Something Special | 4 Days in Weggis

Your holiday starts in style, with Business Class flights. Among many benefits you will have priority check-in and access to the lounge for a quiet pre-flight drink. On board you will be served drinks and a freshly prepared meal. Sit back and relax. On arrival at Zurich airport, simply head downstairs to the airport's railway station and enjoy a 1st class journey through the countryside to Lucerne (around 1 hour 10 minutes). Transfer here to the 1st class section on the boat for a cruise along the lake to picturesque Weggis. A porter from the hotel will pick you up on arrival. 

Check in to the charming Hotel Gerbi, a four star hotel with a wonderful position on the lake. Your room is a superior lake view room with a balcony - throw open the doors and enjoy that view! The cosy wooden furnishings combine with modern comforts throughout the hotel and during your stay you will be able to make use of the fantastic Vitalis Spa over the road, with its indoor and outdoor pools and variety of saunas and fitness and relaxation rooms. A lake bathing area is also available opposite the hotel, with water temperatures of around 23° during the summer. Your evening meal consists of four courses - freshly caught fish is a speciality here and great attention is paid to creating elegant dishes with regional produce. 

Before dinner, you may like to take a wander along the lake shore into Weggis (around a 15 minute stroll) and enjoy the charm of the village and the views of the sparkling water and the mountains beyond. 

Helpful links

Weggis resort page

Hotel Gerbi page

Central Switzerland excursions

Known as the 'Queen of the Mountains', Mount Rigi is one of the most popular excursions for those staying in Weggis. We recommend taking a boat or bus on the short journey to Vitznau, where the historic cogwheel railway - Europe's oldest - will transport you slowly up the mountain.

The 1,800m summit is known as Rigi Kulm and here you have a magnificent view. On the Rigi there are plenty of scenic walking trails to enjoy, many with sweeping views over the water. Along the way you'll find picnic and barbecue spots for an al fresco lunch in idyllic surroundings. At Rigi Kaltbad there are a number of boutiques, mountain restaurants and even a mineral spa. You can take the train back down again, or try the cable car which transports you gently down to Weggis.

You could spend a whole day on the mountain, especially if you enjoy scenic walking trails. If you do have some time in the afternoon however, you may like to spend an hour or two in Lucerne, visiting the boutiques and chocolateries and wandering around the delights of the old town including the famous Chapel Bridge. All boat, bus and train journeys are covered with your Swiss Travel Pass as well as some mountain journeys including the Mount Rigi journeys described.

With such a beautiful sight on your doorstep, you will probably want to take a day to explore it. There are regular departures throughout the day during the summer season and a quieter timetable in winter. The fleet is made up of modern cruisers and some beautifully restored paddle steamers which have been carrying sightseers on the lake for over 100 years. Your Swiss Travel Pass allows you to take as many journeys as you like - travel the full length of the lake and take time to go ashore wherever you fancy. The boats call at some delightful towns around the lake - maybe you could take a wander around Vitznau or Brunnen. As you sail out further from Weggis, the mountains become higher and the views spectacular. You could connect with one of the funiculars which travel up from the shore and enjoy the views from Seelisberg or Klewenalp (discounts with your Pass). Or why not alight at one of the stops on the Swiss Trail route - enjoy a scenic walk and then take the boat home again.  

As your Pass is first class you will travel on the upper deck of the boats from where you will have the best views! There are even first class dining rooms on board if you wish to eat lunch as you glide along the water.

Time to say farewell to the Hotel Gerbi and your peaceful stretch of lake. If you are on an afternoon flight, you may like to stow your luggage in the Lucerne station lockers and enjoy a coffee and souvenir shopping before your train departs for Zurich Airport. As the flight home is once again in Business Class, you'll have access to the airport lounge before boarding and flying home with your memories of Switzerland.