Planning our 5 nights in Vevey
Nov 23rd, 2018, 12:33 PM
#1
Planning our 5 nights in Vevey
We start our month long (June) holiday in Switzerland with 5 nights in Vevey. (Last year we had 18 days in Switzerland in September)
We will arrive at midday, so have 4 1/2 days.
We like charming villages, food markets (staying on Place du Marche so the Tues Vevey market will be visited), walking, lakes, mountains, forests.
Our previous visits to the French speaking part of Switzerland was a brief stay in St Ursanne (loved it) last year and Lausanne an eternity ago.
Wishlist so far:
Want to wander old towns of Vevey, Montreux, Lutry.
Visit Gruyeres village and castle, walking up from train station (not interested in cheese or chocolate factories)
Walk Romainmotier (village, abbey) to La Sarraz (Nozon canal, waterfall en route) - I need some quiet walking in nature after our long haul flight.
Walk Chexbres to St Saphorin or Rivaz.
Walk Montreux to Chillon.
What would be a nice loop route for the Gruyeres day, perhaps return via Rougemont? I note there is a nice church there, assume a wander around village would be lovely? There seem to be bus options, thoughts on this routing via Chatel St Denis?
Suggestions for easy walks that start/ end in lovely villages most welcome.
We head to Wengen after this.
We will arrive at midday, so have 4 1/2 days.
We like charming villages, food markets (staying on Place du Marche so the Tues Vevey market will be visited), walking, lakes, mountains, forests.
Our previous visits to the French speaking part of Switzerland was a brief stay in St Ursanne (loved it) last year and Lausanne an eternity ago.
Wishlist so far:
Want to wander old towns of Vevey, Montreux, Lutry.
Visit Gruyeres village and castle, walking up from train station (not interested in cheese or chocolate factories)
Walk Romainmotier (village, abbey) to La Sarraz (Nozon canal, waterfall en route) - I need some quiet walking in nature after our long haul flight.
Walk Chexbres to St Saphorin or Rivaz.
Walk Montreux to Chillon.
What would be a nice loop route for the Gruyeres day, perhaps return via Rougemont? I note there is a nice church there, assume a wander around village would be lovely? There seem to be bus options, thoughts on this routing via Chatel St Denis?
Suggestions for easy walks that start/ end in lovely villages most welcome.
We head to Wengen after this.
Nov 23rd, 2018, 01:02 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are taking trains - seems so if walking from Gruyeres station to town - anyway with all those trains and going to Wengen and trains there, etc look into a Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare Card. Take the Golden Pass scenic train between Montreux and Interlaken-Ost - little slower than mainline route via Lausanne and Bern but much more scenic - panoramic cars on first have and most scenic part of route. Swiss Travel Pass covers in full as it does to Wengen as well. For lots on Swiss transports and passes, etc check www.swisstravelsystem.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.
I did a boat ride - steamers on Lake Geneva fully covered by Swiss Pass - to Evian-les-Bains for a taste of France and a spiffy spa (with casino to replenish dwindling trip funds!) think there are some nice walks along lake too to other boat stations but no personal experience.
I did a boat ride - steamers on Lake Geneva fully covered by Swiss Pass - to Evian-les-Bains for a taste of France and a spiffy spa (with casino to replenish dwindling trip funds!) think there are some nice walks along lake too to other boat stations but no personal experience.
Nov 23rd, 2018, 01:41 PM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm pretty sure you've seen my trip report, but you might be reminded of some options if you give it a glance, particularly in the belated section with details of what I did in that part of the country (post # 28).
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...thanks-983126/
I'm envious of your upcoming trip!
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...thanks-983126/
I'm envious of your upcoming trip!
Nov 23rd, 2018, 04:46 PM
#5
Thanks, Pal, am going to get full value of the half fare card, that’s for sure.
Kja, have certainly read and re-read your report for last year’s trip and this one. We are adding a few new bases this time, so getting to Lower Engadin later in the month (a week based in Scuol). You are a very efficient traveller, and your planning is second to none. We are a bit slower on the ground, but love to pre plan, too.
Kja, have certainly read and re-read your report for last year’s trip and this one. We are adding a few new bases this time, so getting to Lower Engadin later in the month (a week based in Scuol). You are a very efficient traveller, and your planning is second to none. We are a bit slower on the ground, but love to pre plan, too.
Nov 23rd, 2018, 09:36 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Adelaidean!
Whew, how jealous am I!! I know you'll have an amazing time on this vacation!
There is a walk from Charmey to Gruyere that I've heard about and included in all my plans for the area, but I've never actually done it because it's so time-consuming to get to Charmey. But you may have better luck than I in getting motivated for it:
https://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/V271/chemin-du-gruyere
When I was in Lauenen in Oct, I took the train to Rougemont (yes, there is a beautiful church there!) and walked to Saanen, and it took about 2h (I took a wrong turn and ended up walking on a busy road for about 200m, not fun, not at all fun....!). The walk actually continues on to Gstaad, making it overall 3h. And Rougemont is easy to get to. I found Saanen to be really really pretty; it's become gentrified a bit from when I was there last, a few years ago. The pedestrian area is all cobbled and landscaped and super charming, and I thought it would be a great spot for a future stay. The only drawback is that there are few restaurants there.... and of course I got food poisoning from the Early Beck Boulangerie there, so I would advise you avoid it, no matter how tempting the take-away sandwiches. You can find the walk at komoot, either the website or the app.
There are a few walks up in the hills above Montreux, like the Chemin Narcisses, which runs from Sonloup to Les Avants, and Chemin Panoramic, which runs from Jaman Station to Caux.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area is the Le Jaman in Glion, which I usually get to by walking UP through the old town and continuing up to Glion, about 45 minutes, the last of which is steps through the forest. They have a "Pinte," a pub, with great food, and a restaurant with amazing food.
Have a bunch of fun as you plan!!
s
Whew, how jealous am I!! I know you'll have an amazing time on this vacation!
There is a walk from Charmey to Gruyere that I've heard about and included in all my plans for the area, but I've never actually done it because it's so time-consuming to get to Charmey. But you may have better luck than I in getting motivated for it:
https://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/V271/chemin-du-gruyere
When I was in Lauenen in Oct, I took the train to Rougemont (yes, there is a beautiful church there!) and walked to Saanen, and it took about 2h (I took a wrong turn and ended up walking on a busy road for about 200m, not fun, not at all fun....!). The walk actually continues on to Gstaad, making it overall 3h. And Rougemont is easy to get to. I found Saanen to be really really pretty; it's become gentrified a bit from when I was there last, a few years ago. The pedestrian area is all cobbled and landscaped and super charming, and I thought it would be a great spot for a future stay. The only drawback is that there are few restaurants there.... and of course I got food poisoning from the Early Beck Boulangerie there, so I would advise you avoid it, no matter how tempting the take-away sandwiches. You can find the walk at komoot, either the website or the app.
There are a few walks up in the hills above Montreux, like the Chemin Narcisses, which runs from Sonloup to Les Avants, and Chemin Panoramic, which runs from Jaman Station to Caux.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area is the Le Jaman in Glion, which I usually get to by walking UP through the old town and continuing up to Glion, about 45 minutes, the last of which is steps through the forest. They have a "Pinte," a pub, with great food, and a restaurant with amazing food.
Have a bunch of fun as you plan!!
s
Nov 23rd, 2018, 09:41 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, by the way, a few years ago, I did a walk in the area around Chatel-St-Denis, and I was underwhelmed. It was too built up for my taste...
If you are up for it, you may want to cycle a bit... I once cycled from Rougemont to Gruyeres. Beautiful.
s
If you are up for it, you may want to cycle a bit... I once cycled from Rougemont to Gruyeres. Beautiful.
s
Nov 23rd, 2018, 11:52 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yay you!!
Because of that recent cc crisis, I can only travel this spring if I can squeeze it into 1000€. So Montreux is out (oh...I am incapable of staying in Mtx for less than 10 days, so that would mean finding a lakeview room for 100chf/night...not likely). I am thinking of Uzès. Or Garda. Or Merano. *sigh*
s
Because of that recent cc crisis, I can only travel this spring if I can squeeze it into 1000€. So Montreux is out (oh...I am incapable of staying in Mtx for less than 10 days, so that would mean finding a lakeview room for 100chf/night...not likely). I am thinking of Uzès. Or Garda. Or Merano. *sigh*
s
Nov 24th, 2018, 09:08 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be sure to visit Nestle headquarters in Vevey, I really enjoyed that visitors center/museum they have there.
https://www.le-nest.ch/
https://www.le-nest.ch/
Nov 24th, 2018, 11:54 AM
#15
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VEVEY - GRUYERES
There are 3 different ways to reach Gruyeres from Vevey by public transport:
1. Vevey dp 7.32 (weekend only, Mo-Fr dp 7.14) by vineyard train to Palezieux and then by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 8.58; every hr
2. Vevey dp 6.38 by bus to Chatel-St-Denis and then by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 7.58; every hr, except dp 7.38
3. Vevey dp 7.31 by SBB to Montreux, by Golden Pass to Montbovon and by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 8.59; every hr,
VEVEY - CHARMEY
There are 2 different ways to reach Charmey from Vevey by public transport:
1. Vevey dp 7.32 (weekend only, Mo-Fr dp 7.14) by vineyard train to Palezieux, small TPF train to Bulle and bus to Charmey ar 9.10; every hr
2. Vevey dp 8.38 by bus to Chatel-St-Denis, small TPF train to Bulle and bus to Charmey ar 9.10;and then every hr
ROMAINMOTIER
May be you combine this trip with the visit of medieval Orbe and the roman villa nearby. If you are a good hiker, you may go by train from Romainmotier to Le Day where the hike through the Orbe Gorges down to Orbe begins.
The Orbe caves and the Iron museum of Vallorbe are of some interest too.
There are 3 different ways to reach Gruyeres from Vevey by public transport:
1. Vevey dp 7.32 (weekend only, Mo-Fr dp 7.14) by vineyard train to Palezieux and then by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 8.58; every hr
2. Vevey dp 6.38 by bus to Chatel-St-Denis and then by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 7.58; every hr, except dp 7.38
3. Vevey dp 7.31 by SBB to Montreux, by Golden Pass to Montbovon and by small TPF train to Gruyeres ar 8.59; every hr,
VEVEY - CHARMEY
There are 2 different ways to reach Charmey from Vevey by public transport:
1. Vevey dp 7.32 (weekend only, Mo-Fr dp 7.14) by vineyard train to Palezieux, small TPF train to Bulle and bus to Charmey ar 9.10; every hr
2. Vevey dp 8.38 by bus to Chatel-St-Denis, small TPF train to Bulle and bus to Charmey ar 9.10;and then every hr
ROMAINMOTIER
May be you combine this trip with the visit of medieval Orbe and the roman villa nearby. If you are a good hiker, you may go by train from Romainmotier to Le Day where the hike through the Orbe Gorges down to Orbe begins.
The Orbe caves and the Iron museum of Vallorbe are of some interest too.
Nov 24th, 2018, 12:54 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
check out the VIP seats on Golden Pass trains - they are in a compartment adjoining the driver's cabin so you can think you're driving the train - obviously only a few such seats per train - there are some in the back of the train too if you like to see a big panorama os scenery going into the distance. VIP seats cost extra of course and you may have to upgrade to first class by paying the price difference between the - but anyway a real treat. GoldenPass Panoramic: A feast for the eyes! - GoldenPass
Some of these images of Golden Pass trains are of the VIP seats.
https://www.google.com/search?q=gold...w=1280&bih=625
Some of these images of Golden Pass trains are of the VIP seats.
https://www.google.com/search?q=gold...w=1280&bih=625
Nov 24th, 2018, 01:40 PM
#17
Thanks, Christina, I will consider that. I see there is the Nest, the Alimentarium and the Chaplin museum nearby, useful for rainy day options.
neckervd, in my early planning stage I had considered a base in Estavayer Le Lac and had Orbe on my list, thank you for those additional details.
Pal, yes, am thinking about those seats....
Much obliged to you all
neckervd, in my early planning stage I had considered a base in Estavayer Le Lac and had Orbe on my list, thank you for those additional details.
Pal, yes, am thinking about those seats....
Much obliged to you all
Nov 24th, 2018, 09:44 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hallo Again --
Sorry, forgot to mention, when you walk from Montreux to Chillon, I strongly suggest that you continue on to the sweet little town of Villeneuve, about 45 minutes more. It has a nice little main street that sits perpendicular to the lake, and that's where the best restaurants are found.
You can take bus #201 back to Montreux or all the way to Vevey -- I think you must know about the Riviera Card, yes? Your hosts will give it to you, and it will make all busses, trains, and funiculars free in the region between Villeneuve & Vevey.
Or you can take a walk through the vineyards above Villeneuve, just a scattering of vines really, but there is a paleolithic cave up there. There isn't anything in the cave itself, but if you have a good imagination, you can visualize how people would eke out a living there in the raw and undomesticated landscape. I cannot, for the life of me, find anything about this walk on the internet, but I have a very old map of walks from the tourist office, and it's listed as #10. It's only 3.5km. The Montreux tourist office might have something. It is called the Grotte du Scex... but there is a winemaker in Villeneuve with that name, so that will be most of the hits you'll get. That winemaker is just steps from the paleolithic cave, so you could use that as a goal point.
Main street, Villeneuve
Have fun!
s
Sorry, forgot to mention, when you walk from Montreux to Chillon, I strongly suggest that you continue on to the sweet little town of Villeneuve, about 45 minutes more. It has a nice little main street that sits perpendicular to the lake, and that's where the best restaurants are found.
You can take bus #201 back to Montreux or all the way to Vevey -- I think you must know about the Riviera Card, yes? Your hosts will give it to you, and it will make all busses, trains, and funiculars free in the region between Villeneuve & Vevey.
Or you can take a walk through the vineyards above Villeneuve, just a scattering of vines really, but there is a paleolithic cave up there. There isn't anything in the cave itself, but if you have a good imagination, you can visualize how people would eke out a living there in the raw and undomesticated landscape. I cannot, for the life of me, find anything about this walk on the internet, but I have a very old map of walks from the tourist office, and it's listed as #10. It's only 3.5km. The Montreux tourist office might have something. It is called the Grotte du Scex... but there is a winemaker in Villeneuve with that name, so that will be most of the hits you'll get. That winemaker is just steps from the paleolithic cave, so you could use that as a goal point.
Main street, Villeneuve
Have fun!
s
Nov 24th, 2018, 11:49 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The cave, from a visit in 2010
And some information, on the page of the winemaker --
http://www.scexduchatelard.ch/histoire_grotte.html
s
Last edited by swandav2000; Nov 24th, 2018 at 11:53 PM.
Nov 25th, 2018, 07:04 AM
#20
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you should re-consider your lodging in Vevey. When you are there the place du Marché will be a huge construction zone. the Fête des Vignerons - an event that happens roughly every 20 years - runs in July and August in 2019 and the arena for the pagent takes up the entire place and of course has to be built. Even if it is finished in June you won't have any views and the market presumably has to be held elsewhere. This is such an amazing event that I also think if I were you I would re-schedule the trip to be here when the Fête happens so you can attend a performance. https://www.fetedesvignerons.ch/en/accueil/
I would stay somewhere else in Vevey or in another town...
Also - before assuming you can get the VIP seats on the Goldenpass panoramic check with the train company because they are making drastic changes to the rolling stock and I have heard that the new carriages will not have the VIP seats in front of and below the driver as we know them now... www.goldenpassline.ch
I would stay somewhere else in Vevey or in another town...
Also - before assuming you can get the VIP seats on the Goldenpass panoramic check with the train company because they are making drastic changes to the rolling stock and I have heard that the new carriages will not have the VIP seats in front of and below the driver as we know them now... www.goldenpassline.ch
Last edited by Hambagahle; Nov 25th, 2018 at 07:10 AM.
