SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is one of Europe’s most reliably extraordinary destinations — and one of its most underestimated for luxury travel. Most visitors think ski resorts and mountain passes. The Switzerland we cover is different: the Swiss Riviera, the northern shore of Lake Geneva, and the graceful lakeside city of Lausanne, where Belle Époque palace hotels face the Alps across one of the most beautiful stretches of water in the world.
Everything here is based on firsthand experience. No hotel paid to be featured, and no review is sponsored.
Where we cover in Switzerland:
Lausanne — Lausanne sits on a steep hillside above Lake Geneva, with views across the water to the French Alps that stop you in your tracks at every turn. It’s a proper Swiss city — the home of the International Olympic Committee, a medieval old town, excellent restaurants — but it has a relaxed, walkable quality that makes it one of the most pleasant places in Europe to spend a few days. It’s also genuinely excellent for families, with the Olympic Museum, lakeside parks, and easy day trips into the surrounding wine country. See our full Lausanne travel guide and our guide to where to stay in Lausanne.
Lake Geneva & the Swiss Riviera — The stretch of lakeshore between Lausanne and Montreux — known as the Swiss Riviera — is home to some of the grandest hotels in Europe. These are the historic palace hotels that have hosted royalty and heads of state for over a century, and they remain among the most impressive places to stay anywhere in the world. See our guide to the best hotels on Lake Geneva for the full rundown.
Beau-Rivage Palace — The grande dame of Lausanne’s lakefront and one of the most celebrated hotels in Switzerland. We’ve stayed here and written an honest, detailed review. It’s the kind of hotel that justifies the expense — read our Beau-Rivage Palace hotel review to decide if it’s right for your trip.
Best time to visit Lake Geneva: Late spring through early autumn is ideal — May through September brings warm weather, blue skies, and the lake at its most inviting. July and August are peak summer but never feel overwhelmed the way coastal Mediterranean destinations do. The surrounding Lavaux wine terraces are particularly beautiful in autumn, when the vines turn gold above the water.
