The Swiss Riviera

Let's talk the Swiss Riviera Whilst many business travellers will be familiar with Geneva as a destination , how many have enjoyed the opportunity to venture down the lake to the area known as the Swiss Riviera? A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be hosted on a joint Swiss Tourism/Inghams fam trip to get to know this region better. And whilst I have visited Switzerland many times, this was an area that was fairly unfamiliar to me. And what an incredible area it is! The Swiss Riviera stretches from Lausanne to Montreux and encompasses the beautiful World UNESCO Lavaux vineyards perched on steep hills with a dramatic view of the lake and the Alps on the other side. Then you reach Vevey and its old town, passing La-Tour-de-Peilz before ending in Montreux, its casino and of course Chillon castle. Lausanne, situated just 35 minutes from Geneva by train, is home to the World Olympic Committee and , as such , has a fascinating museum dedicated to all things Olympian, which is situated in a prime position on the shores of the lake. Not to mention a wonderful restaurant with panoramic views to the Mont Blanc Massif. Lausanne’s mediaeval old town is home to Switzerland’s largest Gothic Cathedral, and the city also has a fine arts museum as well as numerous restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. This is after all, the French part of Switzerland, where fine dining and delicious wines are to be found in abundance. The Swiss do not produce enough wine to export much – they like to keep it all to themselves, and once you have tasted it, you will understand why. On to Vevey, which has a lovely, relaxed vibe, with cafes, bars and restaurants aplenty on the shores of the lake. Its also home to the Chaplin museum: Charlie Chaplin chose Vevey as his home for the last 25 years of his life, and the house (mansion) where he once resided has been turned into a fascinating museum. Just up the lake, is Montreux, which hosts its famous Jazz festival in July every year. Chillon Castle (Switzerland’s most visited attraction) is to be found on the lakeshore, just a few minutes outside of the town. Montreux also has a fabulous Christmas Market and is the starting point for both the cheese and chocolate trains which visit the Gruyeres cheese factory and Cailler (Nestle) chocolate factory respectively. From here it is also possible to embark on numerous alpine excursions. So next time you're in Switzerland, why not embark on a mini adventure along the Swiss Riviera. I promise you will not regret it! And if you would like me to tailor a bespoke trip to the Swiss Riviera or beyond, either as part of a business trip or a leisurely escape, then please don't hesitate to get in touch. #ineedSwitzerland