Author: Ipsita Barua, Travel Editor
Birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions are best made memorable by the company and the experience. Cakes, streamers, cupcakes, balloons are the usual, but how about celebrating with a unique experience? Like staying in a tree house, or having fondue suspended in a cable car high up in the Alps or indulging in a personalized chocolate, beer or whiskey tasting with friends?
Here are a few tried and tested ideas you could book for your next event or occasion.
Some of them are season-specific, so make sure you check the operational months and times.
#1 Stay in a Special Place
A stay-cation is a never-fail idea because everyone could do with some room service or a change of beds once in a while. Switzerland has some very unique accommodations from tree-houses and hotel rooms directly on the water to igloos and bubble hotels under the skies.
The list is extensive, so here are a few personal picks for a stay with a difference.
Stay in a Lake Pavilion with endless views of Lake Neuchâtel at the Hotel Palafitte These luxurious pavilions are the the only 5-star rooms on stilts in Europe. Each of the 24 tastefully decorated pavilions offer direct access to the lake through a small ladder from your private terrace. Isn’t that something? Price for a night: Between CHF 500 – CHF 600 (depending on the season)
Sleep the night in a treehouse at Les Nids near the watchmaking town of Le Locle in the Swiss Jura. The family-run place has four differently-designed treehouses that are perfect for couples and families, with all facilities like kitchenettes and fireplaces for a comfortable stay. Price for a night: Between CHF 150 – CHF 300 for 2 people
The most special one has to be a night under the stars in a Bubble Hotel or ‘Himmelbett’, an initiative by Thurgau Tourismus that offers a unique stay in a bubble room, in the heart of nature with simple comforts. It’s located in five gorgeous locations in Thurgau and can be reserved from April until October each year. Note that it’s not suitable for families. Price per night: CHF 230 on weekdays and CHF 290 on weekends
#2 Hot Tug on Lake Brienz
There has to be at least a few unique experiences that involve a boat, here in Switzerland and this one is definitely extraordinary that offers the comfort of being in a heated tub, on a boat that glides comfortably over Lake Brienz. With a Prosecco in hand, revel in the beauty of scenic panorama while being snug inside the Hot Tug
Price for 1.5 hours: CHF 180 (for 2) – CHF 320 (for 6)
#3 Organize a Tasting Session
A small intimate tasting session is a great way to mix good company and a varied selection of food and drinks. Whether you fancy chocolate, cheese, wine, beer or whiskey, there are several places around town that offer unforgettable tasting experiences. Check out the following, picked based on experience and ratings.
And here are some of my personal favorites:
#4 Fondue Feast in unusual settings
Who said fondue is best enjoyed in the warmth of your home? It can be doubly delightful in a gondola on Mount Pilatus or inside a horse drawn carriage, riding into the sunset. Nothing can be more romantic and special than this!
Fondue Gondola
Float up into the air and feast on the delicious cheese fondue during the gondola ride from Kriens over Fräkmüntegg and back to Krienseregg.
Fondue Carriage
Enjoy a delicious Bad Ragaz cheese fondue with your family or friends in a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage will take you through the wine region of the Bündner Herrschaft.
Do you have more ideas to add to our list? Please share with the tribe and save someone the headache of frantic research and planning!
Would you like to meet the team behind My Swiss Story for a cup of coffee? If your answer is YES – don’t forget to check out our brand new initiative “Coffee with a Purpose” and register for FREE, places limited.
To read posts from March, click here
Get in touch with us: About Us | Work With Us