Discovering Lake Geneva – Montreux and the Golden Express Train – NEW AND IMPROVED ITINERARY

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and board the ferry for the short sea crossing over to Calais.  After disembarkation, continue south through France stopping overnight in the Reims/Troyes area.  Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Lake Geneva

Depart after breakfast, travelling through France and over the border into Switzerland and on to Lake Geneva and our hotel in Lausanne.  After check-in, dinner will be at the hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.

At leisure – Walking tour of Lausanne and the Olympic Museum

A day to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel and the surroundings of Lausanne.  Using your **Lausanne Transport Card, take the metro to the old town where we have arranged for a local guide to meet you for a walking tour to introduce you to the Tour de L’Ale, the Town Hall, the Old Bishop’s Palace, Château Sainte-Marie, the Cathedral and much more.  After some free time to explore, why not head down to the harbour area of Ouchy with its delightful promenade leading to the famous Olympic Museum which houses exhibits relating to sport and the Olympic movement.  It has the largest archive of Olympic Games memorabilia in the world and is one of Lausanne’s prime tourist attractions.  The gardens here are also well worth a visit and there is a cafe/restaurant on-site offering great views over the lake.  (**Discounted entrance with Lausanne Transport Card payable locally)

Return to the hotel for dinner an evening at leisure.

(**Note:  On arrival, all hotels in Lausanne provide guests with a Lausanne Transport Card which gives free use of public transport in the city and surroundings, including discounts for many museums, shops etc.)

Lake Cruise, Montreux, Queen Experience, Château de Chillon and Chaplin

This morning we will take leisurely cruise from Lausanne to Montreux where we will visit the new ‘Queen Studio Experience’ Exhibition.  Admission is free and is located in the former recording studio owned by the group – ‘Mountain Studios’.    This exhibition faithfully retraces one of the most important periods in the life of Queen and marks the 40th anniversary of their first album.  There may be time to wander around the old town or along the promenade and view the statue of Freddie Mercury which overlooks the lake.

From here we will continue by coach to Château de Chillon, a 13th century fortress located on a rocky islet overlooking the lake.  It is an internationally renowned symbol of the Lake Geneva region and one of the most visited castles in Europe and was the inspiration for the castle in the film ‘The Little Mermaid’.  On a guided tour, view the wall paintings, subterranean vaults and much more.  The complex consists of 25 buildings and three courtyards protected by two circular walls.

Before returning to Lausanne, we will make a stop in Vevey for a visit and tour of Chaplin’s World.  His former home is now a museum dedicated to his life as a legendary artist and his cinematographic genius.  There is a bronze statue of him as ‘The Tramp’ sitting on the quayside at Vevey.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening

Golden Pass Express Train and Lavaux Wine Tasting

One of the highlights of this tour is a journey on the Golden Pass Express Train on one of Switzerland’s most picturesque routes offering uninterrupted views and amazing panoramas.  The first part of the journey from Montreux is on a cogwheel track which climbs to a height of 578 meters, offering great views of the lake, to the village of Les Avants before crossing a valley which is very narrow in places.  The train will pass by the chic resort of Gstaad and its highest point at 1279 meters and descends to the town of Zweissimen which is where our journey ends and the coach will be waiting.

After some time to stretch our legs and get some lunch we will drive to Chexbres, located in the Lavaux wine producing region overlooking Lake Geneva.  The region itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and here we will enjoy a tasting of some local wines in the cellars or home of a local winegrower. (Optional vineyards tours by the vineyard train also available – groups to be pre-booked).

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Gruyeres Cheese and Cailler Chocolate – a culinary experience

Drive to the medieval town of Gruyeres and to the Maison de Gruyeres where we will see a demonstration and presentation of the famous cheese making process on an audio-guided tour.   From here we will drive the short distance to the old town to get some lunch (not included).  The views from the town are stunning and there are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants and shops. (Note: there is a coach parking charge in the old town – payable locally).

In the afternoon we will visit the wonderful world of Cailler Chocolate, the oldest existing Swiss chocolate brand.  An interactive tour will highlight the history of cocoa and its manufacture.  At the end of the visit, enjoy a tasting of Cailler chocolates with the option to make some purchases.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Depart Switzerland

It’s time to leave Lake Geneva behind and head back into France, driving north and stopping overnight.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast towards Calais and take the ferry for the short sea crossing back to Dover, and home.