Voters in the heart of the Swiss Alps have passed legislation banning naked hiking after dozens of mostly German nudists started rambling through their picturesque region. Only a scattering of people opposed the ban on the back-to-nature activity that took off last autumn when naked hikers started showing up in eastern Switzerland. The cantonal government recommended the ban after citizens objected to encountering walkers wearing nothing but hiking boots and socks. A similar legal move is expected in the neighbouring canton, Appenzell Outer Rhodes. The nationalist Swiss Peoples Party has advised the cantonal parliament that it is preparing legislation against "this shameless behaviour".

Today, I will share a rather funny story instead of providing you with a true must-not-miss Switzerland travel tip. Or maybe you think differently? I leave that up to you. Recently, we visited the town of Appenzell during one of our weekend road trips. The Kanton province of Appenzell and the town Appenzell represent Switzerland at its best. Soft rolling green hills with high mountains as backdrop, picturesque villages, cheese dairies and every now and then a beautiful farm house with lots of cows around.

Baby, it's cold outside. But the early-spring chill doesn't deter Thomas B. See pictures of skiing. Hiking in the buff might shock Thomas' bosses, as well as some of Appenzell's 15, inhabitants, but it's no skin off his back. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

Naked alpine ramblers have been warned to keep their clothes on this spring or face fines under new legislation introduced by Swiss authorities intended to clamp down on a growing pastime. He said that until now the naturist walkers — sometimes referred to as "boot-only hikers" — had been free to wander naked because there was no law to prevent them from doing so. The new law is expected to come into force on 9 February in time for the start of the hiking season.