When should you book a vacation package to Switzerland?
It all depends on what you'd like to do. If you're into skiing and want to save money, a package in February of March could work out just fine. If you're headed to Geneva or Zurich for a city break, May and June are great times to go, and the early fall is prime hiking season in most lower Alpine valleys.
Where should you stay in Switzerland during your vacation?
For any vacation type in Switzerland:
It doesn't matter whether you travel as a family, alone or as a couple, the Hotel Krebs in Interlaken will be ideal. It's well situated for skiing or summer hikes, while a range of bars and restaurants caters for evening entertainment. Airport shuttles from Zurich take around two hours.
For visitors to Geneva, nowhere beats the Beau Rivage. Blessed with a beautiful location overlooking the lake, it's a short walk from attractions like Saint-Pierre Cathedral and is well-equipped with amenities to enhance anyone's stay. Airport taxis take just 10-15 mins.
For family vacations in Switzerland:
Geneva's Grand Hotel Kempinski is among the city's elite family hotels, with a Sunday children's club taking the pressure off parents, a wellness spa and pool. And it's all around 15 mins from Geneva airport (or 25 mins by bus).
If you're arranging a family ski trip to Zermatt, the Grand Hotel Zermatthof will fit the bill. A classic continental ski lodge, it provides relaxing massages, has three restaurants, an indoor pool and staff who are experts at handling kids. The taxi from Geneva Airport takes about 4 hours.
For romantic vacations in Switzerland:
The Hotel d'Angleterre is a wonderful boutique hotel in Geneva where the rooms are furnished with little touches like bathrobes, extra-soft pillows and iPod docks - creating an intimate, romantic atmosphere. It's handily located in the city center, around 15 mins by taxi from the airport.
The Gstaad Palace is perfect for skiing escapes with the one you love. Located at the base of a stupendously beautiful valley, it has 5 restaurants, a pool and spa which specializes in aromatherapy sessions - ideal for recovering from a day on the slopes. The drive from Geneva takes 2 hours.
For luxury vacations in Switzerland:
Located in the upscale ski resort of St Moritz, the San Gian is everything luxury ski fans could hope for, offering hot stone massages and reflexology, while hooking guests up with secure ski storage and the all-important passes. Zurich airport is around 4 hours away by road.
Cresta Palace is a superb premium ski hotel in Celerina where the deep soaking tubs provide the perfect way to recover from a day on the slopes, and the dining options seem to go on and on. The closest airport is Milan Malpensa in Italy, which is 3 hours away by taxi or hire car.
For budget vacations in Switzerland:
If you're taking your family to Zurich, the Novotel Zurich Airport Messe is both cheap and extremely convenient - as well as being a comfortable, friendly hotel. It has a terrace bar, fitness center and sauna, and is 5 mins from the airport.
Budget travelers can explore the fascinating city of Geneva without paying a fortune by staying at the Hotel des Alpes, where free wi-fi and hearty buffet breakfasts ensure a contented stream of customers. And the 3 mile distance from the airport means that transfers are extremely quick.
