I am beginning to spot a theme in my travels. Water. With the exception of Paris and Prague most of the places I have visited are either on the coast or by a lake (and even those cities have a significant river to walk by)
Which brings me to the next European location – Montreux in Switzerland, alongside the lovely Lac Léman or Lake Geneva and only a 40 minutes train ride away from Geneva. On our first day we caught a bus* to Vevey Funi and took the funicular railway up the mountainside to Mont Pèlerin (no views sadly because of the fog lingering over the water). In better weather I expect it is a wonderful place to visit and there are Lavaux Vineyard trails to explore with spring blossoms, autumn harvesting and numerous inns and taverns and wine tasting rooms if you stop off at Chardonne.
On returning to the lakeside we then walked back along the promenade (Quai Ernest-Ansermet) into Vevey town centre for a look around whilst waiting for the next ferry boat back towards Montreux.
What is so delightful about Vevey is the floral lined promenade where swans float on the lake and boats pass by including the beautiful Belle Époque paddlewheel steamers.
The old town has many areas just for pedestrians and, as is common in Switzerland, has a pretty floral fountain.
(From Vevey-Marché (lac) we caught a ferry boat to the Castle of Chillon which is at the far side of Montreux, with the intention of visiting the castle in the afternoon before walking back via Quai des Fleurs and Quai Alfred Chatelanat to our hotel (2 miles). A full self-guiding tour takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on how fast you walk and how much reading you do.)
TRAVEL WORDS 
These visits are fun for me, as yet again is a city I don’t know at all. Keep ’em coming.
Both Vevey and Montreux are towns. Vevey is more Swiss whereas Montreux is more international and expensive. They are easily walkable and I will show you more of Montreux itself. I think you’ll like it.
There’s such a lot to love about Switzerland – the cost of everything isn’t one of them! This sounds a lovely setting on the shores of the lake.
That’s true. We had the most expensive salad in Geneva, £20 each. But then we discovered an Italian place near the hotel which was quite reasonable and did fantastic pizza. In Montreux we just sucked up the expense as it was our anniversary treat.
Despite the dull weather it’s clear to see this is a lovely town and beautifully looked-after 🙂 It reminds me a little of Annecy which has those same floral planters and a lakeside setting.
Given that this was the end of September / early October I was astonished by all the flora seen around the lake.
Very pretty town, looking as well kept as I would expect from Switzerland!
Ah, yes. Swiss efficiency.
Lovely town
Vevey is more Swiss than Montreux, but they are both lovely.
Yes😊
Switzerland is another country I ‘overlooked’ on my travels. Thanks for the tour, Jude.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Glad to have your company Pete. I think you’d like this area.
We are yet to visit Switzerland and it’s long been on my list. Even on a grey day this all looks so pretty.
It was still very warm, just foggy over the lake. Switzerland is very expensive, but very beautiful.
I do like this armchair travelling 🙂
Yes. Much easier on the nerves. You moved out yet?
I have indeed. Completed last Friday, and now in Somerset xx
Lovely. A breather while you look for a house? Or have you found one?
Not yet, but potential ones being viewed this week!
Don’t rush. You’ve been through a stressful time and buying a new house is as traumatic (or more) than selling one! At least it has been for us.
Wise words. I’ll try to be patient!
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you 😊