It depends on your interests. With so much else to see and do in the area, I would think chocolate would have to be an incredibly high priority to invest the time in this train. BTW, I'm a chocoholic, and even so, I was disappointed with the Broc factory.

You should check out some reviews. We did not do it, from what I could find people found it rather unremarkable and with so many other really fun things to do, your time will probably be better spent on the lake or visiting other attractions.

Chocolate train worth it?

You can easily get to Broc without taking the themed "Chocolate Train" . Regional trains work as well. We've visited Broc and Gruyères a few times and we really enjoy both. We're planning to visit them again in September. They can be done in the same day.

The so called "Chocolate Train" is a themed tourist train. Per their site, they offer:

• Coffee and chocolate croissants after leaving Montreux
• Free admission to the show dairy "La Maison du Gruyère"
• Free admission to the chocolate factory of Nestlé Cailler in Broc

The Chocolate train is covered with the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) and GA travelcard. There is also a reservation fee.

Here are the costs:

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/...ocolate-train/

Personally, I feel a visit to Gruyères and Broc is very much worth it, but I'd never bother with the Chocolate Train, I'd just take the regular train (we always buy Half Fare Cards).

But, if you're a fan of chocolate and cheese (I certainly am) and think you might enjoy the themed train, go for it, but I'd make a price comparison between it and the regional trains first (some Swiss Passes cover admission into the Callier factory already).

We also did Broc and Gruyeres by regular regional trains and enjoyed it.

If you are only there three days you are going to have to make choices! You can burn up an entire day pretty easy on a day trip or do several things in or around Montreux. You have time before your trip, just research it well and decide what interests you and what you're willing to invest time in.

Any recommendations for places to eat in Wengen, Luceren or around Montreux? Open to anything like a hole in the wall or Michelin stars. Prefer to eat typical Swiss food.

It’s been a while, but FWIW:

• In Montreux: La Rouvenaz still gets decent reviews. My meal was bursting with flavor; the service that night was inconsistent (but it was very busy that night).
• In Vevey (adjacent to Montreux): the restaurant at Hotel Trois Couronnes also still gets decent reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner there! It is, I believe, known for its local perch fillet, which I remember enjoying.
• In Luzern: Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann – Burgerstube. Still gets positive reviews, and I still remember its chugelpastete, a local specialty with veal and mushrooms in a puff pastry. Delicious!
• In Lauterbrunnen (beneath Wengen): The restaurant of the Hotel Oberland might be worth considering.

BTW: "Typical" Swiss food varies dramatically from region to region. These restaurants featured dishes that were typical of their specific regions when I visited. Things could have changed! If there is such a thing as food that is typical of Switzerland as a whole, I don't think I know it. It's probably best known for cheese dishes, but those aren't common throughout the country ... or at least, they weren't considered typical except in / around Gruyeres and Freiburg, if I recall correctly. I hope others with greater expertise / knowledge / experience will weigh in!

• In Lauterbrunnen (beneath Wengen): The restaurant of the Hotel Oberland might be worth considering.

It is indeed. It's our favorite in the area. Varied menu, something for everyone.

@ Melnq8: Thanks for confirming!

Any recommendations for shops that specialize in vintage Patek?

Since it seems to have escaped you, perhaps it is worth mentioning that you can say “thank you” in multiple languages in Switzerland:
· Merci, for the French speaking sections;
· Danke, for the German speaking sections;
· Grazie, for the Italian speaking sections (which I don’t think you plan on visiting);
· Grazia, for the Romansch speaking sections (again, I don’t think you’ll be there);
· Or even a simple “thank you,” since English is spoken widely in Switzerland. And on this forum.

Actually, they say "merci" in Basel too, even though it's a German speaking city. And they like to mix the two sometimes, as in: Je ne weiss pas ;)

kja...;)

If this is a serious request, you will find several stores carrying a good selection of "pre-owned" high-end watches. Bucherer is a good place to start. You can browse some of their selection online, including prices, and contact them by email to tell them what you're looking for. Or if your travels take you to Lugano, there are at least four (respectable) dealers of high-end pre-owned watches in the main shopping arcades.

Thanks for the tip for watch stores. Have always wanted a Calatrava. Should also look into bringing my 50 yo Speedster in for a maintenance while in Switzerland.

Am looking at weather over the next 2 weeks. Looks like rain very day almost. My understanding is that weather forecasts in Switzerland are not particularly accurate more then about 5 days out. Also it appears that weather may be clear in the morning and tend to cloud up and rain more towards the afternoon for many days. Some days may rain all day? How are the trails after the rain? Muddy? Any weather thoughts?

Another question. Planning on using Swiss half fare card plus 6 day Berner Oberland pass. Covers us from Lucerne to Interlaken to Montreux. The 8 day BO pass only costs $40 more. Any advantage to this? Can use pass for train part of the way back to Zurich by using Golden Express back to Interlaken switch trains to Lucerne and another switch to Zurich. Will have to pay for last segment using 50% off card. Seems like just using the 50%off card and going from Montreux to Zurich is Revens about same price and significantly faster?

Fares and cards and promotions are difficult for me in trying to find the "lowest" cost, but seem to be easily understood by analyticals and people who like working with spreadsheets. A pass allows you to hop on and off and be more spontaneous in your travel but is more expensive. Whatever you do, you might consider the 1st class option. Not sure the BO pass includes ferries in Montreux but that is highly, highly recommended. I know it is included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

I found no reason to use first class during my month of traveling around Switzerland. YMMV.

We always travel in first class, primarily because we prefer riding in the quiet car. Unfortunately, second class (or at least most of second class) doesn't offer that option. Also, it's uncommon to have groups traveling in first class, But unless you have specific reasons for riding in first, second class is fine.