Chillon Castle
In a motorhome to the most famous castle in Switzerland
As an adventurer who loves discovery, Mik also loves travelling in her own home country. Equipped with her trolley and travel bags, our travel bird set off for a long weekend in a camper van to the west of Switzerland at the beginning of summer. Her practical leather bags were also easy to stow away in the rolling hotel room, because clothes remained perfectly stored in them.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland route that presents the very best of Switzerland in nine stages. Mik set off from Basel on her road trip of the year. She tingled in her own mobile home on her way towards French-speaking Switzerland through the diverse natural landscapes of the Jura and along the Swiss-French border.
The Val de Travers enchanted her. That's how she got to know the 'green fairy' in the absinthe museum in Môtiers. For decades, it had been forbidden to distil the mysterious wormwood, yet the ancient craft survived and has been produced legally again since 2005. Also stunning in the quiet valley is the Swiss Grand Canyon, the Creux-du-Van. The breathtaking geological feature of the Jura is known for spectacular views of the surrounding region.
Mik's journey continued through hilly hinterland to Yverdon-les-Bains. The medieval town at the western most tip of Lake Neuchâtel is an insider tip for travellers in motorhomes. A comfortable campsite with shady pitches is located on a small peninsula on the best shore location. Continuing west, Mik crossed the exceptional Parc Jura Vaudois coming from Romainmôtier. In the north of the nature park lies the Vallée de Joux, known for its lakes and legendary Swiss watchmaking. On the other side of Mont Tendre, the villages at the foot of the Jura ridge offered breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the spectacular Alpine scenery in Valais and bordering France.
Via Aubonne and Morges, Mik finally reached Lausanne, the capital of the canton of Vaud. She strolled through alleys and along beautiful promenades on the shores of Lac Léman. Finally, she visited the Olympic Museum, located on the Quai d'Ouchy in the middle of a wonderful park.
One of the world's most beautiful wine regions stretches along the Riviera, the Mediterranean like shore region between Lausanne and Montreux. The Lavaux region with its perfectly aligned slopes appears like a painting at any time of year. More than 400, kilometres of dry stone walls enable winegrowers to plant vines on any area, no matter how small. The Vinorama in Rivaz is dedicated to the centuries-old art of wine growing. Built into a rock face, this multimedia visitor centre opens up the history, culture and enjoyment of Vaud wine to those interested.
Mik finished her Tour des Suisse in Chillon. She had always wanted to see Switzerland's most famous castle up close - and suddenly it was in front of her. Majestically enthroned in the glistening light of the approaching sunset, the world-famous Château de Chillon put the sparkling icing on the cake of her road trip through western parts of Switzerland.
