5 Fall Weekend Getaways and Activities Less Than 2 Hours from Geneva
Summer is gone but winter isn’t quite here yet… So what is there to do on the weekend in the fall? Le Colibry presents 5 great fall getaways that are close enough to Geneva for a weekend trip but far enough to make you forget about ordinary life for a while. Active, family-friendly, culture-rich, touristy, or luxurious — what will you choose? Find out where Le Colibry has been and what she loved most about each trip!
Get in Tune with Nature for an Unforgettable Weekend at Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel in the Valais
Why go?
For the spectacular views: from your pod, the breakfast pod, and all of the different trails you can hike.
For the unique experience: you’ll sleep in a pod (an igloo-shaped tent) that’s heated by pellet stove. Leave your car at reception and make the quick 20-minute walk to where your cozy nest awaits.
To stroll through a calm forest, since true tranquility is such a rare commodity these days…
For a trip that’s more than just a vacation, since Whitepod’s mission is to prove that the hospitality industry and conservation efforts can go hand in hand to offer unique, positive, and high-quality experiences. They aim to conserve energy and water. They recycle their waste. And they buy locally whenever they can. Staff members live nearby and walk to work.
Bonus points: delicious local cuisine and lots of activities to choose from.
And go back when there’s snow on the ground for an experience that’s totally different, but just as unforgettable!
More information: whitepod.com
Get a Glimpse of Another Lakeside City – Lausanne
Why go?
To walk around the medieval city: go on a walk that’s chock full of history. Start at the top of the hill (542 meters above sea level), and slowly make your way to the cathedral, the Escaliers du Marché stairs, Hotel de Ville (town hall), and the Ancienne Académie.
For the lakefront: a totally different experience from the lakefront in Geneva; you’ll almost feel like you’re at the sea.
For the museums: in particular, The Olympic Museum and the Fondation de l’Hermitage Museum, which always has superb art exhibitions on display and serves a great brunch at L’Esquisse, a little café-restaurant on the Fondation’s grounds. (You’ll need to make a reservation because the small dining area – and in the summertime, the terrace – is very sought-after.)
If you have more time, visit Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. It’s incredible, and you can get there from the city center by metro. Slightly farther away but also worth the trip: Chaplin’s World, Charlie Chaplin’s family home turned museum. There’s something for everyone.
More information: lausanne-tourisme.ch
Get Active and Get Some Fresh Air in the Mountains – Montreux or Chamonix? You Choose
Hiking on the Swiss Side: Rochers de Naye – Montreux
Why go?
For the cog railway trip and the stunning views of the Alps and Lake Geneva that it provides. Once you reach 2,000 meters, take in the sights from the panoramic terrace.
To hike: lots of trails (true of both mountain getaways on this list), including one that goes all the way back down to Montreux for more experienced hikers.
For the alpine garden: around 1,000 species of plants grow along the steep mountainside in this high-altitude botanical garden.
For the marmots: observe marmot species from all over the world at the animal sanctuary.
More information: www.goldenpass.ch
Make a pit stop at the restaurant or bring a picnic lunch.
A place to lay your head for the weekend: Hotel Victoria in the Glion area has incredible views from atop Montreux and is a quaint oasis of calm, the perfect place to rest after a long day of hiking.
Le Colibry-approved lunch or dinner spot near your hotel: Buffet de la Gare, just downhill from the hotel, serves up simple but tasty homemade food and pretty lake views. glion-buffetdelagare.ch
Hiking on the French side (Mer de Glace) or a revitalizing retreat in the valley – Chamonix
Why go?
To breathe fresh mountain air, admire the scenery, and be alone with your thoughts… Another small cog railway will take you 2,000 meters above the town of Chamonix.
For the views: of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) and the impressive Grandes Aiguilles mountains in the Alps.
Again, for the numerous hiking trails: both long and short. You can even hike down to Chamonix (expect 2-3 hours).
For the famous ice cave: you’ll need to take the gondola down the side of the mountain, and then walk down about 400 more steps to get to the ice cave, but it’s worth the trip. The cave itself (dug out every year) isn’t the most exciting attraction in the world, but it is pretty neat to know that you’re inside a glacier — you can’t say that about all of your fall weekend getaways!
Bonus points: as you head down to the ice cave, take note of the signs indicating the glacier levels at various points in time. It’s sad, but the glacier has dropped several hundred meters since 1820 (when it reached all the way up to the train station).
This concrete example of the effects of climate change sure makes you think.
Plus
If you want to feel like the last person on Earth (or just about): spend the night at the Refuge du Montenvers, which was recently renovated by Sibuet (a renowned luxury hotel group that also owns Les Fermes de Marie, Les Dromonts, and La Villa Marie). Although you’ll dine and sleep in style (and in the good hands of the friendly staff), you’ll still feel the rugged spirit of the mountain.
Make it magical: once the tourists head back down (the last train is at 5:30 p.m.), you’ll get some alone time with the Mer de Glace.
And another bonus point for the terrace restaurant, Le Panoramique, and its glacier views and delicious cuisine. Great fall weekend getaways have to include great food, after all.
More information about Mer de Glace: www.chamonix.com-merdeglace
More information about the Refuge de Montenvers: www.montenvers.terminal-neige.com
If you’d rather recharge your batteries down in the valley…
A place to lay your head for the weekend: Auberge du Bois-Prin, a calm luxury chalet-hotel, slightly uphill in Chamonix, which looks out onto a major glacier.
A great alternative to altitude sickness: head to Thermes de Saint-Gervais, to relax in naturally warm (102 degrees) and mineral-rich thermal baths. The sensory experience they offer includes steam baths, saunas, immersive grottos, passageways, hot stones, thermal baths, and more.
Bonus points: the open-air spa at the bottom of the Bonnant gorge. Allow for three hours to make your way through the spa experience, and be sure to book your spot well in advance.
Lunch recommendation: Bistrot Sérac in the village of St. Gervais, which features simple and delicious cuisine, including dishes from their wood-fired oven.
Get Pampered and Relax at the Hotel Royal – Évian
Why go?
For the palace, its incredible views of Lake Geneva, and the peaceful surrounding green space. The building itself, built in the 1900s and recently renovated, is gorgeous, and the hotel offers many amenities.
To relax in the outdoor hydrotherapy circuit: unwind in 95-degree water and let the jets give you a head-to-toe massage — this one is definitely the most relaxing of these five fall weekend getaways near Geneva!
For the fine-dining: Les Fresques, a Michelin-starred restaurant where you can enjoy gourmet cuisine and a beautiful view of Lake Geneva.
For the amenities and activities: including a kid’s club, tennis courts, a golf course, and organized “gourmet” hikes with knowledgeable guides. If you can, go to a concert at La Grange au Lac, a stunning wooden concert hall with incredible acoustics in the resort’s park.
And for the town of Évian itself: explore the village, the thermal baths, and the Palais Lumière museum. Bike into town from the hotel or take the train (free for hotel guests).
Bonus points: The Hotel Royal is part of the Évian Resort, which also includes the more family-friendly Hotel Ermitage.
More information: www.hotel-royal-evian.com
Get Your Fill of Swiss Delicacies – Gruyères
Why go?
For the medieval village: one of the prettiest towns in French-speaking Switzerland sits perched on a hilltop in the Fribourg region, at the foot of the surrounding mountains. Wander through the village’s narrow, picturesque streets and take the time to admire its pretty buildings and medieval facades.
For the 13th-century castle: and its amazing panoramic views of the countryside.
To try some authentic Gruyère cheese: steaming fondue, gooey raclette or rich and delicious double crème de la Gruyère
For the H.R. Giger museum: who would have guessed that Swiss artist H.R. Giger, who won an Academy Award in 1980 for his visual effects in the movie Alien, was from the small town of Gruyères? If you’re a movie buff, you’ll love the H.R. Giger museum (and lucky for you, it’s right in the middle of town). Bonus points: across from the museum, the H.R. Giger bar and its surprising, somewhat spooky and very Alien-like decor is a must-see.
To visit a real chocolate factory: La Maison Cailler, located in Broc, a stone’s throw away from Gruyères.
Their interactive and multi-sensorial experience lets visitors uncover the history of chocolate, spanning from Aztec times to the latest innovations. Anyone with a sweet tooth will feel right at home.
More information: www.la-gruyere.ch
Le Colibry’s tip: the perfect choice for a fall weekend getaway from Geneva. You’ll avoid the crowds of tourists that flock in during peak season.
Other ideas: find lots more activities in the A Parisian in Geneva section of our blog
