Riding the Chocolate Train in Switzerland

Let your inner Willy Wonka be your guide and board the Chocolate Train that runs from Montreux every summer. It is a delightful way to see the Swiss bucolic countryside and nosh on delicious chocolate treats.

You can choose to travel in an elegant vintage "Belle Epoque" carriage or an ultra-modern one with over-sized windows. The train’s early morning departure is a great excuse to enjoy fresh croissants and coffee served aboard while slowly waking up to the beautiful scenery outside. Green pastures, dramatic mountains, neat vineyards and picture-perfect villages slowly glide past your windows as the train moves towards medieval Gruyères, home to the renowned Alpine Gruyère cheese. Here you will visit a factory where the cheese is made and sample its different varieties. Gruyère cheese  has been produced in the area for centuries and it has played an important part in local economy.

After that head to the 13^th century Gruyères Castle to learn about the town’s history and admire a fine art collection. You will have some spare tie to wonder around the charming town and have lunch in one of local restaurants that serve traditional hearty dishes. Try a lamb stew (ragoût d’agneau) with local pears, Fribourg sausage, smoked ham, creamy soup de chalet, rich fondue and meringues with Gruyère double cream. Just make sure you do not miss your train!

Gruyere

Next stop – the pretty town of Broc where the famous Maison Cailler (Nestlé) chocolate factory is based. Here you will discover the secrets of chocolate manufacturing and history of the factory from 1898 to the present. 

After observing the production process through factory’s viewing windows and breathing in the tantalizing chocolate aroma you can, finally, indulge your sweet tooth and savour the heavenly Swiss chocolate during a tasting. Stock up on edible gifts at the factory’s shop and board the train to return to Montreux.

Photos via Flickr by: Rachel Glaves, Mark Weston, Nestlé.

Bern

What to see in Bern

The old town was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1983 and the city celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013. The city is also known for its bears. The Bear Park opened in 2009 is 6000 square meters of parkland along the river Aare offering a sanctuary environment for bears. But the bears are not only in a park, The bear is the symbol of Bern and you will find it as a decoration on many things like clocks, cookies and also statues.

Bern - Old Town

Albert Einstein in Bern

Bern is a city of culture with its many museums, exhibitions and festivals. Bern was the home to Albert Einstein when he created his famous formula E=mc2 in 1905. One can follow the “Einstein path” and visit his home, the museum, the “Einstein Kaffe” (coffee shop) and many other places related to the great scientist.

Things to do in Bern

Bern is also the city which has the most important Klee collection of the world. The Zentrum Paul Klee museum exhibits 4000 items around different themes.
The old town of Bern proudly offers 6 km of covered shopping area. This shopping promenade is located through historic medieval arcades and it is the longest shopping promenade in Europe. Bern is also considered as the city of fountains with approximately 100 fountains some dating from the 16th century.
Bern would not be complete without cheese. As Bern is located nearby the Emmental Valley, it is possible to experience the emmental cheese ( the iconic cheese full of holes) along the cheese route.
Plus: Clock Tower, BearsPark, house of parliament, Botanic Garden, Einstein’s house, Emmental Valley, Zentrum Paul Klee, French church, Prison tower, Rose Garden, Arcades, Fountains, Zoological Garden, Westside, Gurten, International Jazz Festival, Christams Market, Onion market and Kambly



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