wowed in Weggis, Switzerland
I’d never heard of Weggis, Switzerland, prior to my visit last fall. It is a tiny community of roughly 4,500 residents situated on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne–a scenic 40-minute boat ride from the city of Lucerne. What a terrific journey that short diversion turned out to be!
The 40-minute boat ride from Lucerne to Weggis was covered by my Swiss Travel Pass and offered beautiful vistas as we made our way to Weggis.
Weggis is best known these days for being home to a campus of the International School of Business Management, where international students come to study hotel management. With its tropical-type climate, Weggis is known as the “Riviera of Central Switzerland.” I could certainly believe that, as I strolled along the shore of the lake toward my hotel. I was spellbound by this beautiful scene below along the shore of Lake Lucerne in Weggis.
This beautiful scene along the shore of Lake Lucerne in Weggis explains why this tiny village is known as the Riviera of Central Switzerland.I was staying at the Wellness Hotel Rössli in Weggis, where I would have the opportunity to enjoy their deep tissue chocolate massage. The massage was great and eased the pain of my tired feet. The oil was brown, but it had no aroma of cocoa. So I wouldn’t call it a true chocolate massage, but it was certainly a great way to rejuvenate my travel-weary body.
The Wellness Hotel Rossli in Weggis, Switzerland, is a terrific place to spend a few days and just chill.
My room at the Wellness Hotel was small, but comfortable. The Flavour Restaurant on the main floor of the hotel has a lovely ambiance and a fusion style of continental cuisine. For dinner, I truly enjoyed the “A La Vodka” entree, featuring pasta served with raw salmon. It was incredibly delicious!
If you visit Weggis, allow time to stroll the cobblestone streets and explore the village. I found a lovely little artisan chocolate shop in the Cafe Dahinden, very close to the hotel.
Watching the cow parade in Weggis, Switzerland, was a highlight of my visit.
It was amazing to see the cows lining up in the centre of Weggis, Switzerland, waiting to be judged in the country fair.
And I was fortunate that my visit coincided with the weekly farmers’ market, at which an assortment of handcrafted chocolates and other artisan goods were setup for sale. My favourite part of the weekend was the parade of dairy cows that were brought down from the alpine hills to be judged in a country fair. I wish I could have stuck around longer, but the road out of Weggis was calling me to yet another chocolate adventure!
Some of the handcrafted chocolate from Confiserie Dahinden of Weggis, Switzerland, can be found at the farmers’s market, and at Cafe Dahinden.
Weggis is located in the canton of Lucerne. My thanks to Luzern Tourism for arranging my stay in Weggis. It was a short visit that I will long remember.
Hello Doreen,
I was admiring all the beautiful photos and Switzerland is one of my favorite places to visit. My best friend lives up the street where the cows were lined up in the street. It is absolutely beautiful in Switzerland and any one who visits Weggis needs to go on the gondola to Mt Rigi. I also love taking the boat from Weggis over to Lucerne for shopping and great food. Many people probably don’t know but in Lucerne there is the glacier garden to visit and there are pictures and artifacts to show that 1 million years ago there in Switzerland it was a tropical island/climate that used to have beaches. Now there are only lakes and no beaches.
Thanks so much for this comment, Coro. I would love to return to Lucerne and Weggis. It is such a delightful region.
I have told that Switzerland chocolate is gooood and yes they are. Belgian and Switzerland’s are the best I have ever tasted! And I think I have heard about the best Business Management School is in Switzerland but I am not sure if it is in Weggis or not but anyway Switzerland is cold, no? I have a friend from there, he always come and visit us here with a lot of this chocolate milk, isn’t that exciting?! But he is here, he always say that our weather is too hot for him! Summer all year long here. You should visit too, since spring is just around the corner, you need some sun! Come visit Bali and stay with us here. We have amazing villa to accommodate your stay here. Please do visit Lanaliana’s website, thank you!
Hello, Selene. I have now visited Lanaliana’s website and see that you have a wonderful place in Bali. I’ve not yet been to Bali, but it is definitely on my list for volume III of Chocolatour as there his some very good cacao being grown in Indonesia. I’m sure most places are cold in comparison, but Switzerland certainly isn’t known as a cold country! Come to Canada in winter, and we’ll show you cold!
Right on, Carole! We’re lucky to learn from one another. I feel so fortunate to learn about new destinations from my fellow bloggers like you. Thx for stopping by.
I’d never heard of Weggis, Switzerland, prior to your post here. Looks like a lovely place to visit, both for a deep tissue chocolate massage and to watch those gorgeous cows parading through the streets. Sign me up!
What a nice reminder of our visit to Lucerne and the lake region last summer! It is hard to top a day that includes a cow parade AND Swiss chocolate!
Lucky you to have visited Switzerland in the summer, Linda. I’ve only had one visit in spring and 2 in fall. Would love to visit in summer for the Montreux Jazz Fest!
I’ve never heard of Weggis. But a parade of cows sounds fascinating. And I love strolling local farmers markets. I think it is great to visit a new place and really meet the locals.
Absolutely, Erica. Most of my most memorable travel moments have been in small villages and centres where you really get a chance to immerse yourself in the place and with the locals.
I’ve never heard of Weggis Switzerland but it certainly sounds as though it has a lot to offer. Loved that shot of the cows in the town square waiting to be judged.
My husband and I spent some time in Lucerne right after college. I loved the area, but we never stopped in Weggis. Switzerland is so lovely, I’ve wished for many years to visit its mountains and lakes again.
Hi Alison: I hear you. As travel writers, we often don’t get back to places we love as there are always other places presenting themselves to us. I’m SO glad that chocolate brought me back to Switzerland, and allowed me to get to know it a whole lot better!
I would not mind a chocolate massage too. The smell of that cocoa would just be so therapeutic and divine. Lucky you I say!
Hi Ami. Yes, that’s usually what I love about chocolate spa treatments, is the wonderful aroma of the cocoa. I did not experience that at the spa in Weggis, but it was still a very wonderful massage, and I’de love to return to the Wellness Hotel there and spend time in the thermal baths.
Weggis is such a beautiful small town. I had never heard of it. I am actually going to Lucerne soon. I would love to take some time out and visit here as well.
I hope you get there, Neha. Visiting Weggis really enriched my visit to Lucerne. The boat ride across Lake Lucerne is truly breath-taking.
I was in Lucerne many years ago, but never Weggis. I absolutely love Switzerland and would love to visit Weggis — especially for the chocolate. Swiss chocolate is amazing!
Indeed, Patti. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to get off the beaten path and experience the true charm of the authentic Switzerland. And yes … Eat lots of the great chocolate!
What a perfectly lovely Swiss experience – charming town, chocolates, cows ….. I’m surprised about the tropical climate — who would guess there’s a Riviera of Central Switzerland. Beautiful everywhere you go in that country.
Hi Cathy. I admit to not having reviewed the climactic conditions of Weggis over the past few years to see if it is indeed living up to the connotations related to this lovely description. But I can certainly vouch for the beauty and ambiance I experienced during my brief visit.
Thanks to everyone for your comments. Weggis is truly a charming village that gives you a sense of the authentic Switzerland. I hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit there and incorporate it into your plans.
Crafted chocolates at a local farmer market. In Switzerland. What a score!
Don’t you just love local farmers’ markets, Charles? They truly give you a tremendous insight into the essence of a place.
Thanks for sharing this lovely little town. I would have also love watching the cows parade through town. I can imagine walking through the beautiful town and enjoying those chocolates as a reward.
Cow parade! Loved this hidden gem. Thanks for sharing. You have painted such a lovely picture of Weggis. Would love to visit someday.
Doreen the place looks as well as sounds to be amazing!
I loved the look of your hotel. Visiting the Swiss is one of my fantasies!
Weggis is indeed a revelation. This is what I love about Switzerland. There seem to be an endless treasure trove of places and you stumble across an unknown gem around every nook and corner. We had been to Lucerne for a short visit and missed this picturesque place. students getting to study in such beautiful environs are really blessed.
Absolutely, Sandy! These hidden gems off the beaten path often provide the best experiences, don’t they? Yes, students who get to live, study, and work in this environ would be truly blessed. Thx for sharing your thoughts.
Doreen — I never thought of anyplace in Switzerland as having a “tropical” climate. I mainly think of Switzerland as snow and skiing. Your photos are wonderful. I envy your trip. I’ve never visited the country and I know I’ve missed a great experience.
Hi Jeannette: Yes, it’s quite amazing how varied a climate can be in a relatively small country. It’s all about topography, and how the many lakes and mountains alter the temperature flow and resulting temps. Thx for stopping by. 🙂
I’ve spent a lot of time in Switzerland, but never made it to Weggis. That boat ride must have been so stunning. So how was the chocolate at the farmer’s market?
I didn’t eat any chocolate at the farmers’ market as I didn’t see any samples out and I was in a hurry to catch the bus to the next stop along my Chocolatour. But I did enjoy the chocolate I sampled at the Cafe Dahinder the night before, the same brand I photographed at the farmers’ market. Never enough time for all when we’re on a press trip, right?
I’ll map Weggis to see if I can follow in your footsteps when I visit Switzerland in May.
Keep me posted, Kristin. You can’t go wrong with a visit to Switzerland!
Looks amazing wish i had seen this post before our visit last year. Your chocolate massage sounds amazing although I think I prefer to take my chocolate via my mouth 🙂 I love local markets so it seems to have everything I would enjoy.
What a great little diversion, and to get so lucky coinciding with the farmers market is a real treat!
Hi Chris. I know! I really felt blessed to have happened upon the farmer’s market and cow parade. It made my day!
I love your blog! Traveling the world and eating chocolate? Life goals! What a fun niche.
Thanks, Brianne. I feel pretty blessed to have carved this nice for myself. Chocolate travel is unending sumptuous journey! 🙂
You have chosen such a great niche…chocolate tours!!! Weggis is another one of those great places for great chocolates….what else is new in Switzerland?
Hi Carol: I have done quite a series of posts on my site about my recent visit to Switzerland. Just use the on-site search feature and key in Zurich, Gruyeres, Vevey, Montreux, Broc, or Lucerne to see some of the other posts.
Weggis looks beautiful, but is there anyplace in Switzerland that isn’t mind-numbingly gorgeous? I’m reading a book in a series where the action always revolves about the happenings at a wellness hotel. I could use such a getaway right now.
Right on, Jeri! A wellness hotel or retreat does wonders for the spirit, and that’s half the battle, isn’t it? Wishing you well, my friend.
What a wonderful looking village Doreen! Everything about this little adventure looks so inviting, from the boat ride to the hotel and even the cows. You also reminded me it’s been w-a-y too long since I treated myself to a massage! Thanks for the tour and inspiration. 🙂
Small towns like this have a unique charm of their own. And a chocolate massage to boot! Weggis sounds heavenly.
Weggis looks very enchanting! The boat ride over to Weggis offered spectacular views. I also loved seeing the rolling hills of Weggis and admired its proximity to the water. It sounds like a great relaxation destination and it offers the opportunity to eat delicious chocolate as well.
You bet, Bev! And Weggis is where I took that photo of the van with your family name on it! You may wish to add it to your wish list!
The cow parade must have been a sight to see! I love how you could hop on a ferry to get to the village. Make the whole experience much more fun.
Absolutely, Janice! The journey is just as important as the destination, right?
I love the cow parade! You know you’re in a small town when…
And no surprise that somehow more chocolate crossed your traveling path!
You know me, Rose! I can find and celebrate chocolate anywhere!
Weggis looks like such a lovely place to stay. I would love to go there one day.
Most of urban Indians are fascinated with Switzerland thanks to the many Bollywood movies which have been shot here. However even I did not know about Weggis. What a lovely and serene place it is. The 40 minute boat ride sounds exciting.
Hello Abhinav and welcome to my blog! It’s wonderful to have people join us from around the world. I didn’t know about Switzerland’s connection to India. Thanks for sharing that. It truly is a beautiful country, no matter which place you choose as your destination.
I can’t believe that it has almost been 30 years since I last visiting the country, I would love to go back at summer time and be on the water exploring the smaller towns by ferry
I hear you, Noel. As travel writers, it is sometimes difficult to get back to places we like because we are lured buy places we haven’t been. It took 15 years between my first and second visit, but I was fortunate that the 3rd happened much more quickly. Cheers!
Beautiful setting, artisan chocolate, and a wonderful relaxing massage – what more could you ask for?
More time, Karen! I wish I would have had more time to just chill in Weggis. My visit was rushed, but still full of pleasant memories. 🙂
Wow indeed. What an amazingly lovely place. I can only imagine how wonder the chocolate must have tasted. It would appear Heaven does exist.
Chocolate and heaven all in the same breath, Susan. Stay tuned. We will be having a Chocolatour to Switzerland in the future.
Looks fabulous. I would love to go to Switzerland one day. Thanks, as always, for sharing your insights.
Stay tuned, Suzanne! We will definitely do a Chocolatour to Switzerland in the future. I have chosen Hawaii for the first one as the chocolate is so good, the cocoa is grown there, and it is such a fabulous destination for us Canadians to escape to. But Switzerland has its own reasons for being a terrific chocolate destination. 🙂
Yes, I was lucky enough to go to Hawaii with you Doreen. It is indeed fabulous. I know your group will have a wonderful time there with you!
Weggis looks beautiful. The cow parade would be interesting to see.
Doreen – you always stay at such beautiful places. This hotel certainly looks cosy and in a rural setting – even better!
The handcrafted chocolates look well packaged and would be great to carry in your bag whenever you need a sweet pick me up.
Absolutely, Phoenicia! When you can find well-packaged artisan chocolate, it is truly a treat that you can enjoy when you get home, or share with those you love as a gift.