5 Amazing Things to Do on Your First Weekend in Switzerland

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world-class destination while earning a world-class education at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland (CRCS), ranked the 6th best hospitality school in the world?  Switzerland, with its stunning natural attractions, rich tradition of hospitality, and sumptuous dining, will provide a wealth of upscale experiences during your schooling.   

For your first weekend in Switzerland, we have outlined some great ways to get acquainted with your host country, including famous Switzerland tourist spots, winter wonderlands, and other must-see Swiss attractions. 

Our first hot tip is simple: get settled, breathe in the cool, refreshing Swiss mountain air, and explore the campus you’ll be calling home during your education with CRCS. When you first arrive, you’ll want to take some time to get familiar with where you will be living and studying during this exciting chapter of your life. 

Explore charming Le Bouveret, your campus in years 1 and 2

• In Le Bouveret, you’ll be living at a lakeside resort on the shores of serene Lake Geneva, with beautiful vistas across the waters to Lausanne, Montreux, and Evian-les-Bains in neighboring France. Take some time to explore your campus, sip an espresso at The Ritz Lounge, enjoy an international meal at The Lakeview Restaurant, or savor culinary delights at The César Ritz Fine Dining restaurant.
   
• Your campus in Le Bouveret is home to the one-of-kind Mosimann Collection, a must-see Swiss attraction for hospitality students. A museum open to the public, the Mosimann Collection is an absolute treasure containing thousands of precious items from the private collection of Master Chef Anton Mosimann, OBE. Marvel at the display of historical cookbooks, royal cooking accessories, original recipes, photos and artwork, and a menu collection from some of the world’s great restaurants. 
   
• Once you’ve got your feet under you, put on your warm boots and jacket and explore some of your beautiful wintry surroundings. There is a lovely year-round trail (4.9 mile loop) that starts at the train station in Le Bouveret, with easy terrain for walking and peacefully sight-seeing along the shores Lake Geneva, the Rhône River, and the small lake of Vieux Rhône. To see the sights from the water, rent or charter a boat year-round and tour the charming shoreline.
   
• As a CRCS student, you will surely want to appreciate a taste of Swiss hospitality at our world-class restaurants. Nothing says winter comfort food in Switzerland quite like our world-famous cheese fondues and raclette dishes. In nearby Leysin, La Fromagerie is a decadent cheese-lovers paradise, with traditional Swiss fondues and raclettes, nightly cheese-making demonstrations, a museum and a gift shop, all in the comforts of a rustic 17^th century chalet. 
   
• For a fine dining experience, just ten minutes by car from Le Bouveret is the Michelin-starred Restaurant de l’Etoile in Noville. One of the most famous restaurants in the region, Benoît and Caroline Roch carry on the culinary tradition begun by Benoît’s grandparents in 1949. Treat yourself to an exquisite meal and warm hospitality at this historic Swiss establishment – but reserve a table early to avoid disappointment!
   
• There are countless inspiring Swiss attractions you simply must see in Switzerland during your time in the country.  A short drive or train from Le Bouveret is the stunning town of Montreux, famous for its annual jazz festival, and once home to celebrated artists like Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury. Visit Montreux and take a tour of Chillon Castle, the most visited cultural attraction in all of Switzerland. This breathtaking medieval castle, built in the 12^th-16^th centuries, has stone pillars dating back 1,000 years and is protected by a natural water moat on all sides. Today you can cross the bridge and travel back in time, wandering through well-preserved chambers and imagining life unfolding in this castle at different centuries in history.
   
• While you’re in Montreux, embrace the dignified world of Swiss luxury accommodation at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, an iconic five-star grand hotel with a reputation for impeccable hospitality since 1906. With its stunning Belle Époque architecture, the hotel features a spa, gourmet restaurants, and breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, all of which provide hospitality business students with a premium-quality learning experience in the lap of luxury.
   
• If you are interested in a traditional Swiss mountain adventure, travel to Les Diablarets in less than an hour from Le Bouveret. Dress warmly because you’ll find yourself at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet, with opportunities to ski year-round, visit glaciers, snowshoe, go sledding, and dozens of other exhilarating activities in the mountains.  A Glacier 3000 ticket, for example, offers unforgettable vistas on a cable car ride followed by traversing a suspension bridge strung between two glacial summits. Experience the wonder of Switzerland’s many mountain ranges, no matter what activities you may choose to do; it is essential to experiencing Swiss culture, attractions, and hospitality.

Explore Brig, your campus in year 3

• In year 3, hospitality business management students will be on campus in Brig, experiencing the rhythms of Swiss alpine living. Just two hours by car from Le Bouveret, Brig sits at the foot of the Alps in the Rhône Valley. A lovely Swiss-German town with a charming old quarter and cobble-stoned streets, your campus lies in the center of Brig, situated in two buildings about five minutes apart. Explore the campus when you first arrive – you can visit the modern fitness center, the library, or savor a coffee at Cosmos lounge.
   
• Brig is a charming town with old and new sections you’ll delight to explore. Stroll around and take in the sights yourself, or take a guided walking tour on a weekend in Switzerland, highlighting the patrician townhouses, the famous lifting bridge, and the rich history of Brig.
   
• After a winter walk, you’ll be ready to warm up and sample some rich local cuisine. Walliserstuba restaurant, located right in Brig, is a fine choice for savoring traditional Swiss dishes such as fondue and raclette. Or maybe you’d like to treat yourself to a dining experience at Restaurant ZerMili, a charming house where over 90 percent of the food comes from the immediate area. ZerMili offers guests simple dishes, prepared to perfection by Chef Gottstein and his team. 
   
• The Brig campus is nestled at the foot of the Simplon Pass, where you have access to some of the world’s best hiking and ski regions. On a weekend in Switzerland in the winter, a short trip by public transit (7 min) takes you to Ried-Brig, a gondola lift station, where you can board a cable car that will carry you up and away (2,500 feet) to picturesque Rosswald. Relax on the Rosswald’s sunny mountain terrace and enjoy 15 miles of ski slopes. You can even rent a toboggan for the downhill dash back to Brig at the end of your visit.
   
• If you’re hankering for something more historical, Stockalper Palace is a must-see tourist attraction in Brig. An impressive castle with three gilded onion domes, it was the largest private building built in the 17^th century in Switzerland. Take a one-hour guided tour that tells you all about this baroque landmark and the powerful merchant who built it, and visit its magnificent courtyards, gardens, cellars, and well-preserved rooms.
   
• Of course, Brig is perhaps best known to tourists for its open-air thermal baths, available as a year-round oasis. The Brigerbad thermal baths have 16 different pools in indoor and outdoor areas, including the warm thermal pool, the grotto swimming pool, a sports pool for diving off rocks, a turbulent river pool, and the longest alpine water slide in Europe (199 yards). Unwind, relax, and savor the experience at the largest outdoor thermal swimming pools in Switzerland—because every cool winter adventure should end with a dip in hot springs. 

As a student attending CRCS, these kinds of weekend experiences will not only deepen your understanding of the cultural and natural treasures of Switzerland but also introduce you to Swiss cuisine and hospitality. 

Make the most of your first winter weekend in the heart of Europe, and let it set the tone for a semester filled with luxurious discoveries and memorable moments. Remember, Switzerland has so much more to offer you, so use your weekends wisely to explore this beautiful country and immerse yourself in its rich culinary and hospitality heritage.