One lovely summer morning to head for the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne. We were in the spa town of Evian-les-Bains in France, just across Lake Geneva. It was so unusually bright that day that I had to stop the car by the ridge for a look at Lausanne in Switzerland, directly across the lake.

Lausanne was an easy two hour drive away, along. The route is magnificent as you have the lake on one side and the mountains on the other. In between, you drive through some of the prettiest towns in Europe.

GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND

Following the well-trodden route of English aristocrats and Russian nobility on their respective Grand Tours of Switzerland over a hundred years ago, we were doing a three week road trip around Switzerland. One of the highlights of this trip was a long weekend in Lausanne, at the 18th century Beau Rivage Palace. This is one of the grandest palace hotels in Switzerland, if not in the world.

This had long been on my travel bucket list and finally we found ourselves at the entrance. This institution of a hotel is blessed with fine architectural features. It also has four hectares of spacious manicured grounds and an enviable frontage on Lake Geneva with views of the French Alps in the distance.

HOME TO HISTORY

For 150 years the Beau Rivage Palace Lausanne has hosted kings and queens, world leaders and tastemakers seeking a home away from their own luxurious homes.

The hotel’s ground floor corridor is where all the evidence quietly is. Unfortunately, it is not a pathway many guests will notice unless they decide to take a narrow winding staircase from the lobby down to the coffee shop or to the lake.

However we did exactly this one evening. And this is how we discovered the hotel’s Hall of Fame. It’s lined with signed black and white photographs of many of the good and the great who have laid their heads down here. It’s literally a long walk through history.

Since this hotel opened its doors in 1861, everyone who has been anyone has stayed here when passing through Lausanne. These include Victor Hugo, Coco Chanel and Nelson Mandela.

READ ABOUT THE MOST ROMANTIC NEW HOTEL IN SPAIN

CHARLIE CHAPLIN IN SWITZERLAND

Perhaps the most interesting of its innumerable distinguished guests was also one of its longest. The legendary actor and producer Charlie Chaplin set up temporary lodgings at the Beau Rivage Palace Lausanne upon his arrival in Switzerland with his family.

This was after a high-profile departure from the United States in connection with Senator Joseph McCarthy’s witchhunt for Communist supporters. Mr. Chaplin ended up loving this hotel and this area so much that he eventually chose a large villa nearby as his final home.

READ ABOUT THE MOST ROMANTIC NEW HOTEL IN SPAIN

THE BEST SERVICE IN LAUSANNE

These days, many guests choose to stay at the Beau Rivage Palace to experience its legendary hospitality. This is always exemplary and yet never intrusive. Indeed, the Beau Rivage Palace staff observe everything and see nothing. More importantly, the front desk and concierge team so impressed me as having a solution for practically any distress — save perhaps for a broken heart.

For the latter, however, a long weekend in one of the bright new suites facing Lake Geneva will certainly go a long way towards easing a heartbreak. This is the kind of hotel where you can literally leave your problems at the front door and feel like everything in the world will be fine. Or solved for you.

A SUITE FOR ALL SEASONS

We booked a junior suite for our stay. This is of course generally nicer than a regular hotel room. Nevertheless it’s at the bottom of the rung in terms of the hierarchies of suites at grand hotels. But quite frankly, it left me breathless as soon as I entered. This was among the loveliest junior suites I’d ever stayed in, in a lifetime of checking into the world’s best hotels.

The 75-square meter room was light, bright and airy. It could certainly lift anyone’s spirits even on the dreariest of days. It had a mirrored breakfast nook and bar that was a tiny room in itself. This room, unique to the junior suite on the second floor, jutted out of one corner. It had glass doors that opened up to a private terrace with a view of Lake Geneva.

DESIGNED BY PIERRE YVES ROCHON

Each guest room was created by French designer Pierre Yves Rochon in slightly varying styles of contemporary. Our suite was modern and colored in white and pale pastels. It had a fireplace on one side and an ultra-modern workstation on the other.

The workstation in white wood and glass was refreshed daily with flowers. Above it was a shelf filled with interesting books on Swiss architecture. There was also a book on Anne Sophie Pic, who incidentally runs the hotel’s flagship formal dining restaurant.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN LAUSANNE

• Olympic Museum
• Lausanne Cathedral
• Palais de Rumine
• Collection de l’Art Brut
• Musee de l’Elysée

THE ROOM WITHIN A ROOM

The piece de resistance of this suite was a mirrored walk-in closet. It was bigger than an average Swiss hotel room and I loved it. It was massive, even for our large suitcases and an assortment of smaller ones. I reveled in the luxury of having enough closet space in Europe.

In fact, with four large cabinets, luggage tables at the end and a proper mirrored dressing table, it had enough places for everything. I could actually hang all the clothes I’d brought, arrange shoes neatly in pull- out glass drawers at the bottom and place my summer hats on the top shelf. Yes, this dressing room was literally fit for a queen. As was the rest of the room.

Read more about the world’s most beautiful hotels in Travelife Magazine.

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PEACE IN STATION ZERO

This quiet area of Boracay is far away from the crowds, and the lovely scenes of summer on our pages are the result of one week of hard work and luxurious fun. These photographs of Boracay certainly inspired me to consider a long weekend in Boracay soon. I’m sure you will feel the same way after you read our article and see our photographs.

This special feature also reminded me of my first visit to this island. It’s now considered one of the world’s top beach destinations. But back then, when I first visited Boracay it was still a sleepy backwater island with no electricity and very few tourists. These days, the island is pretty crowded. But at least there’s always Station Zero as a haven.

Designer Amina Aranaz Alunan
on the cover

Photographed by Bryan Arevalo
Coordinated by Patricia Cendana

BREAKING BARRIERS & LIGHTING FIRES IN BOTSWANA

Our columnists and contributors have once again outdone themselves in chasing adventures worth writing about. Dondi Joseph, a serious traveler with the most passionate case of wanderlust I know, embarked on a safari trip that began in the Okavango Delta of Botswana and ended near the borders of Zambia. His tales of trysts with the wildest of wildlife kept me glued to my seat.

GOING GREEN IN SYDNEY

Meanwhile, Jerome Martin experienced an evening that certainly counts as an adventure for the books for him. He chucked his black book of favorite Sydney restaurants out the window and agreed to dine in a 100% vegetarian hotel. This establishment is green down to room service, snacks, and banquet dining.

LAS FALLAS IN VALENCIA

Meanwhile, Michelle Barrera returned to Valencia in Spain, one of her favorite places in the world. She joined the merrymaking for the amazing annual Las Fallas festival of Valencia. Certainly among the most unique celebrations in Spain, this festival to commemorate Saint Joseph literally lights up the city in one big blaze.

SKIING IN CLUB MED TOMAMU

Angela Ayala checked into Club Med Tomamu, the newest resort in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. It’s currently the popular pick for family holidays in Asia.

A first-timer at Club Med, she writes about how her initial trepidations over a resort full of systems and procedures turned into unequivocal enthusiasm for her week of sports, songs, and dances amidst the snow. 

SWITZERLAND: BLESSED WITH BEAUTY

Finally, since Switzerland is at the top of everyone’s bucket list. So we’ve created a comprehensive guide to Switzerland, listing all of the best destinations and activities for all seasons within its borders.

Look no further than our pages for where to go and what to do in Switzerland, the land of chocolate, cheese fondue, picturesque lakes, luxury watches, and everything wonderful.

Wherever in the world you’re headed soon, we hope you’re living a #Travelife.

The post Sailing in Boracay appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

He then wrote Buddhist handbooks, became a Buddhist forest-monk in Thailand, and even tried his hand as a meditation therapist in a mental hospital. Eventually, his love for Solothurn pulled him back home.

These days, he focuses on the stunning landscapes and cityscapes of Solothurn and the nearby Jura Mountains and the Alpine landscapes to satisfy his yen for travel photography.

PHOTOS OF SOLOTHURN

THE ENTIRE HISTORICAL CENTER OF SOLOTHURN IS PICTURESQUE, but I personally love Solothurn’s beautiful churches. The Roman Catholic St. Ursus Cathedral is the landmark of Solothurn.

Meanwhile, the MOST ICONIC BAROQUE STRUCTURE is definitely the Church of the Jesuits. It has impressive Italian-style stucco work and it’s been described as one of Switzerland’s nicest baroque buildings. This is real Italian grandeur.

WHEN I WANT TO IMMERSE MYSELF IN NATURE I head to the nearby Jura Mountains. There is a gondola lift up to the Weissenstein, a former health resort 1,284 meters above sea level. From Weissenstein there are many trekking tours through the Jura of canton Solothurn and to the Röti or the Hasenmatt. These are the two peaks with overwhelming panoramic views of the Alps. These peaks are best seen in autumn, by the way.

TO FULLY EXPERIENCE THE LAKES AROUND SOLOTHURN, take a boat from Solothurn to the Lake of Biel and further to Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Morat. The boats stop in all major places, each one worth a visit.

FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SOLOTHURN, go up the tower of the St. Ursus Cathedral with your camera. It takes a while to climb the steep and narrow stairs, but the breathtaking view of the historical town.

You will see the Jura Mountains and, if you are a little bit lucky, the whole panorama of the Swiss Alps. The best time to shoot outstanding photos from up there is in the morning or early afternoon.

The BEST PLACE TO HAVE A NICE MEAL at the Kreuz restaurant down by the river, offering many vegetarian dishes. Since 1973, this restaurant and guesthouse has been managed as an experimental cooperative. At the table for regulars, you might meet some of Switzerland’s most famous poets and writers.

For A ROMANTIC DINNER, HEAD TO the Roter Turm located at Solothurn’s market place. The restaurant has a rooftop terrace with a breathtaking view of the nested roofs of Solothurn. It is also one of our top gourmet places with 14 points in the Gault-Millau.

BEST PLACE TO EAT SOLOTHURN TORTE? Three pastry shops offer this local specialty: Suteria, Kafeehalle and Confiserie Hofer. Everyone has a different answer as to where to get the best one, so you have to find out by yourself. Of course the Solothurn torte should be enjoyed with good coffee.

Speaking of coffee in Solothurn, I like to sit at one of the many sidewalk cafés at the Marktplatz such as the restaurant of Hotel Wirthen or down at the Landhausquai at the river Aare, like Gassbar, and just watch what is going on around me.

FOR A TASTE OF THE “GREEN FAIRY,” HEAD TO the Grüne Fee, Switzerland’s first legal absinthe bar. It’s a very cozy place to hang out. Until a few years ago, absinthe, which was produced for ages in the French-speaking region of Swiss Jura, was banned in most European countries. But it survived “underground” for over a century.

To best ENJOY AN EVENING IN SOLOTHURN, I suggest a stroll along the river at the Aarequai or the Landhausquai. Locals enjoy the cozy Solheure with a lounge bar directly facing the riverbanks. For a more elegant ambiance, head to the rooftop bar of the Ramada Hotel for a stunning view over the river Aare and Solothurn’s old town.

FOR A NICE WALK, go out of the city to the St. Verena Gorge Hermitage in the middle of a beautiful forest. The legend of St. Verena, the first hermit there, goes back to the 4th century. You can still see one of the two chapels built in the 12th century.

MY FAVORITE WAY TO EXPLORE SOLOTHURN is by foot and bicycle. A bike ride along the river Aare is a beautiful nature experience. Meanwhile, the small village Altreu has Switzerland’s biggest population of the white storks. I also like going along the Aare river, where there are beautiful walkways and some pedestrian bridges to cross to the other side.

The BEST WAY TO LEARN MORE LOCAL HISTORY is via a guided city tour in the historical center of Solothurn. The local tourist office offers many different tours. Travelers can also borrow an iPad and go on exciting discovery tours through the historical and cultural heritage of Solothurn by themselves.

A WEEK-LONG PARTY IN SOLOTHURN 

The Fasnacht in Solothurn is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most unique carnival traditions. For one week, usually in February, the whole city is transformed into a madhouse and parties are on 24/7.

The carnival starts early morning on Fat Thursday with a tradition called “Chesslete.” Hundreds of people dressed in white nightshirts and white caps gather on the Friedhofplatz. At exactly 5 AM, they start to make a hellish noise with cow bells and huge ratchets to chase away the winter. From then on, the city is in the hands of the carnival of fools until Ash Wednesday.

WHEN I WANT TO LISTEN TO A LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE, I go to Kulturfabrik Kofmehl. International artists like Uriah Heep, Candy Dulfer, and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band sometimes play here.

Several times a year, Chutz restaurant organizes Jazz Matinees on Sunday mornings. I also visit a classical concert either in Solothurn’s city theatre, Switzerland’s oldest theatre, or the big concert hall.

I USUALLY TAKE FIRST-TIME VISITORS TO SEE THE ALPS from the peak Hasenmatt in the Jura Mountains, which is 1,444 meters above sea level. It’s the highest spot in the canton of Solothurn. The peak is only accessible by trekking and the view is simply stunning. The best chance to see the full Alps panorama is from September to November.

Visit the Solothurn Arts Museum FOR AN AFTERNOON OF ART. They have one of the biggest and most precious collections in Switzerland, and this collection contains the works of artists such as Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso.

MY FAVORITE PIECE is “The Madmen Warder of Saint-Rémy” by Vincent van Gogh. Each winter the local publisher Rothus organizes Switzerland’s one and only Art-Supermarket where HIGH QUALITY CONTEMPORARY ART IS SOLD at affordable prices.

The post The beautiful little Swiss town of Solothurn appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

There was once a time when people actually talked to their seatmates on airline flights, perhaps because there was little else to do.

Airlines then didn’t offer the smorgasbord of in-flight entertainment they do today, business class seats were still configured for congeniality rather than privacy, and notebooks—the paper kind—were the standard carry-ons.

Socializing was the other activity travelers looked forward to, as an acceptable way of relieving the long flight’s ennui.

Scroll down to read more…

With the frequency of our flights on a never-ending Travelife, there’s no shortage of amusing stories or encounters in-flight.

In fact, just last month, on the return flight back from South Africa to Hong Kong, an Asian couple had struck up a conversation with us just as we were about to land in Hong Kong.

“You were also on the flight with us two weeks ago from Hong Kong to Johannesburg,” the guy said to us with a smile, as we stood in the aisle fixing hand luggage and all.

We then compared notes on trip itineraries as they’d done almost exactly the same route we’d taken: Johannesburg, safari and Cape Town. However they’d chosen a self-drive safari while we’d flown to the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve for one of these all-inclusive safari holidays.

Read about our amazing safari experience in the current issue of Travelife Magazine. On sale everywhere now.

On our part, we’d not noticed anyone on any flight as we’d both slept most of the way to and from South Africa.

On the way to South Africa, the flight left Hong Kong at midnight and I knew I needed to sleep since we were hitting the ground running as soon as we reached Johannesburg. So as soon as the plane was at cruising altitude, I hit the “flat bed button,” put on my eye mask and went to sleep — waking up just in time for breakfast before landing.

And on the way back to Asia, the flight left Joburg in the afternoon, but we forced ourselves to sleep even at that odd time, since we were landing in Manila and both heading straight for work from the airport, after two weeks away.

Then, just as we were ending our conversation and landing in Hong Kong, the guy said to me: “By the way, you were wearing exactly the same clothes on the way to South Africa.”

I looked at my pretty generic overnight travel outfit, which consisted of a white polo shirt, loose black pants and red ballerina flats, and thought to myself: There were so many flights and so many seats on the airplane, and I was wearing the most nondescript clothes possible. What are the odds of this happening?

Read about other inflight entertainment stories on flights to Paris, London and New York in the next blog entry….

For more stories like this, please pick up the latest issue of TRAVELIFE Magazine at the nearest bookstore.

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