The Underrated City of Vevey
It seems appropriate that my first post be blogged from the air. Currently in flight to San Francisco for a week for work. I brought my camera in case I see my way out of a conference room, but chances look slim. Not all travel is glamorous, but some might just turn that way if given a little luck to stay awhile…
I recently ended a 25 work trip abroad making stops in Switzerland, UK and Italy. Our first stop was Vevey, Switzerland. One of the things you will notice when you go online to research the “Best Cities to Visit in Switzerland,” Vevey never makes a top “must visit” list. If it had not been for this work project, I would have never visited the most beautiful place I have ever seen in life (by a mile).
Because of its stunning beauty, Vevey has to be one of the most underrated cities in Europe and maybe the world. Sitting at the end of Lake Geneva with the Swiss Alps in the distance, the mountainous views are breathtaking. I had never experienced what truly the word “breathtaking” meant until the moment I sat down my bags and opened the balcony French doors to behold what Vevey is all about.
Perhaps one of Vevey’s only claim to fame was an antidote from my cab driver when I asked if he liked living near Vevey. His response was, “Charlie Chapman chose to live his final days in Vevey because it was so beautiful.” My kind of answer, hopelessly romantic, so my love affair with Vevey begins. When you find yourself looking from a relaxing escape from it all, go to Vevey.
Stroll the waterside
Once you arrive in Vevey it will take you three seconds for the urge to kick-in to drop your bags wherever you are at and head straight to the water edge. Wake-up early to to see the night fog slowly roll out, feel the crispness of the morning, and simply walk up and down the water edge. This view is why you're here. You will be healed from stress in an instance.
Stay at the Hotel des Trois
Book the Hotel des Trois with a balcony room. I visited the other five star hotels on my stay which were very nice, but nothing compares to the unobstructed view of the lakeside and the balcony views at the Hotel des Trois. Order your brekkie to take out to the balcony every morning and swoon.
Eat Gastronomic Foods
Vevey is famous for some of the best restaurants in the world with 7 Michelin starred restaurants in the little town itself. Their speciality is gastronomy. Go all out and you will suddenly start to understand the gigantic fork in the middle of the lake while you're licking your plate. While I didn't have a chance to try some of the famous gastronomic restaurants, I would highly recommend spending a lunch at the Ze Fork. Start with a pre-lunch spritzer on their patio overlooking the water and move inside for your meal.
Ride the Ferry
Buy a ticket and spend the day jumping from one Switzerland city to the next. This commuter ferry will take you to several beautiful destinations along the river. For the New York readers, this is no ordinary commuter ferry, i.e. Staten Island Ferry. Spring for a Business Class ticket to sit at wine bar or go First Class and settle in at their fine dining restaurant. Tickets can be purchased at several manned kiosks at the waters edge.
Go to the Saturday Market
Every Saturday in the middle of old town what once a parking lot turns into a community fair with music, local cheeses, meats, roasted hazelnuts, wine and beer. Do as the locals do and spend the day taking down some libations and eats, and wonder why you ever booked that Sunday return flight.
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