Swiss towns: Gruyères and Montreux

Gruyères

Known for its cheese production, the medieval town of Gruyères is one of the most pictuesque towns in the country. It's a small, isolated town surrounded by mountains and it's really pretty, especially in the snow. If you arrive at the station, the first place you see is La Maison du Gruyère where you can watch Gruyère cheese being made and learn all about the production process. You even get some cheese samples included in the visit. To be perfectly honest, whilst the factory was very interesting, seeing the liquidy cheese all being swirled round in vats and sitting soaking in salt water baths did slightly put me off cheese.

From Maison du Gruyère, you walk up the hill to the old town which is a pedestrianised street with lots of little shops and restaurants. At the top of the street is Gruyères castle, a medieval fortress dating back to the 13th century. From there you get the best views of the surrounding countryside.

Not far from Gruyères, in the neighbouring village of Broc, you can pay a visit to Maison Cailler to discover how Cailler chocolate is made and learn about the history of Swiss chocolate production. It's easy to reach by public transport so worth combining in a day trip. If you're visiting in winter I also recommend taking a wander through the Bulle Christmas market which has a magical atmosphere in the evenings.

Montreux

Montreux is another town which is popular with tourists and for a good reason. Being by Lake Geneva, it naturally has spectacular views. There is a footpath along the front which also has some interesting sculptures and artwork. The iconic bronze statue of Freddie Mercury stands next to the lake, marking the town where Freddie Mercury lived and where a number of Queen albums were recorded. In the lead up to Christmas there is an extensive Christmas market by the lake which is one of the best markets in Switzerland and you can find stalls selling all sorts of foods and handmade items from across the world.

Just beyond Montreux is le Château de Chillon, the most visited historical monument in Switzerland. The castle is situated on an island and is accessed via a bridge and it is this stunning location that makes Chillon so unique. It was originally of great strategic importance because it was on the route leading to the Great Saint-Bernard pass and the route to Italy. To control Chillon was to control the entire region. The castle had strong architectural defences and so wasn't conquered until the 17th century, after cannons had been invented. It then served as a prison for many years and inside the castle you can see where the cells would've been and where executions took place. The Château dates all the way back to the bronze age and has a really interesting history which makes it worth looking round, as well as being one of the most photogenic castles. The Château has also been involved in wine making for centuries and Chillon wine is still produced, stored and sold in the castle today.