Switzerland…Land of Astonishing Lakes

A swan swims on Lake Geneva at sunrise in Rolle, western
Switzerland. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP Photo
A swan swims on Lake Geneva at sunrise in Rolle, western Switzerland. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP Photo
TT
20

Switzerland…Land of Astonishing Lakes

A swan swims on Lake Geneva at sunrise in Rolle, western
Switzerland. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP Photo
A swan swims on Lake Geneva at sunrise in Rolle, western Switzerland. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP Photo

Switzerland is known as the home of the mountains but Switzerland also has more than 1,500 lakes and water bodies.

According to the Travel Daily website, almost all Swiss cities are located on the shores of lakes. Whether it's the altitude, the crystal-clear water or the beauty of the surrounding landscape, there's something extraordinary about the sparkling lakes of Switzerland.

Below are three of Switzerland's most beautiful lakes for those who might be interested in visiting them:

Lake Geneva: The largest in Central Europe; it is a crescent-shaped deep lake in Switzerland overlooked by the Swiss Alps.

One can book a cruise or a culinary trip to comfortably enjoy notable sights, such as the emblem of the city of Geneva, the "Jet d'eau", a 140-meter high water fountain that is illuminated at night. It's also a great place to go rowing, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding and even scuba diving.

Lake Lugano: Located in Ticino, Lake Lugano is a glacial lake at the southernmost tip of Tessin, the holiday region at the southern end of the Alps! The Lake has many different branches and is surrounded by mountains, Monte Generoso being the highest at about 1700 meters.

Lake Thun: The deeply-blue Lake Thun lies on the northern periphery of the Alps, between the Bernese Oberland towns of Thun and Interlaken.

A cruise on Lake Thun is an experience that also relaxes whilst enjoying a fine meal, or simply the glorious sunshine on the deck, your gaze will travel pass along the attractive shore with its romantic villages, majestic historic castles right up to the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.



Aroya Cruises Launches First Voyage in the Mediterranean

The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
TT
20

Aroya Cruises Launches First Voyage in the Mediterranean

The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA
The ship features world-class facilities and services. SPA

Aroya Cruises, a subsidiary of Cruise Saudi and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has announced the launch of its inaugural Mediterranean voyage on June 28, offering guests a fully integrated tourism experience inspired by authentic Arab hospitality, across some of the world’s most prominent cruise destinations.

The AROYA, the cruise line’s flagship vessel, set sail from its Mediterranean homeport at Galataport in Istanbul on a seven-night journey visiting key destinations including Athens, Souda Bay, and Mykonos in Greece, followed by Bodrum in Türkiye, before returning to Istanbul on July 5.

Building on the success of its inaugural Red Sea season, Aroya Cruises will continue operating Mediterranean voyages through mid-September 2025, offering diverse itineraries ranging from six to seven nights. Destinations include Marmaris, Rhodes, Alexandria, and several other prominent coastal cities in Türkiye, Greece, and Egypt.

The ship features world-class facilities and services, including a main pool area, a theater with daily entertainment, and a wellness center offering therapeutic treatments, spa services, a beauty clinic, and a fitness club.

Guests can also enjoy a wide range of activities tailored for all family members, such as an adventure zone, sports complex, water park, and one of the largest kids’ areas aboard any cruise ship. Culinary offerings include 12 restaurants and 17 cafés, serving a curated mix of Saudi and international cuisines.

President of Aroya Cruises Dr. Joerg Rudolph expressed pride in the company’s first Mediterranean voyage, noting that this milestone comes just six months after the launch of its cruise operations.

He emphasized that the cruise line’s expansion into top European destinations aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to support tourism sector growth.