Each summer the Swiss Alpine town of Gstaad is the setting for the Menuhin Festival, the inspirational legacy of one of the world’s greatest violinists, Yehudi Menuhin. The Festival, which has long been synonymous with musical excellence, is mostly held in the beautiful frescoed churches of the Saanenland region of the Swiss Bernese Oberland. During our week long visit, we attend 4 Festival concerts.
Based in an exceptional 5-star hotel in the south-facing village of Schonried, overlooking Gstaad, we enjoy gentle morning walks in the high pastures, accessed by using the excellent gondelbahns, chairlifts, mountain railway and local bus services. In fine weather, the views are truly superb with a panorama of much of the Alps.
In the afternoons, there is time to relax on the terrace, swim in one of the 2 heated pools or shop in the world class boutiques of Gstaad. Before a concert performance, we have an early dinner then a short vehicle transfer to the concert venue, returning to the hotel for cheese and dessert. There are some delicious Swiss wines to try, such as light, flowery Fendant made with the Chasselas grape or Oeil de Perdrix AOC, a Pinot Noir.
HIGHLIGHTS of our Gstaad Menuhin Festival and walking tour include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
‘Altogether a lovely holiday. Excellent spa hotel. Delicious food which included appetizing choice of dishes for lactose intolerance. Rooms had beautiful mountain views which could also be enjoyed on the high pasture walks. Concerts were a wonderful memorable experience.’
‘One of the many perks of this trip was being settled in a five star hotel for the duration of the trip, not living out of a suitcase, and yet still being able to hike among the many slopes where every turn in the trail revealed to us a new and majestic vista.’
We meet at Geneva airport and board the train from the airport to Montreux on the lake. We change onto the charming mountain railway that chugs up through a spectacular Alpine landscape to the village of Schonried – definitely the way to arrive! After settling into our 5 star hotel, noted for its Alpine chic and impeccable service, there is time for a swim or a stroll. Dinner is served in the pretty restaurant with a large open-air terrace. Perhaps we shall try the sought-after fish, Omble Chevalier, a delicate lake Char.
After a delicious breakfast (served on the sunny terrace in fine weather), we follow the scenic panoramaweg downto Gstaad. In the afternoon, we take the delightful Philosopher’s Path along the banks of the River Saane, to the neighbouring village of Saanen. We arrive back at the hotel with time to swim in the delightful hotel pools, suitable for all weather use as they are heated and partly covered.
A short train ride to the Alpine village of Zweisimmen (948 m) enables us to access Rinderberg (2,011 m) by gondelbahn. Our glorious high-level walk (3.5 hrs) traverses the meadows, affording splendid mountain vistas. After contouring the Hornberg, we return to the valley by the Horneggli lift. Tonight, we dine on the hotel terrace, with an opportunity to sample wild mushrooms and trout, followed by the spectacular cheeseboard including such cheeses as Höbelkase, Sbrinz and Appenzeller.
This morning we take the train down to Gstaad. Just beyond the village, we take the Wispile gondelbahn and ascend to the second station at 1,907 m. We enjoy truly spectacular views as we follow an easy track along a rounded ridge, slowly descending through pastures with the magnificent Spitzhorn massif ahead. We picnic before retracing our steps to the gondelbahn.
Today’s walk begins with a short bus ride from Gstaad, in the picturesque and historical village of Lauenen (1,241m) with a church dating back to 1524. Our 3 hour walk ascends gently from the centre of Lauenen to the tranquil Lauenensee (1,381 m) via a series of quiet lanes and delightful meadow paths offering magnificent panoramas towards the Wildhorn massif.
Following a leisurely breakfast, we walk down a delightful path into the centre of Saanen. After a closer look at the interesting old houses and a visit to the Yehudi Menuhin centre, we enjoy a light lunch in a village café. We then take the train back up to Schonried, with the option of continuing to Saanenmoser and walking back to the hotel on an easy path high above the valley. We have time to prepare for our final concert of the week and to toast our memorable week together.
We take the train back to Montreux and transfer to the Geneva airport rail service and our flights home.
Caveat
The performances described are (very rarely) subject to change by the organizers. Actual activities or their order may therefore vary from those described in the itinerary.
£0 single room supplement or £980 double for single supplement
Land transportation by train, gondelbahn, chairlift, hotel/festival bus and mountain railways, as described
VALUE FOR MONEY - SO MUCH IS INCLUDED
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
The performances described are (very rarely) subject to change by the organizers. Actual activities or their order may therefore vary from those described in the itinerary.
Visitors from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Switzerland.
Normally, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Switzerland.
You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. We can arrange comprehensive cover for UK residents. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured, or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
Photos
Raphael FAUX/Gstaadphotography.com
Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
