The Grand Tour Deluxe “Wellness, spas & water” route starts in Basel, a city on the Rhine. Check into the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. On hot summer days, swimming in the Rhine is a must, while evenings are the perfect time for a drink at one of the many “buvettes”, the outdoor bars on the river. Later, hop onto the historical Rhine ferry back to the opposite bank.

From Basel, the tour goes on to Gstaad, where the four Swiss Deluxe Hotels all boast extensive wellness and spa areas as havens of rest and relaxation. Or take a trip to the nearby Lake Lauenen.

The Grand Tour Deluxe then leads to Interlaken, which is idyllically nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Check into the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa. This place is all about wellness: the swimming pool is reminiscent of Roman baths, with hot tubs both inside and out, a steam bath, saunas and Better Aging programmes. Or head out onto the water, with a relaxing trip aboard a steamer on either of the two lakes.

From Interlaken, Bern and Hotel Schweizerhof & Spa are just a short drive away. The hotel’s indulgence pool, sauna, hammam, gym and treatment rooms together create a lavish relaxation space over 500m2. Those who prefer to float in the clear, cool river water – with stunning views of Bern’s old town – should absolutely swim in the River Aare.

From the Swiss capital, the Grand Tour of Switzerland goes on to Hallwyl. This is home to one of Europe’s most important moated castles. The next stop on the tour is Lucerne, which is idyllically situated on Lake Lucerne. Stroll along the lake shore or take a trip on one of the historic paddle steamers. Vitznau will be reached soon after. Check into the Park Hotel, right by the lake, where various water activities are on offer (waterskiing, motor boating, kayaking, stand-up paddling). The spa area is 2,000m2, with pure relaxation guaranteed over its three levels.

Following the Grand Tour of Switzerland, take the car ferry over Lake Lucerne, then onwards along Lake Uri, via Brunnen and Schwyz, to Rapperswil and finally Zurich. Check into the Dolder Grand. Its multi-award-winning spa is inspired by European and Japanese influences. A round trip over Lake Zurich is a truly special experience.

From Zurich, the tour goes north to Schaffhausen’s mighty Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. By boat, visitors can reach castles, the Rhine Falls basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall itself. Along Lake Constance and through the Appenzell region, the tour leads to the Grand Hotel Quellenhof & Spa Suites. The Thermal Spa waters are uniquely mineralised and a lovely 36.5 degrees Celsius. The waters come from the hot spring in the Tamina Gorge, which was discovered as far back as 1242 and is also well worth a visit.

Off to the Engadin! From Davos and the Flüela Pass to St. Moritz/Pontresina. Check into one of five Swiss Deluxe Hotels (the Carlton Hotel only opens in the winter season) where lavish relaxation awaits. Between St. Moritz and Maloja lie the four large Upper Engadin lakes, in a picturesque location. Over the summer months, Europe’s highest scheduled boat service runs on Lake Sils.

From the Engadin, the Grand Tour Deluxe goes on to Ticino, Switzerland’s very own sun trap! The trip continues on, either along Lake Maggiore to Ascona or to Lugano. The Castello del Sole Ascona boasts not only an exceptional wellness area, but also a private beach. The Hotel Eden Roc Ascona has its very own marina, from where water skis, sailboats, kayaks and wakeboards can be taken out onto the steel-blue waters of the lake. At the Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano, guests can expect a new oasis of relaxation with glorious views of Lake Lugano.

Leaving Ticino, the tour heads north. The Chedi Andermatt hotel expertly combines Swiss tradition with Asian elegance. Its wellness area offers a holistic spa and health concept over 2,400m2. Total relaxation in the Swiss mountains.

The next mountain destination on the Grand Tour of Switzerland is Crans-Montana, which is reached by driving along the idyllic Rhône. This small Valais mountain village is home to two Swiss Deluxe Hotels, both of which have an extensive wellness offering.

From Valais, drive west to Lake Geneva, where Chillon Castle lies, perched picturesquely on a rocky outcrop on the shore of Lake Geneva. Stay overnight in either the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace or Hotel Le Mirador Resort & Spa, high above Lake Geneva.

The penultimate stage of the Grand Tour Deluxe “Wellness, spas & water” route goes along Lake Geneva, through the winegrowing area of Lavaux and on to Lausanne. The Lausanne Palace is situated a little higher up in the old town, with a CBE Concept Spa that is an oasis of relaxation. The Beau-Rivage Palace is right on the lake shore. Highlights of its wellness area include the Japanese aroma and flower bath and the tropical rain promenade.

After Lausanne, the final destination of the Grand Tour Deluxe “Wellness, spas & water” route is Geneva. The Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues is the oldest luxury hotel in Switzerland. It is a historic symbol of the city and lies right on Lake Geneva. The Mont Blanc Spa is all about relaxation and wellness after a day in the “capital of peace”.

After two weeks of restorative experiences and relaxation on the Grand Tour Deluxe “Wellness, spas & water” route, the time has come to head home.