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.