If you dream of relaxing like Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin, Freddie Mercury, Austrian Empress Sissi, Lord Byron, Vladimir Nabokov and other famous personalities did, choose the Swiss, or, as it is also called, the Waadt Riviera. This is the conventional name for the picturesque strip of coastal resorts that stretch along the northern, sunny shore of Lake Geneva. Naturally, when celebrities of yesteryear went there, the Swiss franc exchange rate and housing prices were not so “biting”, but today almost everyone can afford this paradise vacation, at least for a short time. And believe me, it is worth it. You can always book a tour to Switzerland with us.
How to get there? ✈️🚂
The nearest international airport is in Geneva (GVA). From there, you can easily reach the desired beauties by car (about an hour), train (direct trains to Montreux run every 30 minutes) or bus. Or you can come by land transport from other European countries. Just remember that Switzerland is not part of the EU, although it is in the “Schengen”. Therefore, if you go there, for example, by bus from Germany or France, do not be surprised by possible passport control at the border. The same applies to mobile Internet. Since Switzerland is not part of the EU roaming zone, you may have to connect additional gigabytes of traffic from your operator or buy a local SIM card.
🧐 Visa issue for Ukrainians: With a biometric passport, a visa is not required for a tourist trip to Switzerland. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Montreux – the heart of the Riviera 🎷
Palm trees, cypresses, sprawling pines around turquoise water in the heart of the majestic Swiss Alps – this is what you will see when you come to Montreux. The local embankment, which stretches for 13 kilometers, is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The center of the Riviera is located right next to Lake Geneva. The city is reliably protected from cold winds by mountain slopes, so a unique microclimate reigns here: it is constantly illuminated by the sun, palm trees and flowers grow around, and the climate is much milder than in the famous Nice, while there are significantly fewer people – these are just some of the advantages. Celebrities prefer the Swiss Riviera for relaxation also because privacy is respected here and no one violates their solitude. You can meet movie and sports stars both in any cafe and just on the street.
Montreux is lucky with the weather, even in winter the temperature rarely drops below zero. Such conditions contribute to the cultivation of the best grape varieties, especially the Chassault variety. Given that wines produced in Switzerland are almost never exported, it is impossible to buy or try them anywhere else. Therefore, if you are a connoisseur, I strongly recommend tasting them on site and bringing a bottle of the drink as a unique souvenir.
Modern Montreux is a city of luxurious hotels of the “Belle Epoque”, expensive restaurants, casinos and clubs. The atmosphere of wealth and splendor per square meter is dizzying. Walking along the chic promenade, you definitely will not miss the famous statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury – fresh flowers from fans from all over the world lie at its foot all year round. In Montreux, the singer founded his recording studio Mountain Studios and worked on several albums. The view of Lake Geneva is immortalized on the cover of the group’s latest album “Made in Heaven”.
Montreux itself is a very musical city: every summer it hosts a world-famous jazz festival. If you want to learn more about local history, check out the city museum: it is not boring at all and is very interactive.
💡 Must-see: You simply have to admire the famous Chillon Castle , it is visible from almost any point on the embankment. Although it is located three kilometers from Montreux, you can get there on foot along the flowering embankment. If you have time, take a walk and look inside. The castle has practically not changed since the 13th century: its appearance, halls, rooms and dungeons have been preserved in perfect condition. Writers have repeatedly drawn inspiration from there: Hugo, Dumas, Shelley, and, of course, Byron. The latter dedicated his famous poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” to the medieval castle.
Vevey – a city of inspiration and chocolate 🍴
Although even without it, there is something to see in the city. Vevey was founded in the times of Ancient Rome, and the city passed under the rule of Bern only in the 16th century. In the 19th century, the city became a popular resort, which was chosen by aristocrats and intelligentsia from all over Europe. Walking along the embankment, you can see monuments to Charlie Chaplin (who lived here for the last 25 years of his life), Nikolai Gogol and others. If you are a museum lover, then you definitely will not be bored in Vevey. Art, history, photography, watches – there are dozens of thematic exhibitions here, including the unique Alimentarium food museum.
The city is also home to the headquarters of the world-famous Nestle company. So you should learn from me that it was there, in 1867, that Henri Nestle invented the world’s first infant formula to combat infant mortality. And the famous milk chocolate appeared much later. I was in the city on a tour, and the guide mentioned this fact several times. Apparently, it is important for the locals.
If you think that a vacation on the Swiss Riviera is only about the beach, walks along the embankment, restaurants and museums, then no, it’s not at all like that. There are plenty of options for active recreation here: lake cruises, hiking in the Lavaux vineyards, mountain hikes, cycling, shopping at the local market with fresh farm products, all kinds of festivals. In addition to the popular jazz festival, there is also a famous comedy festival – in memory of Charlie Chaplin.
Lausanne – Olympic capital 🏃♀️
Lausanne was once the intellectual center of the country and attracted famous philosophers and thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. Now Lausanne can rightly be called the sports capital of the world. It is not for nothing that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) established its headquarters there back in 1915. The options for activities and various sports grounds in the city are endless. Do you want to go water skiing – please, play tennis – for your health. Lausanne is home to the world’s largest Olympic Museum, where you can not only look at medals and torches, but also admire world records in various Olympic disciplines on interactive screens.
For connoisseurs of beauty and fashion, there is a unique opportunity to stay and spend the night in the hotel room where Coco Chanel lived, at the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel. She adored Switzerland, especially its Riviera, and is buried in Lausanne.
You can relax your soul in Lausanne Cathedral, listen to the incomparable organ playing, and then stroll along the wonderful Ouchy embankment. You can also visit the neighboring towns of Villeneuve and Nyon, each of which has its own charm.
💡 What else is there to do on the Riviera? Even an ordinary promenade becomes something strange here. For a complete experience, it is worth taking a boat trip on one of the old Belle Époque paddle steamers. This will allow you to see all the beauty of the coast, castles and vineyards from the water. And if you want to take a break from the city bustle, the best thing you can do is find a cozy place in a park overlooking the lake, relax and enjoy the moment. Perhaps this kind of rest will inspire you to create your own cozy corner at home, where the central element will be a comfortable small sofa with a view of your favorite landscape outside the window.
The Swiss Riviera is a postcard come to life: the majestic Alps, ringed by a crystal lake, flowers and palm trees all around, elegant sculptures by artists, incredible architecture. I perfectly understand the writers of past years who spent months living near Lake Geneva and looking for inspiration here. Who wouldn’t want that?
So if you’re going to Switzerland, be sure to set aside a day or two, or even more, for a Riviera vacation. I don’t know what could happen for you not to like it there. I recommend the Riviera to absolutely everyone. You can leave the organization of your trip to us, and leave only the most pleasant things for yourself. Have a luxurious vacation!
Source: Swiss Riviera: vacation like a celebrity