I am excited as I start a long weekend with my companion. An ambitious programme lies ahead of us: a round trip based on the Grand Tour – and in just three days. Of course, we have to shorten it in one or two places, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to complete the tour. But there are still 1,000 kilometres remaining from the actual 1,600 kilometres. Of course, for this undertaking we need quite a special companion. And for that, Peter Hug, Managing Director of the car dealer Emil Frey in Zurich-Altstetten, a specialist in English vehicles, lets the 'cat' out the bag: a Jaguar F-Pace S!
380 HP and a surprisingly sporty design are at our disposal, for the speed of the F-Pace S is not only reflected in its fast-sounding name, but also in what lies under the bonnet. We would like to take you with us on the trip to experience a high-performance car, which you simply have to experience. You just get a hint of the sports-car genes from the outside; however, they come into their own when you are driving, and the engine sound is just right. The trend for smaller engines with high performance has been impeccably achieved with this car. Driving it is just so much fun. And the long stretches of road allow us to fully enjoy its quality interior. So, our first leg leads us from Zurich in a sweeping arc south to the spa town of Vitznau on Lake Lucerne. Here, we happily drive up to the Park Hotel Vitznau, one of the absolute top hotels in Switzerland, as despite its beefy front, this Jaguar SUV has a decidedly elegant appearance. At the Park Hotel, which is like a white castle situated on the shore, we enjoy lunch in the Prisma Restaurant and congratulate the Chef de Cuisine, Patrick Mahler, on his Michelin star and 16 points in the Gault Millau guide. Afterwards, we relax with a Rigi massage using warm stones and healing marmot oil – not that we had needed it after our trip in the Jaguar. The Jaguar F-Pace S’s sophisticated system provides the optimum balance between secure handling and a high level of driving comfort, which we really appreciate.
PARK HOTEL VITZNAU
The five-star plus hotel has been completely renovated and stylishly extended. Since then, every floor stands out with its own theme and every room has it’s own individual design. The Focus Restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points. Six exclusively-equipped, themed wine cellars complete the culinary line-up. The swimming pool and spa area are particularly pleasant; here, you can relax with Rigi massages and La Prairie treatments.
Well rested, we travel further on towards Bern; again we choose a cross-country route so we can enjoy the benefits of our vehicle to the full. Rightly, the Jaguar F-Pace S was voted the 'World Car of the Year' and the 'World Car Design of the Year' at the World Car Awards 2017 in New York. To drive in such an 'award-winning' car is doubly as enjoyable. It moves powerfully and we head off at full speed to the five-star Schweizerhof Hotel Bern in the town centre. We stay here overnight, but not before having dinner in the legendary Jack’s Brasserie. This restaurant, listed in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, sparkles with 14 Gault Millau points. Next morning, the third leg leads us initially to Lake Thun and then through the scenery of the nature park to Gstaad. The Jaguar F-Pace S continues to give us a lot of pleasure. I wished other people could experience this trip with us, and I resolved to invite them. We stop off for lunch at the Duchessa Restaurant in the Ultima Gstaad Hotel. As the hotel was only opened last December, there is still no restaurant rating. However, this doesn’t stop us from enjoying it. For a spa treatment, we choose the Tranquillity Signature Massage and a facial treatment with radio frequency – the weekend just gets better and better. This impressive hotel in chalet-style could be the tour favourite.
HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF BERN
Located close to the train station, this traditional hotel was reopened six years ago following extensive refurbishment. Jack’s Brasserie is impressive with its fin-de-siècle atmosphere, which is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The five-star hotel with its 150-year history has had many famous guests and even today, it is a popular meeting point for Bern’s residents and visitors. The roof terrace and spa area are also available to day visitors.
ULTIMA GSTAAD
The five-star plus hotel offers eleven suites and six residences, although it looks from the outside – as well as from the inside – like a wonderful chalet. It is situated just two minutes away from the centre of the village. The luxury boutique hotel is very chic and elegant but at the same time very warm, private and cosy. In addition to the Duchessa Restaurant, the Lobby Bar, Shisha Bar and Detox Bar are also available. The spa area (La Prairie) and the Aesthetics Clinic look after your well-being.
ROYAL SAVOY HOTEL & SPA
Built in 1909, this historic five-star city hotel was completely renovated and reopened in 2016. Within sight of Lake Geneva, this beautiful hotel offers you the chance to relax with the Spa du Royal and cosy, highly private garden areas. The Brasserie du Royal Restaurant kitchen has been awarded three Michelin stars. During the week, the hotel is a popular port of call for business people; at the weekend, it is perfect for city travellers.
LA RÉSERVE GENÈVE
The five-star hotel – only five kilometres away from the centre of the town – is situated in a beautiful park on Lake Geneva stretching across four hectares. Upon request, an old Riva wooden yacht takes guests from its own jetty into town. The health spa is very spacious and has plenty of quiet zones outside too, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. The Villa du Lac right by the lake is new and combines the benefits of a separate house with the service of a hotel.
On the next leg, we ask ourselves: Have we taken on too much with our 'race' through Switzerland? The answer is: no! No problem with the Jaguar F-Pace S. We reach the Royal Savoy Hotel in Lausanne and eat our evening meal in the lounge bar. Before settling down for the night, we enjoy the fantastic view from the sky terrace over Lake Geneva and the town. The last leg of the tour leads us first to the La Réserve Genève Hotel. Brunch on the terrace of the Loti Restaurant and the treatment in the Nescens Spa provide happiness all round. On the way back to Zurich, our 'sports car' effortlessly climbs the heights of the Jura, where we pass the gigantic natural Felsenarena Creux du Van. Summary? Test drive passed!
