Bulle

Bulle is in the Gruyere region of Switzerland, not far from Lausanne, and I ran into these "thematic hiking paths". How could you resist paths called "poor people's path" or witches' path? The Fribourg website says that in July and August there is a folk market every Thursday. Is that in addition to the produce and crafts one that Rick Steves talks about every Tuesday?

Caveaux

We are checking out the wine cellars along the shore of Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Montreux (Lavaux) and they all seem to be nightspots, open from 5-9 pm. Perhaps that is so people bike sober.

The Bernese Oberland

Penny sent us a link to Sam Cotton's flickr account with lots of photos of Switzerland. It makes you want to go up into the Alps right away. Many of the photos are from the Bernese Oberland so I looked to see where that was and, according to Rick Steves, there is a train, the Golden Pass, that goes from Geneva to Zurich via this area. In fact, the section we probably want is the section from Montreux to Zweisimmen. Then we could get off at Zweisimmen, take a hike and then go back to Montreux and Lausanne. We'll have to check out the logistics. And the costs.
So if we consider the swiss rail flexipass for 2 or more persons, maybe that would work. The roundtrip from Lausanne to Zweisimmen would be 74 Swiss Francs in second class, 124 first class. The chocolate train appears only to be first class and is $91 US roundtrip. Does that mean it wouldn't be available using the second class rail pass?

Swiss Riviera

It looks like I will have to bring a bathing suit:

http://www.swiss-riviera.com/

Or maybe a wet suit.

Via Jacobi

Oh my, Penny, the Hiking in Switzerland site has information on the Via Jacobi, the St. James pilgrimage. So that means we can pick up the Camino de Santiago in Switzerland! Who would have thought.
Here's more information http://www.viajacobi.ch/

Rochers-de-Naye

I wonder if the Grand Hotel seen in this postcard is still there.

Here is some information on Rochers-de-Naye: "an imposing rock formation above Montreux offers simply stunning views of Lac Léman and the surrounding Alps". You get to it via a cogwheel railway that leaves from the Montreux railway station.

Rochers-de-Naye is the starting point for hikes and also has the La Rambertia Alpine Garden, where around 1000 various colourful and sweetly scented species of plants from all over the world are on display. (Maybe I can find something that will grow in Pittsburgh!)

• Montreux Vevey

It appears that Friday and Saturday are the days to do the wine trail. Monday through Wednesday almost all of them appear to be closed. It is too bad we are traveling on the weekend!

Lausanne Weather

Obviously we have to keep track of the weather since we have to know what to take. With 2 stops on our flight to Geneva, our luggage is 3 times more likely to be lost so we absolutely have to carry it on which means we can't take anything but the essentials. Just like on the Camino.

• Lausanne Weather from meteosuisse

Where did the French ever come up with "meteo" for weather? I guess it means measure...

This morning I took the giant leap and bought our airline tickets. For a price from Expedia (the cheapest rates). Now I'll have to continually check online to see if they go down. But the hours were reasonable and the layovers long enough but not too long. We'll be leaving Saturday night, August 23rd at 5:30 pm on US Air to Philadelphia and then on to Dublin. From Dublin we take Aer Lingus to Geneva, arriving at 3:10 pm on Sunday (sounds long, doesn't it?). On the way back on Sunday, August 31st we take Swiss Air to Zurich at 7:40 am (sounds early doesn't it) and then US Air to Philadelphia and then home to Pittsburgh.

Montreux & Lausanne

You mustn't forget to visit Montreux where Mitch says he wants to retire (1/2 hr by train). You'll have missed the jazz festival, but c'est dommage!

Look up the hiking routes on Switzerland Mobility http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/holidayoffers/page-Tab_Activities-Activities_SchweizMobil-320588.html

As far as breakfast I think all the Swiss and German hotels have great breakfast buffets.
You should also (according to Mitch) take a historical tour of the city, and visit the museum at the International Olympic Headquarters. He'll look up the name of his favorite chocolate shop in Lausanne so you don't miss that, and he doesn't know a thing about markets!

Oh my there are lots of things to do on the lake, too. Maybe a couple of weeks?
P.S. It's very hilly and makes Pittsburgh look flat

Lausanne, Switzerland

Fernando has a conference (Eusipco 2008) in Lausanne, Switzerland in August so this is a good place to collect information even if I don't go. IsYours.com has a section on Lausanne, which they call Switzerland's San Francisco (it is sounding more and more inviting...). It is located 37 miles from Geneva's airport on the northern shore of Lake Geneva.

• Lausanne Tourism
• Bed and Breakfast Switzerland
  
• Swiss Geo (mapping site)
• Eusipco map of Lausanne with hotels
• Transit map of Lausanne
  

Here are some 3 star hotels:

• Hotel Regina - This had the best reviews in Trip Advisor and Venere
  
• Hotel AlaGare - This is a Minotel with a big Swiss buffet breakfast and traditional Swiss dining rooms.


• Lausanne Guesthouse