February in Lausanne/Geneva
 

Can any of you who've wintered in Vaud suggest 2 days' activity in the area. I enjoy walking, good scenery, and local lore.
Thanks.

Hello again!

I've spent plenty of wintery months (November and March) in Vaud, and my recommendations are pretty much the same as the summer months. I hope this isn't repetitive if you've already done a search, but I'll see if I can edit this for wintertime activities.

Spend the morning in Vevey hunting down the antiques shops in the old town. Then have lunch at the Hostellerie de Geneve on the Pl. Marche. Vevey's website is at www.vevey.ch

Take the train (the "wine train") from Vevey to Chexbres, then spend a morning walking the vineyards down to the lake, hitting Rivaz & St. Saphorin. For lunch, find the Auberge du Rivaz (in Rivaz . . . ) with a terrace lake view or see if any of the cellars are having a cheese/wine tasting. Website: www.lavaux.ch/sentier2.htm. I don't know if the terrace will be open in winter, and I'm sure the scenery won't be quite so picturesque in February as it is in August or September. However, it's still a stunning panorama to see the terraced hillsides, the stone wall of the vineyards, and the wide lake below you. It's worth a try. I've never walked the vineyards of the "Cote," the area between Geneva and Lausanne, but I'm sure you can find information from your hotel or the Geneva tourism web site.

The lakeside village of Cully, just east of Lausanne, is a picturesque stop and has two recommended restaurants, the Auberge du Raisin and the Au Major Davel.

The lakeside village of Lutry, just two miles east of Lausanne, has a well-posted tour of medieval buildings as well as some good wine caves for tasting. Website: www. lutry.ch

Spend a day in the mountains, which would be a great excursion in February (but you'll need your boots)! Take the train to the resort of Gstaad, and on the way back, stop at Chateau d'Oex, or go to Leysin or Villars or Les Diablerets.

Spend an afternoon in the medieval village of Gruyeres, making sure to sample the berries in creme-double. Website: www.gruyeres.ch

Spend an afternoon in Nyon at the Roman museum and the Caesar's columns nearby. The Fodors guide recommends a meal at the Auberge du Chateau just steps from the Roman museum. It was closed when I was there, but it looked charming. Website: www.nyon.ch

Sorry, I've never spent any time in Lausanne; some other will probably add something soon!

Let me know if I can help further.

s

Thanks for all the great tips, 'S'! I'll be putting your reply into my pda, as it has so much info that's helpful. I am going on a week's business trip to the area, and want to see as much I can, as well as imbibe some of the ambience of the place. I do not like rushing around.
I have some free time on the first and last days to follow some of your recommendations. What's the best way to handle my transportation - Canada and Mexico were always easy as they took $$. Will the buses and trains require Swiss money? What kind of pass would you recommend for a max of 2 days' excursions? And where would I get one? I promise to share my knowledge with future travelers, as you have done so kindly with me.
Alfomega
(retired engineering prof)

Hi again,

Yes, the Swiss transport system (as well as restaurants, cafes, and shops . . .) will require Swiss money -- Swiss francs, usually abbreviated chf.

For only a few days, I don't think you'll benefit from any kind of pass -- your local excursions will probably only run you 10-30 chf/day, and the passes run about $200. You can get the exact prices on your excursions & the passes at www.rail.ch.

The only exception to my comment above is if you arrive at Zurich airport and then have to get to Geneva. If that's the case, you should investigate the Swiss Card, which gives you round-trip transport from an airport to one location, and then half-fare off your trips while there.

Have a great time!

s

merci beaucoup, S.

If I land in Geneva and eventually end up in Zurich, can I get a Swiss Card for a ride from Zurich to Geneva (or Gva/Zur/Gva) when I land at GVA airport? Or is it better to get the half-price deal? I would like to get a train ride going through the Alps on my way back to Geneva, from Zurich.

Purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card for one month; costs 99 Sfr. With this you can buy day tickets for unlimited travel on trains/buses/boats for additional 52 Sfr. which is still cheaper than the Swiss Card. Maybe the point-to-point ticket from Zurich back to Geneva is cheaper than 52 Sfr. Check this at the desk in the railway station.

Hello Again,

I concur with Ingo -- no surprise there! I was doing some basic research to give some specifics.

If you buy the Swiss Card (roundtrip passage to a border in Switzerland, then 50% off "most" private trains), the cost is 170 chf. However, the catch is that you must complete the trip in one day, and go by a route "as direct as possible." I don't think the conductor will let you go from GVA to ZRH via Grindelwald or Luzern!! So I don't think you should plan to buy the Swiss Card and expect to get away with a meandering journey.

The point-to-point tickets from Geneva to Zurich via Grindelwald will be ~about~ 235.20 chf (2nd class) or 117.60 chf (2nd class with the half fare card) -- these figures will vary a little bit according to the season and the exact route, but they're a good price to use for figuring.

So, back to Ingo's answer. Buy the one-month half-fare card for 99 chf and then a day card for 52 chf for your long journeys.

You can price these trips yourself at www.rail.ch!

s

Alfomega,

Sorry: the point-point GVA-Grindelwald-ZRH price is round trip, not one-way.

s