India, Oct. 7 -- Switzerland usually brings to mind snow-covered mountains, pretty lakes, scenic train rides and storybook towns. Islands rarely make the list. Yet, scattered across the country's lakes are tiny stretches of land that offer a rather different side of Switzerland, with old stories, unusual landscapes and plenty of peace.

On Lake Biel in the Jura and Three Lakes region, St. Peter's Island has a story that reaches back centuries. Its most famous visitor was philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, who stayed here in 1765. His time on the island left quite an impression. In his writings, Rousseau remembered his short stay as a particularly happy period of his life, helping put this quiet spot on the map for travellers of the time....