Romance, Swiss Style

Switzerland’s Vaud canton encompasses some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery and beautiful towns and villages, including Lausanne, Nyon, Villars-sur-Ollon and Montreux. Spread between the shores of Lake Geneva and the edge of France, and replete with castles, terraced vineyards and world-class hotels, it’s the ideal setting for a romantic break. We’ve got a few suggestions to help you with your planning:

• Relax with a beachside picnic on the shores of a sparkling body of water. Near the village of L’Abbaye at Lake Joux, a walking path along the water leads to a series of stunning mountain views, while Les Epanchoirs beach is the ideal base for an afternoon of pure tranquility. At Chillon Beach on Lake Geneva, you can swim, nibble cheese and sip wine beneath the fairytale castle shadows of Chateau de Chillon. The intimate beach can even be booked for private barbecues.

• Revisit the Lake Geneva and Lausanne settings used in some of the world’s most-loved films, including nine animated and feature films depicting the fictional character of Heidi originally created by author Johanna Spyri; Goldfinger from the James Bond franchise; Clouds of Sils Maria (IFC Films, 2014); and the 1938 Laurel and Hardy film Swiss Miss (Hal Roach Studios). An exhibition exploring the film settings called Backdrop Switzerland Expo will be on view in Morges until Jan. 5, 2020.

Geneva Lake and embankment with quay in Vevey. Vaud canton, Switzerland. Photo: Valery Bareta | Dreamstime.com

• Wander the sloped vineyards between Nyon and Rolle on a 3.4-mile walking route that spans four villages. Along the way, sample La Côte wines, view castles and make stops to taste regional gourmet favorites. There are nine other wine tours also on offer, all available on the Vaud:Guide app.

• Where would romance be without chocolate? The delicacies at MC Daujat in Leysin in the Vaud Alps are created by a family of artisans who craft all their sweets by hand. Ingredients, such as fruits, herbs and rhubarb, may even come from their organic kitchen garden. Flavorful concoctions include chocolates featuring caramel, mint, rosehip, lemon balm and hazelnut. The Château de Nyon in Nyon has a castlemuseum open year-round (times differ with seasons). Along with temporary exhibitions, the permanent collection covers four floors and includes a floor devoted to porcelain with pieces manufactured 1781–1813 in the Nyon porcelain factory. Elsewhere, visitors can tour the former castle prisons and view ancient graffiti; or peruse displays of artifacts dating to the area’s Neolithic lake dwellers.

• Vaud’s capital is Lausanne, and while the city offers numerous fabulous ways to be entertained, the stunning Botanical Garden Lausanne is perfect for romantic afternoons. Situated on Montriond Hill in the center of the city, the gardens feature winding paths between an estimated 6,000 plants, along with paths and plenty of places to sit and enjoy nature, Swiss style.