We will be in the Lake Geneva region for only 2 full days (June 1-2) before we fly out of Geneva. My thoughts are that we stay in Montreux(although we are open to suggestions). One day take a train somewhere in the mountains to get a taste of the Alps. And the other day, we take a boat on the lake to Chateau Chillon and relax and enjoy.

My questions are...which direction should we go into the mountains? Montreux to Interlaken on the Golden Pass? Should we take it all the way to Interlaken? Should we head to Les Diablerets? Any other suggestions? When we get "into the mountains" we would like to ride a cable car/gondola, eat at a scenic restaurant, walk around and take pictures, enjoy the view and if available do a luge/sled rides.

For the day we stay around Lake Geneva, we want to visit the Chateau Chillon for sure. We both enjoy wine...I have read a little about a wine train? Can someone give me more specifics or a website? Can this be done at least partially in a few hours?

Any suggestions appreciated!

You have some very specific questions but a very general title which could be about any place in Europe. You may get some good response - but it would be best if you re-posted w/ a better title . . . .

Hi texgirl,

It's too bad you have so little time in the area -- it's one of my very top top TOP favorites!

Anyway, hope I can help.

If you want to get to the mountains, yes it's a long ways. The Golden Pass route to Interlaken is scenic but very slow -- about five hours each way. There is a quicker route that takes about three hours if you want to do that.

But remember that Interlaken is just the beginning -- you'll still be some distance from the mountains (about two more hours to the Jungfraujoch or about one more hour to a mountain village). So your total travel time to the mountains from Montreux will be in the neighborhood of 4-7 hours each way. I usually don't recommend that much travelling in so little time; I think it's counterproductive.

On the other hand, you can be in Chateau d'Oex or Gstaad in about two hours. These towns are not in the high mountains, but they are very picturesque and are among green rolling hills. June is a perfect time there as the wildflowers will be in bloom.

Here are some ideas of what you'll see there:

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

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

Sorry, haven't been to Les Diablerets so don't have an opinion. I spent a few hours in Leysin once and wasn't overly impressed.

The "Wine Train" leaves from Vevey and goes to Chexbres and then on to Puidoux (you don't need to go all the way to Puidoux). From Chexbres, you exit the station and then just head downhill -- you'll see the vineyard trails in front of you before too long. There are caves in Rivaz, St. Saphorin, Lutry, & Cully, but usually they don't open until about 17.30. More information at www.lavaux.ch. Or here's my write up about it all:

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

Hope this helps!

s

Thanks for your help. I think we will take the Golden Pass train only to Gstaad. Just to make sure I have this down correctly, I can make a reservation for the VIP panaramic cars online, but can purchase the actual train tickets that day?

Hi texgirl,

Sorry, I don't know anything about the VIP seating on the Golden Pass. I've gone on that route many times and only about twice have I made reservations (and that time only made the reservations the day before). Regular trains go the same route; only special trains with the big panoramic windows require reservations. So you only need reservations if you think you want those big windows.

Have fun!

s

Sure, Montreux is a great place to stay. Or Vevey, the next town over. A boat ride and Chillon is a great agenda. The only tram I've taken is the scenic one right out of the Montreux train station called Rochers de Naye. It was beautiful and very fun, but maybe not the Alps excursion you have in mind.

Hmmm, I've spend a lot of time there and drunk a lot of the fabulous local wines, but never heard of a "wine train".

suze, the "wine train" is only a promotional name to try to get folks into the Lavaux. Sometimes in the summer it has its own track at the Vevey station, with a yellow sign reading "Wine Train." It only goes to Chexbres & Puidoux; it appears on the SBB as the regular run from Vevey.

s