.
Excursions by boat: Of the 16 boats, 8 have paddle wheels. The boats run continuously so you can easily organise your stop-overs at, for example, Chillon Castle, the Olympic Museum or the Swiss Vapour Park. Or on the French side, Evian, Thonon and Yvoire - are all worth a visit.
Beaches: For swimming and sunbathing in an idyllic setting, you'll find quiet pebble beaches and green parkland all along the Vaudois Riviera. Enjoy a relaxig afternoon while splashing in the invigorating waters of Lake Geneva. There are about 20 natural beaches and access to them is free. Some suggestions: Jardin Doret - Vevey, Bains des Hommes - la Tour de Peilz, Bain des Dames - la Tour de Peilz, La Becque - la Tour de Peilz, La Grotte – Corseaux (they are all near Vevey) ; and Plage de Chillon - Veytaux, Port du Basset - Clarens, La Maladaire (near Montreux)
Talking Benches : The bench walking tour is a didactic tour trough Montreux and Vevey which allows you to discover the area in a different way. The benches tell a story, declaim lines, quote some sentences of a work or describe with the words of a writer the place where you decided to have a break. 25 famous people, amongst them Charlie Chaplin, Dostoïevsky, Graham Greene, Victor Hugo, Tolstoï, Rilke, Hemingway or Rousseau will serve you as a guide during this walking tour which could last between 3 and 4 hours, depending on which route you take. Map on sale at the tourist offices for CHF 2.-
Enjoy hiking: The hilly surroundings of the Vevey-Montreux area offer a good range of easy hikes. There is a huge choice for everyone's taste and ability, from footpaths through the mountains, vineyards, fields and forests, to the many flowered walks along the shores of Lake Geneva. Ask at the tourist office for the free map "Hiking routes”.
Rochers-de-Naye, with its floral alpine garden, is a great one-day tour. You may walk up to the top (2,042 m/ 6,700 ft., approx. 3 1/2 hrs for good hikers), or take the scenic MOB railway, or the cogwheel train to “les Pléiades”, 1,300m of breathtaking views of the lake.
Mountain biking and cycling: Countryside and fresh air - up hill, down dale, through fields and forests,you can pedal away to your heart's content. You'll be amazed at the ground you can cover on 15 signposted bike paths through some of the region's most beautiful countryside. Or if you prefer to cycle on paved roads, the Vaudois Riviera and Rhone valley are ideal. You can rent a bike at “Rent a Bike”, at the train statition www.rentabike.ch. At the tourist office you get the very useful guide “Cyclo Tourism and Mountain Biking” (free of charge).
|
