A look at Lausanne

On my trip to Switzerland in June 2015, I flew from London to Geneva. From the lower level of the Geneva Airport, I took the train to Lausanne after purchasing my round-trip ticket in the airport lobby for about $85. The train, which was very well maintained, left exactly on time.

Be sure to write your destination on a card, as the names “Lausanne” and “Lucerne” can sound the same if not carefully pronounced.

Located on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is surrounded by mountains and has magnificent views of the French Alps across the lake. Day trips on the lake may be taken to Évian, France; round trips are made two or three times a day. Day trips to Geneva are much lengthier. The scenery is so beautiful.

I have stayed at the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne (Avenue de Rhodanie 4, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland; phone +41 21 612 7 612, www.movenpick.com), a good businessmen’s hotel located south of Lausanne in a city called Ouchy. [Depending on the date, nightly room rates run CHF157.50-CHF171.50 (near $161-$175) for a double to CHF1,050 for a duplex suite.]

The hotel is across the street from the lake at a spot where locals dock their boats, and there is a lovely small park to sit in with charming fountains. 

In the heart of the upper city, another good place to stay in Lausanne is Hôtel de la Paix Lausanne (Avenue Benjamin-Constant 5, Lausanne Centre, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland; phone +41 21 310 71 71, www.hoteldelapaix.net/index.php?lang=en), a family-owned hotel with views of both mountains and lake. [Rates run CHF395 ($404) for a double to CHF655, suite.]

Things are very expensive in Switzerland, but a buffet breakfast was included in the rate at both hotels.

The Mövenpick gives its guests a free city bus pass with which to see the city. The bus stop is across the street from the hotel. 

Lausanne is located on a hillside, so some climbing is necessary. English, French and German are spoken by many. There are many fine restaurants.

A lovely auto tour can be taken to Vevey, about 10 miles away. Driving on the lower highway, you can follow the lake and see many lovely homes on either side.

Vevey is the home of Nestlé, and you’ll pass the large factory when entering the town. The small town is lovely, with beautiful flowers, greenery and, of course, grapevines growing on the hillsides.

The return can be on the upper road through old villages that haven’t been modernized much. This is my favorite auto trip, as it offers a view of the French Alps the entire way.

VIRGINIA SHANNON

Naples, FL