Afternoon of July 17, 2019

The region of Lake Geneva is blessed with impressive landscapes, picturesque vineyards, medieval villages and castles, and a rich cultural heritage. Most of the participants will have the occasion after the sessions to stroll through the old town of Lausanne, discover the prettiest gothic cathedral north of the Alps, enjoy the restaurants, bars and shops in the Flon, or have a look the Olympic museum near Ouchy, the harbor of Lausanne. On Wednesday afternoon, we would like to give the chance to visit places further up the lake. Next to Lausanne, we find the splendid vineyards of Lavaux, and at the foot of the first mountains of the Alps, there are the small towns of Vevey and Montreux. In Vevey, there was the first industrial production of milk powder and milk chocolate. Charly Chaplin spent there the last part of his life in a nice villa, which is now a museum devoted to his work and life. In the 19th century, Montreux was a favorite place for British, and later also Russian tourists. Now, tourists come from all over the world. It has also a beautiful medieval castle (Chateau de Chillon) belonging once to the Dukes of Savoy. From Montreux there is a rack railway going up to the mountain Rocher de Naye (2040 m) offering a splendid view over the lake. When going up from Vevey onto the hilly land of Fribourg, you shall see quite a lot of cows. They are giving the milk for one of the most famous cheeses, the Gruyère (if it is not used for chocolate), being produced in the region of the same name. We find there also a very picturesque castle on top of a hill. 

Below is a list of several excursions that can be booked before June 1. For most of the trips you need the metro-pass Lausanne, which you should get for free in every hotel.

Alternatively, for small budgets, we shall also organize a walk from the convention center to Ouchy along the lake shore. In case of nice weather, one could also undertake a swim in the lake. At the end there will be a cold beer on a dock.

Trip

Web-address

Price

($)

Maximal no of persons

1

Chateau de Chillon by boat, return by train.  After the castle visit, participants may choose an individual program. There is a nice walk from Chillon to the center of Montreux along the lake. The package includes transportation, entry to the castle, and guides.

Details:

Departure from convention center to Flon with Metro: 13:39

Ouchy (lake) arrival:  14:05

Boat leaves at 14:20

Arrival at Ch.de Chillon: 16:00

Guided visit of Castle: 1615-1745:

Train from Veytaux-Chillon: 18 :21

  • Arrival Lausanne station: 18:58

Or walk to Montreux (3.6 km)

Train from Montreux 18:47

  • Arrival Lausanne: 19:10

https://www.chillon.ch/en

75.-

30

2

Chateau de Chillon by train both ways. After the castle visit, participants may choose an individual program. There is a nice walk from Chillon to the center of Montreux along the lake. The package includes transportation, entry to the castle, and guides.

Details:

Departure from convention center to Renens station with Metro: 13:33

Train direction Villeneuve, dep. 13:50

arrival: Veytaux-Chillon: 14:34

Guided Visit 14 :45-16 :15

Walk to Montreux station

Departure 17:20 or 17:47

Lausanne arr. 17:43 or 18:10

https://www.chillon.ch/en

63.-

30

3

Bus starting at the convention center. Visit of chocolate factory in Broc, castle of Gruyère, and cheese plant, where we get a rural dinner served. The bus brings us back to Lausanne and convention center by 8 pm (20:00).

https://cailler.ch/fr/maison-cailler/la-chocolaterie-suisse/

https://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/accueil/

80.-

90

5

Musée Chaplin. Boat to Vevey, bus to Chaplin world, guided tour, back to Vevey. Individual sightseeing in Vevey (Train to Lausanne included).

Details:

Departure from convention center to Flon with Metro: 13:39, change direction

Ouchy (lake), arrival:  14:05

Boat leaves at 14:20,

Boat arrival at Vevey: 15:23

Walk to bus station – bus to museum

Guided visit: 16:00-17:30 (or 30 minutes later)

With bus to Vevey station.

Train Vevey dep 18:28

Lausanne arr. 18:43

https://www.chaplinsworld.com/en

75.-

20

6

Rocher de Naye (trains), at 7 pm back to Montreux for individual program there or return to Lausanne. (Train to Lausanne included).

Details:

Departure from convention center to Renens station with Metro: 14:10

Train direction Villeneuve, dep. 14 :25

Arrival at Montreux: 15:02

Rack train dep.: 15:17, on top 16:06

Return by train at 18:11;

Montreux 19:06, dep 19:20

Lausanne 19:43.

https://www.montreuxriviera.com/en/P815/the-cog-railway-montreux-rochers-de-naye

100.-

20

7

Vineyards of Lavaux: visit of wine cave, wine degustation with snack, walk in vineyards if weather permits (can be too hot). Return by 18:00.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/lavaux-vineyard-terraces-the-swiss-wine-route.html

50

40

8

Walk at lake shore: Campus, sport grounds, Vidy park, (modest) roman ruins of Lousonnensium, public beach Bellerive (you pay if you want to enter), Jetée de la compagnie (dock with beer) at 17:00, open end.

See google maps

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