i will be in montreaux in february, accompanying my husband on a business trip. any suggestions for my itinerary? i am a big fan of markets.

p.s. and little shopping villages and horses. (i understand the headquarters for the FEI is nearby in lausanne.)

You're in luck! There are wonderful street farmer's markets. On Friday morning it is under the pergola, on the main street thru town, right along the lake. And even larger ones on Tues AM & Sat AM in Vevey (the next town over easily reached by bus or train).

Chateaux de Chillon is definitely worth a visit. And the tram ride up Rocher de Nayes if the weather is clear (at the Montreux train station but a different ticket booth from regular trains).

Since it's wintertime be sure to have some fondue or raclette and some of the cold weather specialties like homemade sausages and stews. Vevey as a nice selection of Ma & Pa style cafes, look for the black chalkboard showing the daily specials along the sidewalks.

Sorry, never saw horses in Vevey or Montreux unless there was a parade!

oops, Fri AM is the market time for Montreux.

On a brilliant sunny day pack good sunglasses (preferably wrap-arounds) and sunscreen and take the cute mountain train (see http://www.membres.lycos.fr/beuret/e.../real/mtgn.htm) up to the Rochers de Naye (www.montreux.ch/naye).

Departures hourly at xx.46.

It takes 55 minutes. As you climb higher and higher, the views of the lake and the French Alps across (Mont Blanc etc.) are overwhelmingly beautiful.

Montreux has a small but interesting Old Town. Find the cobblestone street just off the main drag, and then follow the winding street UP hill from there. Some sweet local architecture, cafes, shops up that way.

suze and dalaillama- thanks so much for your suggestions! we will be there sunday through sunday so i should be able to get to all the markets. (just to confirm, is the market friday morning in montreaux?)
i'll save the visit to chateaux de chillon and the train ride for my husband's day off. (hopefully the weather will cooperate) i enjoy raclette and am really looking forward to dining in switzerland. good reminder about the sunscreen and sunglasses. we have visited val david, quebec (laurentian mountains) in february and i will prepare to dress accordingly, although from my research so far it seems that it may be milder than val david in the montreaux area and along the shore villages.

Yes the Montreux market day is early Friday morning, under the pergola, between the main street thru town and the lake.

Tuesday mornings I've seen the Vevey market on the pedestrian streets (not sure that this is always the location?), and the Saturday morning (largest of the three) in the main square just off the lake nearish the train station part of town.

You are correct when you assume that this part of Switzerland has a milder climate than others, that's why it is called the Swiss Riviera. But in February it can still get chilly, and as soon as you go higher up, like the trip from Montreux (note the spelling btw) to Rochers de Naye I suggested, you can find it downright wintery even on a brilliant sunny day. And if a wind springs up - brrrr!

Yes Montreux is milder, the way it sits on the lake, even has palm trees you know. But will likely be plenty nippy in February.

montreux...thanks!

For dinner, I strongly recommend Caveau des Vignerons in Old Town (30, rue Industrielle, next to the museum).

It is very atmospheric (in a medieval cave) and they serve excellent fondue (cheese, meat, seafood) and provide individual charcoal grills right for your table. Excellent value for money. Good views from the outside terrace (in summer).

hello all, just returned from my trip to switzerland. this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. our stay at the fairmont montreux palace was very comfortable with a direct view of the lake. visiting the cities of montreux geneva, lausanne, gruyere (via panoramic train, missed the stop in montbavon to transfer because we couldn't figure out how to get off the train!)and vevey (my favorite) by arranging the visit around markets, antiques and old towns worked very well for me, with many interesting things to see and people to meet. the weather was very mild, the food was fantastic. thanks to all for your help im making this a most memorable trip!