For an unparalleled insider experience and to bring your luxury holiday in Switzerland to the next level, enjoy our guided full day and multi-day tours around Lake Geneva and the rest of our beautiful Switzerland. These custom-designed tours hosted by Max are adapted to your style of travel and interests, and are as immersive as they are spectacular. Our mission is to give you a view of Switzerland that reaches far beyond the typical tourist map and the usual tour bus route, without missing any of the iconic “must-sees”.
But what do these private guided day tours look like? Read on to let Max whisk you away from your seat for a day trip to some of the most beautiful hidden corners of Switzerland, or click here for a more visual glimpse. For more information, visit his page. Bon Voyage!
Your Swiss Journey
8.30AM : Finally, We Meet !
After waking up with gorgeous views over Lake Geneva from your bedroom window and a delicious breakfast, it’s time to meet me, Max, your certified local guide for the day. I was born and bred in the region, and can’t wait to show you my favorite backroads, connect you to our local storytellers and show you the incredible natural beauty of our country. So hop aboard my comfortable SUV, where you’ll find all the soft drinks and snacks you’ll need for the day, and get ready for a journey you won’t forget anytime soon…
9.15AM: More Cheese, Please!
After leaving the highway, we ascend a narrow, winding mountain road… and here we are, in the middle of the alpine pastures, welcomed by the grazing locals with a “moo”. We have reached Ana and Pierre’s “Alpage”, a rustic farm where the whole family moves to in June for the summer. Like many of the farmers in Switzerland, they take their cattle from their farm down in the valley up to the mountains to spend the warmer months in the rich meadows to make dairy.
This morning, you’ll get an exclusive backstage pass to see them turn their valuable milk into a very tasty and inimitable mountain cheese with the most traditional methods… a daily routine they don’t invite anyone else to see. But don’t worry, you won’t leave without tasting some too. And here in Switzerland, cheese is always accompanied with a glass of Swiss wine… this is what we call the “Apéro” here, and it is a sacred tradition not to be missed!
12:00PM: Bon Appetit!
It’s time to head to our next destination for lunch. A very secret and scenic route stands between us and our next host. Within a few minutes, here we are, in a secluded alpine paradise where you’ll meet Michelle: one of the rare locals to live up here all year long, in company of a professional cook who will make a tasty homemade lunch just for you in their rustic and beautifully-decorated chalet. You won’t be alone though – Michelle loves to take this time to meet our travelers and share her stories with them, a very unique character she is! After your meal, why not visit her private animal sanctuary – so far, Michelle has rescued a horse, two donkeys, two pigs, some goats, some geese and of course some dogs and cats too…
14:00: Up, Up and Away…
Next, it’s time gain some perspective and get whisked away by a gondola that will take us up to one of the highest local peaks for a breath-taking 360° view of the region, that reaches all the way to the famous fortified village of Gruyères and its medieval castle. Get your camera ready, you’ll need it…
16:00: Choco-what?
After having spent the first part of the day in the pristine alpine scenery, we come back to the glistening shores of Lake Geneva to meet the team of one of the most recognized chocolatiers in the country. Apron and chef’s hat on, it’s time to give Switzerland’s favorite know-how a try with your private chocolate workshop. Once your masterpiece is finished, it’s time to hit the road for one last memorable stop…
17:00: The UNESCO-Protected Lavaux
At a stone’s throw away from the chocolate atelier, we find ourselves amongst the world-famous UNESCO-protected vineyards of the Lavaux, that overlook Lake Geneva and the majestic French Alps. Here, you’ll meet Eve, a local winemaker who was born and raised in the love and respect of Swiss wine tradition. She’ll take you on a tour of her family-owned boutique winery, giving us fascinating insight into the world of Swiss wines, of which only 2% is exported. But every great vineyard visit ends in a wine-tasting right? Not only will you taste Eve’s recognized wine in her “capite” (a private tiny house in the middle of the vineyards, designed to support the harvesting season), but you’ll even get to enjoy a fondue in this breath-taking panorama to watch the sun rise over the beauty that’s in front of you… because trust us, you won’t want to leave anytime soon.
After dinner, it’s time to head back to your hotel… the day has been intense and captivating, but you’ll go to sleep with many memories in mind.
A bientôt,
Max
Because your holidays are too precious not to be extraordinary, we at Chantal & Max Switzerland Travel Design save you the time and stress of internet research, and seamlessly connect you to the heart of Switzerland with our bespoke private tours, unbiased local insight and uniquely-crafted experiences. Contact us at info@chantaletmax.com or by clicking here for your custom-designed luxury vacation to Switzerland that you will never forget!