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Boat Cruises on Lake Biel, the River Aare, Three-Lakes

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:21:19 +0000

The Lake Biel fleet has nine boats, including the MobiCat, the world’s largest solar catamaran. This unusual boat, operated purely on solar energy, offers a brunch cruise every Sunday in summer and can be rented for private events, whether this is a seminar or a party.

Lake Biel is ringed by romantic vineyards that offer some of Switzerland’s loveliest hikes. Or enjoy the St. Peter’s Island, where Rousseau once wrote some of his most seminal works. Put in a stop in Ligerz and visit the Vintners’ Museum or take the Vinifuni to Prêles, from where you can enjoy the pleasant views.

One of the prettiest river cruises is between Solothurn and Biel on the Aare. Here, visitors get to see Altreu with its imposing stork colony and Büren, a charming medieval village with a beautifully crafted wooden covered bridge.Then it is on to the rocks of Port, where the water level of the Jura lakes are regulated.

The Three-Lakes cruise (Lake Biel, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Murten) takes in the vineyards of Lake Biel, the romantic St. Peter’s Island, the Zihl and Broye Canal and finally winds up in medieval Murten.

Winter Cruise: the Three-Lakes cruise is also possible from November through March on every Sunday.

Routes:
Lake Biel cruise: Biel – Erlach – Biel
River Aare cruise: Biel – Solothurn or vice-versa
Three-Lakes cruise: Biel – Erlach – Murten or vice-versa

Boats on Lakes Thun and Brienz

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:18:58 +0000

The lakes Thun and Brienz are home to a fleet of 14 boats, of which two boats are paddle steamers. The lakes nestled among the imposing mountains surrounding them glint like jewels and are a sight to behold in any weather. The shores of Lake Thun are exceptionally attractive as they are dotted with castles, churches, picturesque parks and natural reserves. Gentle slopes and snowcovered caps make for a picture-perfect backdrop. Lake Brienz on the contrary has a very special color and dreamy vistas of wild countryside and dense pine tree forests and cosy villages.

Lake Thun Season 2008
Summer (June 1 – Sep 7, 2008):
Generally, hourly connections between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm
Spring and Autumn (Apr 6 – May 31 and Sep 8 – Oct 19, 2008):
3 – 4 connections daily

Lake Brienz Season 2008
Summer (June 1 – Sept 7, 2008):
5 connections daily
Spring and autumn (April 6 – May 31 and Sept 8 – Oct 19, 2008):
2 – 4 connections daily

Apart from this, brunch is served onboard on the boats on Lake Thun on Sundays between Apr 6 and Oct 19, 2008. On Saturdays between July and August 2008 there are as well dreamboat tours.

Routes:
Thun – Interlaken West
Interlaken East – Brienz

Boats on Lake Geneva

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:16:30 +0000

With its eight paddle-wheel boats from the Belle Epoque era, five of them powered with steam engines, the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) owns a unique patrimony. The Belle Epoque boats have been plying Central Europe’s largest lake for 130 years. The boats run from Geneva to Le Bouveret, via Yvoire, Evian or Lausanne and offer diverse and grandiose views. CGN offers a wide range of lake cruises. Enjoy the gently lapping limpid waters of Lake Geneva where harbors take turns with castles (Chillon, Morges, Rolle, Yvoire, Coppet, etc.), vineyards along the steep hills of the Lavaux and the snow-capped Alps in the background. Relish a nice meal during this relaxing cruise. In autumn, winter and spring, we offer fondue fun aboard our boats. There are also many thematic cruises, as well as charter cruises.

Route: Geneva – Lausanne/Evian – Vevey – Montreux – St-Gingolph

Boats on Lake Lucerne

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:13:42 +0000

The flotilla on Lake Lucerne consists of five nostalgic lake steamers and 15 elegant salon motor boats. Together, these twenty boats ply the lake on various routes that add up to 38 kilometers. Along the way, passengers will be able to admire nature at its best: gently rolling meadows, idyllic bays, dramatic fjords, and near-vertical cliffs. Add to this natural spectacle some of Switzerland’s most significant historic landmarks: see the Ruetli Meadow, where the Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291, William Tell’s Chapel, and the Schiller Rock.

The boats run daily and year round. They connect famous resorts to hiking trails and cable car stations. An excellent excursion departing from Alpnachstad is by world’s steepest cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus. In Lucerne, Brunnen, Flüelen and Alpnachstad, passengers have the option to connect to international train routes.

Apart from the Wilhelm Tell Express, the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company offers other attractive arrangements, such as the Lunch Boat (daily, all year round), the Cake Boat, Sundown Cruises, the Fondue Boat, the Sushi Boat and the Jazz Cruise on the steamer, as well as many more special offers of the musical and culinary sort. Beyond that, most courses include an innovative gastronomic experience. The chef’s team at the Tavolago loves to cook, and it shows!
Routes:
Lucerne – Weggis – Vitznau – Beckenried – Brunnen – Flüelen
Lucerne – Stansstad – Alpnachstad
Lucerne – Küssnacht am Rigi