Experience the Best of Switzerland with Raclette-Rafting and Adventure at a Cutting-Edge Sahara Resort

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Interlaken The Swiss have always been uniquely enthusiastic about their cheese. Last summer Gstaad began installing giant wooden fondue pots on the mountainside, in which guests could cluster together and enjoy cheese-feasts created with special portable fondue kits. This month adventure operator Outdoor Switzerland is launching its own cheese-themed innovation: the floating raclette party. Several times a week during the winter season, up to eight people will board an inflatable raft at Bönigen, on the shores of Lake Brienz, then float out onto the lake and down the River Aare to Interlaken as darkness falls and the lights come on. A guide will do the paddling, while blanket-wrapped guests enjoy a raclette feast: large quantities of melted cheese, boiled potatoes and pickles, accompanied by white wine. The two-hour trips run until April 30, and cost from SFr87 (£78) per person. outdoor.ch; interlaken.ch

Douz The Tunisian town of Douz, just to the south of the vast Chott el Djerid salt pan, has long been known as the “gateway to the Sahara” — the dunes start just beyond its extensive date palm plantations — but never as a hub for smart hotels. That could begin to change next month with the opening of its first five-star, The Residence Douz, a 50-villa resort set among 14 hectares of dunes and palms, with two restaurants and a large Clarins spa. It’s the first desert resort for the Singapore-based Cenizaro group, whose other Residence properties are all on beaches, including in Mauritius, Zanzibar, and the Maldives. Double rooms cost from €357 per night; cenizaro.com

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Interlaken

The Swiss have always been uniquely enthusiastic about their cheese. Last summer, Gstaad began installing giant wooden fondue pots on the mountainside, inviting guests to gather together and enjoy cheese-feasts with special portable fondue kits. Now, adventure operator Outdoor Switzerland is introducing its own cheese-themed innovation: the floating raclette party. During the winter season, several times a week, up to eight people can embark on an inflatable raft at Bönigen, on the shores of Lake Brienz. As darkness falls and the lights come on, they will float out onto the lake and down the River Aare to Interlaken. While a guide does the paddling, guests wrapped in blankets can indulge in a raclette feast, featuring large quantities of melted cheese, boiled potatoes, pickles, and white wine. The two-hour trips are available until April 30, with prices starting from SFr87 (£78) per person. Visit outdoor.ch and interlaken.ch for more information.

Douz

Located just south of the vast Chott el Djerid salt pan, the Tunisian town of Douz has always been recognized as the “gateway to the Sahara.” However, it has never been known for its high-end hotels. That may change with the forthcoming opening of The Residence Douz, its first five-star resort. This desert resort, set among 14 hectares of dunes and palms, offers 50 villas, two restaurants, and a large Clarins spa. The Residence Douz is part of the Cenizaro group, known for its beachfront properties in Mauritius, Zanzibar, and the Maldives. Double rooms are available from €357 per night. Explore more at cenizaro.com.

Find out about our latest stories first — follow @ftweekend.