Jezzie

We are travelling through Switzerland in June and looking for some advice on the itinerary. We're coming from Munich and will travel to Lucerne - we'll either get straight on the Golden Pass or we'll stay overnight in Lucerne first. We will then have a couple nights in Grindlewald then back on the Golden Pass to Montreux. Should we stop in Montreux and stay there for a couple nights or go to Bern. We don't want to move too many times as we're travelling with a baby. I was thinking about Bern as we'll be doing the real chocolate box Switzerland with Grindlewald and it would be nice to see a medieval town. We'll be heading on to Paris after Switzerland. We do have flexibility with number of nights in Switzerland but concerned about cost.

Thank you

mokka4

Have never been to Montreux, so can't cast my vote there!
I Like Bern very much for their Altstadt,numerous ancient fountains, river Aare with bend, rose gardens above town, arcaded boutique-y shops and nearby Murten on lake, where you can walk the medieval city walls.

swandav2000

Hi Jezzie,

Montreux will give you more contrast with Luzern and Grindelwald because it's in the French part of the county -- it looks and feels more like the French Riviera than it does Heidi-land Switzerland.

The best part of Montreux imo is the flowered lakeside promenade, and you can do that in just a few hours stop-over. Take the Golden Pass to Montreux, put your bags in lockers at the train station, then go down to the lake. Walk along the lake to Chillon castle (45 minutes), then take the town bus back to the train station. If you want to see the castle, you should budget 2h for that.

If you decide to stay for a few days, you can spend one day in the lovely town of Vevey, with its old town right next to the lake. You can combine that with some time in the vineyards of the Lavaux and the pretty villages that hug the lake and the vineyards.

You can also see Bern as a day-trip from Grindelwald.

I don't think this is a case of either/or; it's just a case of seeing one place as a day-trip and spending two nights or more at the other place.

Have fun as you plan!

s

neckervd

Yes, Berne as a daytrip from Grindelwald, may be combinede with a Lake Thun boat's ride
or
as an add on your I'laken - Montreux Goldenpass ride. Bern is just 1/2 hr from Spiez, a place along the Goldenpass itinerary.

suze

Montreux!!!! Or better yet Vevey (the next town over on the lake).

deladeb

Don't miss Castle Chillon in Monreux/Vevey region. From other travelers I met in Switzerland on multi-day region trips they were so glad to be in Switzerland and away from Paris. Is there a way you could do Paris first and then bask in the peace and beauty of Switzerland after the big city experience?

suze

I disagree with the post above. I love Paris and I love Switzerland. I don't see that the order matters myself.

sharona

We quite liked Castle Chillon as well. Don't miss it.

suze

My highlights for Vevey/Montreux include Chateau de Chillon, definitely! Montreux's Old Town. Also the Rochers de Naye tram up the mountain-side. And the weekly open air farmers street markets: Vevey Tues AM, Vevey Sat AM, Montreux Fri AM.

Jezzie

Oh wow there is so much there to do! Sounds like we should stay with what was the original plan and stay in Montreux - but had not really heard of Vevey so should we stay there instead? I do like the idea of seeing French Switzerland as we're not going to be doing any more than Paris on our French leg because of time constraints.

Re. Paris - its on route to London so the order needs to stay, I am personally not fussed about Paris having been so many time but my Australian partner has never been to Europe and so its a must see I think. I have talked him out of Paris Disney though - my memory was surly French people in the drizzle!

swandav2000

Hi again,

Just one word of information -- suze (great poster here, naturally) has only been to the Lake Geneva area in Switzerland and hasn't visited other parts, to include mountainous areas or the German areas. So she is unable to compare the two.

Also, the markets in Vevey are about half/half flea market and farmer's market. It's really fun to wander the aisles looking at clothing as well as fruits, vegetables . . . and the cheese!!

As for your question, yes, Vevey is a good option. Vevey is more residential, so there are more regular shops and boutiques and restaurants and cafes than in Montreux. And wandering around in the twisting streets of the old town is absolutely delightful.

In contrast, Montreux is more touristy. However, what Montreux has that Vevey doesn't is the long and beautiful flowered lakeside promenade, which runs from Clarens all the way through Montreux to Chillon and onward to the town of Villeneuve, about 8 km.

However, it really doesn't matter which town you choose -- your hosts will give you a Riviera Card that makes all the town busses free, and they run from Villeneuve to Vevey. The bus stops are about on every other block, and busses run every 10 minutes. You can simply and easily run back and forth between Vevey and Montreux for free.

Here are links to my "reviews" (w/photos) of what to do in/from Montreux:

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

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

Walks through the Lavaux vineyards
http://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/Cu...rekking_Lavaux

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 as you plan!

s

neckervd

And here ar the official links:
http://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/index.cfm
http://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/index.cfm
http://www.goldenpass.ch/?OrgID=7
http://www.cgn.ch/en-gb/flotte-belle.../shiplist.aspx
http://www.chillon.ch/en/castle
http://www.tele-leysin-lesmosses.ch/...ubrique_kuklos
http://www.bretaye.ch/photoEte/ppages/ppage12.htm
http://glacier3000.ch/en/Summer/Activities/Hiking/
http://www.aquaparc.ch/en
http://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/l...-lausanne.html

suze

Absolutely true, I only know Vevey/Montreux (have been there 5 times) and briefly thru Geneva a few times. I have not been to other parts of Switzerland to make comparisons.

I like Vevey better than Montreux. It feels more local and "authentic" to me. Montreux has a bit more of an international modern flavor to it. They are both similar in the way they are located conveniently on the train route and right on Lac Leman both with beautiful lakeside promonades (quai).

nanaof4

My vote is for Montreaux. Chateau Chillon is my favorite castle. Don't miss it. And I love the walk along the lake and the boat rides on the lake. We always stayed in Villeneuve.

Jezzie

Thank you all for taking time to give your opinions and post links, its wonderful that forums like this exist and people help out those less knowledgeable than themselves. I'm sure ultimately better trips are had as a result!

suze

I've never been to Bern specifically because my friends living in Switzerland call it "boring". They aren't big on Geneva either. Definitely their opinions affect what I've done.

From Vevey/Montreux I have combined other places in Europe. Once started with Amsterdam first. Once after Switzerland went to Venice and then Paris. Once from Vevey did Venice for 5 days then back to Vevey.

swandav2000

suze, I wouldn't let your Vevey-residing friends affect your travel in Switzerland overly much. I've found that many French-Swiss folks don't care for the German-speaking parts, and similarly, many German-Swiss don't care for the French parts. I think it has less to do with the charms of the destination and more to do with some long-standing cultural oppositions.

In any case, I wouldn't let others influence my travels too much -- it's always better to see the place with your own eyes and get your own opinion. I really think you ought to venture to some other parts of Switzerland on your next visit -- maybe the Engadin Valley. Have you ever gotten to Gstaad as a day-trip?

s

cybertraveler

Bookmarking--thanks