Winner of our Slow Moments Competition 2015, Gavin is a photographer and designer based in Manchester. Gavin’s work has been recognised with competition wins both nationally and internationally and has also been featured in a variety of publications, including The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, National Geographic Traveller UK, and a wide selection of commercial brochures. His passion for travel started at a young age when he spent a month in communist Russia at the age of 13. Since then he has visited over 50 countries and in 2016 he managed to tick off the 7th continent when he visited Antarctica.
Grand Tour of Switzerland
"The Grand Tour of Switzerland was a dream trip for me and was a chance to document these beautiful places through photography. The itinerary was expertly mapped out and organised by Inntravel with plenty of options in each destination for side trips; the tricky bit was choosing. The hotels were faultless and all were in perfect places to explore those areas. Food and service was top notch. This self-guided trip via train takes you through the heart of the Swiss Alps and has breathtaking views including from the glass domed Glacier Express. We had plenty of opportunity to walk, shop, relax and, importantly, take pictures."
Zuoz
"The sleepy village of Zuoz is the first and smallest destination on the trip but offers a huge amount of options as a base: a hike in the Swiss National Park, a gondola ride and a trek up one of the nearby peaks or perhaps a relaxing day spent in glitzy St Moritz."
Gavin’s suggestion: "Head up the funicular at Muottas Muragl in the afternoon and trek to Muragl lake and back, relax at the cafe enjoy the amazing views and wait for sunset to photograph St Moritz and the mountains from the funicular station."
Zermatt
"I’d had a glimpse of Zermatt in winter many years ago but nothing could prepare us for how beautiful this area is in summer. We spent all the time available on the mountain trails traversing between look out points and icy cold lakes. The Matterhorn draws your camera like some kind of mountain magnet and was my main focal point in Zermatt. The town itself is really pretty and offers plenty of opportunities for photography or just time to relax, shop or drink in the bars."
Gavin’s suggestion: "Head to Riffelsee Lake on the Gornergrat train for reflections of the Matterhorn in the lake; for the hardcore, hike up in the dark and capture the lake at sunrise. Sunset is also very good at Riffelsee, just watch your last train times!"
Wengen
"The view from our hotel, the Alpen Rose, in Wengen was stunning, with clear views to the waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen. With so many options from Wengen for day trips we could easily spend a week here. It was drizzling when we arrived so we donned our waterproofs to get up close and personal with the impressive if scary Trummelbach Falls. Pretty Interlaken is just a bit further down the valley but we spent most of our time here up in the mountains towards the impressive Eiger and Jungfrau."
Gavin’s suggestion: "Walk the Mannlichen trail to Kleine Scheidegg, catch the Jungfraubahn through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, visit the Sphinx Observatory and walk to the Mönchsjoch Hutte for food. If you have time, walk the peaceful trail back down to Wengen from Kleine Scheidegg."
Lucerne
"This is a pretty, small city on the edge of Lake Lucerne which has a medieval feel with painted frescoes that embellish the facades of buildings and the two wooden bridges that span the river. We spent time exploring the city but you also have day trip options from here; we chose to travel by paddle steamer and mountain train to Mount Rigi for incredible views over Lake Lucerne."
Gavin’s suggestion: "Climb the tower (Männliturm) on the city walls for a bird's-eye view of Lucerne, photograph the medieval chapel bridge at dusk on a tripod or have it all to yourself at sunrise."