Its almost here!
In 9 days, a friend and I travel to Chernex, a 'suburb' of Montreux for my first AirBnB experience!
I have most often stayed in Ferienwohnungen, preferring the space for self-catering.
Have not overnighted in this region before, experiencing Neuchatel, Fribourg, Romont and Gruyeres as day trips. I am excited, but a little hesitant too, as my French is limited to about ten words! I'm hoping that area shopkeepers, etc will be willing to assist in German anyway!
We had our final trip-planning session today. Planning to see:
1) Chateaux de Chillon/explore Montreux
2) Morges Tulip Fest ( for an hour or two)
3) short Lake Geneva boat ride to Lutry +/-Rivaz/St.Saphorin (wine-tasting) or Vevey
4) Walk a portion of the vineyards between town visits
5) Meander through Lutry/Vevey/Aigle. Markets according to town .
6) Day trip to Gruyeres (I have already been. Don't mind return for friend)
7) Rochers de Naye VS Mont Pelerin for the views
???any input on which might be preferred???

After a week, we transfer to Lucerne for two nights in Hotel Ambassador. IF good weather, ascend either Pilatus or Stanserhorn (I have already visited both, this is for my novice friend).
IF poor weather, Bern.
Comments?

Hi mokka4,

I'm tapping this reply out on my tablet, as I'm on vacation in the US right now. Just two short notes --

In my experience, outside of Basel, folks don't switch easily in the French part of Switzerland into German, nor from the German part of Switzerland into French. In fact, I had one very irate cafe owner scowl at me violently when speaking German in Vaud. I think it would be easier for everyone if you relied on English and didn't try German...

I haven't been up Rochers-de-Naye, but I have been up Mt Pelerin. Unless I did it wrong, you have to walk up the last few hundred meters...no transport to the top. That may be a consideration...

Have fun, and enjoy Vaud!

s

Thanks for that point about speaking German, I hadn't considered that (I guess the old France-Germany history).
Yes, I did realize that a short uphill hike was necessary to get to the tower on Mt. Pelerin.
I am mid'50's and in good shape. My friend and former colleague is early 60's and in very fit shape, so we are hopiing, to balance out the boulangerie and wines!

No, not the old France-Germany history as Vaud has never been part of either. I found German not to be widely spoken around Lake Geneva, compared to Italian speaking parts of Switzerland e.g. (Ticino), so it wouldn't be very helpful anyway.

Why not Les Pleiades? I was on top of Rochers-de-Naye and found the views to be ok, but not particularly exciting. The train ride up was fun, though.

We will likely go up to RdN for views and a bit of walking. Is it worth it (ie, different enough) to ascend either Les Pleiades or Mt. Pelerin too?

Following with interest, planning a stop in this region next year, too.
(Appreciate your previous TR that led me to Solothurn, mokka, what a wonderful town.)

Don't worry about language questions, most people in VD have some knowledge of German (they should have learned it at school) and English.
The panorama from Rochers de Naye is better than that from Les Pleiades or Mont Pelerin. The lattersa are similar to that from le Cubly (30 min walk from Sonloup rope railway station).
You may also check other viewpoints in the larger area, as La Berneuse, Glacier 3000, Bretaye, Barboleusaz - Les Chaux

Thanks neckervd, I didn't want to waste time on similar trips!
Any input on Lausanne? Was going to skip, but it looks like a nice dose of 'city culture' to mix in with the tiny towns.

We usually stay in a Lausanne hotel when we are in that area and have enjoyed the various city offerings however, the feeling on this board has consistently been very anti-Lausanne so get ready.

I agree with the "viewpoint" from atop Rochers de Naye and you can always say Hi! to the Marmots while you are up there. I think the trip up is as exciting as anything but that's obviously a subjective opinion.

Thanks! We leave in 12 hours--I missed my trip last year--- I am SOOO ready!

Back for a few days now.
Beautiful AirBnB in Chernex, with a balcony. Views over Lake Geneva and the French Alps, never tired of that!
We passed through Montreux almost every day.
Visited Vevey Saturday market, walked to Chateau Chillon.
Revisited Gruyeres and Bern.
Explored Lutry and rode the Choo Choo through the Lavaux Vineyards.
Sampled wines in Rivaz, then transferred to Luzern for the last two nights. Revisited Pilatus on our ONE day in the area--lucked out with fantastic weather!

Impressions: It was VERY warm. This was the first trip where I saw a LOT of shorts worn. Was it the warm 'microclimate' or are shorts becoming more acceptable in general?
German was NOT spoken as a backup to my nonFrench (as was noted by posters here). So I felt more lost with the numerous posted train detours IN FRENCH only (where buses made up the slack).
I have had enough (finally!) of Luzern and its incessant crowds hungry to BUY!
What ARE the recurring fields of yellow flower in southwestern Switzerland?
We asked a train employee, who said they were grown for the oil, but he couldn't think of the name..Google says maybe Colza, for rapeseed oil???

HI again,

Wow, sounds like a fantastic trip!! I haven't yet taken that little train through the vineyards, but I keep saying I'll do it on my next trip, so I'm so happy that you wrote about it. I might actually get to it this next trip (Oct)!!

Was your wine tasting at the Vinorama in Rivaz?? I've spent time at their website... but what a weird name, eh?? Was it worthwhile?

Not surprised that folks didn't respond to German. It may not be PC to mention this.... but when I did try out my German in Vaud and got such a negative, almost-violent response, I did suspect it had to do with the centuries-old tensions between the two mother countries. But I was in the hinterland in a remote cafe, on a bike tour, and I thought maybe things would be different in town.

Yes, those are rapeseed flowers; they are all over Bavaria as well. I love cycling through them in the spring time... but they aggravate my allergies uncercifully. Not sure if this link will work --

https://goo.gl/images/hxex1v

Thanks so much for the update & letting us know how your trip went!

s

@swandav...."next trip (Oct)"
Just reminding you swandav, that we'll be in GaPa 10-14 September, so don't go planning any holidays then!

Yay ���� Will be very jazzed to meet you, Adelaidean!

s

Uh oh. �� = smiley face.

s

RAPE or COLZA, the most popular oil plant in Switzerland

Can this oil be found in regular grocery stores (Coop, Migros, Denner)?
I would like to look for it on my next trip (likely next year )

hooray - the Vevey Saturday morning market is one of my favorite things!

suze, is Tuesdays' market similar? Looking at my plans for early June next year, we would be in Vevey on a Tuesday, but not Saturday.