Chantal & Max - Switzerland Travel Design

21/01/2023

What is the best way to get around Switzerland? ⁠
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This question very much depends on you, where you’re going and what you’re looking for: If you are open to all solutions, we tend to suggest using a car. It is definitely the best option if you are looking to truly immerse yourself in the heart of Switzerland, with full freedom and flexibility. Plus, you’ll easily access our hidden gems: we’re talking about the jaw-dropping scenic routes, our renowned alpine passes, the secluded points of interest, the unmissable photo stops or the more remote hotels that are absolutely worth experiencing. Driving in Switzerland is very safe and easy, and the Swiss are generally known to be cautious drivers. ⁠
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Travelling by train could also be a good solution, particularly if you’re only going from city to city. Our trains are indeed as clean, safe, organized and timely as they have the reputation to be, However, do keep in mind that it is not the most flexible and hassle-free option: it can sometimes take several buses and trains just to get you to that really amazing hike or that “mom and pop” restaurant you can’t leave without trying… and let’s not forget the hassle of luggage for those who are like us and struggle to travel light! 🙂 ⁠
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To be honest, that’s our favorite option if you want the best of both worlds: to not worry about driving but also visit Switzerland through its backroads. We have the most passionate local driver guides, such as our very own Max, to take care of you from A to Z, mixing in local experiences, uniquely-crafted day tours, and seamlessly transfer you from one hotel to the next. Your only job is to sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday you deserve. ⁠
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Keep in mind that whether you self-drive, use public transportation or reserve a private driver guide, we can easily integrate one (or more!) of the numerous mythical and panoramic train rides that Switzerland is internationally acclaimed for, such as Glacier Express, the Bernina or the Golden Pass.⁠

19/01/2023

"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt ⁠
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17/01/2023

The colourful streets of Basel never cease to shine, even on a cloudy day... ⛅️⁠

15/07/2022

No filter is needed for the day that our clients recently spent with Max in the Lavaux! 🤩⁠
On the agenda: meeting one of our cheese-makers for an exclusive glimpse at this humbling traditional know-how, a delicious gourmet lunch overlooking the vineyards, a private visit of the Chillon Castle and a fun and original wine-tasting with one of our amazing oenologists! ⁠

08/07/2022

Introducing the newest member of the team 🚗, who will take you to seamlessly explore Switzerland through our favorite backroads!
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01/07/2022

We recently had two wonderful guests who came to Switzerland to celebrate one of their birthdays. So, after a day tour exploring the region, Max surprised them with a romantic evening in the alps. On the menu? A private alphorn concert, followed by a delicious Swiss meal as they watched the sun set over the alps...🤩⁠

13/06/2022

During the summertime, you’ll find most locals by the lake: barbecuing, taking the boat out, having an aperitif, going for a dip in the lake, eating out, doing water sports…
And last night, we could also add “rainbow watching” to the list, as we were blessed with this beautiful sight! 🌈

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20/05/2022

One of Lake Geneva's most picturesque promenades can be found in the charming little town of Vevey, where we have most of our clients stay when they visit this part of Switzerland! ⁠
The turquoise waters, the views over the imposing French Alps, the flowery promenade, and the 26 foot fork, one of Vevey's main emblems! 🍴⁠
It was created in 1955 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Alimentarium (a museum on food and Nestlé's history). It was later removed, but a local petition made sure it came back permanently! ⁠

04/05/2022

Gruezi from Eastern Switzerland where we’re hunting down the most unique hotels, restaurants and experiences that we can’t wait to share with you! 🤩
Each time, we realize just how important our regular scouting trips across the country truly are to stay up to date on our favorite destinations, check in with our partners, try new gourmet experiences and find new incredible gems for you! Thanks to these trips, we can give you the most relevant insight, offer tailored advice and guarantee unforgettable moments at each step of the way. Your holidays are too precious to leave anything to chance…
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26/04/2022

Exclusively for our guests: Reconnect to nature with a private luxury camping experience in one of the most desired locations in the Swiss Alps, that generously interlaces authentic flavour and modern comfort. It’s time to breathe in nature, while having your breath taken away...⁠ ⁠
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01/04/2022

Welcome to Gruyères, a picture-perfect medieval village set amidst the idyllic Swiss rolling hills. It's a famous stop on many people's itineraries, also because it is the home to the famous Gruyères cheese.⁠
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As with every "famous stop", we always have our secret ways of taking you away from the crowds and making sure you connect to its true DNA. 😬⁠
Our secret recipe here lies with a local who knows the town and the region better than the back of his hand! This one of a kind character will take you through the cobbled streets sharing with you its impressive history and his own stories in a fun and original way! He will then exclusively invite you to his nearby 20th century farm house, which in truth is more like a living museum, to learn how to make your own fondue! ⁠
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And then... why visit the cheese museum along with thousands of tourists when you can meet our own private cheese-maker for an immersive glimpse at this proud know-how?😉⁠
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So which way do you choose? The bus route or the Chantal & Max route? 😃⁠

23/03/2022

Great news - a Gruyère from Switzerland was just crowned "World's best cheese" in the annual World Championship Cheese Contest!⁠
Next time you visit us, make sure you don't miss one of our private cheese-making experiences for an insider glimpse at why our cheese is as tasty as it is. 😊⁠

21/03/2022

One of our favorite Swiss deserts is the warm apple tart with vanilla ice cream, which you'll find in many mountain restaurants. The secret recipe consists of an extra layer of crushed almonds, which adds so much to its deliciousness!⁠
The cherry on the cake (literally) is that it's not even THAT unhealthy (well, if you compare it to a chocolate cake for example)! ⁠

09/03/2022

One of the most popular activities in our little black book is a wine experience in the breath-taking Lavaux wine country. We bring our travellers to spend some quality time with one of our hand-picked wine-makers to visit their boutique winery and learn all about the art of Swiss wine-making. ⁠
The cherry on the cake is of course the private wine-tasting, sharing stories together with one of the most beautiful panoramas you'll ever find, right in front of you.⁠
Do be warned though... From experience, you'll have a really hard time leaving this little paradise. ⁠

02/03/2022

If you're looking for a cozy getaway in one of Europe's most idyllic alpine destinations, look no further than this boutique hotel. Located in an authentic little village just outside of Gstaad, this property exudes a super cozy chalet vibe that will instantly make you feel at home. It also offers a wonderful little spa, a delicious breakfast composed of local produce, beautiful views and a friendly staff that will make sure you hit the "reset" button faster than you can say "Swiss cheese"!⁠
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25/02/2022

COVID NEWS⚠️ ⁠
We're all smiles that since last week, most COVID measures were lifted in Switzerland. This means that... ⁠
- Mask wearing in restaurants, shops and most public events is not obligatory⁠
- You no longer need to be vaccinated or have recovered from COVID to access restaurants⁠
- And good-bye Entry Forms and COVID tests to enter Switzerland...!⁠
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We can't wait to see your smiling faces again! ⁠

21/02/2022

Even our own birthdays are an occasion to hunt down Switzerland's best kept secrets for you....⁠
And this one comes in the shape of a charming "table d'hôte" with less than 10 tables, hidden away in one of the local villages of the Saanenland, close to Gstaad. ⁠
It's here that you'll be welcomed by a chef and the restaurant's host, who will treat you to a three course dining experience made up of the highest-quality local and seasonal ingredients. While the dishes ooze with creativity, style and deliciousness, it's not one of those fine-dining places where you're still hungry afterwards. Quite the contrary!⁠
The Chef truly deserves each and every one of his 16 Gault Millau points, but we'll let the photos speak for themselves. ⁠
One thing's for sure: we can't wait to take you here next time you're in the Saanenland region!⁠
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15/09/2021

In a world where peace of mind is the ultimate luxury, treat yourself to a holiday you'll want to talk about time and time again. ⁠
Contact us at [email protected] to start planning your bespoke journey through Switzerland's most awe-inspiring regions!⁠

06/08/2021

If you're a fan of some good R&R (which, let's be honest, we all need after the year we've had), look no further than Switzerland. It is the ideal place to get your wellness groove on thanks to our numerous first-class wellness hotels, medical spas and thermal baths.
Whether you’re looking to exclusively focus on your well-being with top notch facilities, or enjoy a balanced mix with some sight-seeing and adventure, the perfect match is waiting for you here!
For our favorite wellness hotels in Switzerland, check out our blog post: https://chantaletmax.com/switzerlands-best-wellness-hotels/

01/08/2021

Happy birthday to our beautiful slice of heaven! 🇨🇭⁠

30/07/2021

What Swiss dreams are made of...

28/07/2021

Chantal & Max: married, uni sweethearts, colleagues, parents of two very spoiled cats 🐱🐱, travel addicts and most of all, here to make your travel dreams come true, one perfect vacation at a time. ⁠

26/07/2021

Good morning from the Swiss Alps! ⁠

25/07/2021

We're finishing the week off on a high note. We're SO grateful for our borders to be open again and to have the joy of welcoming such amazing travellers! It's the best feeling in the world to do what you love and see the smile on people's faces... 😊⁠

10/07/2021

Lake Geneva is honestly one of the most spectacular regions in Switzerland, and we’re not only saying that because we live here. ⁠
Just the sight of the Lavaux vineyards that dive into the turquoise-colored waters of Europe’s largest lake, with the snow-capped French mountain peaks in front of you alone is worth the journey. We never cease to be in awe of its beauty, and we’re willing to bet that you won’t either.

Check out our latest article with 10 reasons why Lake Geneva should absolutely be on your Swiss bucket list!
MyVaud Visit Montreux

Ten Reasons Why You Should Visit Lake Geneva For Your Holidays in Switzerland. Contact Us For Your Custom-Designed Journey.

08/07/2021

We were ecstatic to welcome back our first travellers from the US since March 2020.. and on the fourth of July too! 🎆🇺🇸⁠
On the program: ⁠
1. they made their own cheese that will be delivered to their doorstep after maturation⁠
2. they visited an underground cheese-grotto where Max prepared a barbecue for them with the best local dry-aged meats⁠
3. after driving through Max's favorite mountain backroads, they finished in the Lavaux vineyards to meet one of our most charismatic winemakers and eat a fondue, topped off with a view! ⁠

06/07/2021

When we say that the hikes that we recommend take you the best places, we're really not joking... 🤩⁠

16/06/2021

We're all smiles at the thought of Switzerland opening to overseas travellers by the end of the month! Crossing all fingers and toes that we get to welcome you soon! 🤞🏻🇨🇭

14/06/2021

The more we test out private boat tours for you across the country, the more we realise how indispensable they really are to any successful holiday. ⁠
A) because it gives you a view of a city you can't get in any other way - it completely changes your perspective of a region⁠.
and B) is there really a better way to sip a glass of champagne or rosé than in the sun than while you cruise through our turquoise-coloured waters?⁠

28/05/2021

Something that you'll surely encounter on your holiday in Switzerland is the Swiss "Apéro" (short for Aperitif). It's essentially a pre-dinner drink. As you'll notice, it's something that's taken pretty seriously, especially in the French-speaking regions. ⁠
There are three important rules to remember: ⁠
1 - It's not considered polite to sip your drink before saying "santé" (cheers) ⁠
2- When you drink, always look at the person in front of you in the eyes ⁠
3- Never cross your arms with someone else, it's considered bad luck. ⁠
Santé! ⁠