Inspiring New Year’s rituals
It’s often said that there’s magic in every new beginning. Therefore, how about deciding to start your own 2026 in a totally different way? Discover inspiring New Year’s rituals, from the understated to the spectacular.
Get the new year going with a cold plunge
Start your new year with an invigorating wake-up call: an ice bath! After all, what has been a longstanding tradition in the Scandinavian countries is increasingly appreciated for its beneficial effects in Switzerland. If you think an ice bath is for you, be sure to choose a place where you can safely enter the water. And a setting that you find inspiring. And make sure you treat yourself to some time in a nice place afterwards, where you can get cozy and enjoy the dance of the endorphins to the full. For instance, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace overlooking Lake Geneva, the Hotel & Spa Bad Horn at Lake Constance, or the Seehof Hotel Du Lac Weggis at Lake Lucerne. Important: First-time ice bathers should fill themselves in on the important rules first – or enjoy their first experience as part of a guided group.
Float into the new year
Japan is another country in which people aren’t necessarily afraid of the cold: On December 31, people traditionally wash themselves under a waterfall or in a river. The idea is to bid farewell to the old and greet the coming year with a fresh mind and a cleansed body. In Turkey and the Middle East, meanwhile, a visit to a hammam marks the transition to the new. These are just two examples: Water and cleansing rituals have always been an integral part of new beginnings in many cultures.
One way to harness this energy is at the elegant winter hideaway known as The Alpina Gstaad. At its in-house Six Senses Spa, you’ll find a premium sanctuary that leaves nothing to be desired, from invigorating massages to detox and anti-aging treatments. FORTYSEVEN, a thermal spa in Baden, also offers first-rate spa treatments. And as a special highlight, you can float almost weightlessly into the new year in the darkened saltwater pool, accompanied by meditative projections and sound effects.
Start the new year rested – and in the best company
Starting the new year with a hangover? Unfortunately, these things can happen, and as we all know, the start often sets the tone. Therefore, how about consciously sleeping through New Year’s Eve this time? Afterwards, meet up with your favorite crowd for a leisurely brunch and share what you’re most looking forward to in the new year: fit, clear-headed, and full of beans. Of course, drinking a toast is perfectly acceptable. Time-honored places for a stylish brunch date with friends include the Rooftop in Zurich, the Grand Hotel National in Lucerne, Chäsbueb in Bern, and the Seerestaurant L’O in Horgen.
Would you prefer to start the new year at home? If the answer is yes, you don’t have to forgo a touch of glamour. Why not add a surprising twist to your private brunch buffet with some fresh Japanese sashimi – and make the moment even more special with a champagne that embodies elegance and finesse. The Sushi-Momo Express, for example, can give you your first protein boost for 2026. And you’ll find the perfect champagne in the Konrad Lifestyle shop. Don’t forget the candlelight!
Phone off, focus on – and a Hot Toddy to boot
Whether it’s a hilltop hike, a lakeside promenade, a woodland walk or a stroll in the city park – the first morning of the year feels magical wherever you are. How about consciously switching off your smartphone on New Year’s morning and heading outdoors without any distractions? Take the opportunity to ask yourself some questions: What was good about 2025? What would you like 2026 to bring? Do you have any daring plans right now? If New Year’s Eve was a little too intense, though, perhaps these questions are better mulled over the next day. Or at least a little while later.
Incidentally: If it gets a little chilly on your New Year’s walk, a recipe from Scotland and Ireland might help – the famous Hot Toddy. This hot whisky and tea drink with honey, lemon, and cinnamon has been considered a soothing remedy if you’re feeling the cold for centuries. Does it really work? Who knows. But it certainly warms you up. An authentic recipe is available in the online lifestyle magazine FOOBY. And the perfect Scotch or Irish whisky is easy to find: At Paul Ullrich in Basel, Bern, Chur, Morges and Zurich – or in the online shop – a finely curated selection awaits your discovery.
Not in the mood for a quiet time at home? Then make your new year spectacular!
A short trip somewhere at the start of the year provides a welcome break and opens your eyes to new experiences. And if it’s enhanced with exquisite cuisine and a genuine wow moment, it will linger in your memory even longer. Our tip: the impressive "New Year’s Magic" fireworks display, which will be lighting up the evening sky over Lucerne at 8:15 p.m. on January 1, 2026. Enjoy the best views from the Seebrücke (lake bridge) or on the lakeside promenade. Those who prefer to celebrate the start of the year in a more private setting with gastronomic highlights can find stylish "box seats" in various Lucerne hotels. Suggestions for particularly elegant options can be found here.
