The ultimate Switzerland holiday itinerary
Any trip that includes a combination of natural and architectural beauty, cultural and historical richness, and five-star accommodation is likely to be a success. And few trips could include a more delicious mix of those essential ingredients than one that takes in three of Switzerland’s most remarkable cities – Lausanne, Bern and Lucerne – with stays in each destination at hotels belonging to the Bürgenstock Selection, all of which have recently emerged from a one-billion-Swiss-franc programme of renovation and expansion.
Lausanne
The city of Lausanne, on the northern shore of Lac Léman barely an hour from Geneva, cascades as gracefully as a Champagne tower from the soaring Gothic cathedral at its top, down terraced hillsides to the mansions, parks and gardens at the water’s edge. Belle Epoque paddle steamers come and go, making their leisurely circuits of the lake. A cruise aboard one of these charming vessels, perhaps to Château de Chillon, made famous by Lord Byron, is a quintessential Swiss experience not to be missed.
It is difficult to imagine a more elegant lakeside city than this one. Yet far from being stuck in the past, Lausanne has a vibrant, youthful air – thanks in part to its university and highly regarded hospitality school. It also has a thriving cultural scene, much of it concentrated in the newly developed Flon and Platforme 10 arts districts. The hugely popular Olympic Museum is another reminder of the city’s role as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, shaping the future of the games and global sport at large.
The Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa Lausanne embodies these qualities, combining respect for tradition with dynamic innovation. A landmark since 1909, it retains its original character – the façade is a classic of Art Nouveau hotel design – yet it is also in tune with the tastes and expectations of today’s travellers. The Royal Savoy’s interiors have been sensitively updated with contemporary flair, not only in its sleekly decorated rooms but also in its much-admired Brasserie du Royal, seasonal Sky Lounge rooftop bar and restaurant (perfect for discovering the joys of Swiss wine), and state-of-the-art spa and wellness facilities.
Bern
Heading north-east from Lausanne, you will arrive in little over an hour at Bern, the seat of Switzerland’s national government and a perfect jewel of a medieval city entirely deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage listing. Its setting is rather different from the lakeside one you have just left, though no less spectacular. Bern’s geography is unusual – it is as if the city has been caught in a cowboy’s lasso, tightly encircled within a loop of the River Aare. And if you fancy you can hear a faint ticking, you are not going mad: it is probably coming across the valleys from the nearby Jura, the centre of the Swiss watchmaking industry.
This unique combination of natural and man-made features makes Bern a place of rare enchantment. Its Old Town is a picturesque maze of covered arcades and cobbled streets – and no fewer than 100 fountains. It also contains two of Switzerland’s most important art galleries: the Bern Art Museum and the Paul Klee Centre, with its matchless collection of works by the master.
