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:
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.
For our first walk, a gondelbahn whisks us up the Rellerli mountain (1,833 m), from where we take easy paths with astonishing views over to the Quille du Diable and les Diablerets (3,209 m, 1.5 hrs). After a simple picnic, we can either walk back down to Schonried following a winding mountain track, (approx. 2 hours) or descend by gondelbahn 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.
We take the bus to Launen and follow delightful tracks and paths through fields and forests up to the magnificent Launensee, situated at 1,381 m (2 hrs). After a light lunch in the local restaurant, we walk around Launensee and then choose either to return directly to Gstaad by bus, or to walk through the broad valley back down to Launen.
From the charming village of Gsteig, we walk for about half an hour to reach the Sanetsch lift. Exiting the lift at 2,062 m we find ourselves in true alpine landscape with incredible views and amazing geology. On our 3-hour walk, we circumnavigate Lake Sanetsch, our path bordered by the most incredible array of wildflowers.
After another delicious breakfast on the sunny terrace, we follow the scenic panoramaweg 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 Spitzhorn massif ahead. We picnic, then make our way back to the gondelbahn and return to our hotel, to prepare for our final concert of the week and to toast our memorable week together.
After a leisurely breakfast and a swim in the pool, 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.
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 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.
At present, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Switzerland. Residents of countries in the EU can only claim free (emergency) medical treatment in Switzerland by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). 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
