nor distress. We want to be free, as our fathers were, And rather die than live in slavery. We want to trust in the one highest God And never be afraid of human power..”

– Rütli oath in Wilhelm Tell (1804), Friedrich Schiller

With his playWilliam Tell, Friedrich Schiller gave Switzerland a literary monument. At its heart are the legendary apple shot and the Rütli Oath, a secret pact between three freedom fighters determined to liberate themselves from Habsburg rule. Inspired by Swiss folklore, Schiller wrote the drama in 1804, without ever having set foot in Switzerland. Yet the alpine landscape, the spirit of liberty, and the enduring myth of Tell continue to shape Swiss national identity to this day.

👉 Travel tip: A cruise aboard the paddle steamer Uri along the shores of the Rütli is not only a scenic experience, but also a journey into the roots of Swiss history. For a deeper dive into the legend, visit the Tell Museum in Bürglen, William Tell’s hometown.

Boat cruise along the Rütli shore

Our hotel tips on Lake Lucerne

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Happy travels, great discoveries, and many stories to tell!📚

Your HotelCard Team