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The past week I was asked to find a romantic getaway less than 2 hours from Geneva, Switzerland by private car or train. The couple loves lakes and mountains, spas and hiking trails. They set around 200 Swiss Francs as budget for a romantic hotel with a nice view from the balcony. Most hiking trails are closed around this time of year, but these destinations have options for hiking or simply going for pleasant walks.
I was able to identify these four areas which would suit their requirements.
Romantic - Check!
Short Travel - Check!
Lake/Mountain Views - Check!
Hiking/Walking Trail - Check!
Ready?
I was able to identify these four areas which would suit their requirements.
Romantic - Check!
Short Travel - Check!
Lake/Mountain Views - Check!
Hiking/Walking Trail - Check!
Ready?
1 - St. Saphorin / Lutry
Travel Time: 1h 1m by train or 1h 21m by car
Highlights
Lavaux Vineyard & Wine Tasting
"Covering 800 hectares, Lavaux is the largest contiguous vineyard region in Switzerland, and its daringly constructed hillside terraces have been protected by UNESCO since 2007" - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Know more of the trail recommended by www.myswitzerland.com/ here.
Know more of the trail recommended by www.myswitzerland.com/ here.
The Old City of Vevey
"The old city of Vevey is dotted with historical monuments and museums bearing witness to its rich heritage. In addition, a large variety of boutiques and craftsmen can be found in the narrow paved streets, displaying their know-how and wares." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Recommended ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel le Baron Tavernier
Website: http://www.barontavernier.ch/
Price: 200 CHF for Lake View with Balcony; Free access to Spa; Breakfast at 25 CHF per person
Price: 200 CHF for Lake View with Balcony; Free access to Spa; Breakfast at 25 CHF per person
Hotel Le Rivage
Website: http://hotelrivagelutry.ch/
Price: 142 CHF for Lake or Vineyard View; 170 CHF for Lake View with Private Balcony
Price: 142 CHF for Lake or Vineyard View; 170 CHF for Lake View with Private Balcony
Lake View B&B
Reserve via Booking.com
Price: 199 CHF for Suite with Spa Bath, 32 CHF for Breakfast
Price: 199 CHF for Suite with Spa Bath, 32 CHF for Breakfast
Auberge du Raisin
B&B Corseaux Beach
Reserve via Booking.com
Price: 160 CHF for Superior Double Room with Bath or with Terrace/Garden or with Lake View
Price: 160 CHF for Superior Double Room with Bath or with Terrace/Garden or with Lake View
Givenchy Spa at Le Mirador Kempinski
2 - Gruyeres
Travel Time: 1h 24m by car (has tolls)
Highlights
MEDIEVAL TOWN WITH A CASTLE
"A picture-perfect medieval town on a small hill with a castle and three totally different museums: In Gruyères, 800-year-old regional history and culture meet Oscar-winning aliens and Buddhist sculptures." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
INTERESTING MUSEUMS
"Inside the 13th century castle is a museum covering eight centuries of the architecture, history and culture of the region. In the second, smaller castle in Gruyères, St. Germain, is the HR Giger museum. It was Giger who designed the horrific fantasy figures for the Hollywood film "Alien". The museum houses the artist's most important pictures and sculptures from 1960 to the present day, and there is also an HR Giger bar (image above). The Tibet museum (opened in 2009) with over 300 Buddhist sculptures, pictures and ritual works from various Himalayan regions, is located in the midst of the traffic-free town." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
HIKING TRAIL: FAMOUS GRUYERE CHEESE AND SWISS CHOCOLATE
"Surely no other trail is more deserving of the description "sensational" than the Gruyere Route. Right at the start in Charmey this diverse trail runs past the tempting wellness and fun thermal baths. It then meanders along Lac de Montsalvens with its fjord-like inlets before being swallowed up on the other side of the dam wall by the spectacular Jaunbach Gorge, where its real highlight lies. Wooden walkways, tunnels and rock galleries, little waterfalls and polished rocks make of this adventurous section a family-friendly excursion.
This trail tempts like no other, from the heavenly chocolate at Maison Cailler in Broc to the legendary cheese of Gruyeres." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Read more about the trail here.
This trail tempts like no other, from the heavenly chocolate at Maison Cailler in Broc to the legendary cheese of Gruyeres." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Read more about the trail here.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Hôtel de Gruyères
Website: http://www.gruyeres-hotels.ch/index.php?page=booking
Price (No Meals if booked via website): Basic Double Room at 170 CHF; Comfort Double Room with Balcony at 230 CHF; Double Room with View at 200 CHF
*Lower, non-refundable rates plus breakfast available at Booking.com
Price (No Meals if booked via website): Basic Double Room at 170 CHF; Comfort Double Room with Balcony at 230 CHF; Double Room with View at 200 CHF
*Lower, non-refundable rates plus breakfast available at Booking.com
La Ferme du Bourgoz (B&B)
Website: http://lafermedubourgoz.ch/en/welcome-to-the-ferme-du-bourgoz-bb/
Price: 100 CHF for 2 persons
Price: 100 CHF for 2 persons
LA FLEUR DE LYS
Website: http://www.hotelfleurdelys.ch/de
Price: 150 CHF viaBooking.com
Price: 150 CHF viaBooking.com
Bains de la Gruyere
Website: http://www.bainsdelagruyere.ch/en
3 - MONTREUX
Travel Time: 1h 15m by train or 1h 29m by car
HIGHLIGHTS
Montreux can be combined with St. Saphorin highlights. They are a short drive away from each other.
CHILLON CASTLE
"Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Rochers de Naye
"The rocks (les rochers) – towering 2042 meters above the town, are as much a part of Montreux as the Chillon Castle. Already back in 1892 the first small steam train made its way up to Rochers de Naye from Glion." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
"The Rochers de Naye are easily accessible from Montreux, where the highest railway in the canton, the Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye, starts. From the summit station (1,968 metres (6,457 ft)), only a short walk is necessary to reach the summit." - http://en.wikipedia.org/
"The Rochers de Naye are easily accessible from Montreux, where the highest railway in the canton, the Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye, starts. From the summit station (1,968 metres (6,457 ft)), only a short walk is necessary to reach the summit." - http://en.wikipedia.org/
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel du Grand Lac Excelsior
Website: http://www.hotelexcelsiormontreux.com/
Price: Starts at 188 CHF with Balcony and Lake View; Free access to Spa (No Meals)
Price: Starts at 188 CHF with Balcony and Lake View; Free access to Spa (No Meals)
Hostellerie Bon Rivage
Website: http://www.bon-rivage.ch/en
Price: 160 CHF for Mountain View; 170 CHF for Lake View (No Meals)
Price: 160 CHF for Mountain View; 170 CHF for Lake View (No Meals)
SPA OPTIONS
Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
Hotel Royal Plaza Montreux & Spa
Clinique la Prairie
Website: http://www.laprairie.ch/en/medical-spa
4 - BIEL/BIENNE
Travel Time: 1h 30m by train or 1h 45m by car
HIGHLIGHTS
OLD TOWN OF BIEL
"Discover the Old Town of Biel! This gem is the birthplace of the city, with its Roman spring where, for centuries, the Romans worshiped the god "Benelus" and which also gave Biel its name. The Ring is the oldest square in the city – a wonderful, magical, romantic and relaxing place. On this guided city tour you will take a time trip with information and anecdotes about Biel and its history." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Vineyards by Lake Biel and Wine Tasting
"The steeply sloping vineyards offer many wonderful views of the lake and the chain of the Alps. On the way, you may be tempted to visit the picturesque villages of Twann and Ligerz. The walk is rounded off with a visit to French-speaking La Neuveville." - http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Read more about the trail here.
Read more about the trail here.
Mont Vully Vineyards and Wine Tasting
"The fall foliage has already begun to slowly change color, the cheerful tones of the grape harvesters ring out everywhere from under the vines, the view is clear and you can see all the way to the Alps. Experience this unique circular hike and round it off preferably with a wonderful fish delicacy in one of the numerous restaurants at the lake.
The range of hills to the north of Lake Murten is not just land that has been settled since time immemorial - grapes that give superb wines also ripen on its slopes. A varied hike leads straight across the vineyards on the hillsides. If you want to obtain information about this wine region, you can read the information panels by the wayside. If you love adventure, you can ascend to the sandstone grottos at Mont Vully or to the top of the hill. If you just want to enjoy yourself, you can revel in the view of the lake, hills and towns - and happily anticipate the forthcoming wine-tasting in Môtier!"
- http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Get more details of the hike here.
The range of hills to the north of Lake Murten is not just land that has been settled since time immemorial - grapes that give superb wines also ripen on its slopes. A varied hike leads straight across the vineyards on the hillsides. If you want to obtain information about this wine region, you can read the information panels by the wayside. If you love adventure, you can ascend to the sandstone grottos at Mont Vully or to the top of the hill. If you just want to enjoy yourself, you can revel in the view of the lake, hills and towns - and happily anticipate the forthcoming wine-tasting in Môtier!"
- http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Get more details of the hike here.
Taubenloch Gorge
"Taubenlochschlucht (Dovecote Gorge) is one of the most popular hikes in the region. Whether this is because of the romantic surroundings, the pleasant coolness along the way or the fact that it is an easy enough hike for families also to explore the gorge, one thing is certain: The walk from Biel to Frinvillier through the mysterious Taubenlochschlucht remains a magical experience."
- http://www.myswitzerland.com/
More information can be found here and here.
- http://www.myswitzerland.com/
More information can be found here and here.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Villa Lindenegg Hotel Bistrot
Website: http://lindenegg.ch/index-en.html
Price: 150 CHF; 180 CHF; 200 CHF; 260 CHF (has own balcony overlooking the garden)
Price: 150 CHF; 180 CHF; 200 CHF; 260 CHF (has own balcony overlooking the garden)
Hotel Artus
Website: http://www.hotel-artus-biel.ch/index1en.html
Price: Double Room with Balcony at 150 CHF via Booking.com
Price: Double Room with Balcony at 150 CHF via Booking.com
Mercure Plaza Biel
Website: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6166-mercure-plaza-biel/index.shtml
Price: Superior Double Non-Refundable at 169 CHF, Refundable at 182 CHF
Junior Suite Non-Refundable at 184 CHF, Refundable at 197 CHF
Price: Superior Double Non-Refundable at 169 CHF, Refundable at 182 CHF
Junior Suite Non-Refundable at 184 CHF, Refundable at 197 CHF
Limelight Spa
Website: http://limelight-spa.ch/home/
So there you have it! A list of options for a quick getaway from Geneva if you are itching for a hike when most trails are already closed as the year is about to end.
What is your favorite weekend getaway in Switzerland? Let me know!