We have traveled quite a bit in Switzerland, and even lived down there for a couple of months. When “As We Travel” was founded back in 2010, we were living far up in the Swiss Alps in a tiny cute village called Scuol.
It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to …
… set right in a valley surrounded by high snowy mountains, the villages there were so secluded from the rest of the world that cars actually have to go on a train to reach the valley!
They speak their own language (Romansh), have their own culture, their own traditional cuisine, and – most importantly, nearly everyone we got to know there lived for the moment and enjoyed the simple things in life.
We thought that because it was so secluded and tricky to get to, that was the reason to why it was still so beautiful and such a relaxing place.
But once we left to see the rest of Switzerland, we realized that no matter where you went – the country was breathtakingly beautiful.
Vevey, where we decided to go this time around, was no exception.
Arriving at the train station, I instantly felt my body relaxing.
Since Paris, every train station had felt bigger and more chaotic than the previous one – boarding the trains had been like boarding a flight with bag scanners and everything.
But Vevey’s station was small, quiet and simple – and the town was the same.
Everything here happened slower than normal, it almost felt as though it happened in slow motion:
The cars cruised rather than raced, the boats drove in circles rather than towards somewhere – even the many people working out seemed to do it in harmony, and it was so quiet that I for a moment thought that my ears were blocked.
Vevey is famous for three things: The vineyards surrounding the area, the invention of milk chocolate and being the place Charlie Chaplin called “home”.
The vineyards, which date back to medieval times, are world famous for its great wine, and incredible views.
Perched on top of steep mountains, the view is priceless – and the wine, expensive…
It’s easy to understand why people like Charlie Chaplin and Hemingway chose to live here, and easy to see why the milk chocolate was invented here, in a place full of inspiration and all about indulgence.
Many backpackers choose not to visit Switzerland because they think it will cost way too much to visit - big mistake!
Yeah it might cost more than some other places in Europe BUT trust me, it’s worth it, if only just for a few days…
If the nature alone is not enough reason to visit, than the variety of culture is …
What other country can you experience 4 languages (Italian, Swiss German, French and Romansh), making for such a great variety of local food and culture?
Vevey looks and sounds wonderful. I spent some time in Interlocken and really enjoyed myself there too.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, I really liked Interlaken as well, it’s a good place for outdoor sports.
Vevey looks and sounds wonderful. I spent some time in Interlocken and really enjoyed myself there too.
Really enjoyed this post and I agree wholeheartedly with you! Everyone should visit Switzerland. It may be more expensive but once you are there the views are free
Not only can you experience 4 languages but there is a diverse climate too! If you like a warm temp then get to the Ticino area!
You’re completely right about the climate – and the nature! I found it quite incredible how the nature could be so diverse in such a small country.
Really enjoyed this post and I agree wholeheartedly with you! Everyone should visit Switzerland. It may be more expensive but once you are there the views are free
Not only can you experience 4 languages but there is a diverse climate too! If you like a warm temp then get to the Ticino area!
GREAT POST! Seems like every time you guys make a new post, I have new places to add to my list. Vevey looks amazing.
Haha thanks Andrew, we’re glad to have inspired you, would love to hear your bucket list of places you’d like to visit in Europe
Food for thought and another destination to add to the list – should call it a scroll at this point *laugh*
Ahah, I read this article because I’ll be hiking in Switzerland for two weeks in August… and I’ll spend two days in Vevey ! It’s really cool to know that it’s worth spending (great) quality time there. Thanks for sharing !
I personally loved Switzerland, traveled throughout for 18 days in 2010. My favorite spot was Bern, and sad to say I did not visit Vevey, but visited the town that is right next door called Montreux and loved the tiny town. Such an interesting fact that milk chocolate was invented there. BTW.. there is no other country that speaks those four languages, thats a FACT
Bern is a lovely city, so peaceful and beautiful! It is interesting that milk chocolate was invented there, but I am not surprised since they have such high quality of alp milk available in the alpine farms
Chaplin and Hemingway lived here? Who knew?
I agree with you that Switzerland is often overlooked but shouldn’t be.
Did you guys encounter much of a language barrier while visiting Scuol and Vevey?
When visiting Scuol we definitely did. We actually lived there for five months and arrived speaking no German at all. We soon noticed that practically nobody spoke any English whatsoever, and that German was only their second language after the local language Rätoromanisch.
In Vevey it was a lot easier with the language, and we got along fine with English.
Switzerland looks like heaven in the winter so It will always my dream to visit Switzerland. I will plan to visit Switzerland this winter so at that time I will surely visit Vevey. Thanks for sharing your experienced with us.
I’m a huge fan of Switzerland and I loved Grindelwald. To stay any length of time though requires deep pockets but its a great place.
I will be visiting family in London in November and am hoping to sidetrack to Switzerland for a couple of days. Vevey looks amazing! What is the best way to get there from London?