Top Reasons Why Montreux is My Home Away From Home

Currently in his second year of studies, he is enjoying his time in Montreux, a city he describes as beautiful, small and picturesque. Below he shares with us his favorite corners, specialties and attractions of the city.

"We are definitely really lucky to study here and I cannot stop thanking my parents every day for giving me this chance!"

When I have visitors the first place I take them is to the lake. Especially during spring, the view and the walk are absolutely amazing with everything clean and perfect, colorful flowers everywhere…you feel completely at peace with the world. When I go for a walk with someone that is seeing the city for the first time our tour always ends with a visit to the beautiful Château de Chillon.

The best view in the city is the area between Montreux Palace all the way to Clarens. Here there are small pine trees, fewer tourists and more locals enjoying the 'slow life'.

If there is only one thing to know about Montreux I would say that the city changes COMPLETELY from winter to summer. It moves from a sleepy and quiet city to a very energetic and glamorous one!

My favorite place to go on a night out is Funky Claude’s Bar. It is classy, relaxed and in the beautiful setting of the Montreux Palace, a masterpiece of Swiss Hotellerie.

The best place to go on a student budget would be for a pizza at one of the local restaurants. As an Italian I have tried many different pizzas cooked with Swiss cheese here in Montreux and I have to say that it was different but really tasty!

If I had an unlimited budget for one day in Montreux I would book a room in the Montreux Palace, go water-skiing on the lake with my friends, go back to the Palace for a late-afternoon spa and then enjoy dinner in many different restaurants next to the lake.

The best place to go in the spring is next to the lake to admire the AMAZING flowers and compositions.

The best place to go in the summer is the Montreux Jazz Festival.

The best place to go in the autumn is the Lavaux region for a wine degustation. I recommend the Vinorama next to the lake on a lazy Sunday followed by a walk up to Caux. The view from there is really breathtaking!

The best place to go in the winter is to take the Golden Pass that leaves from Montreux to go skiing in Gstaad. During the winter Gstaad is like a fairy-tale small town.

The local specialty that everyone must taste is definitely cheese fondue. Second best would be the Rosti mixed together with Swiss cheeses – how can something that easy and simple to make taste SO good?!

The most surprising thing about Montreux is the people. Everyone is really nice and kind. I never had any problems with integration and have always felt at home.

When I leave, the thing I will miss the most from Montreux will be the sunsets. I have travelled to many beautiful countries in the world but I have to say that here in Montreux, even more specifically from HIM’s Hotel Europe during the summer, I probably saw the most beautiful sunsets of my life over Lake Geneva – and right from my very own balcony. Priceless!