Hi again,

All hotels will give you the Riviera Card, which covers the bus that runs between the two -- the bus actually runs from Villeneuve (on the other side of Chillon) all the way to Vevey. If you pay the tourist tax, then you get the Riviera Card.

There is no problem taking one bag or so on the bus -- it's not unusual to see folks with suitcases, baby strollers, and large grocery bags. You'll fit right in! Your Riviera Card should still be valid on the day you depart Vevey, so you just hop on the bus at the door at the rear, and find a seat.

The train trip would be around 3 chf per person.

Just one note about the passes -- I would also investigate the Half Fare Card for your travel. It costs 110 chf, and then you get to pay half fare on practically everything that moves for one month. There is also something called the One-Day Travel Pass that you can only buy if you have a HFC, and it costs an additional 68 chf for second class. You could use the One-Day pass for your marathon (: )) trip to the Schilthorn.

You can find the Alimentation museum in Vevey right on the lakeside promenade; there is a fork stuck in the water just opposite it! I've never gone inside, though, as I usually like to spend all my time outside. It's such a gorgeous area.

I hope you let us know how you enjoyed it!

s

Thanks for all the good information swandav2000. Do you have restaurant suggestions for Vevey & Montreux--preferably ones that won't break the bank?

I agree, taking the bus is the easiest way between Vevey and Montreux. From the central part of town it's even a little closer than walking to the train station.

I don't have a specific name, but in Vevey around the pedestrian street area, look for the small mom & pop style restaurant that have a chalkboard outside featuring a daily special or two. They have the tradition of offering a "workmen's special" that is local home-cooking at a good price.

If you walk along the 'quai' (lakeside promonade) in either town, there's restaurant their with waterfront views.

At the farmer's markets there is ready-to-eat food, besides the produce and flowers. Don't miss the 'salet' a small cheese tart that is delish.

Hi again,

Actually, my favorite restaurants are a little outside of these towns.

Auberge de Rivaz, in the winemakers village of Rivaz (between Vevey and Lausanne). The cafe sits just across the street from the train station and the ferry dock, and the terrace has views over the lake. They do asparagus season really well -- and naturally they serve the great local wines.

Cafe de Paris in the Hotel de l'Aigle in the town of Villeneuve (other side of Chillon). The cafe sits on the main street in town, not on the lake, so you don't find any tourists there. Usually there will be workmen in overalls in the table next to you -- Getting the chef's daily specials is usually the way to go, though they do have a really BIG menu.

Le Jaman, both restaurant and pinte (pub specializing in local food). In Glion, above Montreux, the restaurant doesn't have any views to speak of, but oh my gosh what food. www.lejaman.ch. You can get there by taking either the funicular from Territet (runs every 15 minutes) or the train from Montreux (runs about every hour). If you want to take the funicular, it sits behind St. John's Anglican Church. You can get to Territet either by bus or by walking along the lake for about 20 minutes (then go up to the road just before the Territet dock). I normally walk up to Glion from Montreux, and it takes me about 45 minutes -- and then it takes me about 15 minutes to clean up, lol!

In Vevey, I really love the Cafe le Mazot at rue de Conseil 7; they serve cheese specialties mostly. I ate there three times the last time I was in Montreux.

Finally, I've been going to the Italian restaurant La Rouvenaz since 1968, and I've seen it go through many different transformations. Right now, it's very trendy, specializing in both Italian and seafood, and it also has a wine bar. It sits in Montreux on the main drag, right across from the Tourist Information office. It's always packed, so go early. This is probably the most expensive restaurant of the five.

Have fun!

s

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>

there are trolley buses running between Montreux and Vevey that a Swiss Pass would cover or just cost a few francs

but you can save significant bucks by buying your Swiss Passes before arriving in Switzerland - when I checked last week on couple could save $60 by doing so - the same pass you'd buy there and you can activate whenever you want - start it whenever you want once there.

Thanks to all of you for the great information. A few questions: My knowledge of the French language is zero, although I will definitely learn some basic phrases and niceties before going. Are menus generally printed in French & English in the Vevey/Montreux region? Also, do U.S. travel agencies sell Swiss Passes or would I have to purchase them from a website? Makes me a little nervous about buying here---even with the savings?

Menus most places I ate in Vevey/Montreux were only in French. It wasn't really a problem, though you might want to carry a menu translator. Most phrase books have a few pages that would tell you all you need to know. Sorry I've only bought point-to-point tickets at the train station as I went along, never purchased a pass.

Also, do U.S. travel agencies sell Swiss Passes or would I have to purchase them from a website?>

both - regular travel agencies sell them but may charge a handling fee you would not pay when ordering online - prices are universal, set by RailEurope but handling fees can be added on. You can book directly thru www.raileurope.com or other online sites - I always use www.budgeteuropetravel.com because I can talk to someone who is an expert and place order by phone and be sure any questions are answered correctly - hard to do on most sites - have bought passes - not just Swiss but Eurails from them for years - but prices should be the same from any site (again mailing or handling fees can be added on - like www.ricksteves.com does - $15 but many do not (Steves I think does however give some discount if ordering a pass and some of his merchandise too).

One of my favourites excursions from Montreux/Vevey is to take the Chocolate Train, an organized excursion train that leaves from nearby Lausanne I believe (or maybe Montreux?) and climbs thru the vineyards off the lake to first stop at Gruyeres - a perfectly walled old town with a great castle in it - this stop features also a stop at a cheese factory (wine and cheese are served during the train ride as well!)

and then the train rolls onto Broc-Factory station to do a Willy Wanka tour thru the huge Nestle chocolate factory before returning to Lausanne/Montreux.

a Swiss Pass is valid on this excursion but unless you have a first-class pass you do have to pay, with a 2nd class pass, an upgrade of $40 or so (maybe more?) - anyway you can also do the same route with frequent regular trains that a 2nd class pass is valid on like any trains - Gruyeres especially is a nice excursion from Montreux/Vevey on your own and you can also take a train on your own to the Neslte factory (though I do not know about drop in tours there - I suppose it's OK but not sure.

Has anyone been to the casino in Montreux or Evian-les-Bains? I read somewhere (particularly in Evian) to "dress up"if you go. Is that the case?

I am taking copious notes from all your food recommendations...fondue and creme double in Gruyeres, salet in Vevey/Montreux, and cheese, wine, and chocolate via train--I love Switzerland already.

Don't miss trying the local white wines. They are lovely and not expensive. You don't hear much about them as they aren't much exported (my friend who lives there says that's because the Swiss drink it all themselves!).

I've been to the pool at the casino. No one was dressed up there. Actually they were topless. Does that count? (lol)

La Gruyère Tourism - Switzerland - Chocolate Train
Discover the region of cheese and chocolate thanks to this package deal that combines a first-class trip with a visit to a chocolate factory.
http://www.la-gruyere.ch/.../navpage...FR-134525.html

Most casinos in Europe I have been in have a dress up section and sections for dressed down folk as well. But have not been to those two casinos. Have been to one in Interlaken and I was dressed casually and got into every thing and never felt out of place.