hotel options either. For those willing to push the boat out suggest Angleterre et Résidence, an upscale abode where Lord Byron stayed in 1816, or Chateau d’Ouchy, set in a historic castle right by the lake.
w BERNESE OBERLAND Closer to the centre of the country in the mountainous, picture-perfect (and Unesco- listed) Bernese Oberland sits the town of Interlaken, sandwiched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. “Interlaken is a great choice for an active break,” says Jodie Perkins, Inghams product manager for Switzerland and Germany. “Guests can enjoy activities such as canyoning, river rafting and kayaking, or take a lake steamer across the water to one of the many pretty villages.” Nearby you’ll also find the
limestone caves of St Beatus, made up of illuminated walkways
Guests can enjoy canyoning, river rafting and kayaking, or take a lake steamer across the water
alongside million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, and the Giessbach waterfall, whose powerful rapids tumble down into Lake Brienz. For a good base here
recommend the five-star Hotel Beatus, which offers free excursions including guided walks, bike rides and boat trips on the western shore (from £1,314 for seven nights with Inghams). If clients are on more of a budget, suggest Manor Farm Campsite, set on the edge of
Lake Thun. Available through Eurocamp, the park is a hotspot for families, with windsurfing, canoeing, fishing and more available from a private beach, and walking, cycling and other activities on hand to appease outdoorsy types (a week costs from £1,480 for a group of up to eight, based on an August 15 departure). Not far from there lies the
smaller, quieter Lake Oeschinen, set just above the historic village of Kanderstag and considered one of the country’s most scenic lakes thanks to its emerald hues and breathtaking surroundings. Riviera Travel combines a scenic cable car ride over the lake with a stay in Interlaken on its Bernese Oberland tour. Guests will explore medieval towns and villages via the yellow post bus, the Jungfrau Railway and other iconic trains (from £1,549). Those keen on exploring the
ABOVE LEFT: Lausanne
LEFT: Lake Oeschinen
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travelweekly.co.uk 20 July 2017
area on foot could also look to Inntravel, whose self-guided Lake Oeschinensee & Beyond trip leads hikers through brightly coloured meadows, verdant
forests and deep-cut valleys towards Blausee, a tiny dot on the map named for its enticing colour.
w LAKE LUCERNE Northeast of all this lies Lake Lucerne, the fourth-biggest in the country and accessible from the historic, castle-topped city of Lucerne. “This is probably one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities,” says Kathryn Morris, European product manager at Shearings. “It’s compact and easy to get around with beautiful architecture at every turn.” The city has a rich heritage.
As well as being home to Rütli Meadow, where the Swiss Confederation was signed in 1291, it’s also the location for the William Tell legend and has several restored, century-old paddle steamers which continue to shuttle visitors across the lake today. Active types will find something to please too, with sailing, waterskiing, diving and more all popular, and the soaring peaks of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi handily close by.
PICTURES: KANDERTAL TOURISMUS/ROBERT BOESCH; SWITZERLAND TOURISM/STEPHAN SCHACHER
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