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Description of Driving Experience - The Wine Regions of Switzerland
This three night break around the wine regions of Switzerland includes a visit to the UNESCO Heritage site, the Lavaux Wine Region who's vineyards date back to the Roman times and run down to the shores of Lake Geneva from Ouchy to Vervey. This area is truly a wine and gourmet lovers paradise. And what better way to visit this region than to combine with a driving tour, that takes you through some of the most scenic mountain passes anywhere in the Alps, and bases you then for 2 evenings in the picture postcard mountain village of Gstaad which is within 30 minutes drive of some of the best vineyards of the Vallis and Vaud wine producing regions.
Day 1 - Arrive Zurich
Arrive at Zurich airport, private transfer to the Widder Hotel where we will meet / greet and walk you through the itinerary for the break. Spend the afternoon exploring the cafes and boutiques of Zurich's old town, or take a stroll along the world famous Bahnhoffstrasse, down to the shores of lake Zurich.
Spend the evening in the city, either take in a show at the opera house, visit one of the coolest clubs in Zurich with VIP entry, or spend a more relaxed and romantic evening at the hotels Gourmet restaurant. Later that afternoon you will be met by your Ultimate Drives drive concierge who will provide you with a full walk through of the 2 days of driving, handover the driving notes, maps and itinerary and answer any questions you might have.
Day 2 - Drive south through the central Swiss Alps to Gstaad
Your car is delivered to hotel and we will provide a detailed walk through of the car, plus of course the navigation unit which will have each of your daily drives (including routes and stop points) pre programmed.
Drive to your base hotel, the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad. First take a pleasant run south skirting the shores of Lake Luzern, then just south of the city turn off and start the ascent across the rugged and often isolated Glaubenbielen pass. Initially this pass winds its way up through lush green meadowland, before the scenery starts to become more alpine like, with a final ascent into a beautiful forest area. From the peak follow the valley through several ski villages, before turning south again, direction Thun. Now you will head along the beautiful Schallenbrg valley, lush green, and wide open sweeping roads between a collection of small villages running along the valley floor, you then rise up and the Schallenberg pass. This whole stretch is set the shadow of the Jungfrau. For us, driving this valley is one of the best, not for the dramatic peaks, these are further south, but the long sweeping roads, with endless views down the long wide valley in the direction of the Jungfrau.
Once through Thun, head south west along the Simme river valley. Where the road splits, instead of heading in the direction of Gstaad, go right and over the beautiful Juanpass. Once over the pass, you will turn left direction Gruyers, then complete your journey to you hotel, the Grand Hotel du Lac in Vevey, set on the shores of Lake Geneva you will arrive there in time for sun down drinks on their terrace overlooking the lake.
Dependent on your energy levels, take a stroll into the village of Vevey (3 minutes walk) or perhaps visit the Spa. Later relax in the hotels funky bar and prepare yourself for dinner, there are two wonderful restaurants at the hotel to choose from, plus numerous options in the village, you wont be disappointed for choice.
Day 3 - Tour of Lake Geneva and the Lavaux Wine Region
After breakfast on the hotels terrace, its time to set off for you main driving adventure.
The initial drive takes you north, and once again over the beautiful Juan Pass, however, instead of heading direction Gruyers after completing the pass, continue on, direction Montreux. The elevated highway winds it's way beautifully down to the shores of the lake, where you will drive a short stretch of the lake along the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces from Vevey to Cully with a private tasting at the beautiful Domaine Louis Bovard vineyard.
So famous are its historical roots (some say stretching back all the way to the Roman Empire), that UNESCO designated the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces as a World Heritage site in 2007. The Lavaux vineyards stretch along the northern shores of Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Chateau de Chillon, with an extensive network of footpaths allowing visitors to ramble through the vineyards while taking in the scenic views of Lake Geneva on the one side and the Alps on the other. For this break you can enjoy this area by driving along the Corniche, an idyllic roadway that passes through the winegrowing area, studded with grand houses, vaulted wine cellars, romantic bistros and, everywhere one looks, stunning scenery
Next drive back along the shores of the lake direction of Montreux, where you will stop for a late lunch in Montruex at the L'ERMITAGE gourmet restaurant, with wonderful views across the lake, quite breathtaking.
After lunch, you can take a quick diversion to visit the famous Chateau de Chillion on the shores of the lake, or if castles aren't your thing, start your journey back to Vevey. The drive back initially takes you south to the town of Aigle, one of the leading wine producing centres in the region. Once at Aigle, you head to the town of Villars-sur Ollon, and over the dramatic Col de la Croix pass, an amazingly twisty and bumpy pass, that almost leaves you laughing when you arrive in Les Diablerets at the foot.
Arrive back at the hotel around 18:00, for late afternoon drinks, or maybe a splash in the hotels wonderful indoor pool, with views across the private park that the hotel is set in.
Day 4 - Return to Zurich via the central Swiss Alps
This final drive back takes you along the elevated highway that runs south of lakes Thuner and Breinzer, before a dramatic left turn, up and over the Susten Pass.
The Susten pass is one of the most dramatic and beautiful passes in the Alps, with long sweeping roads cut directly into the rock faces of this valley, followed by a steep descent through some luch green alpine forests, a bit of a taster for our central Switzerland break, maybe next time.
From here, continue north along the main highway to Zurich, however, dependent on time available to you, you can divert and also tackle the Klaussen pass. Here there is a nice cafe at the summit where you can stop for a quick bite, before completing your journey back to Zurich, around 2 hours from this point.
You can either return the car directly to our offices, 3 minutes from Zurich airport, from where we will transfer you directly to your departures gate, or if you decide to spend a further in Zurich, we will arrange for your private transfer from the hotel the following day.
Day 1 - Arrive Zurich
Arrive at Zurich airport, private transfer to the Widder Hotel where we will meet / greet and walk you through the itinerary for the break. Spend the afternoon exploring the cafes and boutiques of Zurich's old town, or take a stroll along the world famous Bahnhoffstrasse, down to the shores of lake Zurich.
Spend the evening in the city, either take in a show at the opera house, visit one of the coolest clubs in Zurich with VIP entry, or spend a more relaxed and romantic evening at the hotels Gourmet restaurant. Later that afternoon you will be met by your Ultimate Drives drive concierge who will provide you with a full walk through of the 2 days of driving, handover the driving notes, maps and itinerary and answer any questions you might have.
Day 2 - Drive south through the central Swiss Alps to Gstaad
Your car is delivered to hotel and we will provide a detailed walk through of the car, plus of course the navigation unit which will have each of your daily drives (including routes and stop points) pre programmed.
Drive to your base hotel, the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad. First take a pleasant run south skirting the shores of Lake Luzern, then just south of the city turn off and start the ascent across the rugged and often isolated Glaubenbielen pass. Initially this pass winds its way up through lush green meadowland, before the scenery starts to become more alpine like, with a final ascent into a beautiful forest area. From the peak follow the valley through several ski villages, before turning south again, direction Thun. Now you will head along the beautiful Schallenbrg valley, lush green, and wide open sweeping roads between a collection of small villages running along the valley floor, you then rise up and the Schallenberg pass. This whole stretch is set the shadow of the Jungfrau. For us, driving this valley is one of the best, not for the dramatic peaks, these are further south, but the long sweeping roads, with endless views down the long wide valley in the direction of the Jungfrau.
Once through Thun, head south west along the Simme river valley. Where the road splits, instead of heading in the direction of Gstaad, go right and over the beautiful Juanpass. Once over the pass, you will turn left direction Gruyers, then complete your journey to you hotel, the Grand Hotel du Lac in Vevey, set on the shores of Lake Geneva you will arrive there in time for sun down drinks on their terrace overlooking the lake.
Dependent on your energy levels, take a stroll into the village of Vevey (3 minutes walk) or perhaps visit the Spa. Later relax in the hotels funky bar and prepare yourself for dinner, there are two wonderful restaurants at the hotel to choose from, plus numerous options in the village, you wont be disappointed for choice.
Day 3 - Tour of Lake Geneva and the Lavaux Wine Region
After breakfast on the hotels terrace, its time to set off for you main driving adventure.
The initial drive takes you north, and once again over the beautiful Juan Pass, however, instead of heading direction Gruyers after completing the pass, continue on, direction Montreux. The elevated highway winds it's way beautifully down to the shores of the lake, where you will drive a short stretch of the lake along the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces from Vevey to Cully with a private tasting at the beautiful Domaine Louis Bovard vineyard.
So famous are its historical roots (some say stretching back all the way to the Roman Empire), that UNESCO designated the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces as a World Heritage site in 2007. The Lavaux vineyards stretch along the northern shores of Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Chateau de Chillon, with an extensive network of footpaths allowing visitors to ramble through the vineyards while taking in the scenic views of Lake Geneva on the one side and the Alps on the other. For this break you can enjoy this area by driving along the Corniche, an idyllic roadway that passes through the winegrowing area, studded with grand houses, vaulted wine cellars, romantic bistros and, everywhere one looks, stunning scenery
Next drive back along the shores of the lake direction of Montreux, where you will stop for a late lunch in Montruex at the L'ERMITAGE gourmet restaurant, with wonderful views across the lake, quite breathtaking.
After lunch, you can take a quick diversion to visit the famous Chateau de Chillion on the shores of the lake, or if castles aren't your thing, start your journey back to Vevey. The drive back initially takes you south to the town of Aigle, one of the leading wine producing centres in the region. Once at Aigle, you head to the town of Villars-sur Ollon, and over the dramatic Col de la Croix pass, an amazingly twisty and bumpy pass, that almost leaves you laughing when you arrive in Les Diablerets at the foot.
Arrive back at the hotel around 18:00, for late afternoon drinks, or maybe a splash in the hotels wonderful indoor pool, with views across the private park that the hotel is set in.
Day 4 - Return to Zurich via the central Swiss Alps
This final drive back takes you along the elevated highway that runs south of lakes Thuner and Breinzer, before a dramatic left turn, up and over the Susten Pass.
The Susten pass is one of the most dramatic and beautiful passes in the Alps, with long sweeping roads cut directly into the rock faces of this valley, followed by a steep descent through some luch green alpine forests, a bit of a taster for our central Switzerland break, maybe next time.
From here, continue north along the main highway to Zurich, however, dependent on time available to you, you can divert and also tackle the Klaussen pass. Here there is a nice cafe at the summit where you can stop for a quick bite, before completing your journey back to Zurich, around 2 hours from this point.
You can either return the car directly to our offices, 3 minutes from Zurich airport, from where we will transfer you directly to your departures gate, or if you decide to spend a further in Zurich, we will arrange for your private transfer from the hotel the following day.
Additional Pricing Information
Price per person, based on two persons sharing a superior twin / double room, car extra per your choice.
Package includes:
Package includes:
- 3 nights 5 superior accomodation
- Double Superior Room / Bed & Breakfast
- Private limo transfers to/from the hotel
- Personal meet/greet tour walk through
- Driving itinerary/programmed navigation
- 800KM / 3 Day Alp & Wine Region Tour
- Car rental extra, based on your choice
Departure Dates
Mid May till Mid October
Places Visited
Hide Map
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