On the trail of James Bond or would you prefer a pleasure tour through Appenzell? These five hotels can offer it all. All you have to do is get in your car and the summer roadtrip in Switzerland can begin. Marvellous panoramic views and surprises along the way provide a welcome change of pace. And the best part: A lovingly laid table and a comfortable bed are always waiting at the end.
The Chedi Andermatt
Andermatt – Realp – Furka Pass – Belvédère – Pilatus Aircraft Works Stans (around 180 kilometres)
What Sean Connery, alias James Bond, used as a Swiss backdrop in the film Goldfinger can be covered in one day on a circular route. The starting point is The Chedi Andermatt. The «James Bond petrol station» (Gotthardstrasse 161) may no longer exist, but the iconic mountain landscape remains the same. In his third adventure, Bond stops there to let Tilly Masterson, the sister of the «gilded woman», out of the car. During a car chase, he had destroyed her car tyres with his specially equipped Aston Martin!
The «Bond race track» between Hospental and Realp follows. The winding Furka Pass provides enough of a cinema feeling, even though the production took place exactly 60 years ago. And you can even imagine the villain Auric Goldfinger, played by Gerd Fröbe. He is driven around in the back seat of his Rolls-Royce Phantom III. The serpentines past the Galenstock mountain hotel and over the Furka Pass (2429 metres above sea level). The cars still pass the (closed) historic Hotel Belvédère today – or they stop for a souvenir photo. You reach Lake Sarnen via Meiringen and along Lake Lunga. The Pilatus aircraft factory in Stans was used by Albert R. Broccoli’s film crew as «Auric Goldfinger’s factory». The evening can end in Bond style at The Chedi Andermatt: with a martini – stirred, not shaken – and a cigar in The Cigar Library.
Cresta Palace Celerina
Celerina – Zernez – Ofen Pass – Val Müstair – Umbrail Pass – Bormio – Passo del Foscagno – Forcola di Livigno – Bernina Pass (around 200 kilometres)
Fancy an international tour? With your passport in your luggage, get into your vehicle at the Cresta Palace Celerina to complete a breathtaking tour through the Engadin and northern Lombardy. The route runs alongside the River Inn via Samedan and S-chanf to Zernez. The proximity to the fascinating landscape of the Graubünden National Park characterises the rest of the ride over the Ofen Pass into Val Müstair with the famous monastery town of Santa Maria. After this fertile valley, you cross the border on the Umbrail Pass. This route now leads through impressive gorges to Bagni di Bormio, once a Roman thermal spa! The old county in Valtellina was also known as «Magnifica Terra» («the marvellous land»). The village of Bormio is the perfect place to pick up a few Italian products and enjoy an espresso.
Freshly fortified, we continue along winding roads to the Passo di Foscagno. Duty-free Livigno is the next destination. Before leaving Italy behind, you have to conquer the Forcola di Livigno at an altitude of 2315 metres, because another highlight lies ahead: the Bernina Pass. Around 1550, it was part of a courier route between Lyon and Venice, but enigmatic carvings prove that it was already in use in the Stone Age. Only 20 kilometres separate you from a well-earned «target water» in the Palace Bar or on the summer terrace and a hearty dinner in Giacomo’s Ristorante. Before that, you can enjoy a soothing massage at the Vita Pura Spa.
Le Grand Bellevue
Gstaad – Saanen – Jaun Pass – Maison Cailler – Bulle – Gruyères (around 100 kilometres)
A drive through the green pastures and heights of Fribourg and Valais begins in Le Grand Bellevue and leads down to Saanen to set off on the tour over the Jaun Pass (French: Colle de Bellegarde). Chalets nestled in meadows and babbling brooks line the route to Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland. After crossing the Garfbach stream, the route leads up to the left onto the pass road, which climbs from 850 to 1509 metres above sea level. This is followed by beautiful panoramic views and the obligatory stop for a photo at the waterfall before crossing the language border with ease.
In the canton of Fribourg, head to the Maison Cailler in Broc to learn the secrets of one of the finest chocolates in Switzerland. On the French-speaking side of the day trip, things remain culinary: in Bulle, the folklore market takes place on Thursdays in August from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., combining crafts for the eye and the palate. The picturesque medieval town of Gruyères is also on the must-see programme. The German-speaking enclave is famous for its Gruyère AOP cheese, as well as its meringues and double cream. Now it’s another 40 kilometres back to Le Grand Bellevue, where the original Gruyère is used in the Croque Monsieur and in Le Grand Burger on the bar menu. In the LEONARDs restaurant, however, the whole roasted chicken «La Patte Noire» from Gruyère, which is big enough for driver and passenger, is a tempting treat!
www.bellevue-gstaad.chhttps://bellevue-gstaad.ch
Vitznauerhof
Vitznau – Weggis – Küssnacht am Rigi – Arth – Schwyz – Brunnen (around 54 kilometres)
A three-lake tour in Central Switzerland is a classic. From the Vitznauerhof – Lifestyle Hideaway at the Lake – the route follows the shores of Lake Lucerne to Weggis. If you wish, you can hire the hotel’s own Lucid to make the experience even more comfortable. There is even enough time for a breezy ride on the cable car to Rigi Kaltbad at 1423 metres above sea level. The gondola floats over coniferous forests and bands of Nagelfluh rock. As you rise above the lake, the majestic trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau emerge into view. An easy walk leads to the stunning Känzeli viewing platform. Once back down again, you can quickly reach Küssnacht and enjoy a coffee on the lakeside promenade.
We turn our attention to Lake Zug: the beautiful stage continues along the water to Arth and on to Lauerz to take in the lake of the same name. In Schwyz, you have the eye-catching Mythen mountains in view – and head for Lake Lucerne again. Did you bring your swimsuit? If you’re feeling adventurous, the Lido Brunnen or the pretty Kindli lido are popular natural swimming pools with a sandy beach and a five-star panorama. The Vitznauerhof is just a few minutes away, where a table has already been reserved in the Inspiration restaurant, or you can be spoilt by one of the renowned guest chefs in SENS, the «summer residence of the star chefs» right on the lake.
Appenzeller Huus
Gonten – Appenzell – Stein – Waldstatt – Urnäsch (around 30 kilometres)
Discover the Appenzellerland on a pleasure trip! The cosy breakfast buffet at Huus Bären, with a view of the Alpstein, is not a problem, as there is plenty of time. Nevertheless, the short trip offers a lot of interesting things on a short route. The colourful, car-free old town of Appenzell is just a stone’s throw away. Stroll along the lovingly painted houses and admire the traditional displays – time seems to have stood still here. The Appenzell show dairy in Stein, on the other hand, is state of the art. On a tour to marvel at and taste, you can learn to distinguish between the different varieties of the famous cheese – and (almost) discover the secret of the mysterious herbal essenc
Inspired, the journey continues around the Hundwiler Höhi with a stop in Waldstatt. At first glance, the wood-fired bakery Brotkorb (Mooshaldenstr. 35, closed Sun & Mon) also looks a little out of date, but handmade, crusty bread never goes out of fashion. With a tasty treat or a fresh loaf to take home, you can continue your journey to Urnäsch. Right next to the railway station, the Gelateria tempts you with ice cream from Graubünden. Vegans will find delicious chocolate ice cream without milk. But we don’t want to spoil our appetite for dinner at the Appenzeller Huus. The gourmet restaurant Bärenstobe, the Lehnerstobe, the traditional Löwenstobe, the Appenzellerstöbli or the summer terrace are already awaiting guests. Traditional Appenzeller cuisine, fused with modern, sustainable and vegetarian or vegan recipes, as well as wine specialist Hans Rhyners, make for a successful end to a cosy day.
