Монтрё

See

thumb|Château de Chillon thumbnail|Freddy Mercury's statue at the lake promenade The Riviera Promenade. Stroll along it and challenge yourself to recognise each tree and flower. The city gardeners create each vegetal sculptures on a special theme. On week days the quai are the perfect place to roller skate from Clarens to Villeneuve. thumbnail|Old Montreux

Do

Cruises. Take a cruise on the unique Belle Epoque paddle steamers and discover Lavaux from the lake. Timetable at Compagnie Générale de Navigation's website. Take a journey at the "alpage". Up High but not so far away, spend a night at a true "alpage", have a dinner with the "armailli", sleep on straw, and if you are awake early enough, milk the cows, watch the cheese making on woodfire and if you are lucky turn the "batte à beurre". Nothing can beat a spoon of cream served with a wooden spoon carved by a local artisan. Don't miss the L'Etivaz cheese, of course. Information: Olivier et Huguette Yersin. Tel. +41 79 230 30 77

Buy

Every Christmas Montreux hosts an excellent Christmas market for several weeks over the holiday period. The main road through the town (Grand' Rue) and the lakeside path are lined with wooden chalets where you can find anything to buy from local wine (free tasting sometimes on offer) to chocolates (of course) and local crafts. The atmosphere is magical, your kids can visit Père Noel (Father Christmas). With all the regular shops also open you could do all your Christmas shopping in one trip and get some unique presents into the bargain.

For the cheapest souvenirs in Montreux, check out the Kiosque Biblique, which is housed in a small wooden chalet next to the Eurotel. It's not always open because it's run by volunteers, but it always offers a friendly welcome to everyone and has lots of free Christian literature in many languages.

Eat

thumbnail|The lake promenade is sided by cafés, restaurants, bars and...palm trees

Go next

Vevey — a lovely city in a cove, and the corporate home to the Nestlé chocolate and food empire. Lavaux — terraced vineyards and one of the prettiest landscapes anywhere stretching between Lausanne and Vevey. Lausanne — a university town and home to the International Olympic Committee. Château d'Œx — a ski town that also offers a wide range of multi-season sporting activities. Yvorne — yet another wine growing region, this one on the slopes of the Vaudois Alps. Montreux is the western end of the luxurious Golden Pass scenic train line going all the way to Lucerne.