My husband will be in Vevey on business in early April, 2011. I will be joining him at the end of his meetings and we plan to spend 5-6 days in Switzerland (first time). I was thinking of staying in Montreux the entire time (getting 4 day Swiss Pass & found a beautiful hotel right across from the train station) and taking day trips from there. Is it possible to do Schilthorn in one day & back from Montreux? Was also thinking of making a day trip to Bern or Lucern and possibly Zermatt. Would appreciate any insight--thanks!

Hi Nine29,

I love Montreux and visit regularly, for one or two weeks at a time.

But, no, it's not a good base to see the rest of Switzerland because it's stuck way in the western part of the country. From Montreux you can see all of Lake Geneva, Neuchatel, Bern, Thun, Gruyeres, Gstaad, Chateau d'Oex, and places like that.

The trip to Schilthorn will take 3-4 hours of transport in each direction, and the trip to Luzern will take 2-3 hours in each direction. Neither of these will be a fun day, I think.

I think that, if you want to see the mountains, you ought to base somewhere closer -- actually Bern or Thun are good bases from which you can see the high Alps. If your trip were later in the Spring, I would advise that you stay in a mountain village, but in April, they won't be all that fun.

You can check all the rail connections at the Swiss rail site

www.rail.ch

Have fun!

s

We stayed in Murren in September and thought it was fabulous. Day trips to Montreux and Bern were not a problem but we only went to Montreux to see the Chateau. It does make for a long day, especially if you take the scenic pass. Enjoy Switzerland. We thought it was absolutely wonderful!

Thank you swandav2000. I would prefer to not go in April, but since it's an extension of a business trip we have no choice. 3-4 hours each way certainly isn't ideal, but after checking the train schedule (thanks for the link) it seems like it would be possible with say, a 7 am Montreux departure. We will most likely splurge for first class Swiss Pass tickets and it would make a long day more comfortable. Do you have any knowledge of the dining cars? Are the meals satisfactory?

We will be flying in and out of Geneva, which is one reason I thought Montreux would be a good base. That, plus the fact that my husband and I are both thin-skinned Floridians and Montreux is supposed to be warmer! I assume you don't recommend staying in an Alpine village in April because of the unpredictability of the weather? Again, thank you for the information.

Hi Triptyme. Just wondering if you recall how many hours your round trip to Montreux took from Murren--including your time spent at the Chateau? Since I love trains, the thought of a long trek in one day doesn't bother me, but I would hate to feel rushed once we reach Schilthorn. Thank you.

I think Montreux is too far from many of the things you will want to see.

I would see Montreux sights while you are there for business and then move to a town closer to the center of the country to see the things that you want on much briefer trips (and some in the town itself). Then you could move to Geneva for the night before your flight out - and to see the sights there. There are a lot of towns at lower altitudes with interesting sights.

Hi again,

It's not only the dismal weather that makes a mountain village a bad bet in April, it's a few things. It's at the very end of the ski season, so the snow isn't white and fluffy on the peaks, and it's largely gone from all the villages and towns. There will be either melting snow or thick mud on the hiking trails, and the flowers won't be out for about another two months. I think it would be a good idea to see one of these villages while you're there, but not so nice to stay there.

I really think you ought to re-think staying in Montreux and seeing things that are so far away. You only have a few days to see the country, and spending one of them inside a closed-up, moving box isn't a good return for your money. It's far better to move your base closer so that you'll have more hours outside with the sun (hopefully) in your face and the wind in your hair.

I've learned through harsh experience that, when I spend more than two hours of transport in each direction, the only thing I remember from the day is that moving box. You won't have any joy left to discover the villages on the way up or to marvel at the views at the top.

Bern is only 1h37 from Montreux, so moving there will be very easy. Bern is in the flats, so though it won't be as warm as Montreux, it won't be as cold as a mountain village, eihter. I grew up in Arabia and also lived in Florida for five years, so believe me, no one is ever colder than I am -- and I can tell you that you only need to dress for the cold. Grab some Cuddle Duds from Target, layer your clothes, and you'll be fine.

Oh, and one May I froze my butt off in Montreux -- there's just no telling.

I'd say (again) that if you ought to keep your sight-seeing local so that your overall impressions are good. If you stay in Montreux, there's plenty to see local. If you want to see the high Alps, you ought to move closer.

Anyway, good luck!

s

swandav2000 I believe you've convinced me about Bern. Do you have any advice on where to stay? Obviously being close to the train station would be a plus.

First of all, being "too far" from things is a very SUBJECTIVE term IMO. During our recent stay in nearby Lausanne we took a day trip not only to Luzern but onward to Mt. Titlis as well. The train rides back and forth consumed several hours but we enjoyed tyhe scenery and we KNEW in advance what the trip would entail.

You can easily do Zermatt from Montreaux BUT the problem is (and it ALWAYS is no matter where you are coming from) whether or not the peak itself might be cloud-obscured. For alternative great views consider taking the train from Montreux up to the top of Rochers de Naye.

April? One of the BEST times to be there in my experience: weather can be quite nice, flowers coming into bloom, and a LOT fewer visitors. And don't forget, Montreux benefits from that little "microclimate" which allows PALM TREES to grow there.

Enjoy it.

HI Nine29 - I'll jump in here if I may?

April around any of the lakes is a wonderful time to visit Switzerland and I really don't see why you shouldn't stay in the Montreux area while your husband is working. Much better than in the mountains for the reasons that Swandav outlined.

If you want to spend a night in Bern - which is the most beautiful place! - then I would recommend the Allegro Hotel. It is modern and reasonably priced and a short walk across the Kornhausbrücke from the centre of the old town. You would need to take a taxi or bus there from the station, though. The schweizerhof would be even better located, being across from the station, but it is currently undergoing significant renovations and is scheduled to open in April. I don't know eactly when in April but you might want to look at their site. It will be more expensive than the Allegro, but very very nice!

Another thought would be to travel to Thun or Spiez from Montreux, stopping in Bern for a few hours to walk around. Then continue on to Thun or Spiez for the night. There are quite a few decent hotels in both places, and both are located on the Thunersee, and both are lovely. From either a trip to the Schilthorn is easy. You need to go via Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and then on up.

One last thing: Easter is very late this year - 24 April. The two weeks around Easter are high season and it would be a good idea to book as soon as you can if this is when you plan to be here.

Hambagahle thank you for jumping in. The hotels you suggested in Bern are just beautiful. I'm still gathering information as I have some time to decide. There is so much to see and 5 days is just not going to cut it...but it's a start.

Hi Nine29,

Sorry I was gone for a while : )))

I haven't ever stayed in a hotel in Bern so don't have any real suggestions for you, but it certainly looks like you have some good leads now.

I hope you have a really great trip -- and do let us know about it when it's done.

Oh, and for your time in Vevey, here are links to my "reviews" (w/photos) of my favorite activities around or from the lake:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Have fun!

s

I'm crazy about Montreux (and Vevey). It's not an ideal "base" as people have mentioned only because it's not centrally located. But I think it would be great, especially flying in and out of Geneva. It's absolutely gorgeous, on the shores of Lac Leman. Incredibly convenient for the train station.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to go to Switzerland and I'm beyond excited about our upcoming trip. We have decided to base in Montreux the entire time and focus on shorter one-day trips like Bern, Gstaad, Gruyeres and the like. We will take one day to go to Schilthorn--when I told my husband how long it would take from Montreux, his response was, "It'll be part of the adventure" which is the way I look at it. Swandav2000, I can't thank you enough for the links to all the beautiful places you've been. I think fondue in Gruyeres sounds like a wonderful idea--love that. What exactly is "creme de Gruyeres"?

Hi again,

Creme de Gruyeres is a cream that you can buy in Gruyeres -- it's also called creme double, or double cream. I had it for the first time at a restaurant in Gruyeres, with berries. After that, I discovered that you can buy it in the grocery stores and dairy stores in Vevey and Montreux. You can also put it over meringues.

s

Chiming in with my favorite thing to do... Go to one of the farmer's street market. They are on Tues AM/Sat AM in Vevey. And Friday AM in Montreux. Very fun, great local color.

And of course Chateau de Chillon and Rocher de Nayes tram.

Love the farmer's street markets too. I knew about the one in Vevey Sat. mornings, but didn't know about the one in Montreux on Friday--thanks! I went to one in Ljubljana, Slovenia and also Zagreb, Croatia a few years ago and loved them both--beautiful flowers, fresh fruits & vegetables, unique crafts and an education mixing with the locals. Also met a group of American ladies who were on a whirlwind European tour at the market in Ljubljana. They stood out since they were speaking English & told of all the fun they were having on their trip. They were so excited to be there, it was a memorable day.

I'd also like to check out the Olympic Museum in Lausanne as well as the Alimentarium/Food Museum in Vevey---any thoughts?

It's under the pergola on the main drag just off the lake (the Fri Montreux market). Tues in Vevey it's along the pedestrian street, Sat is in the square also just off the lake (that is a parking lot at other times) nearish the train station.

Sorry never been to either of the museums you mention to know.

Is it possible to do Schilthorn in one day & back from Montreux? Was also thinking of making a day trip to Bern or Lucern and possibly Zermatt.>

Yes they are also very feasible day trips from Montreux if you do not mind sitting on one of those nice Swiss trains a few hours each way and ogling the always scintillating scenery!

And about the 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass - yes if you are going from Montreux to say two of these day trips it can be a great bargain - especially since it also covers in full steamers on Lake Geneva from Montreux (even over to Evian-les-Bains in France - to that bit of France and a nice watering hole lakeside thermal resort.

But if you are just say going from Geneva airport to Montreux and not doing anything but say going to Vevey and Chateau Chillon (sp?) then perhaps not. But though the Montreux area is lovely it is not the dramatic picture of Alpine Switzerland etched in our minds' eyes - for that you would need to go to the Jungfrau Region (Schilthorn) or Zermatt (a little close timewise to Montreux and just as impressive IMO) then yes the 4-day pass could be a great bargain - just marshall you long distance travels into the 4 days or opt for a 3-day Swiss Flexipass good for 3 days of unlimited travel within a one-month period and in between the 3 100% covered days you get 50% off practically everything that moves in between the 1st and 3rd unlimited travel days - trains, boats, mountain lifts like to Schilthorn, etc

For loads of great planning info on a Swss train/pass (or things like the Swiss Transfer ticket or Swiss Card or Half-
Fare Card I always spotlight these fantastic IMO sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com. Go to ww.sbb.ch - the Swiss Federal Railways site for schedules and ordinary fares to compare with a pass of some type.

Our last night in Vevey will be a Friday night, then we will move to our hotel in Montreux on Saturday morning (after Vevey Saturday morning market). We will take the rest of Saturday to get acquainted with Montreux, purchase 4 day Swiss Saver Passes Sunday morning which will take us through Wednesday to travel. Thursday morning we will head to Geneva to fly home (husband's company will cover cost of train ticket to airport for him, looks to be approx. $30 give or take out-of-pocket for mine). Seems like the 4 day Swiss Pass makes the most sense. My question: What is the best way to get from Vevey to Montreux? I read that some hotels provide free bus passes in the Vevey/Montreux corridor, but not sure if that's true. Also, taking luggage on a bus? I know it's not far, but just curious if taxi, bus, or train would be the best/most cost effective way to relocate.