We arrive in geneva on October 4th and currently have plans to immediately travel to montreux to see the chillon castle with a hotel reserved for that night in lausanne. Should we, instead stay in montreux ??? We want to do the golden pass, and also have hotel reservations in lauterbrunnen for the last part of our ( 4 day, 3 night) trip. We are headed to Paris on the 8th. Please advise as we are trying to be time efficient in our limited time. We would like to see: Chillon castle Matterhorn Gruyere factory Chocolate factory Jungfri ??sp Some quaint alp area , gimmerwald?
Thanks so much everyone!!
Posted by
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
If you stay in Lausanne, you should take half a day to visit Ouchy and the olympic museum and the Gothic Cathedral using the new Metro. Between Lausanne and Montreux, I would highly recommend a hike in the Lavaux vineyards. This is a tradition that started 800 years ago by monks. The location is beautiful on steep vineyards above the lake and facing the french alps. you can also sample the different wines, have a nice lunch, and eat the local perch.
The rest of your tour seems great.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Drop Zermatt from your itinerary. If you're staying in Lauterbrunnen (Jungfrau Region) you'll be seeing plenty of majestic alps. Assuming you are arriving at Geneva airport I would jump on the next available train and head straight for Lauterbrunnen (Jungfrau, Gimmelwald). The Golden Pass is fine but a normal non-touristy regular train rides on the same tracks as the Golden Pass. If you only have 3 nights you don't have ANY time to waste waiting around on a special train. Spend 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen. On you last morning send your bags ahead to Montreux and take the next available train to Gruyere. Do a quick jaunt around the village, jump on train head to Montreux to see the castle and spend your last night here. Next morning connect in Geneva for the TGV high speed train to Paris. 3 nights is really not enough time to adequately do even the above abbreviated itinerary.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
I agree totally with Tim. You need to cut, not add. I think, however, that I would disagree on what to do after Lauterbrunnen. I think I would head straight for Lausanne and spend the last day there prior to return to Geneva. After the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Golden Pass route will be anticlimactic. Sorry, I don't know Gruyere or Montreux (except for picking up the Golden Pass train). But Lausanne is lovely. I would stay down by the lake and either walk or take the funicular up to the main part of town.
Posted by
New Salem, Massachuse, USA
11 posts
I also agree with Tim. Lauterbrunnen Vslley has the best of the Alps, in my opinion. I have been to Zermatt and it takes train changes that are time consuming, as is the trip to Gruyeres...I have been there and it took most of the day to change trains, eaach time the tracks getting smaller!! (and the passenger cars). Once in Gruyeres you must trek up to the center with luggage as the station is down on lower elevation. It is very much out of the way. I love Gimmelwald, but avoid Grindwald. After seven trips I have yet to go to Geneva, there are castles all over the country. If you want more input, just email me.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
We stayed in Montruex last month. What a wonderful place. You can get to Chillon easily. I recommend Montruex. Also, if you are driving, it is easy to get to Gruyere, the town. Do visit the town, it is quite a site and a sight. I recommend Merkur chocolate.