Finest Journeys Expert: Travel in Switzerland
By Becky Springer, Head of Travel Design
Switzerland has a special place in my heart. As a young 16-year-old girl, I went on holiday, met a Swiss boy, fell in love, and then spent almost two years of my life in Switzerland.
I lived in a city called Lausanne, about an hour away from Geneva (GVA). Lausanne is quite simply my favourite city I have ever visited. The city is built on rolling hills overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. The district of Ouchy is home to the Olympic Museum, which was one of the first attractions I experienced on my first visit there. Ouchy also lies on the lake, where you can take boat trips across the water and enjoy a coffee in one of the waterfront cafés.
The old town is a mix of gothic buildings with a beautiful cathedral, with cobbled streets lined with boutique shops. I spent many a day (and evening) in this part of town with great places to eat, drink and being merry. During my time living in Switzerland, I ventured out to see as much of the country as possible. The train network is one of the best and most reliable in the world, making it very easy to travel from area to area.
Switzerland Travel: Beyond Mountains and Skiing
Switzerland is still one of the freshest, cleanest, safest countries I have visited. At the age of 16, I safely navigated around the country on my own without issues. Since returning home, I have been drawn back to Switzerland many times and it still feels as safe as ever.
I am a foodie, so food and drink are super important to me. I enjoyed fondue in wooden cabins and, of course, some of the best chocolate in the world, with Switzerland being home to Lindt and Toblerone. With its many independent chocolate shops, local chocolate was always a treat. The legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16, so this was exciting for a girl from the UK, where the legal drinking age is 18. It meant I could visit pubs and clubs and experience nightlife that I had never experienced before. My favourite place to drink was a spot called ‘Les Brasseurs’ and, for those who enjoy locally brewed beers, this is definitely one to visit.
With Switzerland being so diverse and bordered by five countries, meeting people was always exciting. I always found the culture fascinating, and being there during a World Cup was euphoric. The streets were lined with people celebrating each other’s cultures, genuinely having a good time, and simply enjoying life.
Summers are sunny and warm. Autumns are picturesque, with the turning of the leaves. Winters are cold - very cold - and snowy, which makes it great for those who want to ski. Christmas markets are among the best I have experienced in the cities, and then you have the ski villages, which offer some of the best mountain ranges Europe has to offer. And if skiing isn’t for you, that’s okay - I tried and failed miserably, so I chose instead to sit with a hot chocolate and breathe in the crisp Swiss air.
Whenever I receive a request for Switzerland, it always excites me. Switzerland sells itself through its natural beauty; I simply enhance the experience with the special touches that Finest Journeys can offer… and if that is a private hike to experience the scenery and nature or something slightly more adventurous, such as paragliding and seeing the sights from above to iconic train journeys on board the Glacier Express or simply a relaxing stay in a 5* chateaux eating Swiss chocolate and taking in the scenery, we can make this happen.
Reach out to Becky our Swiss travel expert to curate your luxury itinerary in Switzerland.