Wayne Dunlap's Blog

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Wayne & Pat Dunlap
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Selected Top 25 Travel Blog in the World by TripAdvisor! Please use these posts for easy-to use tripplanning ideas and tips, interesting things to do & what is worth seeing, history, andmore. Also, for many free and unique travel bargain-finding strategies, visit our page: Travel Bargains, Strategies, Tips, & Resources    Visited 106 CountriesWe have a life-changing story. We rented our home, sold our business, and traveled the world for 4 years visiting 106 countries in our lifetime being written up by the Wall Street Journal.We are experienced travelers Featured Speaker
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Caribbean Anguilla (our favorite) (7/14-22/2025)

Shoal Bay East beach - Anguilla
Anguilla is a relatively small Caribbean island but mighty in its offerings - stunning uncrowded soft sand beaches with breathtaking warm turquoise ocean water and gentle waves (see photos), great culinary scene with a variety of upscale restaurants as well as laid-back beach restaurants/bars, upscale accommodations with feet-in-the-sand laid-back luxury, low visitor numbers making it uncrowded, and English spoken everywhere. Also, what makes Anguilla exceptional is the genuinely friendly people who make you feel at home with wonderful hospitality. We have been fortunate to have visited 23 Caribbean islands and now consider Anguilla our favorite. 

Uncrowded Beaches in Anguilla
With 33 beautiful beaches, Anguilla is famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, many renowned for their soft white sand, warm calm crystal-clear turquoise ocean, and no jet skis. For good reason, stunning beaches such as Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay, and Maundays Bay have consistently been ranked among the world's best. It is wonderful Anguilla is relatively undiscovered - not overly developed, avoids mass tourism, and has no cruise port offering a sanctuary of tranquility for those in search of an authentic somewhat pricey experience with uncrowded wonderful beaches.

Shoal Bay East beach - Anguilla
We decided to stay on what many return visitors we spoke to consider Anguilla’s most beautiful beach - Shoal Bay East voted one of the 'Top 10 beaches in the Caribbean' by USA Today (see photo). It definitely lives up to its reputation with a relaxed vive and breathtaking warm crystal-clear turquoise ocean water, powder-like white sand beach with palm trees, and nice laid-back beach restaurants/bars on the beach. 

Sunset - Shoal Bay East
At sunset (see photo) a whole other beauty appears sparking a discussion about which of the many good restaurants to have dinner. Wonderful!… Anguilla is what we aspire for in a Caribbean adventure!

Snorkeling - Shoal Bay East
Like most beaches in Anguilla, it is easy to find a quiet spot on Shoal Bay East beach. The beach has very gentle waves making it great for swimming and relaxing to the sound of gentle waves. It also has some of the best snorkeling on Anguilla along the nearby reefs on the east end of the beach accessed with a short swim from the shore (see photo). Shoal Bay East is a Caribbean paradise. 

Fish - Madeariman on Shoal Bay East
Shoal Bay East Beach Restaurants : Very good Anguilla beachfront restaurants are located within a few minutes walking distance. Do not miss Madeariman open for lunch and dinner - wonderful location, food (see photo), and service. For lunch Ola’s Bar and Grill , Tropical Sunset , and Elodias are nice. For a truly Caribbean vibe join the fun and dancing with a painkiller rum drink and live reggae music on Sunday evenings at Gwen’s Reggae Bar and Grill. 

Pat at 20 Knots Zemi Beach House
Located at the west end of Shoal Bay East beach, the upscale Zemi Beach House offers a wonderful breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was great to treat ourselves to their fantastic (and pricey) breakfast buffet. Dinner at Zemi Beach House’s 20 Knots laid back luxury beach restaurant (see photo) was exceptional, well priced, and the lighting and music made it special (try the Caribbean mild curry and seafood dishes).

Fabulous Lobster - Falcons Nest More good dinner options are located a short drive away from Shoal Bay East at Anguilla’s Island Harbour such as Ben’s Pit Stop for French food, Artisan for Italian, and you must treat yourself to the wonderful grilled lobster (see photo) with your feet in the sand at Falcon’s Nest - amazing!

Rendezvous Bay - Anguilla
Rendezvous Bay is another incredibly beautiful beach in Anguilla looking out to the mountains of the neighboring island of Saint Martin (see photo). We enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the beach at Tasty’s . Located at an end of a dirt road, Tasty’s can be a bit hard to find. Go in the direction of the Sunshine Shack restaurant (also highly recommended) and follow the road signs to Tasty’s. For some good live reggae music fun at Rendezvous Bay, join the fun for dinner at reggae star Bankie Banx’s beachside restaurant Dune Preserve .

Meads Bay beach - Anguilla
Another top beach in Anguilla is Meads Bay. Its tranquil ambiance is a favorite among both locals and visitors featuring a long pristine stretch of white sand (see photo). Even during high season, you might find moments when it feels like you have the beach all to yourself. The water is a beautiful shade of turquoise and there are a few upscale resorts and top-notch beachfront dining along the shore providing convenient amenities. Meads Bay western location offers stunning sunset views, making it a perfect spot for evening strolls and relaxed dining. Blanchard’s (dinner) , Blanchard’s Beach Shack (lunch), and The Straw Hat on the beach are often recommended restaurants on Meads Bay.

Cap Shack - Maundays Bay
Other amazing beaches in Anguilla include Maundays Bay where we enjoyed a great lunch on the beach with an amazing view at the Cap Shack beach restaurant (see photo) at the Cap Juluca luxury hotel. Barnes Bay is a beautiful secluded beach to enjoy - bring your beach towel, you may have this beach to yourself. 

Little Bay - Anguilla
At Sandy Ground, it is fun to do some beach bar hopping or take a scenic boat trip. Little Bay, accessible by boat from Crocus Bay (see photo), is a secluded postcard-perfect cove accessible by boat and great for a quiet afternoon on the beach and good snorkeling.

Sandy Island - Anguilla
Boat excursions to nearby small islands are highly recommended. Sandy Island (see photo) can be reached by a 10-minute speedboat from the Sandy Ground pier where you can enjoy the relaxed vive on a nice beach with seafood lunch and good snorkeling. The Prickly Pear Bar & Restaurant is another favorite crowd-free off-shore cay boating excursion from Sandy Ground with snorkeling and a great lunch menu including great grilled lobster.

Sunset Cruise - Anguilla
With 33 beaches Anguilla has more beautiful ones to explore where you often can have a whole Caribbean beach to yourself. Also, around Anguilla snorkeling trips and scuba diving to shipwrecks are available for the adventurous or you can go for a sunset cruise on a classic sloop sailing vessel (see photo).

Special Crayfish - YUM!
Anguilla is nicknamed the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. There are many more good restaurants than mentioned in this post for you to discover. Don’t miss having the fantastic crayfish (see photo), lobster, seafood, and try some of the local fare. Most beach restaurants in Anguilla offer free beach lounge chairs with an umbrella if you have lunch there. Dinner reservations are encouraged, especially during high season.

Map of Caribbean
Where is Anguilla located? Anguilla is a self-governing British Overseas Territory located in the Eastern Caribbean part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago - east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of St. Maarten (see map). Anguilla is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean.

Map of Anguilla
Getting To and Around Anguilla Travel Tips: American Airlines offers a direct flight to Anguilla (SXM) from Miami (MIA). A ferry is available from St. Martin. Cars drive on the left side. Renting a car is recommended to explore this beautiful island. It is OK to drive slow - the speed limit is 30 miles/hour on most roads. Anguilla is not a large island with a resident population of only about 16,000. Being flat and only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, baring traffic, you can drive from one end of Anguilla to the other in about 30 minutes. With one main road on the island, it is fairly easy to drive places (see map). Visitors driving at night is not advised so we did our exploration to other beaches, etc. for lunch during the day taking advantage of shorter drives or restaurants where we stayed on our beach for dinner. Taxis are available and their rates are fixed.

Pool - Zemi Beach House
Other Anguilla Travel Tips: Anguilla is a pricey Caribbean island - the price you pay for uncrowded paradise. The dress is casual at most places - ‘resort casual’ at the nicer places. The U.S. dollar and credit cards are used throughout Anguilla and U.S. style electrical plugs are used. 

Shoal Bay East - Anguilla
To stock up for your visit with groceries, drinks, etc. going west from the airport to Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay Best Buy is good. Going east to Shoal Bay East Welcome Supermarket is nice. Don’t be concerned about the condition of the roads - once you arrive at your destination hotel, restaurant, etc. you will be much more impressed. In general, you should check to see when places in Anguilla are open. Restaurants and other places close on different days - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday or some combination of these days.

Anguilla Summer FestivalAnguilla has year-round special events and festivals including the Festival del Mar over Easter weekend, the A nguilla Culinary Experience in May, Welches Fest in July, and the Anguilla Summer Festival (see photo) from late July through early August that is packed with boat rides, beach parties, parades, and concerts. To enhance your visit, you may want to visit during one of these fun times. See below best time to visit because July and August can be hot and many places are closed in August.

Beautiful Uncrowded Beaches - Anguilla
Best Time to Visit Anguilla: Anguilla has year-round good beach weather with warm ocean water, especially in the winter and early spring (November to April). During this high season time demand and prices are highest, especially on holiday weekends, with many people attempting to escape cold weather for blue skies, sunshine, and temperatures in the low 80’s. Better deals are available from May to August with nice weather (July/August can be hot). During hurricane season reduced rates and less visitors occur during the low season August through early November. The chance a hurricane is low but it can be hot this time of year. Keep in mind many hotels, restaurants, and businesses in Anguilla will be closed in low season, especially August through early October, and changes of inclement weather are higher.

Shoal Bay Villas - Shoal Bay East
We stayed at Shoal Bay Villas  (see photo) on Anguilla’s Shoal Bay East beach… and So Glad we did! Anguilla is a destination that people come back year over year. Many time repeat visitors told us they have stayed at several places and we found the best. The beach at Shoal Bay East is incredible, the pool is nice but you will probably spend most your time in the warm turquoise ocean, and good beach restaurants are a short walk away. See above for Shoal Bay East beach description and restaurants recommendations on the beach or a drive away. 

SnorkelingShoal Bay Villa loans snorkel gear and in a closet by the pool they have beach toys for the kids and ocean flotations. Pretty nice snorkeling (see photo) is just out to the right on the far side of the close reef.

 

View from our Room - Shoal Bay Villas
Shoal Bay Villas offers a variety of accommodations at different price levels - all air conditioned with covered balconies or patios and full kitchens equipped with a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, stove, blender, and coffee maker. We chose a one-bedroom villa closest to the ocean view. The view to the ocean (see photo) was amazing and wonderful for sitting with a cocktail, having breakfast, or enjoying wonderful sunsets. The staff is very helpful with restaurant reservations and other suggestions to make your visit to Anguilla special. Get this: you are assigned your own private beach lounges with shade so no need to get up early and reserve a spot.

Flag of Anguilla
Brief History of Anguilla… Anguilla was inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples before European colonization and introduction of slavery. The British took control of the island in the 17th century, integrating Anguilla into their colonial holdings in the Caribbean. In 1967, Anguilla became part of the Associated State of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla under British administration. In 1980, dissatisfaction with the government led to the Anguilla Revolution, which resulted in the island's secession and its status as a separate self-governing British Overseas Territory.

Like so many return Anguilla visitors we have vowed to return to this secluded beauty and laid back vibes of what the Caribbean used to be!

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WONDERFUL SWISS HOLIDAY Golden Pass Train (Montreux - Interlaken - Lucerne) and Chocolate Train (6/4 -13/2024)

Golden Pass Train - Switzerland
This could be one of your favorite trips - it was for us. The famous Golden Pass train ride takes you through unforgettable breath-taking landscapes traveling through some of the most stunning scenery in beautiful Switzerland (see photo). You can stop along the way to have wonderful visits at some of the best cities in Switzerland - see below for a wonderful Swiss vacation itinerary.

Beautiful Swiss Countryside
The Golden Pass panoramic train cars feature large windows that stretch up to the ceiling. Seats are very comfortable, both in first and second class. The total trip without stopping is 5.5 hours. Reserving seats is required. Although not as special as the Golden Pass, the regular Swiss trains are great running along the same route and require no seat reservation.

Breakfast - Golden Pass Train
The Golden Pass food service is excellent prepared fresh on the train. Travelers on the Golden Pass train can pre-order local and international dishes and enjoy it during the journey. Options range from drinks, breakfast (see photo), snacks, and local cheese/meat plates served at your seat where you have a table.

Beautiful Swiss Lake and Village
The Golden Pass train travels between French-speaking Montreux and German-speaking Lucerne. It is operated by two different train companies - MOB between Montreux - Interlaken and Zentralbahn between Interlaken - Lucerne. 

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces - Swiss Riviera

From Montreux, the scenic route runs along the shores of Lake Geneva, past the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (see photo) and many impressive castles to the peaks of the Gstaad region and the Simmental Valley. You can travel this route either on the modern panoramic train or on the recreated Golden Pass Belle Epoque train with upholstered seats that operates year round.

Quaint Swiss Villages Along Lakes
Between Interlaken - Lucerne, you will take the Luzern-Interlaken Express. You will enjoy beautiful scenery (see photo), including many picturesque lakes such as the Lake Sarner, Lake Lungern, Lake Brienz, and Lake Geneva. The trains are comfortable. Most offer large panoramic windows and some have catering.

Zurich's Beautiful Old Town

The following is a wonderful 2-week Swiss holiday going either way taking the Golden Pass panoramic trains when convenient. If you plan stops along the way (and you should), the regular Swiss trains are great, have more flexible schedules, and run along the same route. 

Lucerne's Wonderful Old Town

If you have less time you can eliminate a stop. Geneva and Zurich have excellent flight schedules available. Click on these links to see great things to do, where to stay and eat, and special attractions that we enjoyed in these amazing cities…

Geneva - 2 nights
Montreux & Chocolate Train - 3 nights
Interlaken - 3 nights
Lucerne - 3 nights
Zurich - 3 nights
Note: we visited Geneva and Interlaken on previous trips before we started this Travel Blog.

Golden Pass Prestige Train
Here is the information about booking the Golden Pass and Chocolate trains that should help you save a LOT of time... and frustration! These special trains do book out early, especially during the busy season, so try starting 93 days ahead and every day after. I found starting a couple of days before that sometimes worked. Don’t worry if you miss the panoramic trains because regular Swiss trains are great and will have seats available.

The Golden Pass is run by two separate train companies...

The Montreux-Interlaken Ost Golden Pass train can be booked on the MOB website . Both sides of the train are very nice. The best views are on the left side of the train when traveling Interlaken-Montreux and right side if traveling Montreux-Interlaken).

The Interlaken Ost-Luzern Golden Pass train between Interlaken Ost and Lucerne can be booked directly via the Zentralbahn.

Here you can find more information about the Golden Pass train. Here is a good website to learn to best way to book the famous Swiss panoramic trains rides. Also, the Swiss train website is wonderful for researching and booking regular Switzerland trains well as the panoramic trains.

Pretty Village of Gruyeres & Castle

From Montreux, we enjoyed the MOB Swiss Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat) even though most the trip is on a bus (only 45 minutes is by train). This 7-hour excursion takes you through beautiful Swiss countryside to experience how Swiss chocolate and Gruyere cheese are made with lots of sampling. Then you are taken to the beautiful traffic-free medieval village of Gruyères, the cheese capital of Switzerland. You are given 2 hours to explore this quaint village, have lunch, and visit the castle.

Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat)

You board the Chocolate Train at the Montreux train station on the 1915 Golden Pass Bell Epoque train where you are taken back in time to the plush velvety seats and ornate bar cars. While watching incredible views along Lake Geneva you get into the chocolate mood being served hot chocolate, chocolate, and pastries. Click on this link for more information about the Chocolate Train: (Montreux & Chocolate Train). The Chocolate train out of Montreux can be booked on this MOB website (note: don't worry about the "Montreux, gare" destination because it is round trip back to Montreux).

Map of Switzerland Panoramic Trains
Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities.

Lovely Swiss Lakeside Villages - Golden Pass
Note: You may have some trouble using your credit cards. This may be caused by increased fraud alerts. If you have troubles, call your credit card company and 1) put in your travel dates, 2) ask for 3-D security clearance, 3) maybe a higher fraud alert, and 4) what they suggest to fix the problem. I found the fraud alert department to be much more knowledgeable than the regular contact number folks who didn't solve the problem.

We had a wonderful time on our Swiss adventure on the Golden Pass panoramic trains visiting some of the best cities in Switzerland!

Please see other great place in Switzerland, Click on these links... 

Zurich Switzerland

Lucerne Switzerland 

Lugano Switzerland

Zermatt Switzerland 

Montreux & Chocolate Train Switzerland 

St. Moritz Switzerland

Brig Switzerland 

Chur Switzerland

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Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From aformer Economic professor, experienced traveler(106 countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, and experienced traveler (106 countries), our popular 5-star customer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home reveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost for alltrips from weekend getaways to longer vacations and trips, experience more adventureand romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklists, travel the world for lessthan $100/day for a couple, and much more!
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Switzerland Zermatt (6/2-4/2024)

Zermatt Town & Matterhorn
Zermatt is a popular ski and summer resort town at the base of one of the world’s most iconic mountains, the famous Matterhorn. During the warmer months, the gorgeous mountains, crystal clear lakes, and accessible trails make Zermatt a paradise for outdoor adventures. German-speaking Zermatt is especially renowned for being a ski paradise, but there’s so much more to this place. Zermatt is a car-free village where the only traffic noise you hear is from small electric taxis and an occasional mountain train. English is spoken everywhere.

Hikes Around Zermatt Are Wonderful
With only few streets, the compact village of Zermatt is a very walkable town with everything just a few minutes away. Once you arrive in Zermatt, there are small electric shuttle taxis that can pick you up from the train station and hotels. There is a hotel phone directory at the station so you can call many of the hotels to come pick you up. Zermatt’s tourist office is located at the train station where you can get maps, ask questions, and book excursions.

BahnhofstrasseZermatt’s pedestrian streets, Swiss-style chalets, and small shops and restaurants make the town wonderful for wandering. One of the nice things to do in Zermatt is to walk down Bahnhofstrasse, the picturesque main street that leads from the Zermatt Railway Station to the parish church of St Mauritius in the main town square of Zermatt (see photo). 

Zermatt's Bahnhofstrasse Street
Along the Bahnhofstrasse pedestrian street is a number of Zermatt’s best hotels, boutique shops, and restaurants offering world-class mountain cuisine. There are still many of the quaint older buildings making it a beautiful stroll (see photo)`. Check out the Bown Cow restaurant for a more laid back experience.

HinterdorfstrasseAs you walk through Zermatt town, it is worth making an interesting detour down Hinterdorfstrasse. This short street is the oldest part of Zermatt home to the traditional buildings that are found throughout the Valais region of Switzerland (see photo).

Beautiful Matterhorn Mountain - Zermatt
The Matterhorn mountain is Zermatt’s main attraction and can be seen from the town. With its unique pyramidal shape, the 14,692-foot high Matterhorn is one of the most recognizable mountains in the world and one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe (see photo). A great view is available from the top of the tower of Zermatt’s St. Mauritius Church at the end of the main street Bahnhofstrasse where there is a viewing platform with a telescope. The tower is accessible outside the church.

Matterhorn Museum & St. Mauritius Church
Next to the St. Mauritius Church is the interesting Matterhorn Museum (see photo). The entrance looks like a giant glass igloo. You first learn about how the first successful assent ended in disaster. Then you walk down the stairs and are taken back in time to another world seeing how life was 150 years ago in the village of Zermatt with original old houses and historic artifacts. It is a good place to learn more about Zermatt’s history and it has interactive displays about the many mountaineers that climbed the Matterhorn with the difference paths they took. The movie is interesting to watch.

View from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
A short walk from central Zermatt, three breathtaking gondola rides (see photo below) take you to the very fun Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (12,740 feet) in about 45 minutes. It is the highest easily accessible mountain station you can visit in Europe. From the viewing platform there are spectacular vistas of the Matterhorn and 360° panoramic view of 38 other mountain peaks and 14 glaciers in Switzerland, France, and Italy, including the Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in the Alps. 

Matterhorn Glacier Palace
At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise you can have an unforgettable experience at Glacier Palace, located inside the glacier deep under the ice (see photo). You walk through man-made ice tunnels and see all kinds of impressive ice sculptures. There is also a slide inside an ice tunnel – fun for the young and young at heart.

Zermatt from Gondola Ride
Also at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is Europe’s highest picture house, the Cinema Lounge. Visitors are introduced to Zermatt’s fascinating Alpine world, with about 30 minutes of five captivating film sequences titled Mountains Around Zermatt, Seasons of Zermatt, Wildlife Around Zermatt, Cable Cars to Paradise, and World of Ice and Snow. The Cinema Lounge is included in your ticket price.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Restaurant
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise has a nice restaurant (the highest mountain restaurant in Europe) and a souvenir shop (see photo). It is a wonderful place to warm up between visits of the main features here. When you arrive turn left for the Cinema Lounge and right for the Glacier Palace and restaurant. You can purchase a ticket just for the first gondola ride getting off at Furi and take a nice 1.5-hour hike back down to Zermatt. During the summer, the sunrise trips are magical.

Dress warmly… No matter what time of the year you visit Zermatt, there is always snow the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. People come to ski at Klein Matterhorn even in summer.   

Map Gornegrat Railway
Another popular excursion in Zermatt is to ride the very scenic 33-minute cogwheel train Gornergrat Railway (GCB) to Gornergrat (10,285 feet) where you can get an even better view of the Matterhorn as well as the second largest glacier in the Alps (Gorner Glacier) and Switzerland’s highest peak (Dufourspitze). Along the way, you will enjoy a great view of Zermatt. Sit on the right side going up for the best view. The train leaves from the yellow building (station) across from the main train station in Zermatt.

Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Mountain
At Gornergrat, you should explore all the viewing platforms, hike the easy 360° Scenic Loop glacier walk (just 20 minutes), visit Zooom the Matterhorn experience (different interactive stations allow you to experience the Matterhorn up close and personal), and check out the shops and restaurant at Gornergrat Kulmhotel.

Map of Zermatt's Mountain Excursions
You can get on and off Zermatt’s Gornergrat Railway at several places where there are hiking trails and hotels. Rotenboden, the last stop before arriving at the top, is an interesting one to consider because you can visit the alpine garden and take the scenic 10-15 minute hike to Lake Riffelsee for one of the best views of the Matterhorn and, in the summer, get the famous photo of it reflected in the lake. You can beat the crowds going to Gornergrat by starting early.

It is possible to do both the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat on the same day and you can purchase single excursion or combined tickets. 

Sunnegga Zermatt's Beach
From another station a short walk above Zermatt town, a 4.5-minute cable car takes you to the Sunnegga Viewpoint (7,507 feet) where you can get a great view of the Matterhorn. During the summer it is great for families with its children’s playground, Zermatt’s Beach playing on the big raft (see photo), downhill mountain carts, and the Marmot’s playground. During the winter, skiers and snowboarders can continue on with gondolas, chairlifts, and the cable car up to the Rothorn ski area. Check the webcams to determine if clouds may obstruct your view.

Matterhorn from Zermatt Town
Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will find Zermatt a paradise with its almost 250 miles of beautiful hiking opportunities ranging from the Gorner gorge wooden walkway, a unique wonder of nature good for families and accessible from 20-minute walk from town to to the more changeling Matterhorn Glacier Trail (2 hour, 4 miles) and 5 Lakes Walk (2.5 hours, 6 miles). You can research your options on the tourist office website (www.zermatt.ch).

Switzerland has some of the freshest water and you can drink the delicious tap water in Zermatt. Make sure that you take a reusable water bottle, especially if you will be hiking all day.

Summer is Beautiful in Zermatt
Getting to Zermatt arriving by car: Täsch is the ‘jumping off’ point for everyone visiting Zermatt by car. From here you will need to either travel by train or taxi the rest of the way to Zermatt. If you have your own car, there are plenty of companies offering park and ride packages where they will take you by taxi to the entrance of Zermatt. The most popular method of transport is the Täsch – Zermatt shuttle train. The train only takes 12 minutes and runs frequently everyday so no need to book.

Lindt Chocolate - Yum!
Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities including Zermatt.

Map Zermatt
We enjoyed our our stay at the Hotel ZERMANA . This is a classy hotel with very nice modern rooms located over the sounds of a tranquil river and a 9 minute walk to Zermatt’s main street and train station. The location is walkable to Zermatt’s train excursions. Call from the the hotel directory at the train station and they will come and pick you up. 

Fur Coats Are Fun at Hotel Zermana
The restaurant at Hotel Zermana is very nice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The outside setting for drinks is wonderful. The fake fur bear ropes (see photo) are so cool to enjoy sitting out on their balcony. The friendly staff is excellent and will offer good suggestions for thing to do. Internet was good. We like the romantic soft lighting and fire glowing (TV screen saver) adding to the warm cozy decor. The full length windows and large balcony added to a spacial feeling.

While visiting Zermatt, it is nice to use some Essential German phrases:

Thank you – Danke (dan-kuh)
You’re welcome – Bitteschön (bit-tuh-shun)
Please, excuse me, or pardon – Bitte (bit-tuh)
Yes – Ja (jah)
No – Nein (nine)
Hello – Hallo (hallo)
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen (Owf Veeder-sane)
German – Deutsch (“doych”)

We loved our visit to beautiful Zermatt!

See Other Wonderful Places in Switzerland, Click on these links:

Zurich Switzerland

Lucerne Switzerland 

Lugano Switzerland

Montreux & Chocolate Train Switzerland 

St. Moritz Switzerland

Chur Switzerland

Brig Switzerland

 

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Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From a former Economic professor, experienced traveler (106countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, our popular 5-star customer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home reveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost for alltrips, experience more adventureand romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklist, travel the world for lessthan $100/day for a couple, and much more!
Buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as Ebook for $9.99), CLICK HERE

Switzerland Zurich (6/10-13/2024)

Zurich's Beautiful Old Town
It is a pleasure to wander around Zurich’s well-preserved Old Town with its beautiful medieval 12th-century buildings (see photo). There are wonderful restaurants, shops, cafes, and iconic sites such as the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches built more than 800 years ago. Zurich’s Old Town is picturesque bordered by a beautiful river and lake and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. This beautiful city center is very walkable and has an excellent public transportation system.

River View to Lake Zurich
German-speaking Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the major financial and cultural hub of central Europe. It is considered one of the world’s most livable cities because of its booming economy, beautiful old town and natural setting, and variety of cultural attractions. English is spoken everywhere.

Luxury Brand Stores on Bahnhofstrasse
Zurich’s very walkable compact city center offers great shopping including international luxury brand stores (see photo) on its main street Bahnhofstrasse. It is often called one of the world's most expensive shopping street. 

Zeughauskeller Restaurant
Bahnhofstrasse stretches from the train station to Lake Zurich and is the perfect walk for shopping, lunch, cafes, and restaurants. Window shopping alone is fun. There are also old historic Swiss stores along this shopping street. We liked Cafe Sprungli at #21 Bahnhofstrasse for wonderful chocolate, macarons, and gourmet sandwiches. If you want to step back in time, at #28, Zeughauskeller, originally built in 1487, serves hearty Swiss cuisine in a traditional vintage ambience (see photo).

Beautiful Augustinergasse Street
Rennweg and Augustinergasse are two beautiful streets that lead off from Bahnhofstrasse to Zurich’s Altstdt Old Town. We particularly liked Augustinergasse street starting across from the Cartier store on Bahnhofstrasse. It is a very picturesque cobblestone lane full of quaint boutiques and good restaurants (see photo). 

Old Town Alstdt
It is wonderful to wander around the Old Town Alstdt around St. Peter’s Church and its picturesque square St Peterhofstatt, with its small winding lanes, tall church steeples, and charming squares (see photo). There are many boutique shops and restaurants at every turn.

Lindenhof Park - Old Town Altstdt
Lindenhof is a quiet park located in the Altstdt (see photo). Its elevated position provides a nice view of Zurich’s charming old town and the Limmat River. It is a good place for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing picnic beneath the many trees.

Hirschen-Platz - Neiderdorf Area
Across the river from Bahnhofstrasse, the pedestrian Niederdorf area surrounding Niederdorf street is nice to wander with charming cobblestone streets and interesting boutique stores. Niederdoftstrasse street is a popular nightlife spot with numerous restaurants, bars, and pubs. One of the nicest squares in Niederdorf is Hirschen-Platz with many outdoor seating cafes (see photo). 

Zurich Lakeside Promenade
On a nice day, it is a pleasure to stroll along the Limmat River on the Limmatquai Riverfront. You can take in the stunning views of the river and Lake Zurich, with the Rathaus and Grossmünster in the background. When wandering Zurich’s Old Town, be sure to ‘get lost’ in some of the beautiful side streets and alleys full of unique boutique shops.

Frau Gerolds Garden - Zurich West
Trendy Zurich West also has many dining options from traditional Swiss dishes to international cuisine. The real partying happens on Langstrasse street in West Zurich, where you will find nightclubs with well-known DJs and great bars. If you like funky hang-out places with a fun vibe and good food and drinks, give Frau Gerolds Garden a try (see photo). It is about a 45-minute walk from Zurich’s city centre so you may want to use local transportation or Uber. The nearby Viadukt features many locally owned artistic shops, cafes, and a food hall in a unique enjoyable atmosphere - no big brand names here.

Fraumunster Church - Zurich
Zurich’s main churches are located close to each other in the Old Town. Fraumünster Church, dating back almost 1,200 years, has beautiful stained glass windows (see photo). Münsterhof square in front of Fraumunster is a good place to relax and watch the world go at one of the cafes with outdoor seating (see photo below). 

St. Peter's Church - Old Town
St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is one of the city’s oldest churches dating back to the 9th century. Its most distinctive feature is the giant 13th-century tower clock face that is the largest in Europe at 29 feet in diameter. You can see this clock from many places in Zurich’s Old Town (see photo).

Münsterhof Square by FraumunsterThe twin-towered Grossmunster Church with its large clock face has an interesting history. According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city’s patron saints, Felix and Regula, and had a church built in the 16th century as a monastery. It was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation. The theological college, then annexed to the monastery, started what is now the University of Zürich. Climbing the 187 steps up the tower yields a fantastic view across the city and Lake Zurich.

Bauschanzli Beer Garden
When exploring Zurich, enjoying a good German-style beer garden is a treat and the Bauschanzli offers a nice experience. Located near the lake boat docks (Burkliplatz) where Lake Zurich joins the River Limmat, Bauschanzli a miniature island in the river with a cozy beer garden under large chestnut trees (see photo). It has great views of the Old Town and river. The food and drinks are good.

Map of Zurich Switzerland

The Opera House along the lake is one of Zurich's best-known landmarks offering a range of music from traditional opera to the modern music of today. Every year it has large open-air performances, such as “Opera for All” and “Ballet for All”. Many events are held in the large plaza, Sechselauten-Platz, in front of the Opera House including a Christmas market, fairs, concerts, and a circus. Most notably, the spring Sechseläuten festival, that includes a traditional burning of the Boogg snowman to see how hot summer will be. When you visit, there might be some going on there.

 

Swiss National Museum - Zurich Switzerland
Zurich’s Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum), located behind the train station, is reminiscent of a fairytale castle (see photo). Inside you will find a large modern building. It has the largest collection documenting the cultural history of Switzerland (handicrafts, everyday objects, sculptures, and paintings from prehistory to the present day). It is full of interesting multimedia presentations and interactive displays taking you from the ancient origins of Switzerland to modern days. Audio guides in multiple languages are available on a rental device or via the ‘National Museum’ smartphone app. If you want to go straight to modern history that covers the world wars period, go to the “History of Switzerland” exhibition.

Village on Lake Cruise
Zurich is located on the north end of Lake Zurich and the Limmatt River cuts through the old town so water is a big feature of Zurich city. Doing a boat cruise is a great relaxing way to see some of the city and surrounding areas. Located right in town, Lake Zurich is one of the easiest lakes in Switzerland to access. You can enjoy a boat cruise choosing from different tours (some include dining cruises) viewing the beautiful shoreline and villages.

Lakeside Village
Boarding behind the National Museum (Landesmuseum), you can do an hour-long Limmat River boat cruise viewing some of Zurich Old Town's picturesque sites mentioned above as well as charming riverside villages (see photo). The Limmat River Cruises operate between April and October.

Lake Boat Cruises Map
We enjoyed the Short Lake Cruise operating from the lake boat docks at Burkliplatz where you can purchase tickets. It is a 90-minute loop around the north end of Lake Zurich going past beautiful landscape, lakeside villages, and pretty Swiss buildings. You can hop on and off the boat at any of the stops (see lake map). You can also combine this cruise with a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate (see below) at the Kilchberg ZH stop. Meals and drinks are available on board. In addition, there is a 2.3-hour boat cruise to the historical town of Rapperswil.

Rapperswil's Main Square
We enjoyed a day excursion to beautiful Rapperswil where you can wander car-free quaint alleys of its well-preserved medieval old town, explore the medieval 13-century Schloss Rapperswil Castle, and take pleasure seeing and smelling the 15,000 rose plants in the public gardens (see photo). The boutique stores were wonderful. We enjoyed having lunch at Caffe Klatsch in the main square. 

Rapperswil 'City of Roses'
Rapperswil is aptly named the ‘City of Roses’. You will find roses everywhere… do stop and ‘smell the roses'. You can find a delightful rose garden by taking Kluggasse street to the Restaurant Quellenhof next to the rose garden (see photo). We visited Rapperswill with a 36-minute train ride from Zurich train station. It can be combined with a boat cruise and train ride.

Lindt Lindt Home of Chocolate
While in Zurich, Chocolate lovers should not miss the Lindt Home of Chocolate. The museum has interactive displays and tours highlighting the history and production of Lindt chocolate. It has the largest chocolate store in the world selling many types of chocolate not sold in the U.S. - bet you won’t be able resist. You will see a fantastic 30-foot-tall chocolate fountain (see photo) with over a ton of chocolate being pumped throughout the day! You can also watch chocolate being made and sample some for free.

Lindt Home of Chocolate is a very popular excursion in Zurich so you should book reservations well ahead. It is located about 4 miles from downtown Zurich. In addition to the lake boat cruise mentioned above, Swiss Railways offers a train to Fitchburg ZH every 15 minutes and there is a bus from Burkliplatz every 30 minutes.

Swiss National Museum
For art and history, Zürich has more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries making it an attractive place for appreciating past and contemporary art. The Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) showcases art and artifacts with pieces from Monet to Picasso (see photo). There is more to see at Kunsthaus Zurich offering one of the most important collections of art in the Switzerland as well as special exhibitions. In 2021, it opened a new wing making it Switzerland’s largest art museum.

View from Uetliberg Mountain
For an adventure, consider a trip out of town to Uetliberg Mountain, a small mountain on the southwest edge of Zurich city that offers panoramic views of the city and the lake (see photo). On clear days, you can see the Swiss Alps. There are well-marked scenic hiking trails. You can take the 25-minute S10 train ride from Zurich main train station to the Uetliberg station. A 10-minute walk from this station leads to the summit, where you will discover the hotel and restaurant Uto Klum.

Oberer Letten Swimming Area
In summer, Lake Zurich is a paradise for sunbathers along Lake Zurich. The outdoor bathing facilities at Wollishofen, Mythenquai, Utoquai, and Tiefenbrunnen are popular. There are other spots along the lake to take a refreshing dip. For a unique experience, you can float down the river at the Oberer Letten swimming area (see photo). This official swimming area has changing rooms, toilets, food, and lots of places to lounge along a long stretch long stretch of the Limmat river.

Upscale Hotel on Bahnhofstrasse
Fun fact:  Zurich has over 1,200 drinking fountains throughout the city allowing you to stay hydrated wherever you go and eliminating the need for single-use plastic water bottles. You can join the free walking tour of downtown Zurich which starts at Paradeplatz at 11AM. This tour is in English and gives a great overview of the main sights. Tip the tour guide at the end.

Food Zurich
In August, Zurich hosts one of Europe’s largest street carnivals, the Street Parade. Food Zurich food festival is held in early June (see photo). On Tuesdays and Fridays from 6-11, you can visit the farmer’s market at Zürich Bürkliplatz, right near the lake. It’s a great place to see local residents and seasonal produce.

Swiss Chocolate - Yum!
Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It goes mostly to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities, including Zurich.

Tram on Bahnofstrasse
The best time to visit Zurich is the months of May, June, and September. The weather in these months is nice and it is not as busy with tourists as in July and August. To get in the festive mood during Christmas, visit early to mid-December when Zurich comes alive with Christmas markets and decorations.

Neiderdorf Area from Lindenhof Park
We enjoyed staying at the Best Western Plus Hotel Zürcherhof. The location is wonderful making it easy to to visit Zurich’s main attractions in a few minutes walking time, including about a 15-minute walk from the train station. It is located in the very nice pedestrian Niederdorf area mentioned above with nice restaurants and shopping just minutes away (see photo). They make you feel at home with a friendly and helpful staff, a nice breakfast with made-to-order eggs, free mini-bar with beer and drinks, and free deserts and ice cream available in the lobby. The rooms are smaller but very comfortable with modern conveniences and good Internet.

While visiting Zurich, it is nice to use Essential German phrases:
Thank you – Danke (dan-kuh)
You’re welcome – Bitteschön (bit-tuh-shun)
Please, excuse me, or pardon – Bitte (bit-tuh)
Yes – Ja (jah)
No – Nein (nine)
Hello – Hallo (hallo)
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen (Owf Veeder-sane)
German – Deutsch (“doych”)

We loved our visit to Zurich!

See other great places in Switzerland, Click on these links:

Lucerne Switzerland 

Lugano Switzerland

Zermatt Switzerland 

Montreux & Chocolate Train Switzerland 

St. Moritz Switzerland

Chur Switzerland

Brig Switzerland 

  Please enjoy 250+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE on the right ---->




Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From a former Economic professor, experienced traveler (106countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, our popular 5-starcustomer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home reveals secrets how you can travel andsee more for half the cost for all trips from weekend getaways to longervacations and trips, experience more adventure and romance, safely realize yourtravel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklists, travel theworld for less than $100/day for a couple, and much more!  Buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as Ebook for $9.99), CLICK HERE  

Lucerne, Switzerland (6/7-10/2024)

Beautiful Lucerne Switzerland!

WOW… Lucerne is Beautiful with so many fun things to do! Lucerne is a wonderful city to walk around and is known for its beautiful Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, and snow-capped mountains. Exceptionally well preserved and set to the backdrop of beautiful Mount Pilatus, German-speaking Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s prettiest cities (see photo). English is spoken everywhere.

Lucerne's Wonderful Old Town
Compact, pedestrian-only, and easy to explore, there are delightful walks along the lake, river, and though the old town. A good place to start your exploration of Lucerne is walking along the Old Town (Alstadt) banks of the Reuss River (see photo). It truly feels like taking a step back in time with its historic architecture beautifully preserved. 

Walking Tour of Lucerne
Lucerne's Old Town is filled with picturesque squares, water fountains, covered bridges, elegant historic buildings with colorful façades, amazing churches, and interesting attractions. See the Lucerne Walking Tour Map (see map) for a nice way to link up many of Lucerne’s attractions described below.

Lucerne's Upscale Shopping
While you are visiting Lucerne’s main sites, enjoy just strolling through the narrow car-free cobblestone streets lined with designer shops and small restaurants, many with outdoor seating. For a beautiful setting, we enjoyed the restaurants along the river. Some of Lucerne’s best upscale shopping is located along Hertenstrasse, Grendel, and Weggisgasse Streets Riverside Promanade - Lucerne
located north of the river (see photo). The window showing alone is worthwhile. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings 6AM-1PM there is a farmers’ market along both banks of the Reuss River selling locally produced vegetables, cheese, bread, and flowers.

Lucerne Town Hall (Rathaus)
In Lucerne’s Old Town, many beautiful buildings are located on both sides of the Reuss River - I gave my camera a workout snapping beautiful photos. Among them is the Town Hall of Lucerne (Altes Rathaus), one of the city’s oldest structures dating back to 1602. Located in the Kornmarkt square, this Italian Renaissance style landmark dominates the city’s skyline and worth a stop to admire its Italian Renaissance architecture and ornate door. There is a 14-century clock tower located here - you can’t miss it. 

Weinmaarkt - Lucerne
Another beautiful square to visit is the Weinmaarkt where you shouldn’t miss the beautiful 1481 Gothic fountain and the painted guild halls. It is fun to get ‘lost’ around here through the side streets and alleys.

Famous Chapel Bridge - Lucerne
Be sure to cross Lucerne’s famous pedestrian bridge Chapel Bridge (Kappelbrücke), a 669-foot wooden footbridge and over the Reuss River with a stone Water Tower dating back to the 12th-century (see photo). It is the oldest covered wooden bridge in the world and the most photographed monument in Switzerland. 

Painting Inside Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge is decorated with flowers and interesting paintings inside that narrate the history of Lucerne and Switzerland (see photo). The gaveled roof is modern construction after the fire in 1993. With a great view of Chapel Bridge, it is fun to enjoy cheese fondue at one of the charming waterfront restaurants along the river.

Pat Enjoying Swiss Fondue Along River
Fondue is a melted Swiss cheese dish served in a pot over a heated lamp and eaten by dipping bread into it. While in Lucerne you should also try Rosti, a typical Swiss dish for lunch or dinner made from grated potatoes that are fried crispy and golden brown and can be served with bacon, cheese, or eggs.

Spreuer Bridge - Dance of Death Paintings
There were 3 wooden bridges in Lucerne. The two surviving are the Chapel Bridge and the Spreuer Bridge. Spreuer Bridge, completed in 1408, is the shorter version of the Chapel Bridge. They both have triangular gable paintings. The ones in the Spreuer Bridge are special because they are one of the largest collections (68) of Dance of Death (Danse Macabre) paintings in the world - pretty strange to view (see photo). From Spreuer  Bridge you have great views up the Reuss River and some parts of the old town most people miss.

Lucerne's City Walls
Lucerne’s Old Town is very close to the medieval city walls and nine towers (Museggmauer - Musegg Wall) where you can walk the walls between the towers (see photo). You can climb to the top of the open towers for one of the best views of Lucerne. Be sure not to miss the clock tower on the Zyt tower built in 1534. It is the oldest clock in Lucerne.

Jesuit Church - Lucerne, Switzerland
The Jesuit Church (Jesuiten-kirche) (see photo) by the Reuss River, established around 1666, is one of the most beautiful churches in Switzerland, especially inside (see photo) - it is amazing! The interior is decorated with beautiful intricate rococo stucco designs that are impressive and showcase the culture of Catholicism. For church lovers, there are two other noteworthy ones in Lucerne to visit: Franciscan Church (Franziskaner-kirche) and St. Leodegar Church. Beautiful Inside Jesuit Church

Museum Luzern displaying nature and the history of Lucerne and Central Switzerland is interesting.  For art lovers, especially Picasso lovers, a stroll around the Rosengart Museum in Lucerne's Old Town will be of interest.

Boat Cruise on Lake Lucerne
If the weather is good, you can take a wonderful boat trip on beautiful Lake Lucerne or Reuss River enjoying the views of the alps, pretty lakeside/river villages, and the historical places along the shoreline. There are two companies to choose from. SNG’s hour-long boat river cruise leaves near Schwanenplatz on the opposite side of the river from the train station. You can purchase tickets at the boat dock.

SGV Lake Lucerne Boat Rides
One of the highlights of the region, around Lake Lucerne, SGV (lakelucerne.ch) operates five historic paddle steamers and several elegant saloon motor vessels taking passengers.
Operating near the train station, breakfast, lunch, and dinner cruises are available. 

Weggis - Village Along Lake Lucerne
For a fun excursion you can take a 45-minute cruise from Pier 1 to quaint villages like Weggis (see photo) and Vitznau (and Mount Rigi). You can also have lunch or visit Mount Rigi and return to Lucerne on the next boat. Tickets are sold on every boat as well as at the ticket office at the piers in Lucerne.

Lion of Lucerne Monument
Just a short walk from the Lucerne’s old town in Löwenplatz, where the St. Leodegar Church is located, the 33 feet long Lion of Lucerne Monument (Löwendenkmal) is a renowned Lucerne site. Carved into a large rock face in a charming park, it depicts a dying lion sculpture commemorating almost 1,000 Swiss soldiers who lost their lives during the French Revolution in 1792 protecting King Louis XVI in the Storming of the Tuileries in Paris. It is visited by about 1.4 million people every year. Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne Monument as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” There is no charge to visit.

Bourkaki Panorama - Lucerne, Switzerland
We very much enjoyed Lucerne’s Bourbaki Panorama located near the Lion Monument. It is a fascinating historical artwork with a message of Peace showing the horrors of war. This circular painting, 330 feet in circumference, portrays the retreat of General Charles Denis Bourbaki’s French army during the Franco-Prussian War and the care the Swiss people offered the almost 90,000 starving soldiers. Housed in a custom-built rotunda, it offers an immersive experience viewed from various angles (see photo). It incorporates 3D figures that blend seamlessly with the painting.

Swiss House Museum - Glacier Garden
Also located in this area is Lucerne’s Glacier Garden housing a variety of geological and paleontological exhibits along with diverse flora showcasing rock formations resulting from glacial erosion during the Ice Age. Start your visit at the Felsenwelt, an interesting geologically designed entrance portal showing the history of the Earth as old as 1 billion years. Importantly, an elevator at the end takes you up to the Alpine Park at the top with to a lookout tower and you can walk down the garden instead of up the many stairs.

Mirror Maze - Glacier Garden
We found other attractions at the Glacier Garden even more interesting than the garden. The Mirror Maze provides entertainment for all ages (see photo). Built in 1896, it is a hall of 51 mirrors and is good fun to find you way through the labyrinth. The Sandstone Pavilion offers visitors a 13-minute film explaining the Glacier Garden and highlights the climate, earth, and tourism history of Central Switzerland. The Swiss House Museum has a nice collection showing life in the 1800’s. Of interest are the numerous historical landscape reliefs, such as the glacier relief in the glacier salon (Pfyffer Relief).

Swiss Museum of Transport - Space
We thoroughly enjoyed spending a day at Lucerne’s wonderful Verkehrshaus entertainment complex located close to the Old Town. Here the Swiss Museum of Transport is the most visited museum in Switzerland. Actually it is five separate fabulous  museums: Aviation and Space (see photo), Navigation and Tourism, Road Transport, Rail Transport, and Energy. Each one is very well done with interesting interactive exhibits and displays in multiple languages, including English. They have lots of actual airplanes, helicopters, race cars, cars, trains, boats, space travel, and even a submarine. The list goes on and on… Amazing! There is also much for children to do in each museum (see photo).

Lots to Do for Kids & Adults - Museum of Transport
Verkehrshaus has other great attractions such as the 3-D IMAX Cinema (Filmtheatre), Planetarium, Media World Experience, and Swiss Chocolate Adventure. Spending the day, we saw three very good IMAX shows in their large very nice theatre with an headset offering multiple languages, including English. The Planetarium is special and you can have interesting experiences at Media World Experience like virtual reality of high diving.

Swiss Chocolate Adventure - Verkehrshaus Lucerne
Verkehrshaus’ fun Swiss Chocolate Adventure is a 20-minute multimedia ride done by Lindt Chocolate, one of Switzerland’s largest chocolate manufacturers. It is like a Disneyland ride taking you through the history and making of Swiss chocolate (see photo). As a lover of chocolate I found it interesting. You are treated to many chocolate samples during the ride and after at the Lindt store.

The Swiss Can Have Fun - Nude Statue
At Verkehrshaus you can purchase tickets for just the Transport Museum or a day pass for everything. Verkehrshaus is something to experience for all ages and especially good for rainy days and kids with very nice play areas - even a small train ride. From Old Town Lucerne, you can take a SGV 10-minute boat ride, 9-minute train from the station, or 13-bus line 6 to Verkehrshaus. It is also a nice walk 1-mile along the lake.

Excursion Up Mount Pilatus
Lucerne has good access to nature and panoramic views. A popular attraction in Lucerne is a gondola ride up to Mount Pilatus riding the gondola and aerial cablecar (see photo). The 30-minute gondola ride takes you to Fräkmüntegg. From there, you transfer to the 5-minute aerial cableway, known as the ‘Dragon Ride’, arriving 7,000 feet above sea level. The panoramic views over the lake and Alps are absolutely stunning. For the adventurous, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, the Pilatus Bahn, is in Lucerne where you can take an exciting 30-minute ride enjoying incredible vistas.

Cog Train to Mount Rigi
Another popular circular route involves a SGV boat trip from Lucerne to Vitznau and then a cogwheel train ascent up Mount Rigi (see photo). You can descend via the cogwheel train to Arth-Goldau and a regular Swiss train back to Lucerne.

City Train Luzern
City Train Luzern (see photo) offers 40-minute tourist highlights and history of Lucerne’s Old Town with brief information available in 16 languages. It leaves several time a day next to the Franciscan Church in the Franishaner Square.

For a fun touristy lunch or dinner show, Stadtkeller, located in the Lucerne’s Old Town, offers a show with flag throwing, yodeling, cowbells, and other Swiss traditional activities. It is very popular so book ahead.

Colorful Building - Lucerne
As an overnight hotel guest in a Lucerne city hotel, you can use all buses and trains within the city zone free of charge as well as many discounts on the attractions and boat cruises. Quality Swiss watches are available in Lucerne. If you want to pick up a high-end Swiss watch, this good place to do it.

Interesting fact: ‘Lucerne’ is the French way of spelling the city's name and most commonly used internationally, while ‘Luzern’ is the German version. The latter is most commonly seen on signposts around the city.

Wonderful Swiss Chocolate!
Another Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate in 2018 worth $1.7 billion. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities, including Lucerne.

Hotel Des Alpes Luzern
We enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Des Alpes Luzern (see photo). The location could not be better in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town on the Reiss River next to the famous Chapel Bridge and 15-minute walk from the train station. Views from the river side are fabulous. The restaurant is very nice and it is especially nice to sit outside viewing the river and beautiful buildings. Breakfast is nice covered by vouchers provided for any meal and the Internet is good. The staff was helpful making suggestions and answering questions to make our exploration of Lucerne even more fun. The rooms are on the smaller side but efficient. There is no air conditioning - could be problematic to sleep comfortably during warmer months.

Pop Up Band - Lucerne, Switzerland
The best time to visit Lucerne is in the months of May, June, and September. The weather in these months is nice and it is not as busy with tourists as in July or August. To get in a festive mood during Christmas, visit early to mid-December when Lucerne comes alive with Christmas markets and decorations.

While visiting Lucerne, it is nice to use Essential German phrases:
Thank you – Danke (dan-kuh)
You’re welcome – Bitteschön (bit-tuh-shun)
Please, excuse me, or pardon – Bitte (bit-tuh)
Yes – Ja (jah)
No – Nein (nine)
Hello – Hallo (hallo)
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen (Owf Veeder-sane)
German – Deutsch (“doych”)

We loved our visit to Lucerne!

See Other Wonderful Places in Switzerland, Click on these links:

Zurich Switzerland

Lugano Switzerland

Zermatt Switzerland 

Montreux & Chocolate Train Switzerland 

St. Moritz Switzerland

Chur Switzerland

Brig Switzerland

 

Please enjoy 275+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE on the right ---->



Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From a former Economic professor, experienced traveler (106countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, our popular 5-star customer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home reveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost for alltrips from weekend getaways to longer vacations and trips, experience more adventureand romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklists, travel the world for lessthan $100/day for a couple, and much more!
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Lugano, Switzerland (5/23-26/2024)

Beautiful Lugano Switzerland!
Lugano a city you should visit in your exploration of Switzerland. It is surrounded by Lake Lugano with picturesque mountain landscapes, vibrant atmosphere, plentiful outdoor adventures, and appreciation for the arts. Visiting Lugano feels like you are visiting a beautiful town in Italy with many buildings in Lombardy style. You feel the Italian presence in the good food, language, fashions, and warm Mediterranean feel. Lugano has something to offer everyone with boat cruises to quaint lakeside villages, upscale shopping, beautiful churches, cultural events, and interesting museums. The Italian food and wine is delicious!

Lagano Lakeside Promenade
It’s a joy to stroll along Lugano’s lakeside Promenade with its spectacular views. The compact car-free town center provides a laid-back feel. Lugano has the ambiance of a resort town and is easily walkable with squares and charming streets fanning from the lake.

Via Nessa Street - Lugano
Paralleling the Promenade is Via Nessa, Lugano’s upscale shopping street, where you will find high-end brand fashions, Swiss watches, and other beautiful items (see photo). Even the window shopping along this beautiful street is great. Although English is spoken everywhere, it is nice to greet locals by saying Buongiorno (bwon-jor-no) and they will make you feel welcome.

Piazzo Della Reiforma
Be sure to wander through the narrow streets and charming squares of Lugano’s historic center with its historic buildings, spectacular views, shops, cafes, and restaurants. Lugano’s old town center (Centro Storico) is small based around its two main squares located next to each other in front of the Promenade. Pretty Piazzo Della Riforma (see photo) is the main square where the Town Hall (Palazzo Civico) is located. Many nice restaurants and cafes are located here to have a drink or meal - the people watching is great.

Fountain at Piazza Monzani The big fountain at Piazza Monzani is unique (see photo). There are running water fountains throughout the old town where you can refill your water bottles. Lugano is known for its upscale shopping - spend some time visiting the boutiques and quaint shops. On Saturdays from 8AM – 5PM, there is flee market in the old town. Having some ice cream, especially along the lakeside Promenade, is a favorite pastime in Lugano.

Parco Ciani - View to Lake Lugano
Two of Lugano’s churches include the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, known for its beautiful frescoes, and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli. Just outside of the old town, it is wonderful to enjoy a leisurely stroll through beautiful Parco Ciani, a lovely lakeside park on the shores of Lake Lugano, with lush greenery, trees, and scenic lake and mountain views (see photo).

Lakeside Village Gandria Switzerland
From the boat docks located just across from Piazza Monzani, we enjoyed our quiet electric boat tours of scenic Lake Lugano. The small villages on the shores of the lake make cruising a pleasant experience. You can purchase tickets at the red booth on the Promenade. We had fun taking the round trip 35-minute boat ride (Bacon Nord) visiting the picturesque lakeside town of Gandria located at the bottom of Monte Bre (see photo). We had a wonderful relaxing lunch at the restaurant above the boat dock (Ristorante Antico) with beautiful views of Lake Lugano.

Map of Downtown Lugano
From Gandria, hikers will enjoy the walk on the Olive Trail from Gandria to Castagnola (Sentiero dell’Olivo) exploring the region’s olive groves learning about the local olive oil production with written commentary. It is an easy walk about 1.5 miles taking you through the countryside to Castagnola. You have great views of Lake Lugano all the way. It is about another half hour walk back to downtown Lugano.

Ristorante Della Torre
We also took the longer 2-hour boat ride (Bacon Sud) on Lake Lugano that stops at several lakeside villages. Visiting the charming lakeside town of Morcote is definitely a Lugano highlight and should not be missed. 

Scherrer Park Gardens - Morcote
At Morcote, we enjoyed walking through the beautiful Scherrer Park gardens (walk to the left when getting off the boat). Next to the boat dock, we had a lovely lunch at Ristorante Della Torre (see photo) on their flower-covered lakeside terrace viewing the beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Swissminiatur in Melide
Another interesting stop on the Lake Lugano Bacon Sud boat ride is the town of Melide where Swissminiatur is located just minutes away from the boat dock. It is Switzerland's largest open-air miniature museum with 120+ models of famous Swiss landmarks ideal for families and visitors seeking a condensed version of Switzerland. There is a small train for kids and some kids electro-games.

Pat - Lake Lugano

While in Lugano, you should take advantage of a spectacular funicular ride to the top of Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore for breathtaking panoramic views of Lugano, Lake Lugano, and the surrounding mountains. At about 3,000 feet elevation, both have wonderful views, restaurants, and nature hiking available. Sit at the top and have a drink or a meal enjoying the amazing views.

 

View Monte San Salvatore
Monte San Salvatore offers a better panoramic view of Lugano and the surrounding area. For the best view, be sure to climb up the many stairs from the San Salvatore station to the top of the church. You can e
njoy a drink or a meal at the Restaurant Vetta.

View of Lugano from Monte Bre
Monte Bre is a special Lugano experience where you enjoy a drink or a meal surrounded by nature and visit the quant medieval village of Bre. Of the two restaurants at Monte Bre, Osteria Funicular may have the better food and is located close to the station while Ristorante Vette is located a short walk away with a better view.

Pretty Village of Bre
From the Monte Bre station, we enjoyed the easy 20-minute downhill walk to the small village of Bre through a pretty wooded area (see photo). If you haven’t visited a medieval town, well-preserved Bre is a nice one to walk through the beautiful cobblestone pathways and alleyways viewing the public art of this artist community (see photo). Bre’s church (Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Fedele) is very special with its beautiful frescos and deserves a quick look. From the top on Monte Bre, you can return to the funicular station to take it back down. From Bre, a bus comes every 45 minutes to take you back to Lugano.

Nature Walk to Bre from Monte Bre
We did both Monte San Salvatore and Monte Bre… and loved it. The funicular stations are located about a half hour walk in opposite directions from Lugano’s city center - Paradiso for San Salvatore and Cassarate for Bre. You can also access the funicular station at San Salvatore from the Bacon Sud boat cruise and both stations from the little train Lugano City Tour.

Beautiful Street in Lagano
Lugano’s Tourism Office (Lugano Region Tourist Info Point - Lugano Centro) is a great place for information and suggestions for the best things to do for you. The friendly staff is wonderful and will provide maps and information. Interactive displays give you a lot of information about Lugano’s attractions as well as the surrounding area. It is located a couple of blocks from the main square Piazza Riforma at 6 Via Massimiliano Magatti.

Lugano City Hall at Night - Piazzo RiformaLugano is a popular tourist destination offering numerous opportunities for excursions. For hikers and nature lovers, Lugano’s surrounding area offers a haven of outdoor adventures with good bus transportation to them. Easy and more advance hiking trails, as well as mountain biking, to different villages are accessible and well laid out. The Tourism Office is an excellent place to learn more about what would be best for you and how to get there. You can also do some research at hike.jticino.ch.

Lovely Restaurants for Dinner
Some helpful Lugano travel tips… Credit cards are widely acceptable in Lugano and you can use Swiss Francs or Euros cash. Restaurants don’t expect tips. If you arrive in Lugano by train at the Bahnhof station, take bus #4 to the Old Town or take the modern funicular (funicolare) down to and back from Lugano’s main square, Piazzo Della Riforma. There are several parking structures around Lugano’s old town if you arrive by car. Check out the website lugano-tourism.ch for any festivals and occasions that might appeal to you.

Don't Miss Visiting Beautiful Morcote
Lugano is Switzerland’s third-largest financial center which means it is rather expensive. However, Lugano actually feels rather small and is not comparable to Zurich or Geneva. Lugano’s history dates back to the 10th century and became part of the Swiss Confederation in the 18th century. Lugano has a much milder temperature than the rest of Switzerland due to being surrounded by Monte Brè, Monte Generoso, and Monte San Salvatore.

Swiss Chocolate - Yum!
Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities, including Lugano.

International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel We enjoyed staying at International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel . It is a good mix of old-style hotel with antiques with modern conveniences and upgraded rooms. The location is very convenient at the lakeside end of Lugano’s upscale shopping street (Via Nessa) and just a short walk to the main square Piazza Riforma and the lakeside Promenade. 

Breakfast International auLac Historic Lakeside Hotel
The breakfast at the International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel is very nice served in an elegant room with efficient wait staff. They give you a Ticino Ticket to use for free transportation and discounts on some attractions. The bathtub is wonderful for a soak after a day of exploring. The staff is helpful answering questions to make your stay in Lugano enjoyable. There is good Internet and a nice pool and beautiful garden area for getting some sun. Families with kids will enjoy the play area.

Lugano is Beautiful!
Best time to visit Lugano… For nice weather and lower crowds May-June and September is a nice time. Spring is when the flowers are blooming. Lugano gets busy in July through September when it is warmer and Swiss people from other regions come to Lake Lugano's sunny shores.

While visiting Lugano, it is nice to use Some Essential Italian Words:
Buongiorno (bwon-jor-no) - Good morning
Ciao (chow) - Hello/Goodbye
Salve (sal-veh) - Hello (formal)
Sì - Yes
No - No
Grazie - Thank you
Per favore - Please
Prego - You're welcome

We loved our stay in Lugano!

See Other Wonderful Places in Switzerland, Click on these links:

Zurich Switzerland

Lucerne Switzerland

Zermatt Switzerland 

Montreux & Chocolate Train Switzerland

 

Please enjoy 275+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE on the right ---->

 
Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From a former Economic professor, experienced traveler (106countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, our popular 5-star customer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home reveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost for alltrips from weekend getaways to longer vacations and trips, experience more adventureand romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklists, travel the world for lessthan $100/day for a couple, and much more!
Buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as Ebook for $9.99), CLICK HERE

Montreux & Chocolate Train, Switzerland (6/4-7/2024)

Beautiful Montreux Switzerland!
Montreux is a picturesque resort town (see photo) on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It is on the Swiss Riviera that extends from Montreux to Lausanne in Switzerland’s French-speaking Vaud region. French-speaking Montreux is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland because of its idyllic flower-decorated lakeside setting, amazing Belle Époque architecture, mountain background, and sprawling vineyards. English is spoken everywhere.

Montreux from the  Flower Path Along the shores of Lake Geneva, the Montreux Riviera has a mild Mediterranean climate. The atmosphere is perfect for relaxing, going on walks, discovering new areas, and the climate is ideal for wine grape growing. Montreux’s beautiful Promenade, with its flower-adorned banks and art installations along the lake, goes for almost 4 miles offering walks with a beautiful panoramic view of the lake and mountains as well as lakeside dining options.

Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri)

The Montreux-Vevey Tourism office is a good place to start your explorations with advice, maps, brochures, and booking reservations. It is located on the lake next to the boat jetty, just a short walk from the train station.

 

 

1908 Belle Epoque paddle steamerA popular thing to do in Montreux is taking a wonderful CGN boat cruise on Lake Geneva. Passing by quaint lakeside villages with the Alps as the predominant backdrop is truly spectacular. Relaxing on a beautiful 1908 Belle Epoque paddle steamer (see photo), the only fleet of its type in the world, you relive the grandeur of how the wealthy traveled a century ago while appreciating the beauty of the surrounding scenery and the lakeside towns (see photo).

Lakeside Villages on Lake Geneva
We very much enjoyed the popular roundtrip 2-hour loop out of Montreux. These historic boats also connect 40 lakeside villages on Swiss and French portions of Lake Geneva including Vevey and Lausanne (see below for description). If you wish, you can enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise aboard one of these beautiful Belle Époque steamers in their attractive onboard restaurant. Lake cruises depart from the boat jetty in Montreux by the Tourist Office - their website is CGN.ch.

Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon) - Montreux
A highlight of a visit to Montreux is the well-preserved Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon), a medieval island castle on Lake Geneva constructed in the 13th century (see photos). It is located just outside of Montreux and is stunning with the Alps in its background. Cross the draw bridge to enjoy its interesting displays presented in several languages, including English, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Dukes of Savoy that dominated this region 800 years ago. With more than 300,000 people visiting every year, the castle is the most visited building in Switzerland.

Inside Chillon Castle - Montreux
Chillon Castle is impressive in size and grandeur as well as its history, architecture, and paintings. An audio guide is available from the souvenir shop to learn more about the interesting castle and Medieval history of the region. You can do Chillion Castle in a couple of hours if you want to do it quickly. There is a souvenir shop to pick up something special if you like. Because a visit to Chillon Castle is an excursion, it is nice to have a meal next to the castle at self-service Cafe Byron .

Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri) If the weather is good, it is enjoyable to walk the 2-mile 45-minute Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri) (see photo) to the Chillon Castle along the beautiful lakeside Swiss Riviera. It is a delightful route with flowers, art sculptures, blue-green waters, and the mountains in the backdrop.

Montreux Belle Epoque Eden Palace Hotel The quickest way to get from Montreux to and from the Chillon Castle is by the 7-minute bus #201 from Escaliers de la Gare to the Chillon stop leaving every 15 minutes. You can also take a 4-minute Swiss Railways train to Veytaux-Chillon running every 20 minutes. CGN operates a 15-minute ferry from Montreux to Château-de-Chillon several times a day (disembark at the Chateau de Chillon stop).

Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat)From Montreux, we enjoyed the MOB Swiss Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat) even though most the trip is on a bus (only 45 minutes is by train). This 7-hour excursion takes you through beautiful countryside to experience how Swiss chocolate and Gruyere cheese are made. From the train station you board the 1915 Golden Pass Bell Epoque train (see photo) where you are taken back in time to the plush velvety seats and ornate bar cars. While watching incredible views along Lake Geneva you get into the chocolate mood being served hot chocolate, chocolate, and pastries.

La Maison du Gruyere Cheese Factory
The first stop on the Chocolate Train excursion is the La Maison du Gruyere where you learn how Gruyere cheese is made. There is a fun multi-media tour of the factory (see photo) with headsets provided in multiple languages. Then you are taken to the beautiful traffic-free medieval village of Gruyères, the cheese capital of Switzerland. You are given 2 hours to explore this quaint village, have lunch, and visit the castle.

Pretty Village of Gruyeres & Castle
The village of Gruyères, one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland, has cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings, many of which have stood for hundreds of years (see photo). Inside the 13th-century Gruyères Castle (Chateau de Gruyères) is a museum covering 800 years of the region's architecture, history, and culture.

Gruyeres Castle
Gruyeres Castle (see photo) is interesting to visit with its descriptive texts and and historical information - there is an extra charge that you are given a discount. We explored the village and castle in about an hour and had time time for lunch at one of the nice restaurants overlooking the village. Try the specialties of the Gruyère village… fondue, croque-monsieur, and meringue dipped in Gruyere double cream.

Maison Cailler Cheese Factory - Broc
The Chocolate Train tour now goes on to the chocolate… Arriving in Broc you visit Maison Cailler for an interactive tour of the factory (see photo). It is the oldest chocolate producer in Switzerland established in 1819. You learn the history of chocolate dating back to the Aztecs with Disneyland-like tour and then watch chocolate being made.

Cailler Chocolate - Broc
At Maison Cailler, you are also treated to about 10 chocolate samplings and can ask questions about them. From their store, you can purchase some chocolate to take home (see photo). Then you are taken back to Montreux - the ride is beautiful. Note: you can visit Gruyère and Maison Cailler in Broc on your own taking the local transportation and purchasing tickets at the sites.

Beautiful Swiss Countryside from Bus
The Chocolate Train out of Montreux can be booked (reservations required) on the MOB website: https://journey.mob.ch/en/products/ch.... You can learn even more information about the Chocolate Train tour at this webside: https://www.travelingwithsweeney.com/.... Note: don't worry about the "Montreux, gare" destination because it is round trip back to Montreux.

Cheese Stored at Maison du Gruyere Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities including Montreux.

Freddie Mercury statue & Restaurant
Montreux is also known for its importance in the life of Freddie Mercury. The iconic Queen frontman lived here while Queen recorded six of their 15 albums including the last Queen album. Fans can visit his lifelike statue (see photo) on Place du Marché on the lakeside Promenade and the nearby free entrance Queen Studio Experience located in the Casino Barriere Montreux. Fans of gambling will also enjoy this. There are nice lakeside restaurants and cafes around Place du Marche - we liked Les Voiles de la Rouvenaz (see photo) for the setting and view.

Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux has been a desired destination since the 19th century when famous artists, writers, and musicians began settling here. Since then, it has become a popular place for tourism and cultural attractions, including the famous Montreux Jazz Festival held in early July, the Music Festival in September, and Montreux Noel where Montreux is transformed for this Christmas event, one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces - Swiss Riviera
Wine has been an important part of Montreux’s local economy since the 12th century. The 2,050 acres of Lavaux Vineyard Terraces between Montreux and Lausanne along the lake shoreline are impressive and culturally significant (see photo). Lavaux sells mostly Chasselas wines, which are dry and aromatic - you should try some.

Some enjoyable day trips from Montreux…

Map Rocher-de-Naye
Taking you 6,600 feet high for a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Geneva and Alps mountain peaks, Rochers-de-Naye is accessible from a 50-minute vintage cog train, departing every hour from Montreux Gare (see map). There are hiking trails and a restaurant. Marmots, the mascot of the Alps, live here and are fun to see.

Vevey Old Town
Nearby Montreux, the Old Town of Vevey with its historical monuments and museums bears witness to its rich heritage. It is much better than Montreal’s Old Town. It can easily be reached from Montreux by a 5-minute train ride in the direction of Geneva (first stop). A large variety of boutiques can be found in the narrow paved streets below the beautiful buildings, especially along Rue Du Lac street (see photo). Nice lake view restaurants are located along Vevey’s beautiful lake side Promenade where you can relax and have a meal or drink.

Alimentarium Food Museum & Fork Statue - Vevey
While at Vevey, we enjoyed visiting the Alimentarium Food Museum, the world’s first museum devoted to food and nutrition (see photo). Interesting interactive displays are presented in three languages, including English. It is located in a magnificent building, the former Nestle headquarters, on the beautiful promenade of Lake Geneva, opposite the statue of Charlie Chaplin and The Fork Statue in the lake that holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest fork (see photo). Chaplin lovers will enjoy Chaplin’s World museum located in the Manoir house where Charlie Chaplin spent 25 years of his life.

Croque-MonsieurAs also described above, Gruyeres is a charming medieval village in the idyllic countryside of western Switzerland. It is officially one of the “most beautiful villages” in Switzerland. It is a lovely place for a short stroll and lots of picture taking, with the surrounding mountains a beautiful backdrop. At the end of the village, you’ll find picturesque Castle of Gruyères, built in the 13th century, with a small museum. If you have time, have lunch at one of the outdoor cafes to try traditional Swiss dishes, including fondue. At a minimum, you must try their signature dishes: fondue, croque-monsieur (see photo), and dessert of meringue dipped in Gruyères double cream.

Lausanne Switzerland
Lausanne is a gorgeous city on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, accessible from Montreux by train (23 minutes) or wonderful boat cruise along the Swiss Rivera. It has a hilly historic center with beautiful landmarks and architecture (see photo). Lausanne’s Gothic cathedral is considered a masterpiece, one of the highlights of the city’s historic center. There are a number of interesting museums and historical palaces. Lausanne is also the headquarters of the Olympic Committee so it is not surprising that it has a great Olympic Museum, one of the top tourist attractions in town.

Golden Pass Train Viewing Beautiful Countryside
The famous Golden Pass panoramic train starts from Montreux to Interlaken, then on to Lucerne. The GoldenPass scenic route runs along the shores of Lake Geneva, past the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, beautiful countryside (see photo), and many impressive castles to the peaks of the Gstaad region and the Simmental Valley. You can travel this route in hourly intervals either on the modern panoramic train or on the recreated Golden Pass Belle Epoque train with upholstered seats. The Golden Pass Belle Epoque operates all year round - reserving a seat is required.

Pat Enjoying Breakfast at Our Hotel
Montreux Travel Tip: Many hotels offer the Montreux Riviera Card that gives you free transit on buses and trains as well as discounts on many attractions (ex. 50% discount on Chillon Castle).

G rand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreu x
We enjoyed our stay at the elegant ‘Belle Epoque’ themed Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux located just across from the train station in the middle of Montreux (see photo). Its prime lake side location allows very easy access to local attractions, the Promenade, lakeside restaurants, lake boat cruises, and the train station. The bed is very comfortable, the rooms are updated with modern conveniences, and the Internet is good. The bathtub is nice for a soak after a day of exploring. 

View from our Room
Consider upgrading to a lake view with spectacular views you can enjoy from your window and balcony seats (see photo). The views can also be appreciated from the restaurant terrace. The restaurant is also very nice. The staff is very helpful and the Montreux Riviera Card was great for free transit on buses and trains as well as discounts on many attractions (ex. 50% discount on Chillon Castle).

While visiting Montreux, it is nice to use some Essential French Words:

Bonjour – Hello
Merci -Thank You
Au revoir – Goodbye
Oui / Non – Yes / No
S’il vous plaît – Pease
Excusez-moi – Excuse Me
Parlez-vous anglais? - Do you speak English
L’addition, s'il vous plaît – The bill, please

We loved our visit to Montreux!

See Other Wonderful Places in Switzerland, Click on these links:

Zurich Switzerland

Lucerne Switzerland 

Lugano Switzerland

Zermatt Switzerland

St. Moritz Switzerland

Chur Switzerland

Brig Switzerland

 
Please enjoy 275+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE on the right ---->  



Travel for half the cost for all levels of travel from budget to luxury and 100's of other unique travel tips! From aformer Economic professor, experienced traveler(106 countries), award-winning travel photojournalist/blogger, featured speaker at large travel shows,host of the travel TV show Plan Your Escape® TV aired on the CW network,and travel columnist for the Huffington Post, our popular 5-star customer rated groundbreaking and comprehensive how-to world travel book Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Homereveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost for alltrips from weekend getaways to longer vacations and trips, experience more adventureand romance, safely realize your travel dreams with comprehensive planning tools and checklists, travel the world for lessthan $100/day for a couple, and much more! Buy this popular book on Amazon.com (also available as Ebook for $9.99), CLICK HERE

Switzerland Montreux & Chocolate Train (6/4-7/2024)

Beautiful Montreux Switzerland!
Montreux is a picturesque resort town (see photo) on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It is on the Swiss Riviera that extends from Montreux to Lausanne in Switzerland’s French-speaking Vaud region. French-speaking Montreux is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland because of its idyllic flower-decorated lakeside setting, amazing Belle Époque architecture, mountain background, and sprawling vineyards. English is spoken everywhere.

Montreux from the  Flower Path Along the shores of Lake Geneva, the Montreux Riviera has a mild Mediterranean climate. The atmosphere is perfect for relaxing, going on walks, discovering new areas, and the climate is ideal for wine grape growing. Montreux’s beautiful Promenade, with its flower-adorned banks and art installations along the lake, goes for almost 4 miles offering walks with a beautiful panoramic view of the lake and mountains as well as lakeside dining options.

Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri)

The Montreux-Vevey Tourism office is a good place to start your explorations with advice, maps, brochures, and booking reservations. It is located on the lake next to the boat jetty, just a short walk from the train station.

 

 

1908 Belle Epoque paddle steamerA popular thing to do in Montreux is taking a wonderful CGN boat cruise on Lake Geneva. Passing by quaint lakeside villages with the Alps as the predominant backdrop is truly spectacular. Relaxing on a beautiful 1908 Belle Epoque paddle steamer (see photo), the only fleet of its type in the world, you relive the grandeur of how the wealthy traveled a century ago while appreciating the beauty of the surrounding scenery and the lakeside towns (see photo).

Lakeside Villages on Lake Geneva
We very much enjoyed the popular roundtrip 2-hour loop out of Montreux. These historic boats also connect 40 lakeside villages on Swiss and French portions of Lake Geneva including Vevey and Lausanne (see below for description). If you wish, you can enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise aboard one of these beautiful Belle Époque steamers in their attractive onboard restaurant. Lake cruises depart from the boat jetty in Montreux by the Tourist Office - their website is CGN.ch.

Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon) - Montreux
A highlight of a visit to Montreux is the well-preserved Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon), a medieval island castle on Lake Geneva constructed in the 13th century (see photos). It is located just outside of Montreux and is stunning with the Alps in its background. Cross the draw bridge to enjoy its interesting displays presented in several languages, including English, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Dukes of Savoy that dominated this region 800 years ago. With more than 300,000 people visiting every year, the castle is the most visited building in Switzerland.

Inside Chillon Castle - Montreux
Chillon Castle is impressive in size and grandeur as well as its history, architecture, and paintings. An audio guide is available from the souvenir shop to learn more about the interesting castle and Medieval history of the region. You can do Chillion Castle in a couple of hours if you want to do it quickly. There is a souvenir shop to pick up something special if you like. Because a visit to Chillon Castle is an excursion, it is nice to have a meal next to the castle at self-service Cafe Byron .

Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri) If the weather is good, it is enjoyable to walk the 2-mile 45-minute Flower Path (Chemin Fleuri) (see photo) to the Chillon Castle along the beautiful lakeside Swiss Riviera. It is a delightful route with flowers, art sculptures, blue-green waters, and the mountains in the backdrop.

Montreux Belle Epoque Eden Palace Hotel The quickest way to get from Montreux to and from the Chillon Castle is by the 7-minute bus #201 from Escaliers de la Gare to the Chillon stop leaving every 15 minutes. You can also take a 4-minute Swiss Railways train to Veytaux-Chillon running every 20 minutes. CGN operates a 15-minute ferry from Montreux to Château-de-Chillon several times a day (disembark at the Chateau de Chillon stop).

Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat)From Montreux, we enjoyed the MOB Swiss Chocolate Train (Train du Chocolat) even though most the trip is on a bus (only 45 minutes is by train). This 7-hour excursion takes you through beautiful countryside to experience how Swiss chocolate and Gruyere cheese are made. From the train station you board the 1915 Golden Pass Bell Epoque train (see photo) where you are taken back in time to the plush velvety seats and ornate bar cars. While watching incredible views along Lake Geneva you get into the chocolate mood being served hot chocolate, chocolate, and pastries.

La Maison du Gruyere Cheese Factory
The first stop on the Chocolate Train excursion is the La Maison du Gruyere where you learn how Gruyere cheese is made. There is a fun multi-media tour of the factory (see photo) with headsets provided in multiple languages. Then you are taken to the beautiful traffic-free medieval village of Gruyères, the cheese capital of Switzerland. You are given 2 hours to explore this quaint village, have lunch, and visit the castle.

Pretty Village of Gruyeres & Castle
The village of Gruyères, one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland, has cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings, many of which have stood for hundreds of years (see photo). Inside the 13th-century Gruyères Castle (Chateau de Gruyères) is a museum covering 800 years of the region's architecture, history, and culture.

Gruyeres Castle
Gruyeres Castle (see photo) is interesting to visit with its descriptive texts and and historical information - there is an extra charge that you are given a discount. We explored the village and castle in about an hour and had time time for lunch at one of the nice restaurants overlooking the village. Try the specialties of the Gruyère village… fondue, croque-monsieur, and meringue dipped in Gruyere double cream.

Maison Cailler Cheese Factory - Broc
The Chocolate Train tour now goes on to the chocolate… Arriving in Broc you visit Maison Cailler for an interactive tour of the factory (see photo). It is the oldest chocolate producer in Switzerland established in 1819. You learn the history of chocolate dating back to the Aztecs with Disneyland-like tour and then watch chocolate being made.

Cailler Chocolate - Broc
At Maison Cailler, you are also treated to about 10 chocolate samplings and can ask questions about them. From their store, you can purchase some chocolate to take home (see photo). Then you are taken back to Montreux - the ride is beautiful. Note: you can visit Gruyère and Maison Cailler in Broc on your own taking the local transportation and purchasing tickets at the sites.

Beautiful Swiss Countryside from Bus
The Chocolate Train out of Montreux can be booked (reservations required) on the MOB website: https://journey.mob.ch/en/products/ch.... You can learn even more information about the Chocolate Train tour at this webside: https://www.travelingwithsweeney.com/.... Note: don't worry about the "Montreux, gare" destination because it is round trip back to Montreux.

Cheese Stored at Maison du Gruyere Interesting fact: Switzerland has long been known for its fine chocolate and cheese. The Swiss chocolate industry produced over 200,000 tons of chocolate worth $1.7 billion in 2018. It mostly goes to Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, and Canada. The Swiss chocolate brands make up around 40% of the world’s global chocolate production. Alpine milk sets Swiss chocolate apart. It is sourced from high-altitude farms in the Swiss mountains. Due to it being denser and less aerated, alpine milk gives Swiss chocolate a rich fragrance and an extremely milky texture. I liked Läderach Chocolate with stores in many Swiss cities including Montreux.

Freddie Mercury statue & Restaurant
Montreux is also known for its importance in the life of Freddie Mercury. The iconic Queen frontman lived here while Queen recorded six of their 15 albums including the last Queen album. Fans can visit his lifelike statue (see photo) on Place du Marché on the lakeside Promenade and the nearby free entrance Queen Studio Experience located in the Casino Barriere Montreux. Fans of gambling will also enjoy this. There are nice lakeside restaurants and cafes around Place du Marche - we liked Les Voiles de la Rouvenaz (see photo) for the setting and view.

Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux has been a desired destination since the 19th century when famous artists, writers, and musicians began settling here. Since then, it has become a popular place for tourism and cultural attractions, including the famous Montreux Jazz Festival held in early July, the Music Festival in September, and Montreux Noel where Montreux is transformed for this Christmas event, one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces - Swiss Riviera
Wine has been an important part of Montreux’s local economy since the 12th century. The 2,050 acres of Lavaux Vineyard Terraces between Montreux and Lausanne along the lake shoreline are impressive and culturally significant (see photo). Lavaux sells mostly Chasselas wines, which are dry and aromatic - you should try some.

Some enjoyable day trips from Montreux…

Map Rocher-de-Naye
Taking you 6,600 feet high for a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Geneva and Alps mountain peaks, Rochers-de-Naye is accessible from a 50-minute vintage cog train, departing every hour from Montreux Gare (see map). There are hiking trails and a restaurant. Marmots, the mascot of the Alps, live here and are fun to see.

Vevey Old Town
Nearby Montreux, the Old Town of Vevey with its historical monuments and museums bears witness to its rich heritage. It is much better than Montreal’s Old Town. It can easily be reached from Montreux by a 5-minute train ride in the direction of Geneva (first stop). A large variety of boutiques can be found in the narrow paved streets below the beautiful buildings, especially along Rue Du Lac street (see photo). Nice lake view restaurants are located along Vevey’s beautiful lake side Promenade where you can relax and have a meal or drink.

Alimentarium Food Museum & Fork Statue - Vevey
While at Vevey, we enjoyed visiting the Alimentarium Food Museum, the world’s first museum devoted to food and nutrition (see photo). Interesting interactive displays are presented in three languages, including English. It is located in a magnificent building, the former Nestle headquarters, on the beautiful promenade of Lake Geneva, opposite the statue of Charlie Chaplin and The Fork Statue in the lake that holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest fork (see photo). Chaplin lovers will enjoy Chaplin’s World museum located in the Manoir house where Charlie Chaplin spent 25 years of his life.

Croque-MonsieurAs also described above, Gruyeres is a charming medieval village in the idyllic countryside of western Switzerland. It is officially one of the “most beautiful villages” in Switzerland. It is a lovely place for a short stroll and lots of picture taking, with the surrounding mountains a beautiful backdrop. At the end of the village, you’ll find picturesque Castle of Gruyères, built in the 13th century, with a small museum. If you have time, have lunch at one of the outdoor cafes to try traditional Swiss dishes, including fondue. At a minimum, you must try their signature dishes: fondue, croque-monsieur (see photo), and dessert of meringue dipped in Gruyères double cream.

Lausanne Switzerland
Lausanne is a gorgeous city on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, accessible from Montreux by train (23 minutes) or wonderful boat cruise along the Swiss Rivera. It has a hilly historic center with beautiful landmarks and architecture (see photo). Lausanne’s Gothic cathedral is considered a masterpiece, one of the highlights of the city’s historic center. There are a number of interesting museums and historical palaces. Lausanne is also the headquarters of the Olympic Committee so it is not surprising that it has a great Olympic Museum, one of the top tourist attractions in town.

Golden Pass Train Viewing Beautiful Countryside
The famous Golden Pass panoramic train starts from Montreux to Interlaken, then on to Lucerne. The GoldenPass scenic route runs along the shores of Lake Geneva, past the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, beautiful countryside (see photo), and many impressive castles to the peaks of the Gstaad region and the Simmental Valley. You can travel this route in hourly intervals either on the modern panoramic train or on the recreated Golden Pass Belle Epoque train with upholstered seats. The Golden Pass Belle Epoque operates all year round - reserving a seat is required.

Pat Enjoying Breakfast at Our Hotel
Montreux Travel Tip: Many hotels offer the Montreux Riviera Card that gives you free transit on buses and trains as well as discounts on many attractions (ex. 50% discount on Chillon Castle).

G rand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreu x
We enjoyed our stay at the elegant ‘Belle Epoque’ themed Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux located just across from the train station in the middle of Montreux (see photo). Its prime lake side location allows very easy access to local attractions, the Promenade, lakeside restaurants, lake boat cruises, and the train station. The bed is very comfortable, the rooms are updated with modern conveniences, and the Internet is good. The bathtub is nice for a soak after a day of exploring. 

View from our Room
Consider upgrading to a lake view with spectacular views you can enjoy from your window and balcony seats (see photo). The views can also be appreciated from the restaurant terrace. The restaurant is also very nice. The staff is very helpful and the Montreux Riviera Card was great for free transit on buses and trains as well as discounts on many attractions (ex. 50% discount on Chillon Castle).

While visiting Montreux, it is nice to use some Essential French Words:

Bonjour – Hello
Merci -Thank You
Au revoir – Goodbye
Oui / Non – Yes / No
S’il vous plaît – Pease
Excusez-moi – Excuse Me
Parlez-vous anglais? - Do you speak English
L’addition, s'il vous plaît – The bill, please

We loved our visit to Montreux!

 
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