"The golden age of travel to Switzerland was the Edwardian era, when the great palace hotels reached their zenith of grandeur." – Andrew Harper
Switzerland remains one of the great jewels of Europe today, its awe-inspiring mountains and valleys interspersed with charming towns, pristine lakes and picturesque vineyards. Age-old traditions and modern life peacefully coexist here, and the dining options are as likely to include innovative French/Italian/German fusion cuisine as they are the more commonly expected cheese fondue.
This country, in the heart of Europe, boasts scenery of unparalleled drama; glacier-clad Alpine peaks give way to high pastureland dotted with dairy farms, and perhaps an old steeple anchoring a village. Lower down, tidy cities with cobbled old quarters hug shimmering lakes, and fashionable locals and visitors alike soak in the clean air and light at the many outdoor cafés.
A visit to this remarkable country never fails to restore, whether you seek refreshment in a world-class spa, a quiet mountain path or a hillside vineyard overlooking Lake Geneva. Switzerland has been a popular destination for centuries, and yet its character and scenic grandeur are undiminished. The Edwardian palace hotels still stand today, graciously welcoming guests to some of Europe’s loveliest cities and most spectacular countryside.
Now is the perfect time to plan a summer visit to Switzerland. This sample itinerary encompasses many of the country’s most elegant palace-style hotels, all of which are Harper Alliance partners providing benefits to the Harper guests.
Fly into Geneva, which offers the visitor a lot more than exquisite watches, secretive banks and international diplomacy. This compact, cosmopolitan metropolis sandwiched between vineyards and Lake Geneva brings together the best of France and Switzerland—an inspiring combination. After settling into your hotel, explore Geneva’s atmospheric old town. The sumptuous Patek Philippe salon provides perhaps the quintessential Geneva watch-shopping experience, and Les Armures never fails to charm diners with wonderfully traditional fondues served in a cozy 17th-century mansion.
Explore the Palais des Nations complex, the former home of the ill-fated League of Nations. Fine works of art enliven the entire ensemble of buildings, now the European headquarters of the United Nations, but the joyously colorful ceiling of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room alone makes a tour worthwhile.
In the afternoon, enjoy a private cruise along Lake Geneva, or a tour of some of the hillside wineries surrounding the city. As excellent as Swiss wines may be, they can be challenging to find outside the country. One of the region’s best restaurants is nestled in the Geneva vineyards: the exclusive Domaine de Châteauvieux serves lushly creative cuisine in a 16th-century manor-house overlooking manicured vines and the Rhône River.
This morning, consider a little more meandering in the old town. The gallery-lined Rue de la Cité and Grand Rue wind their way through Geneva’s most atmospheric quarter toward the Place du Bourg-de-Four, originally a Roman forum.
After lunch, take a train along the shore to Lausanne. “Between the extensive wine-growing regions of Lavaux to the east and La Côte to the west, the city offers dramatic panoramic views over the lake and the Alps,” explains Mr. Harper, whose favorite resort here, the Beau-Rivage Palace, stands in a dramatic 10-acre park sweeping down to Lake Geneva. Take some time to relax, and perhaps enjoy a treatment in the sophisticated spa before dinner.
Spend a relaxing day in Lausanne. Explore the city, with its medieval and Renaissance architecture, and perhaps take a gourmet cruise on a century-old steamboat. Wine lovers can head into the vineyards for some tastings.
After a leisurely breakfast on a lakeside terrace, pick up a rental car and head deeper into the mountains. It’s less than two hours to one of the most glamorous resort towns in the world, Gstaad. The century-old castle-style Gstaad Palace hotel dominates the town, which has a pedestrianized center with numerous refined restaurants and chic shops. Many people think of Gstaad as a ski resort, but it offers plenty to do in the warmer summer months as well.
Take two days to enjoy Gstaad. Nine cable cars lead up to various dramatic mountain peaks, and inviting restaurant terraces overlook stupendous scenery. The 18-hole Gstaad-Saanenland golf course is surrounded by alpine splendor. More adventurous sorts can go river rafting and even paragliding.
Depart Gstaad and continue 90 minutes northeast to Interlaken, a pleasant resort town squeezed, as you might have guessed, between two lakes. Mr. Harper’s recommends the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Resort & Spa, which has “striking views of the grand Jungfrau,” one of Europe’s tallest mountains. Take some time to relax at your hotel, and stroll along Interlaken’s Höheweg, a park in the middle of town with marvelous views in all directions.
As Mr. Harper notes, “A remarkable network of small sightseeing trains allows visitors to fully appreciate the extraordinary grandeur of the Jungfrau region.”
Consider taking the train to Jungfraujoch, the highest rail station on the continent. The spectacularly scenic route takes you to Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg before passing through an engineering marvel of a tunnel in the Eiger Mountain. After taking in the glorious views from the top, take the nearby elevator to the Eispalast, a set of ice caverns carved 60 feet below the surface of the glacier, decorated with an array of ice sculptures including life-size cars.
Today, make a day trip by car to the unique Aare Gorge, a natural wonder of rock caverns, arches and grottoes hewn over thousands of years by the waters of the Aare River. Alternatively, take the set of cable cars leading from Stechelberg up to Piz Gloria, a restaurant perched improbably on the Schilthorn. You might recognize the setting from the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” in which it was featured prominently.
Drive out of Interlaken and continue an hour north to another one of Switzerland’s quintessential mountain towns, Lucerne. In this lakeside city, “Elaborate fountains, Jesuit churches, Renaissance town halls and old squares converge with storybook charm,” writes Mr. Harper.
After settling into the Palace Luzern set on the lake, take some time to wander the old town. If energy permits, climb one of the nine medieval watchtowers for a magnificent view of the city. Return to the hotel and take advantage of its comprehensive spa.
Lucerne offers a wealth of activity options, as Mr. Harper describes: “Nearby Mount Pilatus provides commanding views of the area and can be reached by cogwheel train or cable car. Thirty minutes from downtown Lucerne (or an hour by pleasure steamer), the majestic Mount Rigi, known as the ‘Queen of the Mountains,’ offers hiking and skiing trails.”
Drive two hours south to Italy’s southernmost canton (state), Ticino, which “offers delicious food, excellent wines and magnificent alpine scenery,” according to Mr. Harper. Lakeside Lugano makes an ideal base for exploring the region, the only canton where Italian is the official language.
Pedestrian-friendly Lugano is made for leisurely ambling. Explore its cobbled streets and Italianate piazzas, and spend some time enjoying the amenities of Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel, including its world-class spa. Now is also the time for any last-minute shopping.
Return your rental car at the airport and fly to Zurich to connect to your flight home.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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