H Stories

11 – 13 April 2025 | 29 May – 1 June 2025 | 12 August – 14 September 2025 // Lucerne Festival ranks among the leading international presenters of classical music, offering various festivals throughout the year. The main festival, which takes place in summer, showcases the world’s most-renowned symphony orchestras, conductors, and soloists, as well as the young artist generation and contemporary music. The other festivals include Lucerne Festival Forward in November, which is focused on contemporary music, the Spring Festival, and the Piano Fest curated by pianist Igor Levit. Together with the Summer Festival, they attract classical music fans from all over the world.

Dog heaven on earth: At the super-­luxurious Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, not only are Labradors treated like kings, they are also kings in themselves. Some pets have stayed at the hotel forever – in its own dog cemetery.

The centrepiece of Castello del Sole’s culinary world is the Locanda Barbarossa restaurant. Awarded one Michelin star and 18 Gault-Millau points, the gourmet restaurant is an oasis for foodies.

Dom Pérignon strives for the perfect balance of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – it is the paradox of opposite and complementary elements of these grape varieties that creates vibration and tension.

St. Moritz is booming like never before. Not least because of the cosmopolitan gastronomy which attracts guests from all over the world. They are wooed by traditional grand hotels with international star chefs and exquisite product quality.

Peter Knogl has transformed the Cheval Blanc in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel into one of the best classic restaurants in the world. When you talk to him, you quickly realise why this is the case.

The railway station in Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland only has seven platforms, yet a group of strikingly elegantly dressed winter travellers have gathered here. A designer from New York in a shiny brown fur blouson approaches us to make sure he’s in the right place – does the train to Gstaad leave from here?

Dominik G. Reiner arrives a couple of minutes late, straight out of a budget meeting. He strides across the lobby towards me, introduces himself with a wide smile, and enthusiastically shakes my hand. ‘Have we ordered coffee?’, he asks into the room as we sit down. A couple of minutes later, coffee is served – an espresso for me, an Americano for him. It is after 11 o’clock, after all, so milk is out of the question. ‘A matter of style,’ Reiner says. I like him immediately.

Why head out on a walk, embark on a hike or go running in Montreux? Because your dopamine will thank you! Being outdoors in the Swiss Riviera offers the perfect way to do some sightseeing, complete with a bit of light training, or a hard session – depending on what kind of activity you are looking for. On top of that, you’ll also feel instantly happier. Here are my favourite spots:

Thousands of tiny golden leaves and dots are shining in the sun. I notice them even before I see the famous yellow stores above the balconies upon arriving at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.

Shall we call it the crème de la crème, or does the spa world deserve its own seal of excellence? There are various reasons I hadn’t yet made it to the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, with its breathtaking views and beautiful spa. But this only proved that good things are worth the wait, and that sometimes, reality exceeds expectations.

A museum for the ears, trekking with llamas, saunas on Lake Zurich, world-class design and, of course, plenty of culinary highlights: discover four popular Swiss destinations from a different perspective with the travel guide from our food author Alexander Kühn - and enjoy the comfort of five Swiss deluxe hotels!

Pleasure without any regret: Nowadays, drinking non-alcoholic drinks is considered good form and is no longer frowned upon. Even in renowned gourmet restaurants, a suitable alternative to wine is a natural pairing for a multi-course meal. Not having anything to offer here will lose guests – and turnover.

The unthinkable happened: my favourite Thai restaurant in Zurich closed down. Actually, it was just a humble Thai shop/takeaway cooking a most yummy lunch. Communal tables, colourful cushions, exotic fruit and silly crackers lying around, a big altar praising His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, you know.

In the watchmaking town of Biel, Michael Bach produces knives that are as flawless and precise as a luxury watch. The S in the name sknife is no coincidence. Read on to find out more about steel, wood and emotions.

I grew up playing tag with my sister on the back seat of our Chevrolet station wagon without even knowing where the seat belts might be located, drank warm water out of our plastic hose outside and did what any other self-respecting child born in the early 1970s did: I followed my parent’s rules – and lied to them easily when I didn’t: Classic Generation X, right?

There’s a reason the term Presidential Suite carries such weight in the world of luxury travel. Born out of a necessity to host dignitaries and heads of state in a manner befitting their status, these suites weren’t just about providing space; they embodied the prestige and gravitas associated with their respective occupants. In some ways, they’re not just places to stay—they’re backdrops to diplomacy, cultural exchange, and occasionally, high-stakes negotiations.

A real revelation. From the outside, it looks very much like an ordinary beetroot. But once cut open, the Chioggia beetroot springs a surprise with its characteristic pattern - hypnotic pink rings. Hailing from the wild beet family, and later sugar beet, this is a traditional original variety that has been cultivated in the small fishing village of Chioggia near Venice since the 16th century.

Wine consumption is declining. Customers are increasingly requesting non-alcoholic drinks. The industry is also undergoing rapid development. Wine expert Peter Keller sheds light on the unstoppable trend, describes the innovations and explains why the catering trade needs to have non-alcoholic products.

Crafting Timeless Elegance and a Heritage-Driven approach from Concept to Creation, this passion has become the essence of Iconia Group, a multidisciplinary interior architecture company.