Beautiful lakeside towns surrounded by vineyards and mountains
Nestled on the northern banks of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is a hilly city in the canton of Vaud. Set on a series of terraces, the charming old town sits at the top with the former fishing village of Ouchy at the bottom.
The snow-capped Savoy Alps in the distance provide a stunning backdrop to this picturesque city, known as the Olympic Capital. Its old town is free of cars, creating a pedestrian’s paradise replete with cobbled alleyways, gourmet eateries and boutique coffee shops.
The old town is filled with early Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of Notre Dame dominating the skyline. The waterfront district of Ouchy is perfect for wandering, boasting views of nearby France as well as the Olympic Museum.
Also in the canton of Vaud is Montreux, nestled in a sheltered bay on Lake Geneva. Surrounded by vineyards and the snow-covered Alps, it is an incredibly picturesque town. Embark on walks along the flower-adorned promenades, taking in the waters which have inspired musicians such as Deep Purple and Freddie Mercury.
The ancient stones of Crêtes Castle stand resolute on the banks while the tower fort of Châtelard Castle is unmistakable, perched on a hilltop overlooking vineyards and valleys. Perhaps most striking of all is Chillon Castle, a 12th-century fort set on the edge of Lake Geneva, with paintings dating back six centuries.
Highlights
Discover Crêtes, Châtelard and Chillon Castles in Montreaux
Take a boat trip on the lake
Melania Siriu
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Lausanne and Montreux
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where else to go in Switzerland
Basel
Perched along the iconic River Rhine, Basel is a historic city home to world-class museums, galleries and some cutting-edge contemporary architecture.
Discover moreBern and the Bernese Oberland
A city steeped in history and legend, Bern is a beautiful time capsule dating back to the late 12th century.
Discover moreGeneva
Snow-dusted peaks and brilliant green hills reflect off the smooth surface of Lake Geneva. Small villages wait to be discovered on the shoreline, while at the southern tip of the lake, the French-speaking city of Geneva entices with a fascinating history and vibrant culture.
Discover moreGstaad
Located near the Alpine passes in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions, Gstaad is a small village known for its high-profile guests, luxury hotels and high-end restaurants.
Discover moreLake Lucerne
Forested slopes roll down to the still turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne, snow-capped mountains soaring towards the sky in the distance and quaint villages peppering the shoreline.
Discover moreJungfraujoch and Interlaken
Jungfraujoch is a glacial pass found between the Jungfrau and Mönch mountains in the Bernese Alps. The heights themselves are visible from far away, displaying their awesome power with snowy peaks reaching high into the skies above.
Discover moreJura and the Three Lakes
In Switzerland’s northwest, reaching out into France, the Canton of Jura is characterised by green pastures and sweeping hills and forested mountains, with winding rivers punctuated by medieval towns.
Discover moreSouth Western Switzerland
South Western Switzerland is a sublime corner of the country, crowned by the Italy-bordering Matterhorn whose iconic peak towers above the town of Zermatt.
Discover moreSt. Moritz
With backdrops of breath-taking forests blanketed in snow, and dramatic peaks cutting into cobalt skies, lakeside St. Moritz is as picturesque an alpine destination as you could imagine.
Discover moreTicino
Populated by great mountains and vast blue lakes, the enduring beauty of Ticino is one of old-world charm, but it certainly isn’t lacking in modern glitz and glamour.
Discover moreZurich
This majestic city stands proudly on the lower end of Lake Zurich, decorative spires piercing the clear sky.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
Visit in the warmer months to take advantage of the lakeside locations of Lausanne and Montreux and to visit the vineyards.
Switzerland is a year-round destination.
In winter it is a mecca for skiiers, and there are plenty of winter hikes and snowshowing activities on offer.
In spring and summer the meadows fill with wild flowers and the lakes look exceptionally beautiful.
Sightseeing
Year Round
Winter Break
December-April
Hiking
April-September
Plan your trip to Lausanne and Montreux
Whatever you want from your adventure in Switzerland, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Wonderful trip. Big WOW! Jacada is the best company we've ever used. Everything was scheduled and worked seemlessly. Top quality all the way. Will definitely use again.
Jacada tailored a vacation to Switzerland for us that met all of our expectations and more. Our hotels were beautiful and centrally located, our guides and excursions were all amazing, and the logistics went off pretty much without a hitch. We would definitely book another trip with Jacada.
Great customer care and personalized experiences!
Kate and the rest of the Jacada team have done a fabulous job in planning and executing our Christmas trip to Switzerland. Last year they did an extensive trip of Asia for us. No detail is to small. Each trip has special experiences. They use wonderful tour guides and provide great information prior to leaving
Really great trip and every detail was perfectly planned! Thanks!!
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If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.