
Lake Geneva's Terraced Lavaux Vineyards Gaining Deserved Notice
If Switzerland hardly jumps to mind as a wine producing nation and the white grape variety Chasselas rings no bell, expect that to change as the stretch of steep Lake Geneva shoreline called Lavaux gains ever more recognition.
Between Lausanne and Montreux in the canton of Vaud, Lavaux's south-facing terraced vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Vevey makes an ideal base for exploring this section of the broader area known as the Montreux Riviera.
You can dispel with thoughts of only the usual trifecta of Swiss watches, cheese and chocolate as your goal here. Perhaps you already know the small Italian-speaking canton of Ticino as a prime wine growing region. Some 2,000 acres harvested here in Lavaux represent an even tinier fraction of the wine world, but it's all packing an ever great wallop on the enotourism scene.
Even without vineyards that go back to Roman times, the views from Lavaux to the Alps on the southern French side of Lake Geneva are spectacular. Switzerland's exceptional train system with its unlimited Swiss Travel Pass makes it a mere hour ride to get here from Geneva and twenty minutes from Lausanne. From the train stop at Grandvaux village, a wander down the slopes toward the lake takes you through the heart of this unique physical and cultural environment.
With their stone houses, hamlets dotted throughout the Lavaux terraced landscape look much like they have for centuries. Credit: Maude Rion
You would do well in advance to engage the services of UNESCO-certified guide Marc Checkley who has lived in Lavaux for nearly a decade. The New Zealand native with an infectious enthusiasm for the region is adept at walking backward downhill as he explains 15,000 years of geologic time; how a retreat of the Rhône Glacier began creating the deep lake; and, how, like right out of a Hollywood cataclysmic event, the 6th-century Tauredunum mountain collapse triggered a tsunami and caused massive shoreline destruction all the way to Geneva on the lake's southwestern tip.
As you walk through hamlets and between 280-miles-worth of high stone walls that monks built a millennia ago to create the terraces, Checkley explains how the walls breath and retain the solar heat that keeps the narrow lanes and vines themselves warm at night. The sun reflecting off the lake adds to the ripening process.
To the English ear, domaine sounds like a grand name for what here at Domaine Potterat is, like most Lavaux wineries, a quintessentially small family run operation. In the post card-perfect village of Cully, Eliane and Guillaume Potterat work over a six-hundred-year old cellar. Their late-19th-century press is primitive enough that it takes a team of workers to push the heavy timber lever to crush the grapes, but its cast iron mechanics are a thing of late-industrial era beauty.
Among the some 30,000 bottles that Domaine Potterat produces annually, their Epesses Grand Cru, Courseboux and Côtes de Courseboux white wines are among the best known. You'll find a weekly farmers market just outside their operation in the narrow streets of Cully, while in springtime some performances of the Cully Jazz festival are held in their cellar and garden.
The CGN fleet of historic ships plies the waters of Lake Geneva, with a stop at Lavaux. Credit: Marie Contreras
Uncommonly these days, all harvesting in Lavaux is done by hand—given the challenging terrain, not such a remarkable practice. Just enjoying the exquisite countryside here might be good enough reason to come back in the fall to sign up with a vintner and join in the labor yourself.
With plenty of helpful signage along the paths and roads, you can't get lost among the Lavaux terraces. Down in Cully proper, one of various docks on Lake Geneva is a stop for the CGN fleet of Belle Époque steam paddle boats that still ply the waters. To be sure, a few in the fleet of eight are no longer steam powered, but the big red paddle wheels on either side remain a romantic element.
With Lake Geneva having thirty species of fish, trout, perch or monkfish may well be on the menu for lunch that can be booked onboard, along with wine tastings. A cruise is also the chance to spot some of 230 bird species at home here, from ducks of all manner to mute swans, gray herons, great crested grebes and great cormorants.
In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes lies right on Lake Geneva. Credit: Leading Hotels of the World
Two Leading Hotels of the World member properties lie within minutes of one another. Le Mirador Resort and Spa on Le Mont-Pèlerin looks far over the lake. In the town of Vevey, the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes with origins back to 1842 retains its old world flair—attic rooms have heavy timber crossbeams that run low through the middle, so watch your head. It should be a rule that dining under the Le 3C Restaurant patio awning be followed by a walk on the lake promenade. The property's Puressens Spa includes a long ground floor lap pool.
Two doors from the hotel, the Alimentarium museum takes up a handsome early 20th-century Neo-classical lakefront building. As it once housed Nestlé headquarters, no surprise that the museum is devoted to food and nutrition around the world. La Fourchette , or the Fork of Vevey, is an instantly recognizable Instagram star of a 26-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture that sticks up from the lake water.
Just outside of Vevey, fans of the seminal modern architect Le Corbusier can drop in for a look at his mid-1920s Villa Le Lac on the water. Minutes away inland, the Chaplin's World museum is housed in Manoir de Ban where the early cinema genius Charlie spent the last 25 years of his life, and is devoted to his work.

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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Unique Seaside Finolhu Maldives Resort—Unicorns, Mermaids and More
The 26 stunning atolls of the Maldives are made up of 1,190 small islands, only 198 of which are inhabited. The Maldives also has 105 islands hosting high-end resorts that show off the country's turquoise sea and powdery white beaches—and the overwater and beachfront villas that guests stay in. Seaside Finolhu's coral reef, lagoon, overwater villas, main island, and sandbank. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is one such island resort, and one that's unique from the others. Here's what to expect at this gorgeous resort, including what makes it a unicorn. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives This ultra-luxury resort with its chilled-out modern vibe is in the southern Baa Atoll, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Seaside Finolhu and its lagoon are encircled by a 1.5-mile coral reef with a wide variety of colorful fish (yes, including unicorn fish, and sometimes in the main pool, mermaids too ... more on these later). Seaside Finolhu has 91 overwater villas. Claus Brechenmacher & Reiner Baumann / Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Design Hotel with Unique Offerings Inside Seaside Finolhu's ocean villa. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Seaside Finolhu was the first hotel in the Maldives to be included in Design Hotels' portfolio, a curated collection of unique hotels driven not only by design and by hospitality rooted in the local culture, but by visionary hoteliers, dubbed 'Originals'. Seaside Finolhu's Arabian Grill restaurant. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives The resort's 125 villas, restaurants and other public areas were all recently upgraded, led by the London-based design studio Muza Lab, after the resort became part of the Seaside Collection. This family-owned collection has seven other unique hotels in Spain and Germany plus Riverside Luxury Cruises in Europe. All aim to create an unforgettable experience for their guests. At Seaside Finolhu's ocean villas, swim in your private pool and in the sea below. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Stays at Seaside Finolhu are led by Roohos—the resort's name for butlers. The word translates to 'soul' in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, hinting at the immersive, personalized services guests can expect. Stays at Seaside Finolhu are in overwater villas (some with pools and a few with additional bedrooms) or beach villas on the lagoon or reef side of the island. They're all beautifully decked out and have unusual amenities such as Marshall sound systems. Floating breakfast in Seaside Finolhu's ocean villa infinity pool. Seaside Finolhu has unique dining options too—the award-winning overwater Japanese Kanusan, the Arabian Grill for Middle Eastern and North African fare, the Crab Shack on the resort's unique sandbank, the Beach Kitchen complete with pizza oven, and the Milk Lab for snacks including fab ice creams. You can admire the ocean from all of them and, if you like, sit at a table with your feet in the soft sand (except at Kanusan). Be sure to book a floating breakfast one morning—there's not much that can compete with eating tropical fruits from your infinity pool in your Maldivian overwater villa. Unique Sea Activities—Super Sea Toys, Manta Rays, Unicorn Fish and More Ride a Seabob for a dolphin's eye view of the reefs around Seaside Finolhu. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Seaside Finolhu's unique sea sports include gliding via Seabob and Subwing, electric hydrofoiling, and even flying James Bond style on an X-Jet Blade. Also giving a surge of adrenaline, though in a surreal meditative way, is a snorkeling trip to nearby Hanifaru Bay—it's one of the few places in the world where snorkelers can witness manta rays' mass feeding including cyclone feeding. Gentle but massive whale sharks sometimes feed here too. Manta rays formation feeding, Hanifaru Bay Baa Atoll, Maldives. getty On a Finolhu boat safari, guests might also spot the area's spinner dolphins and turtles. On a reef hopping cruise there's also the opportunity to snorkel with an abundance of sea life—look for those unicorn fish! Other ocean trip options are for surfing, fishing, visiting local islands, and—for more unicorn fish opportunities—scuba diving with the PADI-certified Dive Centre and Dive Butler. The resort has non-motorized water sports too, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and catamaran sailing. The aptly named unicorn fish (Naso brevirostris) in the Maldives. getty Borrow snorkel gear and get a tour of Seaside Finolhu's house reef or learn about coral restoration and propagation. And you won't to miss snorkeling right from your villa. Unicorn fish—complete with their funny-looking horn and the ability to change color—are easy for snorkelers to spot in Seaside Finolhu's crystal clear waters. If you're staying in an overwater villa, just climb down the ladder from your deck and swim toward the reef. Many unicorn fish patrol the reef's edge plus you might see some closer to the villas and on Seaside Finolhu's house reef. Be a mermaid in Seaside Finolhu's main pool Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Unique Activities on the Island—Including Swimming as a Mermaid Alas, there are no actual unicorns in the Maldives (or anywhere on the planet). But, at Seaside Finolhu you can see—even be—a mermaid. Via the PADI Mermaid Program, you can learn mermaid skills in the main pool, get PADI Mermaid Certification, even advanced open water certification. Photo sessions in mermaid gear provide proof that mermaids do exist. Aerial yoga in Seaside Finolhu's yoga pavilion. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Other island-based activities at Seaside Finolhu go well beyond the typical too. For example, you can do arial yoga in the yoga pavilion, exercise in indoor and outdoor gyms, play on the floodlit tennis court, try the golf simulator for a round on some of the world's most famous golf courses, plus book a personal trainer or lessons from pros. Seaside Finolhu's Art Studio. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives For relaxing, another unique option at Seaside Finolhu is the shaded outdoor Art Studio. Paint a masterpiece on a coconut, a fridge magnet or on canvas; make scented candles with island botanicals; or try pottery or fabric art. For even more relaxation, Fehi Spa also offers several unique treatments including Ayurvedic options, Tibetan massage, and Maldivian healing massage using a warm sand poultice. Before or afterward, sweat it out in the steam room or sauna and then take a dip in the plunge pool (there are separate facilities for men and women). Kids get unique options too. Younger kids, called Oceaneers, have their own kids club complete with waterslide pool. Kids aged 12-18 have a dedicated Teens Hut—the first of its kind in the Maldives—complete with a drum kit and guitars, art stations, a pool table, gaming consoles and a full schedule of activities. Here's more on what makes Seaside Finolhu unique. Longest Sandbank Seaside Finolhu's main pool and sandbank. Georg Roske/Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives 'Finolhu' means 'sandbank' in Dhivehi. Seaside Finolhu's sandbank is a permanent one—rare for the Maldives. It's the longest natural sandbank of any Maldivian resort and one of the longest in the entire country. Natural sandbanks are important. Some Maldivian resorts create artificial islands and sandbanks as a way to expand their space for guests. In the Maldives and around the world, land reclamation projects also have goals such as helping combat rising sea levels and erosion, housing growing populations, and creating new land for airports and industry. The pros for land reclamation need to outweigh the cons since artificial islands can cause environmental damage by destroying coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other important ocean habitat and by disrupting natural ocean currents which affects wildlife and erosion. The Crab Shack on Seaside Finolhu's long sandbank. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Seaside Finolhu's natural sandbank provides that perfect deserted island feel that many visitors to the Maldives are looking for, all without damage to the fragile ocean environment. You can stroll the mile-long stretch, choosing to keep your feet dry in the powdery soft sand or cooling them in the tranquil waters on the lagoon side or in the only slightly wavier water on the ocean side. At it's thinnest part, the sandbank is just a few yards wide—gentle waves sometimes kiss in the middle and very occasionally touch the other side. If you'd prefer not to walk, cruise over in the resort's traditional wooden dhoni. Seaside Finolhu's traditional Maldivian dhoni. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Near the far end of the sandbank, the Crab Shack awaits for toes-in-the-sand dining with dishes such as Sri Lankan mud crab curry, lobster rolls and coconut prawns. The Crab Shack is also the location of Seaside Finolhu's Friday night White Party—everyone on the island is invited (white clothing encouraged) to watch the sunset while enjoying cocktails, dine on the beach, and watch fire dancing performances, all accompanied by a DJ. Seaside Finolhu's Beach Bubble. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Unique Beach Bubble About 100 yards beyond the Crab Shack in a secluded spot is another unique aspect of Seaside Finolhu—the Beach Bubble. 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Situated precisely five degrees north of the equator, it shows off incredible 360° views of Seaside Finolhu, particularly at sunset. Seaside Finolhu's watersports beach. Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Getting to Seaside Finolhu Getting to Seaside Finolhu is a unique adventure too. After landing at Malé's international airport, enjoy snacks in Seaside Finolhu's lounge until your scenic 30-minute seaplane flight is ready to take off. If you prefer (or have a late arrival) you can take a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport and then a 30-minute boat ride. Regardless of which you choose—and whether you see unicorn fish and mermaids—a holiday at Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is one you'll always remember. Sunrise at Seaside Finolhu's main pool.


Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
Eating Around Malta
Colourful Boats in Harbour of Marsaxlokk, Malta at springtime. This small island in the Mediterranean is one of the closest to North Africa and has been a hotbed of conflict, colonization and military maneuvers during the war. The Maltese national language is closer to Arabic than any other language. Residents say that the language of Malta is completely copacetic with Lebanese Arabic and is it said the pronunciation of basic numbers is exactly the same as Arabic. The back street of Valletta. This island is a UNESCO heritage site and Gladiator II was reportedly filmed in Valletta, given its resemblance to ancient Rome. While the island is full of great food offerings, it is a bit disappointing that many of the shops and bigger restaurants have moved out of the historic center, as more modern areas such as Sliema have become a bigger draw. The Wines and Wineries Glass of red wine with brie cheese with view of harbor with boats and historic city center of Birgu ... More in Malta. Malta has been producing wines for centuries. The winemakers use a number of international varietals but also have their own indigenous grapes—such as Girgentina and Ġellewża—which are challenging to pronounce. The heat of the island works against local wine producers, as well as the fact that Maltese—like the Swiss and Austrians—also enjoy their own wines so much few of them make it out of the country. The bottom line is that unfortunately not much Maltese wine is available in the States. I had a chance to visit a few great wineries. One was Markus Divinus, whose owner is making completely unique wines with a mix of local and international varietals. I particularly liked the white Zafrana, which is primarily based on the the indigenous Girgentina grape with international varieties, on the nose it has stone fruit and mineral notes. Only 1,434 bottles were made of the 2023 vintage, which clearly demonstrates why these wines are hard to find outside the country. The winery's tasting room is darling with lights hung outside and black and white pictures of owner Mark Borg's family producing wine. Unfortunately, the bulk of these wines, when sold directly, from the winery are coming in at more than $50 a bottle retail which is a price point that few Americans would be willing to experiment with an unknown wine. It's the same issue that Georgian, Armenian and Serbian wines are facing. Only a small set of locals can afford to buy the wines and the math doesn't work on exporting them profitably. However, I totally enjoyed tasting the local wines and seeing them paired on menus. Another winery I enjoyed visiting was Meridiana, which is owned by noted Italian winemaker Piero Antinori, who has been an aggressive player in the international wine industry. He also owns a winery called Metaforsis, that I have visited in the Dealu Mare region of Romania, and he instinctively seems to quietly understand how to expand his empire. At Meridiana the Nexxus Merlot was good with intense cherry and berry flavors. The Restaurants Malta is home to a pretty impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants. So, the destination is playing in the big leagues for a 122 square-mile island. I had the privilege of going to two of them. Ion Harbour, a two-star Michelin, is run by British chef Simon Rogan. The views of the harbor are stunning. Its location on the harbor is peerless: you can stare at endless ocean for hours. While its food merits the two stars, the restaurant could probably use a little support in managing reservations and guest arrival, which were bumpy. Highlights from the meal included a rosemary-infused pumpkin from Hokkaido Japan with sticky yolk and cheese sauce. I also loved the playful beef fat and koji waffle made with with sheep's yogurt and orange jam. Another great Michelin dining experience was had at LeGV. It is in the trendy heart of Malta's Sliema district, so the views aren't classic but the food is great. The space sits atop a modern building with stunning views of the surrounding area. The staff is flawless and local wines, like Marcus Divinus' are offered in abundance. Quail, white asparagus and veal: sign me up. I just wish the portions had been smaller and I had had space for cheese (and that I didn't need to wake up at 2am to catch my flight). Valletta is a charming preserved city much like Ortiga in Siracusa. It's beautiful and historic but is somewhat limited in terms of its food and shopping options. This is a fantastic local place. Leglegin, nestled on a back street, was one of the best meals I had in the area. It is run by an enthusiastic, second generation restaurateur. Check: great local wines, small bite and an amazing typical rabbit dish. A great new fact that I learned was that Maltese rabbits are plumper than American ones, as they are farm raised. The Hotel If there is one hotel that says it all about history, and war, in Malta it is the endlessly gracious The Phoenicia. It sits within the City's ancient fortifications, just outside Valletta proper, and even has an infinity pool that juts out over the City. The pool at the Phoenicia. It was once, of course, where Queen Elisabetta once stayed. She and Prince Philip even lived in Malta for a few years as a newly married couple. The Phoenicia's gardens are divine and the restaurant has a gracious perch. Specialties include a lobster salad and crispy corn on the cobb. It features a number of local wines on the list, such as sparkling Marsovin wines.
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Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
Tracee Ellis Ross Reveals Her Surprising Plane 'Game'—and Why She Never Eats on a Flight
Tracee Ellis Ross describes herself as a 'child of the world'—and the description fits. She's held a passport since birth, accompanied her mother on global work trips, and once called glamorous locales like Rome home. Now, she's generously sharing a few of her hard-earned travel insights. "Travel's just a regular part of my life," Ross shared at the Travel + Leisure 2025 World's Best Summit in New York City. "Being on an airplane is regular for me." As Ross shared, on her global journeys with family, living in Paris and later in Switzerland for school, she "really learned how to find home inside myself,' adding that travel 'allowed me to see the similarities between human beings no matter where we are.' All those trips around the globe have served her well, especially now as she kicks off her new Roku original series, "Solo, Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross." According to Ross, who stars and executive produces the show, this is the culmination of decades of solo travel, which began with her first solo trip at age 25, which she says, completely reshaped her world view. 'Something clicked. I'm responsible for my own happiness,' Ross shared in an exclusive clip from the show. 'So much of what solo traveling is, is about not waiting for something in order to experience my life.' Though Ross is also honest that the way she travels isn't in some willy-nilly fashion. For her, it's all about the tight schedule. 'I am not the adventurer, solo traveler. That is not what I go traveling to do,' she said, adding that she prefers calm, beauty, and lots of structure. 'Every day is filled with military precision in order for me to do the many things that I have on my plate … so the luxury of being is really what travel is about for me.' Ross also said she knows herself well enough never to pack light and always be prepared for whatever happens on the road. 'I pack for beauty and disaster,' Ross admitted. 'I have the medical kit, and then I have all the choices of clothes depending on whom I might encounter.' And while she may dream of romantic run-ins and has the impeccable clothing to match, she doesn't leave logistics to chance, ensuring her bag is also filled with practical items, too. 'Bring your wipes, guys … bring your own pillow, bring your medical kit,' she said. 'Wipe that bathroom sink down, wipe off that remote.' While you're more likely to run into Ross on a plane than you are terra firma, just know you'll never catch her chowing down on whatever they're serving for lunch at 35,000 feet. 'I do not eat on the plane,' she said flatly. 'You flush the toilet, it goes, everything comes everywhere. I noticed during the pandemic, I'm like, they prepare your food next to the toilet. Get outta here.' Instead, she's starting to pack her food, or, "I'll just starve on the plane." The one thing she will do, however, is chug as much water as possible. 'I play a game with myself on the plane: how much water can I drink?' she joked, adding, "You do not want to sit next to me." As for jet lag? She's never heard of it. 'I don't believe in jet lag,' Ross said. 'My body is where it is. When I arrive at a location, I love a bath, it settles my body … and then I like to sit outside and allow this part of my body to face the sun.' Beyond the routines and travel hacks, Ross's message about travel is clear: it's all about choosing yourself. 'The show for me is really about not waiting to live your life,' Ross said. Now, the only thing we need to wait for is the first episode to drop on July 25.