Why Visit Lake Geneva This Winter
While Switzerland in winter is known for its skiing, there’s plenty to do and here’s why you should consider the Lake Geneva area for a winter getaway.
1. Aquatis Opens in Lausanne
In October the Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium opened in Lausanne. Considered the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, it contains almost 10,000 fish and reptile species from five continents.
2. The 40th Château‐d’Oex International Hot‐Air Balloon Festival
The village of Château-d’Oex is celebrating the 40th annual Festival International de Ballons starting January 27-February 4, 2018. The village, which is surrounded by mountains, makes it the ideal microclimate for hot air ballooning.
3. Vaud Wins Top Chef Awards from Gault&Millau and Michelin
Chef Franck Giovannini from Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville in Crissier has been awarded Best Chef of the Year by the Gault&Millau, while Michelin once again bestowed 3 stars on Chef Giovanni. There is a total of 97 restaurants in the Lake Geneva Region in Gault&Millau’s 2018 edition and there are 12 restaurants in the Michelin Guide 2018 with a total of 17 stars.
4. Christmas Markets: Montreux Noël and Bô Noël
Switzerland is famous for its Christmas market and the month-long Montreux Noël is magical. Along the lakefront, visitors will find merchants selling handcrafts and local food specialties. At the nearby Castle de Chillon, expect a medieval program on three weekends and the famed Montreux-Oberland-Bernois train brings families up to Rochers-de-Naye above Montreux to meet with Santa. This year’s Montreux Noel is from November 23 -December 24. In the nearby city of Lausanne, they offer their own holiday festival – Bô Noël, a market with local food, wines and handmade goods from November 23-December 31. The city will be illuminated for Lausanne Lumieres, an extraordinary display of projections and light sculptures by featured artists.
5. Glacier 3000 Expands Ski Area
Glacier 3000 will expand its ski area for the 2017-18 ski season with the newly created “Red Run” that will open on December 20. At nearly five miles long, it will be the longest ski run on the glacier. Sports enthusiasts can also dogsled or ride in a snow bus.
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