This shot shows just what amazing skies can be seen, although I suspect a bit of filtering or photoshopping has taken place. Whatever, it’s beautiful and a great shot.

It’s worth a trip in winter too. Old buildings look great with a light coating of frost, or even snow.

Just to show how civilized we Europeans are, take a look at this torture chamber… Hopefully not used any more, not even if you try to sneak in without paying.

I guarantee that if you go to Chillon, you will take a photo like this. Assuming you remember your camera of course…

This last shot shows Chillon from Montreux. It’s a very pleasant walk along the lakeside, and if you get tired it’s easy to get a train, or boat, back.

Photos: Flichr Elizabeth Hollin thebmag Martin Burns Roland Hoffmann Francisco Antunes Pearbiter

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

If I haven’t mentioned Chateau Chillon before, it’s time I did.

If I already have, then it’s worth another mention.

The Swiss don’t actually abbreviate the chateau to Ch Ch, but given that CH is the international abbreviation for Switzerland, I’m surprised they don’t.

It’s such a classic, chocolate-box castle. Lake Geneva and the alps in the background. Beautiful.

 The best way is to arrive by boat from somewhere like Lausanne, or even Evian (home of the bottled water) if you happen to be in France.

Treat yourself, get a first class ticket and snooze on the sundeck of the boat. Or eat in the restaurant. It is the only way to travel. Admittedly, I’ve never been on a private jet.

The chateau itself is now updated with the latest multimedia gizmos to tell you about the history of the place.

In summary: it’s 1000 years old, and there’s been lots of fighting, and probably a few decent parties.

Well worth the trip to Montreux.

 www.chillon.ch

Photo Flickr: small

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Luzern is a place that you will visit if you come to Switzerland, or take visitors to several times if you live here. It’s the ideal place to get an appreciation of the country, with its bridge, mountains and the lake.

Lake Lucerne, or to give its local name, Vierwaldstättersee, is simply beautiful. But it does highlight the issue of names. Lakes, mountains and towns all have different names in different languages.

This has long irked me,giving our own names to foreign cities; Florence instead of Firenze for example. Other nations do it too, the Italians for example refer to what we call Munich as Monaco, which seems a bit daft when you consider that the principality of Monaco is only a few kilometres from the Italian border. But as the Germans call Munich, München, I guess we have no right to complan about that.

Switzerland has four official languages; German, French, Italian and Romantsch – so things can get a bit complex. German speakers call Geneva “Genf”, whereas the French prefer “Genève”. Such a lovely name, why would anyone resort to “Genf”? Jealousy perhaps?

That’s all quite normal stuff, but in areas of mixed language, residents of one town can’t decide what its name should be. Biel, aka Bienne, being a classic case in point. This is particularly the case for regions such as Ticino (Tessin) or Vaud (Waadt). Most confusing.

So if you’re looking for directions to a particular area in Switzerland, and can’t find it, make sure you try any alternative names.

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler