Your journey begins in Prangins. You will arrive at the Hotel La Barcarolle around noon. If your room is ready, you will move into it after your arrival. If not, leave your luggage temporarily at the hotel. Opposite the hotel, a short walk away, is the Château de Prangins. High above Lake Geneva, the five-hectare domain includes, in addition to the castle, a park, a meadow orchard and the largest historic vegetable garden in Switzerland. The château is the seat of the Swiss National Museum in western Switzerland. The Château de Prangins is the largest 18th century building open to the public in Switzerland.

After visiting the château, enjoy the amenities of the Hotel La Barcarolle or take a refreshing dip in Lake Geneva. In the evening, the restaurant team will be happy to spoil you with culinary delights - on the lakeside terrace, weather permitting.

Today is dedicated to the wine of Vaud. After a hearty breakfast, however, your excursion will first take you to Morges. Here, directly on Lake Geneva with a view of Mont Blanc, the four historic towers of Morges Castle rise up. A magnificent example of the "Carré savoyard", the square fortifications of medieval Savoy, the old castle has dominated the surrounding area since the 13th century. Today it houses the Vaud Military Museum, the Vaud Gendarmerie Museum, the Artillery Museum and the Museum of Historical Tin Figures. The castle was built in 1285 by Louis of Savoy.

After the visit to the castle, the vines of La Côte await you. Stroll through the vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting in the wine cellar of the Chateau de Nyon.

After an eventful day, enjoy dinner again at the Hotel La Barcarolle.

After breakfast, say goodbye to Hotel La Barcarolle. Travel by train along the shores of Lake Geneva to the Château de Chillon. Enjoy the ride through the vineyards of La Côte and the terraces of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux - a fascinating harmony between man and nature. Most of the railway line lies directly on the lakeshore with a magnificent panorama.              

Probably the most famous castle in Switzerland, the Château de Chillon has dominated Lake Geneva since the 13th century. For a long time, it was an important transit point, whose strategic location was used by the wealthy Dukes of Savoy. Today, its history and architectural heritage make it one of Switzerland's unmissable cultural sites. Take your time and let yourself be enchanted by the charm of Chillon Castle, the medieval fortress at the upper end of Lake Geneva!

Did you know that the Château de Chillon has its own vineyards in Villeneuve? A bottle of "Château de Chillon" makes a great souvenir for those at home.

In the late afternoon you travel on to Lake Thun. From Montreux, the Montreux-Bernese Oberland Railway (MOB) climbs ever higher above the lake. One minute palm trees and a southern ambience, the next, after a tunnel: Mountain forests, wild waters and picturesque mountain villages. One of the most impressive landscapes in Switzerland passes in front of the large windows of your panorama carriage on the "Golden Pass Line". Via Montbovon, Château d'Oex and fashionable Gstaad you reach Zweisimmen. From here - withouth changing trains since 2023 - you continue your journey through the Simmen valley down to Spiez, a small town on Lake Thun.

The Hotel Eden is enthroned in a bay high above the lake. The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1903. Constantly updated, it is now one of the best addresses on Lake Thun.

After your eventful day, you can enjoy your well-deserved dinner either in the "Belle Epoque" restaurant or, if the weather is fine, on the "Seeterrasse & Veranda" with its magnificent panoramic view.

After breakfast, walk past Spiez Castle to the boat station. By boat you travel to Thun, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. The historic old town, in the centre of which the 12th century castle with the castle museum is enthroned, lies about one kilometre from the lakeshore on the Aare. Take a leisurely stroll through the tranquil town to Thun Castle. The medieval castle towers mightily and loftily over the town. The building from around 1200 is a uniquely preserved witness to the architecture of the Dukes of Zähringen and is a Swiss cultural asset of national importance. Explore the castle independently with an audio guide or join a guided tour over the castle hill and through the medieval castle.

In the afternoon, drive back to Spiez via Lake Thun. In front of you the fascinating mountain scenery with the imposing triumvirate of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the afternoon sun.

On your way back to the Hotel Eden, past the Spiez vineyard, you stop by Spiez Castle. Situated on a small peninsula, the castle is one of the most beautiful and impressive witnesses to Bernese history on Lake Thun. It shows the change from a medieval castle to a patrician residence, where the noble families of Strättligen, von Bubenberg and von Erlach lived.

Back at the hotel, enjoy the Spa & Wellness. Perhaps before dinner you will try a glass of the sparkling Spiezer Riesling-Sylvaner from the winery opposite? Afterwards, the team from the "Belle Epoque" restaurant will be happy to surprise you with culinary delights.

After breakfast, your journey to the "Castles and Lakes in the West of Switzerland" ends. If you wish, you are welcome to book one or two extra nights.

• 4 nights in the Private Selection Hotels
  o 2 nights at La Barcarolle****, Prangins
  o 2 nights at Hotel Eden****S, Spiez
• daily rich breakfast as well as a multi-course dinner with lake view as part of half board
• Round trip ticket from Prangins to Morges for your 2nd travel day
  
• Train ticket for your journey from Nyon to Montreux and from there with the Golden Panoramic Express to Zweisimmen and further on to Spiez
  
• Day ticket Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: 1 day unlimited navigation on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
• Wine tasting in the wine cellar of Chateau de Nyon
• A bottle of "Château de Chillon" from the castle's own production to take home
• An aperitif in the castle café in Spiez
• All entrance fees to the 5 castles of Prangins, Morges, Chillon, Spiez and Thun

For 5 days / 4 nights