Under power ...
...or rather "with" us on the "Grand Tour of Switzerland", which connects all of Switzerland's tourist highlights.
As a world first, it has mutated into the "1st road trip for e-vehicles" with 1600 kilometers and 300 charging stations. Its little sister, the "Green Tour", adds a few more "greens" and the Swiss Deluxe Hotels provide refreshments. Along for the ride from Zurich to Gstaad: the Tesla Model X electric SUV and Elsa Honecker as chauffeur.
The journey is the destination
on the "Grand Tour", as the approximately 1,600-kilometre journey of discovery leads through four language regions, over five Alpine passes, to eleven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and past 22 lakes. A concentrated load of Switzerland with 44 highlights - between the Alpine region and cities, tradition and history, nature and culture as well as art and architecture. "The "Wave Trophy" - an annual rally with electric vehicles, which started from Zurich this year - is to blame for the brand new electric version. Around 110 teams from ten countries covered 1400 kilometers over several Alpine passes - not only with electric production vehicles and electric two-wheelers, but also with many amazing self-built vehicles. This is the intention of Swiss WAVE TROPHY founder Louis Palmer, who founded this electric car rally seven years ago to set an example for electromobility.
Green Tour - start in Zurich and golf on the mountain
The city by the lake never ceases to amaze me. Especially the contrast between the big city flair with the expensive stores on Bahnhofstrasse and the small alleyways in the old town, with its art galleries and antique stores - a real insider tip for browsing. The restaurant scene in the city on the water is also extraordinarily diverse. With over 2,000 eateries, there is something for every taste: typical Swiss cheese specialties such as fondue or raclette in a traditional guild house, mussels in a former factory building or fresh fish from Lake Zurich right on the water. And in the evening, it mutates into an Eldorado for night owls with a variety of amusements - from the house party in the legendary "Kaufleuten" to 80s oldies in the oldest city club "Mascotte" and the gay party in the "Labor-Bar". There is no curfew here and you can't help but wonder whether you really are in Switzerland. Sometimes the friendly night porter at the elegant Grand Hotel "Baur au Lac" is amazed at who stumbles through the revolving door early in the morning. The 5-star hotel is the ideal place to stay right on the lake, where open-air parties are also held in summer. Whether this was the case when it was founded 170 years ago by the Austrian hotelier Johannes Baur is not historically documented. What is certain, however, is that from day one, the Baur au Lac as a grand hotel was an example of lavish luxury with exquisite discretion in Zurich. Europe's high and moneyed nobility thus had a new regular domicile in Zurich, followed by acting icons such as Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. Even Empress Sisi honored today's Swiss Deluxe Hotel with her court, which can still be seen in some of the pictures in the hotel and the spacious park. There you will also come across "the golfer", a saucy exhibit showing a young beauty on a glittering golf ball - which can be seen from the terrace of the Rive Gauche Restaurant, Zurich's hippest daytime bar. So the "Baur au Lac" should also be a golf-friendly hotel, I think to myself, and I can test this out almost en passent at Adlisberg, just 10 minutes away. The Dolder GC Zurich may only have 9 holes, but it's no walk in the park with its many doglegs, slopes, tactically placed bunkers and constant ups and downs. But it does offer a memorable view of the city on the Limmat and the vibrant life there.
On the road to Interlaken in an SUV
The first time in an electric vehicle of this size, the new Teslaner is overcome with a kind of awe: in a 7-seater with gullwing doors, with over 300 hp and a value of over 100,000 euros - it's clear that this gives me a certain tingling sensation. Especially as the vehicle is so quiet that you can't hear any driving noise. According to the on-board computer, the "tank" is sufficient for 400 km and that should easily be enough to get to Interlaken, because the first of the three Swiss de Luxe Hotels - the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel - is already waiting there. As a Leading Hotel of the World and a real gem in Swiss hotel history, it has been delighting a diverse international clientele for over 150 years. Opened in 1865, it has lost none of its original grandeur despite several renovations. Luxury, generosity, attention to detail and perfection can be found in the 212 rooms and suites with fantastic views of the imposing Jungfrau massif, the picturesque Niesen chain or the local Harder mountain. Above all, it is the 5,500 square meter spa, which is one of the best in Europe and offers a huge portfolio of treatments. Also for golfers!
Golf against the backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau at the GC Interlaken-Unterseen is the attractive offer here. Founded in 1966, this 18-hole par 72 championship course is nestled between Lakes Brienz and Thun and was rebuilt in 2004/2005 according to the plans of Scottish golf architect John Chilver-Stainer. The 18-hole course features watercourses, lakes and ponds, narrow fairways and doglegs that meander between bushes and promise tricky greens. For example on hole 9, a par 5 measuring 503 m - very attractive because the large lake that stretches along the left-hand side of the drive defines the game and the landscape. On hole 11, a par 5, you have to cross a pond and bunker landscape and water also comes into play on the most difficult hole, 16. However, not only the birdie chance but also the view of the mountains on hole 17 (par 3) is tempting.
Gstaad - a village with an international reputation
After about an hour's drive in my Tesla X, I reach the mountain village at 1,000 meters with its wooden houses decorated with flowers, narrow streets and the mountain landscape as a backdrop. The "Park Gstaad" is one of the more than 100-year-old hotels here and is known as a celebrity stronghold - but this is treated with the utmost discretion. The chalet-style hotel looks rather rustic to me in terms of its wooden design and doesn't necessarily suggest a grand hotel. However, once inside, the elegant interior and fine dining will prove you wrong. Whether in the 84 rooms, suites or in the impressive "My Gstaad Chalet" for living or dining in the 4 restaurants and bars - "understatement" seems to be the top priority. That's something you're happy to accept, especially as you're in the company of the top ten thousand here. I was unable to find out whether they also use the PGA Tour golf simulator. In any case, the handling is impressive: in addition to the best tools and golf equipment, Frédéric Dauchez is not only available as a pro for a game on the best courses in the world, but also gives golf lessons to anyone who books him. The perfect preparation for a game on the Gstaad-Saanenland golf course, just half an hour away. Incidentally, it is one of the most beautiful in the Bernese Oberland. At 1400 meters, the 18 holes are spread over gently rolling mountain hills, between fir trees and forest meadows and offer plenty of challenge with doglegs and blind holes. Unfortunately, the weather gods were not kind to me and rained on my flight. Nevertheless - the view of the sublime mountain world and the memory of a delicious Swiss Röschti from star chef Robert Späth in the very cozy clubhouse remains. Gruezi from Switzerland!
Information about the E-Grand Tour:
www.myswitzerland.com/de-de/e-grand-tour.html www.myswitzerland.com www.zuerich.ch,www.tesla.com
www.bauraulac.ch,www.doldergolf.ch
www.victoria-jungfrau.ch,www.interlakengolf.ch
www.grandhotelpark.ch,www.golfclubgstaad.ch
