Vevey

Day 18 Highlands to Alpine Adventure: From Mountain Peaks to Swiss Riviera

My morning in Zermatt began with one last, quiet stroll through the car-free village. Even though it was raining, I soaked up every last frame of this postcard town before boarding the train south.

All Aboard: Work with a View

The train from Zermatt to Vevey was a scenic journey and I was able to get some work done while on the train.

Arrival in Vevey — A Pearl of the Swiss Riviera

Vevey markets itself as one of the “Pearls of the Swiss Riviera” and it’s stunning. Palm trees line the promenade, Belle Époque façades in pastel hues, and the lake and mountain views are stunning. It was raining so I I ducked into Fleur de Pains for a simple—but perfect—French ham-and-butter baguette sandwich.

Walking Tour Highlights

We then headed out on a walking tour to orient us with our new city. Some of the highlights were:

• The Fork – An eight-meter stainless-steel fork rising straight out of Lake Geneva, right in front of the Alimentarium. It’s quirky, bold, and makes for a fantastic photo op.
• Charlie Chaplin Statue – A bronze nod to Vevey’s most famous resident, set against alpine peaks and lakeside cafés.
• Alimentarium Food Museum – Housed in Nestlé’s original headquarters, this museum turns something as simple as “food” into hands-on storytelling. They also have a cafe inside and the gardens outside along the waterfront are stunning.

Lakeside Wander & Swan Watch

During our free time, I went on a long walk along the waterfront. The swans in the lake nearby always amaze me. Then it was time to head back for a relaxing evening at the hotel.