1. Tour Chateau de Chillon
Switzerland’s most-visited historic building does not disappoint. Best approached by boat, the chateau rises out of the water like a Disney fantasy. As swans glide past, and the surrounding mountains are reflected in the lake’s blue surface, you may feel like you’ve fallen into a romantic dream. Not at all – the detailed audio-tour of the site reveals 1000 years of social, political and military history connected to the castle’s strategic position between northern and southern Europe. Don’t miss the dungeon, a beautiful if chilling space cut from the bedrock of the island on which the castle stands. It’s also worth climbing the chateau’s many staircases – the views from the towers and ramparts are breathtaking.
2. Catch a ‘seagull’ or mouette
These little yellow water-taxis are included in the free public transport cards provided to guests by most Geneva hotels, and are a delightful way of travelling between the city’s left and right banks. There are four routes, three of which depart from Paquis, in front of the Hotel Grand Kempinski on the Quai du Mont-Blanc. For best close-up views of the Jet d’Eau, Geneva’s iconic fountain with its 140m-high water jet, take the M2 line across the lake to leafy Eaux-Vives. Or catch the M3 line to Geneve-Plage – that’s right, Geneva Beach – for swimming and paddleboarding
Monument of Freddie Mercury on the promenade of Lake Geneva at Montreux. Picture: swiss-image.ch/Renato Bagattini
3. Salute Freddie Mercury
A larger-than-life sculpture of a strutting Freddie Mercury dominates the lakefront in downtown Montreux. The frontman of supergroup Queen chose the Swiss town as his second home, and his birthday is still celebrated each year at Montreux’s old Casino Barriere, where the band recorded seven of their albums. Freddie’s 70th birthday party will be celebrated there on September 4, 2016, and fans may want to time their visit to coincide with this ticketed event. But you can also pay homage to his spirit any day of the year for free – just strike your own pose beside his fabulously over-the-top statue.
4. See the vineyards in Lavaux
A thousand years of human interaction with the environment created the wine-covered slopes of Lavaux, now under UNESCO protection as a unique “cultural landscape”. Nestled between snow-capped mountains and the turquoise waters of Lake Geneva, the vineyards with their scattering of small villages answer to many people’s ideal of European scenery. The direct local train from Vevey to Lausanne traverses the region along the lakeside route in as little as 15 minutes. Alternatively, make a day of it by taking the S31 Vineyards Train from Vevey to Chexbres (10 minutes). From here, hike downhill through the vineyards to St-Saphorin, stopping on the way for a picnic lunch and cellar door wine-tastings. The train from St-Saphorin will return you to Vevey in just five minutes, or take you on to Lausanne in 20 minutes.
5. Cruise the lake
Feel the wind in your hair while you watch the ever-changing colours of the famously transparent water. The Compagnie Generale de Navigation has Lake Geneva covered, with lunch, sunset and fondue cruises, as well as regular ferry services connecting all major landmarks. CGN’s fleet of eight Belle Epoque paddleboats, all built between 1904 and 1927, has been classified as a national historic monument in its own right. Restored first-class lounges take the traveller back to an age of old-world elegance, and some boats even have glass panels displaying the intricate workings of the steam engines.
The ‘Jet d’ eau’ water fountain and a ‘Mouette’ boat at sunset. Picture: swiss-image.ch/Christof Schuerpf
6. Explore Geneva’s Old Town
Cobbled streets and old stone buildings imbue the historic heart of Geneva with a romantic charm. Wander between bistros, bars and boutiques, art galleries and antiquarian bookshops. Stop for a coffee or ice cream at the picturesque Place du Bourg-de-Four, where people buy, sell and hobnob since the Romans established a marketplace here nearly 2000 years ago. Beneath the chestnut trees of the nearby Promenade de la Treille, the world’s longest bench provides the perfect place to rest weary feetwhile enjoying a panoramic view of the city.
7. Walk from Chillon to Montreux
Also known as the Flower Path or Chemin Fleuri, this 4km sculpture-dotted promenade is an easy 45-minute walk. A sheltered, southwest facing position gives this portion of the lakeshore a Mediterranean microclimate, with vegetation to match. The pines, fruit trees and palms are all reminiscent of the south of France – no wonder they call this the Swiss Riviera. And, like its French namesake, this part of Switzerland is a hub for celebrities and wealthy residents. Mansions, tennis courts and luxuriantly planted subtropical gardens multiply as the path winds its way into ritzy Montreux.
Chillon castle.
8. Lunch by the lake at Ze Fork
This gem of a restaurant takes its name from the 8m-high stainless-steel fork sculpture that rises out of Lake Geneva in front of the pretty town of Vevey. Ze Fork sits beside the Alimentarium or Museum of Food on the Quai Perdonnet, the flower-decked lakeside promenade where Vevey’s citizens cycle, rollerblade and walk their dogs. Prices are not cheap but the degustation-style menus are brilliant. Those on a budget can still enjoy the exquisite food, friendly service and unbeatable view by opting for the more moderately priced set-price lunch dish – by Swiss standards, it’s a downright bargain at CHF21.
9. Ride the ‘Chocolate Train’
The two stars of Swiss gastronomy, cheese and chocolate, combine in one delicious day out! Choose between 1915 vintage Pullman coaches and modern panoramic cars for your first-class rail travel from Montreux. The tour of the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc will take you through the history of the world’s oldest surviving chocolate brand as well as yielding plenty of yummy samples. Next stop is the Maison du Gruyere, where you’ll learn the secrets to making Switzerland’s most-famous cheese. Free time in the village of Gruyeres and a visit to its ancient castle complete the activities before you return to Montreux through a picture-postcard landscape. CHF 99 ($A135), or CHF 59 supplement for first-class Swiss Pass holders.
Vevey on Lake Geneva, Canton Vaud, with Charlie Chaplin statue. Picture: swiss-image.ch
10. Pay respect to Charlie Chaplin
One hundred metres along the lakefront from Ze Fork stands a statue of Vevey’s favourite adopted son, Charlie Chaplin, in his character of the “little tramp”. Chaplin lived for 25 years in the Vevey suburb of Corsier, and is buried there with his wife Oona. Set your GPS for Corsier-sur-Vevey and be prepared for a steep half-hour walk. Once inside the gates of the cemetery, look for the brightest splash of colour – the grave is very simple, but covered in flowering plants. Just to the left is the resting place of British actor James Mason, another star from Hollywood’s golden era.
Source: https://t24hs.com
