WINTER 2018 - 2019 Editorial The theme for this winter in the Canton of Vaud is going to be relaxation and well-being. The resorts may be getting ready to host the 2020YOG, but they’re also encouraging visitors to take some time for themselves; for example, to discover the wellness center at the Grand Hôtel des Rasses, in the Vaud Jura, which has recently had a face- 3 lift. Plus, there are the Lavey-les-Bains and Yverdon-les-Bains thermal centers to enjoy as well as many wellness centers. The eating and drinking art of DINNERTIME IN THE MIDDLE the Middle Ages are also being given A FORETASTE OF THE 2020YOG special attention, with an exhibition AGES AT THE CHILLON CASTLE at the Chillon Castle, the Christmas In a bit more than one year, the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) The new exhibition at the Chillon Castle is Markets and foodie trips on the train or on snowshoes. These offers will be will be held in the Canton of Vaud. The region’s resorts are already dedicated to the art of the table as well as soon available on the website. getting ready to host this major event in the world of sport. practices and customs of the Savoy Court. Between 9 and 22 January 2020, from Laus- pean cup) from 11 to 13 January 2019 as anne to the Alps via the Jura, the whole well as the World Ski Mountaineering Cham- Andreas Banholzer CEO, Vaud Tourism Office (Lake area will switch to Olympic time with the pionships from 9 to 16 March 2019. Same Geneva Region) 2020YOG. This major event is the high- approach in the Vallée de Joux, at Les est-level international competition for Grandes-Roches, where the OPA Games athletes aged between 15 and 18. The – a cross-country skiing competition – will Nordic skiing challenge will take place in take place on 2 and 3 March 2019. Finally, the Vaud Jura, in the Vallée de Joux, while in Leysin, the construction work on the half- in the Vaud Alps, Leysin will host the free- pipe has begun. style skiing and snowboarding ones (Half- These new additions will add to the winter pipe and Slopestyle), Les Diablerets the delights of the different ski areas, which offer Representation downhill skiing and finally Villars the ski already a wide panel of winter activities. In and snowboard cross contests as well as ski Les Diablerets for example, Glacier 3000 in the markets mountaineering. welcomes skiers from October on. Other Until 28 April 2019, the exhibition entitled “Mouth-watering : eating and drinking in the Middle Ages” will give the public a Vaud Tourism Office (Lake Geneva glimpse of the recipes of Mestre Chiquart, the Duke of Savoy’s Region) and its partners participate chef. Visitors can also find out why children used to drink wine and in dozens of promotional activities what the different classes of society used to eat. They will discover throughout the year. Here is a list of a whole host of historical objects, from dishware to recipes and these events : kitchenware. The focal point of the exhibition is the reconstruction of a banquet in a stateroom. Conferences and events will offer a 11 to 17 November 2018 | more in-depth view of this theme, along with guided tours, organ- Market Development Tour South ised on the first Sunday of every month (booking required), offer- East Asia | Manila, Ho Chi Minh ing a chance to sample Mediaeval specialities, washed down with City, Penang, Surabaya a flavoured drink made with wine from the castle. Chillon has in fact Lake Geneva Region Tourism Office been producing its own wine again since 2011. A Chasselas and a blend of red grapes (Gamaret and Garanoir) are bottled at the castle. The barrels are aged in the first underground room where Bonivard, the hero of Byron’s famous poem, was held in chains. chillon.ch 19 to 23 November 2018 | Roadshow SCIB | Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore WINTER AT THE VILLARS PALACE Lake Geneva Region Tourism Office The Villars Palace, a luxury hotel dating from The resorts are getting ready for the event. activities like the Peak Walk, glacier hikes This winter, Les Diablerets ski area will be or dogsled rides are also offered during the 1914, is opening its doors in the Vaud Alps dotted with a brand new 10-seater gondola winter. In Leysin, visitors can have a go at resort for one season. 3 to 5 December 2018 | carrying 2,500 passengers per hour. Chris- tobogganing and ice climbing, experience Extravaganza | Toronto, Vancouver, tened the “Diablerets Express”, it will carry the snow village or relax in Le Kuklos, the Los Angeles walkers and skiers/riders to the Meilleret famous revolving panoramic restaurant. The Lake Geneva Region Tourism Office, area in 6 minutes and 30 seconds. This will Château-d’Œx Balloon Festival is a must and Fondation Genève Tourisme & Congrès, also delight the sledgers since it will make the Pays-d’Enhaut is also ideal for skijoring Valais Promotions (LGMR) the sledge run more accessible. The ski area and snowshoeing. Finally, in the Vaud Jura will also propose a floodlit run and a 100 m in the Vallée de Joux, winter fans can choose carpet lift for budding skiers. To make the between a walk on the frozen lake and night | Asia most of all these new and existing installa- skiing at L’Orient. Saint-Cergue, for its part, 13 to 16 December 2018 Pacific Workshop GCC | Lausanne tions, various activities are on offer, includ- offers visitors a chance to explore the region ing night skiing and sledging evenings every at night, with snowshoe and fondue or night Office, Lausanne Tourism, Montreux – Vevey Tourism Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 21 skiing packages. All of these winter offers December to the end of March. will be soon available online, on the website Villars is testing out the events side by hiver.region-du-leman.ch organising a FIS ski cross competition (Euro- 4 to 8 March 2019 | From December 2018 to April 2019, this elegant hotel will welcome STE Asie du Sud-Est | Bangkok, tourists in its 200 vintage chic rooms, in the heart of the village, at Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta et Singapore News in brief 1300 m high and only 60 km away from Lausanne. The Villars Palace Lake Geneva Region Tourism Office has stunning views on the alpine peaks. It offers direct access to the Distinctions for Vaud Franck Giovannini takes Chocolate in Charlie ski slopes and has a snow garden with a slope and ski lift. For relaxa- wine tourism up the reins at the Hôtel Chaplin’s kitchen tion, in addition to the lobby with a fireplace, guests have the choice For the second Swiss de Ville de Crissier At Chaplin’s World, in the between two restaurants, a bar with a terrace, a spa with an outdoor More news on our Media Corner : Wine Tourism Awards, the With three Michelin stars old family kitchen, there’s heated pool, hammam, sauna, gym and six massage rooms. Music is media.lake-geneva-region.ch “Pintes ouvertes” (open and elected chef of the a new shop selling Cailler also on the agenda, in the theatre dating back to 1894, with jazz and restaurant days), with their year 2018 by Gault&Millau, chocolate as well as retro pop as well as electronic music. 100% locally-sourced he’s taking over from kitchen utensils and honey To make the most of this exceptional, temporary offer, there are menu, has won the “Event” Benoît Violier at this famous produced by the bees several packages available, at 3* hotel rates, for example: ski pass and category and the discovery gastronomic restaurant on of the Manoir de Ban. full board from CHF 189.-/day/person, Family ski pass and full board programme of Cave Emery the hills above Lausanne. → chaplinsworld.com from CHF 559.-/day for 2 adults and 2 children or Wellness package in Aigle has been awarded → restaurantcrissier.com from CHF 149.-/day/person. villars-palace.com the “Local Artisans” prize. → swissoeno.ch WINTER WELLNESS DECEMBER, THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS MARKETS The cold season isn’t just for skiing : it’s also an ideal time to Vaud Tourism Office chill and relax. During the Advent time, these events are a chance Avenue d’Ouchy 60 And the Canton of Vaud has lots to the Cinq Monde Spa at the Beau- to discover the region in a variety of ambiances. Case postale 1125 offer in this regard. The Yverdon- Rivage Palace, the Spa of the Laus- 1001 Lausanne - Suisse les-Bains thermal bath, known for anne Palace as well as the Spa du its sulphur spring, has a more urban Royal at the Royal Savoy in Lausanne. Tel. +41(0)21 613 26 26 feel in the heart of the town, while The Dr. Burgener Switzerland Care & the Lavey-les-Bains one, the hottest Spa at the Grand Hôtel du Lac and [email protected] thermal bath in Switzerland, offers its the Puressens Spa at the Hôtel des www.lake-geneva-region.ch visitors a more natural setting. Still in Trois Couronnes are in Vevey; the Spa the Vaud Alps, the Bains de Villars Givenchy at the Mirador Resort & Spa invites its guests to relax in a heated in Mont-Pèlerin; the Willow Stream twitter.com/Lakegenevaswiss outdoor pool with views on the Dents Spa at the Fairmont Le Montreux facebook.com/lakegenevaregion du Midi. For the Jura, the Grand Palace in Montreux and the Spa at the instagram.com/myvaud Hôtel des Rasses added a whole new Chalet RoyAlp is in Villars-sur-Ollon, in spa area with hammam and sauna in the Vaud Alps.