Over the past few weeks I've been speaking to quite a few people living in the Lausanne/Swiss Riviera region who are expecting guests this spring/summer and are looking for day trip ideas. I thought it would a great idea for a thread to list some of the best day trips in the area to do either on your own, or to impress your visitors.

While I'll try to add things as I write them up, I'd more than welcome additions to this list. If you have an activity/destination to add, just try to give a bit of detail about the exact location, the extent of activity involved, the best time of year to do it, and the time commitment for each activity.

This is a beautiful part of the world, and I hope you all enjoy sharing it with others as I do!

Without further adieu, I'll list my favourite things to do with/show off to friends and family:

Steamboat ride on Lac Leman (i.e. Lake Geneva).

I know, I know, there are a lot of nice lakes in Switzerland, with nice views and fancy boats on them. However, the "wow" factor of being out on Lac Leman on a clear day is hard to beat. The lake is 70 km long, and is skirted by vineyards and beautiful sun-drenched towns (many with shoreside castles) on the Swiss side, and dominated by the French Alps on the south side.

There are a variety of routes to choose from: you can head from the Haut Lac (Upper Lake), past the vineyards of the Riviera, in the shadow of the Swiss and French Alps through to Lausanne, or head out from Lausanne towards the beautiful French town of Yvoire and come back via Evian-les-Bains. There are routes running the entire length of the lake for the particularly ambitious boaters, and also out-and-back cruises from Lausanne, sometimes coupled with a meal (fondue, etc.) for shorter excursions.

A trip on a boat can often be coupled with another activity (e.g. the Chateau de Chillon, a walk in the vineyards, a trip to France, etc.). To learn more about boat schedules and the various trip/meal cruise options, visit the official website: www.cgn.ch.

A few final notes:

-not all routes are serviced by steamers. While a boat ride on the lake itself is pretty awesome, if you can do a trip on a steamer, it's that much better. You can find out which boats (steamers vs modern) do what route from the website, or by making a quick phone call to CGN.
-if it's not a clear day, I wouldn't recommend this outing. If you can't see the views, you'll get bored of being on the boat pretty quickly!
-very windy weather can also make this trip a less-than-ideal choice. If the weather gets too bad, you might find your return trip has been cancelled, and you'll be stuck "up the lake without a paddle", so to speak.
-regional and national travel passes for visitors are valid on the boats. Check out this thread for more information on these passes and how to get them for visitors.

"La Route des Vignerons": A walk through the vineyards of the Lavaux region.

For me, this has become the default activity to do with guests spring through to autumn, but I haven't grown tired of it yet, and all my guests have given rave reviews as well. There is a trail extending the length of the Lavaux wine-growing region, which extends from Lausanne to Montreux. While some of it is less-than scenic (e.g. walking along a busy roadside with no view of the lake), the portion from Lutry to Rivaz has become a favourite of mine. There are so many good things to say about this walk: the scenery is spectacular, the villages on the route are postcard-perfect, the vineyards are an impressive feat of engineering (the terracing means they grow grapes on 45 degree slopes in some regions!), and best of all, the walk itself is neither too long nor too short, neither too easy, nor too difficult. I've done it with parents and in-laws, as well as friends who are serious athletes, and all enjoyed it.

Along the route, there are plenty of good photo ops, and placards describing the history of wine-making in the region with descriptions in English. I'm not much of a wine connaisseur, but you could definitely plan on stopping by some of the "Caveau", or wine-tasting caves along the way. They're not open every day, and often have limited hours, so definitely do your research into what caves are around and make a few phone calls if you want to do some wine tasting as well. I quite enjoy taking along some sandwiches and stopping mid-way for lunch and a rest. There aren't many benches, so you'll likely end up sitting along the top of a terrace wall, but that just adds to the experience.

You can get to the start of the walk by taking the number 9 bus or the SBB train to Lutry. From there, simply follow the blue signs with little grapes on them. The route that I take goes (approximately) through Villette, Riex, Epesses/Calamin, Dezaley, and ends in Rivaz/St. Saphorin, where I like to catch a CGN boat home if I can, or else the train. The walking time is 2-3 hours depending on on how often you stop for pictures, if you stop for lunch, etc. You can extend the walk in either direction if you like, but on both the Lausanne and Vevey ends, you end up with more concrete and less scenery than is worth your while.

The official website for the region is available at: www.lavaux.ch (French only).

Notes:

-you can pick up a a brochure with a map of the walk from any tourist office in the region. If you do get a bit confused along the way, just keep walking towards Montreux. It's hard to get really lost.
-this is another clear-day activity. And bring along suncreen and sunglasses as well: the trail is very exposed, and can get quite hot on a sunny day.
-There is a bakery on the main street of Lutry that sells very yummy sandwiches and sweets if you'd like to pick up food before you head out.
-don't forget your camera!

Other activities I'd recommend, and will (eventually) describe in more detail when I get around to it: (unless someone beats me to it)

Rochers de Naye

Yvoire, France (accessible by boat)

Chateau de Chillon, near Montreux

La Tour de Sauvebelin, Lausanne

Lausanne Cathedral

Gruyeres

Great idea, thanks. Signal de Bougy is absolutely fabulous as well. Cannot believe that something so beautiful is so accessible and free too. Fantastic place for families. Have a look at signaldebougy.ch for more info.

Gruyeres is a must-see. By train, you can pick up the "small train" from Palezieux where Intercity trains stops from Lausanne/Berne. Gruyeres train station is at the bottom of the village but the walk up there is not too strenuous even for the unfit. The village is about as postcard pretty as it gets, medieval houses, castle, lovely vistas on the moutains. You can get your fix of fondue and meringues/double-creme, there is a small shop selling local products (and bare in mind you also have cured meats, cheese and chocolates producers just off the train station).

The castle is very well preserved, full of interesting artefacts and it has even a room dedicated to an English fantasy artist as well as the more usual medieval stuff.

For me though, the clincher is the Geiger Museum. Hans Ruedi Geiger is the mad Swiss behind the Alien movie design, the creator of the monster and the museum is dedicated to that and is more gruesome creations. It's not particularly for kids and there is a section which is for adults only but it is quite incredible to find such a place in Gruyeres. Right next to it, there is a Geiger Bar where you can have a drink in some extraordinary surroundings...

Accomodation up there is quite pricey but there is a farm half-way up the hill where you can get room with breakfast for 45 chf pp. It's very much "share with the family" and it's a working farm which produces diary products. Their cheese is top drawer and you can have as much as you want at breakfast, which even after a fondue feast the day before, you won't mind doing!

http://www.tourismesuisse.com/gruyer...U-BOURGOZ.html

The other way to get to Gruyeres by train is to go from Montreux, then change at Montbovon. It's probably not as convenient as the Palezieux connection for most people, but the climb up above Montreux then the trip along the valley before getting into Gruyeres is really spectacular.

Hi,
I love Gruyeres, fantastic fondues and yummy cream. Stopped at restaurant in front of the Chateau, full of characters, all staff getting stuck into fondues. I can still smell it. ( Kids think its like smelly socks, but nevermind)
jo

Another restaurant with great viewpoint next to it is Tour de Gourze above Grandvaux, fantastic view of the Lake and the Plateau region.


If you are fit a train ride up Rochers de Naye and walk back down. The last stage , after several hours walking ,when you descend several hundred stairs is the killer. You`ll feel as if you`ve been on a horse for a week (or at least my knees and hips did) but lovely walk.

Trip to Yvoire on the boat- very nice.

Lunch at Lac de Sauvebelin- small animal park for kids

Hire a bike at Chalet a Gobet just north of City and tour the lovely Gros de Vaud.Also has equestrian centre.

Agree with Wanabee signal de Bougy great for kids.

For the art lovers- Fondation Pierre Gianadda at Martigny. http://www.gianadda.ch/

I used to love the thermal baths at val d`illiez, open air with great views of the Dents du Midi, although they have expanded recently so not sure what they are like. Still great views tho`. ( Great way to cure the hangover on New Years day, jumping from ice cold mountain stream into thermal baths!!)

Has anyone been to the zoo at Servion?
jo

Yes, Lac de Sauvebelin is another great place for the kids. I love the hairy pigs there.

Yes Jo i have been to zoo de Servion 3 times recently. It is a fantastic zoo. Not too big but just the right blend of animals. I was suprised to find bears, lions and tigers there as well as kangaroos with babies in there pouches. Really interesting animals. Very clean, FAB play area for kids and a great huge restaurant. Highly recommend.

Thanks for the hint!! I will be flying in to Geneva, and leaving immediately for Chapex-Lac in the Valais, will have a couple of hours or more to spend in Martigny. The Picasso exhibition will be over, but the Marc Chagall one will have started.

Don't think I will be able to attend any of their concerts, but they do seem to have an interesting series.

If you are into your classical stuff, keep an eye on the Verbier festival in the summer.

In Valais, I also enjoyed the Grande Dixence dam. That thing is enormous and as the road up there twist and turn, it suddenly appears in front of you. Once you are at the bottom the scale of it and its height is amazing, you could see rain at the bottom and snow at the top of it, one of Switzerland seven man-made wonders.

If you fancy a nice little village without too many tourists, to spend the night, Evolene is cute and has a couple of lovely chalet hotels, all creaking woods and lovely vistas.

Another curiosity, for amateurs of military stuff, are the Swiss airforce digs in the upper Rhone valley, in the German speaking part of the country, on the way to Fiesch, at times you are blocked on the road to let a F18 jet cross from side of the valley to the other or to go to the tiny runway (foreign pilots have a healthy respect for Swiss military pilots after a few training exercises there...In the days of Swissair, you had to be a military pilot to work for them)

A couple more ideas:

• It is a bit further afield, but there are some lovely caves in Vallorbe with nice walks in the surrounding area. You take yourself around the caves with a printed guide available in several languages including English (this is a great outing for baking hot summer days as it is always nice and cool inside the caves!) http://www.vallorbe.ch/tourisme/visites/grottes.html
• Also in the area is this WWII hill fort: http://www.vallorbe.ch/tourisme/visites/fort.html

There are various thermal baths in the area :

• Yverdon: http://www.cty.ch/bains.html
• Gruyères: http://www.bainsdelagruyere.ch/fr/ (These are brand new, opening for the first time on 31.03.07)
• Lavey: http://www.lavey-les-bains.ch/home.php?id=2 (Website in English)
• Ovronnaz: http://www.thermalp.ch/index_fr.php
• Saillon: http://www.bainsdesaillon.ch/
• Val d'Illiez: http://www.thermes-parc.com/

If you have kids (or are just a big kid yourself!), you might prefer:

• Bouveret: Aquapark - tons of waterslides, water canons, wave machines etc (a large part of the complex is covered and remains open all year round): http://www.aquaparc.ch/2005/frame_attract_e.html
• Renens: Aqua Splash - smaller park with water slides, pools etc.. http://www.aquasplash.ch/

Enjoy!

	Quote:
	"La Route des Vignerons": A walk through the vineyards of the Lavaux region.

Just to add to Heather's excellent info about walking in the vineyards, I found this article today on 24heure's "English Corner" about the little train that runs through the vineyards: http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24...contenu)/62402

Is it possible to get to the Geiger museum by public transport?

Thanks.

It is indeed, although it is slighly more complicated to do so from Zurich than it is from the Lake Geneva area. Take a train to Fribourg, there you take a bus to Bulle where you hop on a train to Gruyeres. Fribourg is a pleasant town, worth a few hours of your time and I can recommend a cracking restaurant in the lower part of the town:

http://www.le-schild.ch/index2.htm

A top quality three course meal with good wine, coffee, apres-coffee will cost you less than 100 chf. Very good service and lovely surroundings (old square)

For those who like places that like to look far and beyond mundanity, I can also recommend "La Maison d'Ailleurs" in Yverdon:

http://www.ailleurs.ch/uk/index.php

I'm so going to that Lovecraft exhibition this autumn!

Hi there
For your info there's an open door in the village of Epesses in the Lavaux region this weekend on Saturday.

Visit lavaux.com for more details.

It's possible to go by train all the way with an inclusive ticket.

If you need more details let me know by PM. My sister is married to one of the winemakers in the village. See you there?
Mick

[/QUOTE]If you have kids (or are just a big kid yourself!), you might prefer:

• Bouveret: Aquapark - tons of waterslides, water canons, wave machines etc (a large part of the complex is covered and remains open all year round): http://www.aquaparc.ch/2005/frame_attract_e.html
• Renens: Aqua Splash - smaller park with water slides, pools etc.. http://www.aquasplash.ch/

Enjoy![/QUOTE]

Has anyone been to the waterpark? Is it worth the 3 hour train ride from Zurich?

Thanks.

I've not been to the Aquaparc in Le Bouveret, but you could make the trip even more worthwhile by also going to the Swiss Steam Park (Swiss Vapeur Parc), which is literally next door. They have many miniature locomotives that will take you around their 1.5 km track, some of which are diesel, but many are real steam engines. The trains are the size where you sit on the top of the carriages, see their website for lots of photos. There are lots of bridges and tunnels on the track, and they have one side track that is a cog railway. There were a lot of families with young kids there when we went, but also several couples without kids and the old fanatics, and everyone was having a lot of fun.

In addition to the trains, they also have lots of miniature models of Swiss buildings and sights dotted around the grounds, which we thought were at least as well done as those at the Swiss Miniatures Museum near Lugano. The entrance fee is just 14 CHF for adults and 12 CHF for kids, and you get unlimited train rides, so we thought it was well worth the money.

During the summer (June - September) you can get to Le Bouveret from Lausanne by taking one of the CGN boats across the lake from Ouchy that stops at St Gingolgh first and then Le Bouveret - it only takes one hour and is a very nice trip. Plus, there are boats to/from Vevey and Montreux.

Has anyone been to the waterpark? Is it worth the 3 hour train ride from Zurich?


Hi Chemgoddess,

It is pretty cool, there's quite a selection of things to do there - flumes / slides / whirlpools / rivers / wave machines or just "normal" swimming! I went in the winter, so the outside bit was closed, but from what I could tell, there is a section on one of the pools that opens up so that you can swim directly from the inside pools into the garden area. I think there are some more pools outside as well, and of course, the lake where you can swim or hire pedalos or windsurfers .

If I remember rightly, the entrance fees was quite high, so it is worth taking a picnic and making a day of it. Like any theme park, the prices for drinks & snacks are high.

So, is it worth a 3hr train journey each way? Probably not, it would be a bit heavy going, but it could make a nice weekend away? You could go to the steam park that ChrisW mentioned, or other areas around Lake Geneva, on the other day. I think it would be more relaxing that way!

For enthusiasts of old trains a visit to the Blonay-Chamby railway museum. It’s open at weekends and you take an old train (sometimes steam) from Blonay and ride into the museum along a wonderful scenic route. Open from May to October.


Blonay is situated just above Vevey.


http://www.blonaychamby.ch/

I have 2 friends visiting from Toronto, Canada is a couple of weeks for 5 days. I have been doing a lot of research on where best to take them. I am thinking Zermatt, Lurzern and then up into some areas such as Grimentz in the Valias. I am living in Lutry and so I thought about taking the boat into Montreux and then the rail up to Rochers de Naye, or to les Avents, also into Vevey. I also planned on going to the Market in Divonne, France on Sunday. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I don't want to do just touristy things. I would like them to see the real villages of Switzerland and have good food etc. Thanks in advance.

If you and your friends are interested in walking it is hard to beat the Lavaux Vineyards, and Lutry, where you live, is an excellent starting point. Train stops are found at reasonably short intervals, so you can walk basically as long as you want. A search for Lavaux on this site will, I am sure, return quite a few threads.

I went to Rochers de Naye last weekend and it was spectacular. Take warm clothing because at 2000+ meters it was cold even at noon. There are several great hikes but you'll find quite a lot of snow at the very top. We stopped for a delightful lunch near the top of the ski lift at the Col du Jaman and then took the train back down. The cafe is definitely not touristy but the roast pork was yummy.

The return train ticket from Caux is CHF 25 with demi-tarif card so I am guessing it must be CHF 60 return from Montreux if your friends don't have the card. So, not cheap for a 30 minute rail trip but incredible vistas even for Canucks familiar with the Rockies, Banff, Lake Louise etc. Enjoy.