Straddling the northern shore of Lake Geneva, the Swiss Riviera is one of Europe’s most exclusive enclaves. Glamorous hotels, exquisite boutiques and picturesque towns packed with culture and history are flanked by breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps. Stretching from Lausanne to Montreux, it comes as no surprise that this scenic area is home to a long list of celebrities from royalty to the arts.

Scenery to take your breath away

@visitmontreux

Simply outstanding at any time of year, the views across Lake Geneva are some of the most spectacular in the world. One of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes, the bright blue waters of Lake Geneva glisten against a dramatic backdrop of snowy Alpine peaks. Terraced vineyards and charming belle epoque towns line the hillsides. Whether you take to the waters for a cruise or stroll the waterfront paths, the Swiss Riviera is a must-visit destination for any discerning traveler.

For travel inspiration: Switzerland destination guide

High end shopping and exceptional cuisine

World renowned for its high-end shopping experience, the boutiques of the Swiss Riviera are not just stores; they are an experience in themselves. Nestled seamlessly into historic cities, the architecture is exquisite with interior design nothing short of perfection. And foodies will be delighted by the Swiss Riviera’s gourmet offerings, which range from classic Swiss cuisine to exotic international dishes. The region is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Anne-Sophie Pic’s eponymous restaurant in Lausanne, which boasts three Michelin stars and is considered one of the best restaurants in the world.

Lausanne

Climbing up the hillside from the shores of Lake Geneva, the city of Lausanne exudes charm and sophistication. As you wander through its picturesque streets, you’ll discover a wealth of cultural and historical treasures, including its stunning Gothic cathedral and world-class museums.

From Hermes scarves to Luis Vuitton bags, Lausanne’s charming Old Town holds within it a mini-shopping paradise. Designer brands and exclusive boutiques can be found among its narrow, cobbled streets, along with historic buildings and cozy cafés. And for a taste of local culture, be sure to visit the bustling open-air market at Place de la Palud, where you can sample fresh produce, artisanal cheeses and other local delicacies.

One of the must-visit attractions in Lausanne is the Olympic Museum, a sleek, modern building that pays homage to the city’s status as the Olympic capital, with an impressive collection of Olympic artifacts and exhibits.

Related article: Dine, Sleep, Do: How to spend a chic 24 hours in St. Moritz

Explore the ancient vineyards of Lavaux

Though less well known than their French and Italian neighbors, the vineyards of the Swiss Riviera produce some of the finest wines in the world. Considered one of Switzerland’s hidden treasures, the exclusivity factor of these vineyards lies in their limited production.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the picturesque Lavaux vineyards lie between Lausanne and Montreux. The culture of vines and wine has been rooted in the Lavaux lands for a thousand years and these ancient terraces have a long and beautiful history. Here you can find Domaine du Daley, the oldest commercial entity in Switzerland whose original cellars were built in 1392.

For wine enthusiasts, a visit to the vineyards of Lavaux is a must, with a range of notable wineries that offer tastings and tours. Among the most famous are the Domaine De La Crasusaz and Terres de Lavaux. Another winery of note is the Domaine Dizerens which produces a range of fine wines using traditional land cultivation methods.

Related article: What to look for in a top-quality Pinot Noir, by wine expert Courtney Kingston

Montreux and Chillon Castle

@visitmontreux

Famous for its annual jazz festival and its elegant lakefront promenade lined with palm trees, Montreux is a standout location of the Swiss Riviera. A playground of the rich and famous, the city boasts an elegant atmosphere, exquisite restaurants and a breathtaking mountain backdrop.

The town’s historic Château de Chillon dates back to the 12th century and is one of the most visited landmarks in Switzerland. This fairy-take castle juts dramatically out onto the lake and offers a real insight into the workings of the castle. Visitors can tour the castle’s well-preserved chambers and learn about its fascinating history. From the chateau through Montreux runs the waterfront Quai de Fleurs, one of the most beautiful walks in Europe.

@visitmontreux

For those looking to indulge in high-end shopping, Montreux offers a range of exclusive boutiques and designer stores. The town’s Rue du Marché is home to a variety of luxury brands, including Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Montreux is also home to many beautiful parks and gardens, including the famous Château de Chillon Gardens, which offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the town.

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland

 Read more: Majestic Switzerland through the lens of a Travel Concierge

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or culinary delights, the Swiss Riviera is sure to exceed your expectations. To find out more about our limited-edition luxury tours to Switzerland and beyond, take a look at our exclusive worldwide collection.

Banner image @visitmontreux

Experts in your destination and there to tailor your journey, your Luxury Gold Travel Concierge offers the ultimate service. More than a guide they offer a flawless personal service, tailored to you. To learn how Ultimate Italy is made even more ultimate, we spoke with Travel Concierge Anna to find out more about how she personalizes your tour.

Discover our Italy Luxury Tours and Vacation Packages

Meet Travel Concierge Anna

A specialist in Italy for over 15 years, Travel Concierge Anna knows this beautiful country inside-out. And, a key skill of a Luxury Gold Travel Concierge, she also knows people. “Tailoring the perfect Italy tour comes from our destination experience and understanding our guests. It is also about getting to know people quickly and identifying their wishes and desires.”

Through a combination of conversation and intuition, Anna gets to know guests’ needs right from the start. “I will spend time with them on the first night. As it is always a small group, it’s quite easy to get to know guests fairly quickly and offer a personal one-to-one service. I’ll ask if you have particular things that you’re interested in and would like do.”

But the personalization process doesn’t stop there. Throughout the tour Anna will continue to intuit guest’s likes and dislikes, tailoring the experience as she goes.

“As the trip goes on you learn more and more about people,” she says. “So, we also adapt to guests’ needs as we go. Through my expert knowledge of Italy, I have plenty great ideas up my sleeve to tailor your experience.”

Discover this on Ultimate Italy

Exceptional dining for every palate

@mammarestaurant

Exceptional dining is at the heart of every Luxury Gold journey, with some truly exquisite restaurants featured on our sublime Ultimate Italy tour. There are also opportunities for guests to choose how and where they dine. In a gastronomic haven such as Italy, Travel Concierge Anna’s local knowledge and expertise enables guests to tailor their culinary experience.

“In Capri, we dine at Michelin starred restaurant Mamma, where the food is exquisite and the views are jaw-dropping,” Anna tells us. “You approach through little narrow back alleys, through a tiny little door which then opens up to a panoramic view over the Mediterranean out towards Naples. It is an amazing dining experience.”

Related content: 7 Luxury Gold hotels that have hosted royals, celebrities and more

“When guest have a free evening, for example in Perugia or Florence, I will help choose where to dine. In each location I’ve hand-selected restaurants that serve delicious fare and are located near the hotel. Each areslightly different, for example one may be fine dining, one may be very atmospheric and local. Another might simply serve outstanding pizzas, we are in Italy of course!” she says with a smile.

“When it comes to gastronomy, every region is totally different. This is something I love to share with guests. Southern Italy is all about seafood and the views. When in Rome it’s all about finding that little backstreet trattoria that has traditional dishes served by Mom and Pop. And in Tuscany, Florentine steak takes pride of place on the menu.

“You may also have particular restaurants that you’ve heard of and wish to visit, in which case I will help with reservations where possible. It becomes apparent very quickly when guests are really into food so I love to help them out on that journey with all that Italy has to offer.”

Related content: Where to Find the Most Rare & Expensive Food in the World

Pick between exclusive experiences

With many exclusive experiences included on Luxury Gold tours, there are also times where guests can personalize their day, through a choice of two different experiences.

Carefully selected by your Travel Concierge, these thoughtful choices are curated with the Luxury Gold guest in mind. “The thing is with Italy, it has so much to offer,” Anna says. “It has art, history, architecture, beaches, mountains and vineyards. And of course, it has fabulous food and wine. It’s an incredible place.

“In the stunning hilltop town of Assisi in the heart of Umbria, knowing that art and culture appeal to our guests, we extend this offering with the opportunity to visit Saint Francis Basilica, to see stunning frescos dating back around 800 years.

“However, we also understand that guests might want something different, so they may prefer to join a local gourmand to taste delicious Umbrian specialities. That might be mushroom or truffle paste on crostini, interesting varieties of salamis or maybe the famous Umbrian pork, along with delicious olive oils.”

Elevating the everyday

“I’m always considering any opportunities to tailor a guest’s experience,” Anna explains. “I can show secret treasures that you might not otherwise find. If I know that someone is really into art, as we are walking through the streets of Rome I might quietly say ‘let’s just pop into this church because I happen to know there’s a Caravaggio in here.’ This is what happens when you are well experienced and know these hidden gems.”

Related content: The Luxury Gold guide to discovering statement art pieces on your travels

Special moments made exceptional

Wherever possible Anna assists with special requests, to make your journey extra special. “Sometimes guests are keen to trace their family history,” she says. “Guests from the United States often have family connections in Italy. If we are staying very close to where their family originates, I might help them make a visit. This can be a very emotional experience for everyone.”

“We also have guests celebrating big anniversaries, in which case I will help them make it extra special, to find a superb restaurant or location for a truly memorable occasion. There are lots of suggestions that we can make for special moments.”

Related content: 7 ways Luxury Gold makes your travel experience completely stress free

The best of both worlds

“Whilst guests want their service to be personalized, they also love being in a group, to have fun and share experiences together,” says Anna. “This is the great joy of taking these tours, meeting people and making new friends. But for our guests, knowing that they can also tailor their experience is the best of both worlds.”

To enjoy the wealth of treasures the Italy has to offer, and benefit from the personal service of your Travel Concierge, take a look at our Ultimate Italy limited edition luxury .tour

When your Italy travels take you to a famed gelateria in San Gimignano, know that you’re in for a treat. Much more than a joy for the taste buds, Sergio Dondoli’s gelato in San Gimignano is a haven of local flavors, top-quality ingredients and award-winning innovations. Patrons travel from around the world to visit the best gelateria in San Gimignano. Here’s why you should too. 

The shop 

While Gelateria Dondoli (or Gelateria di Piazza) is known worldwide as a gelato destination and certainly the best gelateria in Italy, the experience of visiting the shop is intimate and personal. You’ll find the gelateria tucked down a winding alleyway in Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s many piazzas.  Step inside – or join the line – and be prepared to be delighted by the creations by Master Gelato Maker Sergio Dondoli. 

@gelateriadondoli_official

The man behind the gelato  

To understand Dondoli’s mastery, we must also understand the importance of homemade gelato in history. The first person to introduce gelato from Italy to France was Catherine de Medici, future wife of Henry II King of France, in the 16th century. Catherine had worked with alchemist Cosimo Ruggieri as part of a cooking contest to create this creamy dessert and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Dondoli carries on the tradition as one of the 10 Master Gelato Makers in Italy.  

Dondoli is especially known for his experimental, original and unusual flavors. Some of the most notable include Crema di Santa Fina® (cream with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo® (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro® (cream with aromatic herbs) and Vernaccia Sorbet. 

Read more: 10 stunning Lake Como towns you need to visit

@gelateriadondoli_official

Since he began making gelato in 1984, Dondoli has been recognized with numerous international awards. He won the prestigious MAM (Master of Art and Craft) award in 2016, the Italian equivalent of the “Living National Treasure” Japanese Prize, and the French “Maître d’Art” Award. Only 75 Artistic Masters were awarded this honor in Italy, and Sergio is the only Gelato Master to have received this important award. Dondoli also took part in “Identità Golose” (Tempting Identities), a gastronomic event in Milan between February 1-4, 2009, as a member of the “Creatività Gelate” (Frozen Creativities) group.  He also recently published a book, I, Sergio Dondoli, an autobiographical account of his passion that includes his recipes.   

@gelateriadondoli_official

The gelato 

Not surprisingly, Dondoli makes his gelato using highly selected, top-quality ingredients, often local to the region. For example, his DOP Saffron has earned the protected designation of origin from San Gimignano and Vinsanto. Dondoli also uses “Tonda Gentile” Hazelnut from the Langhe region and Bronte Pistachio. Dondoli is the only gelato maker to use Amedei chocolate, awarded the Oscar in London as the best chocolate in the world for five years. He uses raw milk from cows adopted by Gelateria Dondoli at Camporbiano Farm, and local, organic fruit whenever possible. 

When you consider the appeal of gelato compared to ice cream, you can imagine why these flavors are so special. Gelato has more milk than cream and uses lower quantities of fat than ice cream. Because gelato has less air in the base, it is denser and packed with more flavor than ice cream.       

@gelateriadondoli_official

We can’t wait to try… 

With so many tempting creations at this gelateria in San Gimignano, how do you choose? We have our eyes on some of the most innovative flavor combinations using aromatic herbs such as Rosemary Baby® (Raspberry and Rosemary) and Venere Nera® (Blackberries and Lavender). We can’t wait to sample the pairings of sweet, spicy and bitter, including Sangue di Bue® (spicy chocolate and sour cherries), Michelle® (saffron cantuccini, Avola almonds, honey and bitter orange peel), Biske Rata® (white chocolate, pumpkin seed oil, and cookies) and Crema de’ Pazzi® (bitter orange peel, Grand Marnier, dark chocolate and almonds). 

@gelateriadondoli_official

The class 

After your visit to this gelateria in San Gimignano, you may want to dig your spoon deeper into the world of gelato. Should you have more time on your travels, you can take the Dondoli Gelato Class to learn more about and make gelato. You’ll have a quick lesson followed by trying your hand at making a Fiordilatte (raw milk) gelato and a seasonal fruit (persimmon, banana, strawberry, lemon or melon) gelato.  

@gelateriadondoli_official

Just a taste 

Dondoli’s gelateria in San Gimignano is just a taste of the culinary riches of Italy’s Tuscany region. Read about seven ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food with Luxury Gold and the essential guide to Italy for foodies. 

Still hungry? These 5 Michelin Star chefs are celebrating local culture through food.