Day 1 in Montreux

Welcome to the small resort town of Montreux on Lake Geneva! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Start the day with a stroll along the promenade. Montreux has the most beautiful, flower-bordered lake promenade which links neighboring town Vevey to Montreux and goes all the way to Chillon Castle. Just start in one direction and you can walk for miles, the view never gets old and you never know what you`ll find. If you walk along the north western shore of Lake Geneva you`ll come across the Chillon castle.

Next, pay a visit to the Chateau de Chillon that sits wistfully on a rocky island on the shores of Lake Geneva, right at the foot of the Alps. This is the most visited monument in all of Switzerland and it`s easy to see why. It is said to be the inspiration behind Prince Eric`s castle in The Little Mermaid movie!

Visiting the castle is like going back in time. You can visit the turrets, dungeons, great banqueting halls, a medieval chapel, courtyards, vaults, private bedrooms; the list goes on and on. You`ll also want to stroll through the well-manicured gardens surrounded by the panoramic views of the beautiful Lake Geneva and endless mountains.

On your first evening in Montreux, take in the ambiance of the city at night while sipping on a glass of wine and dining alfresco (if weather allows) in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants dotted along the promenade. The promenade is even more gorgeous in the evening!

Day 2 in Montreux

Start your day by exploring the `old` Montreux, we suggest taking a guided walking tour to fully discover this area. At almost every turn there are views to admire with panoramas of the lake, mountains and forests. This is a great spot to enjoy a relaxing breakfast at one of the charming bistros or restaurants while admiring the many fountains fed by spring water that surround the area.

The Old Town is also a perfect starting point for enjoying a magnificent hike of the area. The trail to the wild Gorges du Chauderon leads along the Baye de Montreux River to Glion or Les Avants.

Spend the rest of the afternoon on a tour of Rochers-de-Naye, at 6,698 ft, this is one of the most popular tours along Lake Geneva. From Montreux, a cogwheel train takes visitors up to Rochers-de-Naye in less than an hour. The train ascends the slopes over Lac Léman, passing Glion, a little resort on a rocky crag almost suspended between lake and mountains. You come to Caux at 3,598 ft., lying on a natural balcony overhanging the blue bowl of the lake. Finally, the peak of Rochers-de-Naye raises high in the Vaudois Alps. In the distance, you can see the stunning Alps, including Mont Blanc and the Jura Alps. At the end is an alpine flower garden, the highest in Europe. The train departs from the railway station of Montreux every hour during the day, with the last departure between 5:30 and 7 pm, depending on the season.

Alternatively, you may want to enjoy a boat trip of the area leaving from Montreux. This is a great way to get a different perspective while passing charming little villages from the water. There are ferries which depart several times a day.

Spend your evening trying your luck at the Casino Barrière de Montreux. Most of the action in the evenings revolves around the casino with about 200 slot machines; a handful of roulette tables and a small disco that stays open nightly till 4 am.

Day 3 in Montreux

On your last day in Montreux spend the day in the Lavaux vineyards that extend along Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux. The scenery is breathtaking, it`s no wonder they`re a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the present vines terraces can be traced back to the 11th century. Follow the Route de Vignerons by car or, even better, take the well-marked walking paths that include short Parcours Viticoles (`vineyard trails`) or the 19-mile Grande Traversee.

Spend your last evening in the neighboring, charming town of Vevey. It is filled with colorful cafes, shops, homes, restaurants, and of course, flowers! Vevey is right on the water as well, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps across the lake. There`s an `old town` with colorful buildings and narrow pedestrian streets, a great spot to treat yourself to some delicious local cuisine.

Additional Days in Montreux

Should you be able to spend additional days in Montreux we recommend a tour on the Chocolate Train. There is no better way to enjoy the delights of Switzerland then by sampling their finest products - chocolate and cheese, and a day trip excursion on board `The Chocolate Train` is the perfect way to do it. The train is boarded from the lakeside in Montreux and journeys high up into the glorious alpine foothills to Gruyeres.

Gruyeres is a charming and picturesque medieval town in the district of Gruyere (famously named after a cheese). Of course, most of the restaurants here serve the obligatory fondue made with Gruyere cheese, and you can even take a visit to the local cheese museum, `La Maison du Gruyere` where you can learn about the history and creation of this delicious French export.

After spending some time in the delightful Gruyeres continue on to the Cailler-Nestlé Chocolate Factory in Broc. If you have a sweet tooth, then this certainly is the place for you as a tour of the factory and chocolate sampling awaits.

Your Last Day in Montreux

Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time spent in Montreux.