Montreux, Switzerland: November 2022

Montreux completely took me by surprise. Walking its streets, I realized it’s one of those rare towns that feels effortlessly charming without even trying. The setting alone is breathtaking: the majestic Alps rise above you while the calm expanse of Lake Geneva stretches out below — a perfect balance of mountain drama and lakeside peace.

 

The promenade immediately drew me in. Lined with stately palm trees and grand old hotels, it feels like a scene pulled from another era. There’s a deep creative energy here — you sense it in the statues of Freddie Mercury and other musicians along the shore, reminders of why so many artists made this place their haven.

 

Because I visited in late November, the whole town was just starting to glow for the holidays. The Christmas markets, set right by the water, were pure magic. I remember the twinkling lights reflecting on the lake and the comforting scent of chocolate and mulled wine drifting through the air. You can even watch Santa glide across the sky on a highwire each night — delightfully whimsical and entirely Montreux.

 

I went expecting a pretty lakeside stop, but I left feeling like I’d discovered one of Europe’s most quietly magical places. Maybe it was the November timing — fewer crowds, a cozier glow — but it felt like a secret I was lucky to find.