Exploring Montreux, Switzerland
Switzerland has always had a special place in my heart. My next door neighbour growing up, a Swiss couple named Tilly and Hardy, were close friends with my grandparents. Our families had weekly dinners together, gardened together, went to farmers markets together, and had get togethers in warm summer evenings. Because of this, Tilly and Hardy were almost like another set of grandparents for me. They’d stay in Canada half the year, and the other half, they’d be back in Switzerland — specifically, La Tour de Peilz.
When I was nine years old, however, Tilly and Hardy moved permanently back to Switzerland. After they left, I always wrote letters, and as time progressed, emails, promising that I’d visit them in Switzerland one day.
I’ve visited Switzerland three times in the past few years, and I’ve loved every minute. I just wish I was able to visit Hardy as well before he passed in 2015.
It’s been the same process the entire time: I book my EasyJet flight to fly into Geneva, in which I tell Tilly the date of arrival, when I got on the train from the airport, and it’s estimated arrival time in Montreux, a city right next door to La Tour de Peilz. She’d meet me at the train station, looking as well dressed as ever, and walk me to the hotel she reserved for me during my stay. I’d check in, she’d leave me to settle in, and then we’d meet for dinner around 6pm at the same Italian restaurant. Tilly is a person of routine and I always knew what to expect. We’d wander around Montreux in the evening and then she’d go back to her apartment and I’d go back to my hotel. The following morning, she’d meet me at 10am outside the hotel and we’d enjoy our day.
Every single time I visit, she has different plans for each day. I’ve been fortunate enough to see Lausanne, Gstaad, Gruyere, Montreux, La Tour de Peilz, Geneva, Bern, and numerous chocolate factories scattered throughout the country.
I love taking photos and capturing these incredible places. That being said, there are some moments where I don’t whip out my phone and want to keep it for myself. Those memories with Tilly are mine and mine only.
The sheer beauty of Switzerland, overall, is too out of this world not to share. I love the country; everything is bright, blue, and clean, even in the cities on cloudy days.
Snapshots from Montreux, Gstaad, Lausanne, Bern, and small towns in between
