Montreux

Montreux is found on the north-east shore of the Lake Geneva, of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It is referred to as “the Pearl of the Swiss Riviera” and is home to about 20,000 inhabitants. Thanks to its pleasant Mediterranean climate, this spa town of Montreux is one of the much sought after resorts of Switzerland. The place can be reached by flight, train, car or boat.

Montreux not only offers exquisite, historic architecture, historical sights and a wonderful shopping experience, it also boasts numerous international festivals. The Montreux Jazz Festival is the most famous festival here, followed by the Comedy Film Festival and the Classical Music Festival. All these are annual extravaganza.

A visit to the Montreux is a must for the music enthusiast. You get to listen to jazz, blues, Brazilian music, pop, rock, reggae and many other forms of music in the Montreux Jazz Festival. This is the biggest musical event of its type in the world that pulls together more than 220,000 people from the nearby cities and various nations. The concerts are usually hosted either in the Stravinsky Auditorium or the Miles Davis Hall.

But the visit to Montreux is never complete without a visit to the stunning Chillon Castle, built on a rock, on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is a beautiful combination of castle and fortress where you can take a peak into the past via the famous dungeon of Lord Byron, the halls and frescos of the middle ages. There is a great collection of antique furniture, pewter and weapons while the towers and ramparts offer wonderful views.

Then of course, there is Lake Geneva that is worth visiting. You can watch the activities of the harbor while on a stroll - of the white passenger boats that ply between the French and Swiss shores of the lake. You could also relax in one of the many cafes around or have fun by taking part in some of the various water sports offered here in the summer.

Before winding up the trip, take few hours to visit the wine village - Saint Saphorin – located in Lavaux where you can taste the famous local wines. Some of the famous local specialties are fresh perch from the lake and light dry wines like ‘St. Saphorin’ or ‘Epesses’. The Christmas market is another activity worth visiting in Montreux where you find more than 100 beautiful stands that resemble small chalets.