TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

I’ve seen benches dotting along the Swiss Riviera promenade between Vevey and Montreux but it never came to my mind that they are special benches. Benches that revisit and remember the history of the riviera’s once-upon-a-time artistic and wordsmith residents. You can pick ‘The Poets’ Ramble’ booklet in Montreux or Vevey tourist offices. It is free of charge and the booklet has a map of the benches and other monuments. They are called ‘The Speaking Benches’ and each bench are dedicated to a famous prose writer or artist that lived here. The speaking benches stretch from Vevey (starting from the Nestle headquarters) to Montreux and all the way to Villeneuve near the French border. If you are into the art of language and inspiration, and you are in the area then this would be an interesting opportunity to locate the benches and spend a few minutes sitting on it while reading the excerpt from the ‘The Poets’ Ramble’ booklet. Click on foto to enlarge: Left is the Ernes...

Lord Byron (circa 18th century), the famous English poet and aristocrat, as well an avid traveler (like me hehe) wrote the poem, ‘The Prisoner of Chillon’. During his visit to Chateau de Chillon he learned about Francois Bonivard, the Swiss monk and patriot who was chained to the pillar for 6 years. The story inspired Lord Byron to write the poem, which in return made the castle very popular. Today, it is the most visited castle in Switzerland. Chateau de Chillon on the shores of Lake Geneva in the Swiss Riviera. It is a 45 minute brisk walk from Montreux. Chateau de Chillon is situated in Veytaux, a suburb of Montreux. What I love about the castle is its theatrical and dreamy location, sitting on a rock island along the pristine shores of Lake Geneva, and with the grandiose and soothing panorama of the Alps, truly a perfect home for the affluent back in the old ages. I was able to do an audio castle tour on my own that lasted for about an hour. Well worth it if you are into castles an...

The origin of the town’s name Montreux came from the word ‘monastery’ that was modified over the centuries. Originally a series of villages separated by vineyards in the olden times that later became a small confederation which is what Montreux is today, a low-key hang out for the older generation of the rich and famous. Montreux is part of the Rivera-Pays-d’-Enhaut district in the Canton of Vaud and is just less than 2 hours train ride from Geneva with a change in Lausanne. Place du Marche, the main square of Montreux and the statue of the iconic Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen.  The city is renowned for its annual ‘Jazz Festival’ during summer hosting world famous musicians and celebrities, as well as, of course, for its very wealthy and cultured residents. Honestly, I don’t really understand what makes this place so desirable for the rich to stay here, except that as we all know they can hide their €€€$$$ in Switzerland, and of course the view to Lac Leman (Lake...

Montreux is located in the Rivera-Pays-d'-Enhaut district (in other words: Swiss Riviera) in the Canton of Vaud, just less than 2 hours train ride from Geneva. I will talk more in detail about Montreux on a different entry but for now let me post my yummy late lunch there at the same Italian chain restaurant I had lunch in Geneva—Molino, but this time with a different and a very satisfying meal. One of the best I have had. Lunch: local red Swiss wine, bread and Italian antipasti—mix of artichokes, dried ham, black and green olives, anchovies in vinegar, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Hungry from my 3-kilometer hike from Chillon Castle in Veytaux and back to Montreux, I quickly went searching for a restaurant with a terrace along the Montreux promenade that is now filled with locals and tourists strolling about. In total I did a 6-kilometer hike and quite pleased with it. The views to the lake and the Alps were simply amazing, and soot...