Hidden Gems of Lake Geneva
Description:
This original guide focuses on the least known but some of the most impressive spots of the eastern part of the Lake of Geneva; also known to the locals as the Swiss Riviera. You will base yourself in the Vevey-Montreux region, travel to nearly the French border at the Mouth of the Rhone River and take an excursion in the other direction for different kinds of scenery in the charming lakeside town of Morges.
This guide is appropriate for a variety of travelers including famlies and is adaptable in order to enjoy these places in the best way that will suit you (rigorously or relaxing). There are many options from which to choose.
You could also include or combine some these Hidden Gems with guides of the more well known areas of Gevena, Lausanne and Montreux. But if you just have a short time to travel on Lake Geneva and want to do something completely different (and very Swiss), this could be the guide for you!
[image of Hugo Pratt Statue in Grandvaux; courtesy of Dr. Hilary Murphy]
This guide is appropriate for a variety of travelers including famlies and is adaptable in order to enjoy these places in the best way that will suit you (rigorously or relaxing). There are many options from which to choose.
You could also include or combine some these Hidden Gems with guides of the more well known areas of Gevena, Lausanne and Montreux. But if you just have a short time to travel on Lake Geneva and want to do something completely different (and very Swiss), this could be the guide for you!
[image of Hugo Pratt Statue in Grandvaux; courtesy of Dr. Hilary Murphy]
Author: Sonja Holverson
Day 1 - Lausanne
If you are arriving in Switzerland by air the nearest airport is Geneva. There is the Swiss Rail Train station right in the airport which will take you to Clarens with only one change in about 1 and half hours. You can either take the train non-stop to Lausanne and change to the regional train to Clarens (very scenic) or take the train to Vevey and it's just a 5 minute train trip to Clarens. The train station is very near the hotel. If you have a lot of luggage, you may want to take a taxi.
1
Ermitage Hotel, Clarens
Location:
view in google mapsrue du Lac 75
1815 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
021 964 44 112
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
Location:
view in google mapsavenue de Rhodanie 4
1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
+41 21 612 7612Day 2 - Lausanne
Take the quick train ride to Vevey or the bus along the lake. Walk or take the bus up the main street, Route de Chatel-Saint-Denis and turn left at Rue du Chateau you will find the tiny village of Corsier and the Church of St.Jean Baptiste built in 1228 before the Reformation in the 1500s. Excellent views in all of this neighborhood.
Pause for a coffee at Cafe du Chatelard.
Walk further down the main street to the Communal Cemetery to pay tribute to some famous former residents such as Charlie Chaplin.Look for Chemin sur le Crêt.
Continue down the main road to the Funiculaire station Vevy-Plan and take the specitacular ride up to Mont Pelerin. Stop for refreshments at the Hostellerie Chez Chibrac.
For an unforgettable evening, it's just a short walk to the Mirador kempinski Hotel for an "aperitif" or dinner watching the sun set over Lake Geneva.
Read more: http://www.nileguide.com/destination/lausanne/things-to-do/corsier-communal-cemetery/1078337#ixzz0xKen6eOT
1
Corsier Communal Cemetery
Location:
view in google maps, Chemin sur le Crêt
1804 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
022 751.90.602
Cafe et Restaurant du Chatelard
Location:
view in google mapssentier des Crosets 1
1804 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
021 921 19 58Day 3 - Lausanne
Take a lazy train ride through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux Vineyards, through Lausanne to one of the local favorite towns on the lake: Morges. There are a choice of activities in Morge from sailing on the galley ship, stroling along the long promenade or just sitting on a terrace admiring the view and watching the locals.
After your return in the evening, if you're in the mood for Asian food, you might try the Mai Thai restaurant on the lake very near the L'Ermitage hotel. Montreux is also very close and has many restaurants from which to choose.
2
Mai Thai Restaurant
Location:
view in google mapsrue du Lac 40
1815 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
+41 21 964 2536Day 4 - Lausanne
By now you should be adjusted to the time zone and ready for some more active Alpine adventure. On foot or by cog-wheeled train from nearby Montreux, your destination today is straight up to Rochers de Naye which you have been looking at above you for days now.
If you opt for the hike (and I highly recommend it) take the cog-wheeled train to Hauts-de-Caux and you'll find the trailhead to Rochers de Naye. Go via Libosan, it's easier and more scenic. Be sure to take ample water and trail food to get you up the mountain Good hiking shoes/boots are necessary, especially near the top where it is rocky.
Or you can take the cogwheel train up and hike down to Hauts-de-Caux or Caux where you where you should stop a bit which is just down the road, and then take the cog-wheeled train back to Montreux.
2
Rochers de Naye
Location:
Lausanne, Switzerland3
Caux Village
Location:
view in google mapsRue du Panorama
1824 Lausanne, Swizerland
Phone:
021 963 63 80Day 5 - Lausanne
It is not often that you can visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you are staying right in the heart of one. The Lavaux Vineyards Terraces that stretch for about 25 miles along the shores of Lake Geneva are now on the sought-after list of wonders to treasure for always. There are many quaint untouched villages that will now be preserved and any f them are are worth visiting. You can hike all around the vineards (short or long hikes). My favorite village is Grandvaux just above Cully. You can reach Cully by train and it is worth a visit itself. You can also arrive in Cully by paddle steamer or other lake boats. Although uphill (and you could always take a taxi), it's not far from Cully to Grandvaux and you have a magnificient view from the central plaza.
1
Grandvaux Village
Location:
view in google mapsPlace du Village
1091 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
021 799 92 23Day 6 - Lausanne
Fill your morning with culture and beauty by taking a morning bus or even a boat to the Medieval Chateau de Chillon on the Lake Geneva shores, for a visit. Take your swimming gear with you but it's not for jumping out of the very high up chateau windows into the lake! After your visit of one of the most interesting and intact castles in Switzerland, you can take a bus to Le Bouveret, a small town at the mouth of the Rhone River and just let yourself go in the "non touristy" Aquaparc heavily patronized by the locals. Totally relax this final day in the last of the Hidden Gems for this Lake Geneva Visit.
1
Aquaparc
Location:
view in google mapsRoute de la Plage
1897 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:
024 482 00 00