GENEVEVA
 

Writing from South Africa My husband has to go to Geneve during September 2003 for three weeks and I am very fortunate to accompany him But, as he will be working over there I will have a week or two on my own How can I occupy myself during this time? And where could I enquire about Guest houses in Switzerland? Many thanks to anyone who could help and advise me

Oh my goodness, Martilize, what a good opportunity! With a pass of some sort you'll be able to take boats, buses, and trains to all sorts of wonderful day-trip destinations. And you'll receive lots of suggestions here. I only have a minute, but let me recommend Lausanne, Bern, Gruyeres, Chateau d'Oex, Nyon, Aigle, and Avenches name a few. J.

Annecy, France is only 30 minutes from Geneva, and offers spectacular scenery and a very lively old town. It would be a great day-trip, or could even be a place to base yourselves for a long weekend.

I hope that Swandav sees your post and gives you her wonderful advice. In the meantime, you might want to do a search for her name. She is the Lake Geneva expert.

Hello Martilize,<BR><BR>Here's my canned list of activities for the area, based in Montreux:<BR><BR>Spend a morning walking along the 11km flowered lakeside promenade from Clarens to Villeneuve, passing the Chateau Chillon between Territet and Villeneuve; there are plenty of cafes to stop and have a coffee &amp; snack along the way to replenish your strength and to simply stare at the majesty of the lake and the mountains in the distance. <BR><BR>My favorite caf&eacute; is the Terraces du Pavillon in Territet, across from the little dock there, just about 1/4 mile before the Chateau de Chillon. A great restaurant if you’re in the mood for a full meal is the Taverne de Chateau de Chillon about a block before the Chateau.<BR><BR>If you make it all the way to Villeneueve, top off your long walk with a wonderful pizza &amp; beer lunch at a lakeside caf&eacute; in Villeneuve, then take the ferry back to Montreux (I think the ferry stops in late Sep/Oct). <BR><BR>Spend a morning walking up to Montreux's old city and the old church for fantastic panoramic views from the church’s terrace. Have lunch at the Hotel/Restaurant du Pont at 12 rue du Pont (I had a ravioli in cream sauce with shaved truffles that was out of this world!). <BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>Take the train (the “wine train”) from Vevey to Chexbres, then spend a morning walking the vineyards down to the lake, hitting Rivaz &amp; 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. <BR><BR>Cully (esp. the Auberge du Raisin) and Lutry's well-posted tour of ancient sites are worth a trip as well. <BR><BR>Spend a day in the mountains, taking the train to the resort of Gstaad. On the way back, stop at Chateaux d'Oex or at Glion for lunch at the Hotel Victoria with its panoramic views of the lake. You can walk from Glion to Montreux on a stair-step path through the forest (or take the train or the funicular to Territet). <BR><BR>Spend an afternoon in the medieval village of Gruyeres, making sure to sample the berries in creme-double. <BR><BR>Spend an afteroon 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.<BR><BR>Go to the small, chrarming village of Celigny. Not much to see here but a picturesque place (it was actor Richard Burton’s home during the last years of his life). Have lunch at the Auberge du Soleil -- great prix fixe feast!<BR><BR>Here are the websites: <BR>www.montreux.ch (find their picture gallery) <BR>www.vevey.ch <BR>www.lake-geneva-region.ch <BR>www.gruyeres.ch <BR>www.nyon.ch <BR>www. lutry.ch <BR>www.lavaux.ch/sentier2.htm<BR>www.hospvd.ch/public/eccmid/lavaux.html <BR><BR>My personal travel journal (w/photos) of Montreux<BR>www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=7825<BR><BR>Let me know if you'd like more info.<BR><BR>Grasshopper, I'm blushing. I can't claim ANY expertise, only obsession!!<BR><BR>s<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

We were wondering where you were, s! J.