Day 1: Geneva
With so much to see and so little time, a guided city tour was the only way to be sure I wouldn’t miss anything. My first stop was at the international headquarters of the United Nations, which offers guided tours in more than 15 languages. Each tour lasts for one hour and features visits to grand rooms where many important historical negotiations have taken place. Artwork by famous artists, such as Miquel Barcelo and Jose Maria Sert, decorates some of the rooms. After a morning heavy on facts, a spot of shopping is just what I needed to lighten the mood. Geneva is well known for its high-end fashion – especially in Rue de Rhone, which is home to a row of boutique stores.
In the afternoon, a visit to Jet d’Eau, the city’s main attraction was on the agenda. It’s a large fountain on Lake Geneva that fires water 140 metres high and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. During the summer months many activities are centred around the lake, including water skiing, wakeboarding, rowing, diving and sailing. In the cooler months, a leisurely stroll along the shore is a beautiful way to take in the spectacular views and magnificent mansions that line the lake.
Where to stay The Mandarin Oriental is located on the River Rhone and offers a classy atmosphere. Prices start from Dh2,150 per night. Visit mandarinoriental.com for details.
If you do one thing
Visit La Roseraie – a famous rose garden in Parc de la Grange. With more than 200 rose varieties and some gorgeous sculptures, it’s a beautiful sight. The garden is situated on the south of Lake Geneva and within walking distance of the city. Admission is free. Visit www.centreroseraie.ch.
Days 2 and 3: Lausanne
After a 45-minute train journey from Geneva we arrived in Lausanne, home of the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. We checked into the glorious Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, which combines old-school glamour with neo-Baroque architecture and flamboyant decor. My ground-floor suite opened out on to the beautifully manicured lawn overlooking Lake Geneva. It was so peaceful I felt I could happily forget the sightseeing and just lap up the view all day. But as the city is famed for its wellness sector, the draw of spa treatments was enough to get me out the door.
Lausanne’s wellness industry attracts tourists from all over the world. It’s a hot spot for beauty and healthcare, with several clinics and health centres offering world-class treatments. Clinic Lemanic (cliniclemanic.ch) offers laser and anti-ageing treatments, including lipomassage. Clinic Cecil (hirslanden.ch) is a specialist institute offering a broad range of medical services in a hotel-style clinic – perfect for health tourists.
When you’re not having body-altering treatments, a trip to Rue de Bourg – a well-known shopping street in Old Town – is an absolute must. A pedestrian zone with picturesque 17th- and 18th-century houses above the shops makes for a quaint atmosphere, while the street markets bustle with busy stalls selling fresh produce, delicious pastries and lots more.
The city’s central area offers everything from high-end fashion brands to luxury items, and is also home to a number of art galleries. For a post-shopping pick-me-up, head to Le Barabare (le-barbare.com), a café in the Old Town, where, it is said, the finest cup of hot chocolate in the city is served. For a completely different vibe, the Flon Quarter is an up-and-coming district that has recently undergone a big transformation, with warehouses being converted into offices and living spaces. All the buildings have a minimalist feel and there are modern art displays and sculptures lining the pedestrian areas. At night the Flon Quarter comes to life, with bars, clubs and restaurants catering to a young, hip crowd.
Where to stay
The Beau-Rivage Palace hotel. Prices start from Dh1,750 per night.
Visit www.brp.ch.
If you do one thing
The Olympic Museum is home to the world’s largest archive of information on the event. With state-of-the-art technology, visitors can discover interesting facts about sport in an interactive way.
Visit www.olympic.org/museum.
Need to know The Lausanne Transport card allows all visitors staying in Lausanne unlimited access to all the city’s transport services (bus, train and metro). The card is provided by your hotel.
Days 4 and 5: Lucerne
Lucerne is a predominantly German-speaking city, approximately two hours
by train from Lausanne. It is perched on the side of Lake Lucerne and is surrounded by mountains. The main landmark and attraction is the Chapel Bridge, which is the oldest covered bridge in Europe, having been built in the 14th century. For motor enthusiasts, The Swiss Museum of Transport has a wide selection of old cars, ships, trains and aircraft. The highlight of Lucerne for me was the natural beauty, which I experienced in all its glory during the 45-minute boat trip to my hotel, The Park Weggis, known as the Riviera of Central Switzerland, which is located at the base of Mount Rigi (rigi.ch). The views of Lake Lucerne are spectacular and the mist covering the mountain tops makes for a dramatic setting. Later I took a train up Mount Rigi – the views are simply breathtaking.
Where to stay
The five-star Park Weggis is the ultimate retreat – at the foot of a mountain and on the side of a lake. You feel instantly peaceful on arrival. Also, for foodies its restaurant, Annex, is Michelin starred and has more than 2,500 types of wine. Prices start at Dh1,600 per night. Visit www.parkweggis.ch.
If you do one thing Take a ride on The CabriO – a double-decker cable car that has a roofless top deck and travels 2.3 kilometres up the side of the Stanserhorn mountain. Tickets cost Dh135. Visit stanserhorn.ch for details.
