After leaving Antibes, Adam and I caught a train to Montreux, a small resort town on Lake Geneva. Montreux is famous for it’s annual jazz festival {hence the photo of Freddie Mercury below} and I’m dying to go back for it one day.
It was both of our first times visiting Switzerland and we were completely blown away by how gorgeous it was! Lake Geneva was jaw dropping beautiful, with sparkling blue water and snow capped mountains in the distance. We were literally pinching ourselves the whole time we were there…it was just so pretty!
We decided to stay at a private home via Airbnb for the three nights we visited Montreux. I was a little nervous going in just because we didn’t know the people, but it ended up being absolutely amazing! The couple who owned the home were kind, gracious and when they found out we were on our honeymoon, they spoiled us rotten with delicious homemade dinners and wine. If you ever are visiting Montreux, I highly recommend checking out the flat we stayed in! It was located right next to the train station and the views were just incredible. We’ve already made up our minds that we have to go back one day. We just have to.
While in Montreux, we walked around the lake, ate TONS of ice cream {we pretty much pinned Movenpick ice cream to be the best ice cream in the entire world…no joke}, hiked a snow capped mountain, visited a cheese factory in Gruyeres and went on the chocolate train! Honestly, the whole reason we picked Montreux to visit in the first place is because of the chocolate train. I found out about it one morning while planning the trip, stopped in my tracks and re-planned everything around it. I’m not kidding. Basically, you get on a vintage Pullman car in Montreux, stuff yourself silly with hot chocolate and chocolate croissants en route, visit Gruyeres {eat cheese fondue} then visit the Cailler chocolate factory where you sample MORE chocolate. It’s not for the faint of heart, friends, but it aside from my wedding day it was probably the best day of my life. There’s no such thing as too much cheese and chocolate in life, right?
I have SO many great photos from this part of our trip…I sat down yesterday to write this post and just couldn’t choose which photos to share so pardon me for the photo bomb below. And speaking of photos, I also wanted to tell you guys that I apologize about it taking this long to share wedding photos. I swear they are coming soon and I promise to explain everything then. I really, really, really want to share them with you and I truly appreciate your patience!
Montreux, we miss you very, very much. Can’t wait to return one day!
P.S- I fell in love with the above bottle of Rose on our trip and can’t find it anywhere in the States! Anyone know where to get such wine? Adam and I both agreed it was the best Rose we’d ever had!
Ksenija @ Health Ninja
July 3, 2013 at 2:08 amWhat a great styling with the light blue blouse and the red nails! And the Alps look beautiful – reminds me of how long I haven’t been skiing. Do you two speak French?
Emily @ Life on Food
July 3, 2013 at 2:29 amThat is gorgeous! I am in love with this chocolate train. Now I need to plan a trip to Switzerland.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
July 3, 2013 at 2:43 amJenna the images in this post are like postcards! I am pinning a few to my much neglected Travel boards. I am in awe of the beauty of the images!
And the chocolate train. Whoa. Why don’t they have one of those here? 🙂
You look beautiful and so happy – what a wonderful trip for y0u guys!
Melissa
July 3, 2013 at 3:36 amWhat beautiful photos!
Jackie
July 3, 2013 at 3:36 amWhat a beautiful place! Anyplace with a chocolate train is bound to be fabulous:)
When you return to Switzerland consider visiting Zermatt – more beautiful Swiss countryside and amazing food. Have a happy 4th!
Sarah
July 3, 2013 at 3:41 amI live in Switzerland and while I know how beautiful my country is, sometimes it is good to be reminded how lucky we are. And I love Mövenpick Ice cream!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
July 3, 2013 at 4:39 amAww this is so nice! I lived in Switzerland for two years and FINALLY made it to the chocolate train in my last summer there. This post brings back lovely memories!
Wendy
July 3, 2013 at 4:44 amOh my goodness, those pictures are gorgeous! I’m curious- if you did your honeymoon all over again, is there anything you would’ve changed? Thanks!
John Ward
July 3, 2013 at 4:51 amJust love your photos also. Switzerland is such a beautiful place. With reference to your question – “There’s no such thing as too much cheese and chocolate in life, right?” I agree with the chocolate part
John
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
July 3, 2013 at 4:59 amOh wow, this looks like something out of a travel brochure!! Everything looks so picturesque. LOVE that photo of the boat! Switzerland is definitely on my list of places to see. Glad you two had such a lovely time!
Lauren @ The Highlands Life
July 3, 2013 at 5:22 amChocolate train?! That totally needs to be a thing in the U.S.!
The pictures are gorgeous. You look just so peaceful and happy. What a wonderful testament to God’s goodness in our lives!
Live Love Yum
July 3, 2013 at 5:33 amYou and Adam are just gorgeous! So is that crystal blue water 🙂
jan
July 3, 2013 at 5:47 amBeautiful images! You both look so happy. I hope you will make yourself an album of all of your great honeymoon images!
Tieghan
July 3, 2013 at 6:17 amSuch a beautiful place. You photos are breath taking!
Daniele
July 3, 2013 at 6:18 amWhat a beautiful time you had! This shaped up to be quite the honeymoon, huh? I’m so glad 🙂
Kelly
July 3, 2013 at 6:24 amYou’re in my neck of the woods!
jenna k
July 3, 2013 at 6:35 amit looks like a gorgeous place. i’d love to travel there one day (hopefully sooner rather than later!), and that chocolate train sounds like an absolute dream!
you look SO beautiful in those pictures. just so radiant and happy. 🙂
Lori @ RecipeGirl
July 3, 2013 at 6:42 amLooks like it was fabulous! We once took a train through the Swiss Alps to get from Italy to Germany and I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was. Must go back! Congratulations and all!
Deanna @ PRetty in Pittsburgh
July 3, 2013 at 6:42 amHoly Gorgeous!! Looks like a dream.
Silvia @ skinny jeans food
July 3, 2013 at 6:43 amAh, Switzerland! I think Dole Blanchee might be considered a white wine. Swiss wines are not exported much, but you might be able to find them at a high end wine store or ask a well stocked, large whole foods market if they are ready to carry them.
deva
July 3, 2013 at 6:48 amLooks amazing – I love the photo of the boat – such clear water!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
July 3, 2013 at 6:49 amPlease don’t apologize for the photo bomb- I loved seeing all of them. Switzerland looks breathtakingly beautiful! I really hope to go some day. You looked so naturally gorgeous and I love the pic of Adam laughing with the owner of the flat! I”m always hesitant to try a Rosé because my mind has been tainted by White Zinfandel (blech) but I need to broaden my horizons and give it a try. I’ll keep an eye out for it and let you know if I ever find it!
Lauren
July 3, 2013 at 9:09 amI totally agree with you, Sarah! Every time I read or hear a rave review about a Rose, I can’t help but think of White Zin – yuck – even though I know (?) they are different. Will have to give it a try sometime over the holiday weekend 🙂
Jamie
July 3, 2013 at 7:55 pmYou MUST try Rose’ ladies! Go to a cute wine shop and ask them about their best one. You won’t regret it! 🙂
Nicole @ not before my tea
July 3, 2013 at 6:49 amThis is a really random comment, I know (I’ve been following your blog though, so it’s not random for me) but this is absolutely beautiful. The location, the photography, and you guys personally. Really jealous of your life right now. 🙂
Amanda
July 3, 2013 at 7:07 amWow, how amazing! I am getting married next summer, and this may have to go on the [long] list of honeymoon options… I don’t know how we will ever choose. Beautiful pictures. 🙂
Nicole
July 3, 2013 at 7:25 amBlown away. You might’ve planned the best honeymoon I’ve ever seen! Gorgeous pictures. I would love to go to the Gruyeres AH cheese and chocolate is my life.
Joelle ( on a pink typewriter)
July 3, 2013 at 7:26 amLove those red pants– where’d you get them?
jenna
July 3, 2013 at 8:49 amAnthropologie last year on sale 😉
gwen
July 3, 2013 at 7:28 amOnce again, your post has me pining to go abroad, especially for the chocolate train. I might become someone who loves travelling after all!
Karen
July 3, 2013 at 7:40 amThese are the most amazing set of photos, Jenna…totally transported me to Switzerland! Between the two of you, you guys have MAJOR talent in photography (plus it doesn’t hurt that you are such a photogenic couple and that you are radiating newlywed bliss!)
Kat
July 3, 2013 at 7:44 amThe Swiss don’t export their wines so you will have to come back for more! I live in Switzerland and I find myself sometimes taking it for granted. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!
Becky @ Olives n Wine
July 3, 2013 at 7:58 amI visited Switzerland (including a few nights in Montreux!) a few years ago. My husband had a business trip there and I gladly tagged along 🙂 It is absolutely gorgeous and your photos make me want to go back! Where were there during the holiday season and it was wonderful to walk around the streets with vin chaud and roasted chestnuts!
Suzanne de Cornelia
July 3, 2013 at 8:05 amOh, that was so much fun to see, and totally fat-free. 😉 On the French side of Lake G is a darling pedestrian only town, Yvoire. Want to move there. Just gorgeous. The Swiss are so pristine. Let’s see, blogger-photog holding out on honeymoon pix. I spy magazine in the crystal ball?
Alison
July 3, 2013 at 8:20 amWow! Stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.
Becky D
July 3, 2013 at 8:28 amJenna – you’re blog posts are the best. You have such a way of transporting us into your world and making us feel like we were right there traveling along with you. Thank you for being so genuine – it’s refreshing!
ava
July 3, 2013 at 8:58 amReminds me of next dream destination–, Luasanne, Switzerland. More photos please… With those smiles, I’d say perfection is possible.
Caroline L.
July 3, 2013 at 9:08 amSwitzerland sounds so perfectly charming and picturesque – exactly what I imagine the country to be like! And that chocolate train… it seriously sounds like a dream and/or heaven, and/or both 😉
Angie @ Pint of Goals
July 3, 2013 at 10:05 amI was in Montreux last summer for the jazz festival!!! A few years ago I also visited Gruyere and did the cheese tour and the Cailler chocolate factory (but didn’t do the tour because the wait was too long). My husband’s dad and stepmom live in a small village in the Valais, and we’ve been lucky enough to visit them every summer for the last five years. Switzerland is such a beautiful country with incredible food. Did you have raclette while you were there? I agree about Movenpick – so delicious!
allison
July 3, 2013 at 10:13 amDo not ever apologize for too many photos (there is no such thing!) Gorgeous place, beautiful people. Cannot wait to see your wedding photos though!
Michelle
July 3, 2013 at 10:50 amI love Montreaux and those photos! Honestly, the only thing better than a day of chocolate and cheese is a day of chocolate and cheese in Switzerland! Regarding the Rose, I don’t think they export it. I could pick some up next time I’m over there (my family’s there, so I go a lot). 🙂
Theresa
July 3, 2013 at 10:56 amI love these photos! Switzerland was so beautiful! I only spent one day there on my way from Italy to Paris, but I loved it and hope to go back some day soon! If you ever find the wine, let us know! I never cared much for rose, but Buena Vista Winery had a great one last year. And now I am craving cheese fondue and a class of wine….
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run
July 3, 2013 at 11:20 amwow, jenna. these photos are breathtaking! i can’t even imagine what switerland was like up close ‘n’ personal 🙂
Christin@christinjoyful
July 3, 2013 at 11:52 amlooks heavenly! regarding the wine…it says they’ll ship to the UA! Im sure it costs but…
http://www.switzerland-wine.com/content/1-delivery
Julianna @ Julianna Bananna
July 3, 2013 at 1:02 pmall of the photos are absolutely beautiful! i can’t imagine what it must’ve been like there.
and one can NEVER have too much cheese and chocolate – sounds just like my kinda day!
Amy
July 3, 2013 at 1:03 pmAww I love Montreux too! I’ve been twice — once in high school on a band trip, once with my family on a summer vacation. We only had a few hours in the city both times, which was never enough! But we enjoyed exploring a castle nearby and listening to the Jazz Festival. (I was lucky enough to be there at the right time both years!)
LOVE the sound of the chocolate train!! I only wish we knew about that on our family vacation. My whole family and I love chocolate as much as you do!
Sonal
July 3, 2013 at 1:27 pmThis looks so beautiful! Tell us more about the chocolate train….;) Pictures look amazing!
SarahNW
July 3, 2013 at 1:53 pmI still can’t get over the color of the water! I would totally buy a print of the photo of the rowboat with the mountains behind it; it’s absolutely GORGEOUS!
Hearing about your honeymoon in installments is just delightful, and I’m sure it’s even more lovely remembering everything and capturing all of the details on the blog. You will be so happy about this in twenty years when you want to re-live it! (I think… I’ve only been married for two years, but I wish I would have kept a better photo journal of our honeymoon. Sometimes I get too caught up in *doing* things that I forget to capture them!)
Melissa
July 3, 2013 at 2:01 pmWhat wonderful photos and (it sounds like) a tremendous journey! While living in France for a few years, I definitely developed a keen appreciation for a cool glass of rose on a balmy summer evening. It has been hard finding a comparable US counterpart for the drier pink wines I had overseas. The closest I have found to it is the Heritage Rose from Curtis Winery: http://www.curtiswinery.com/shop/index.php?category=3
I actually joined their wine club the moment I tasted it because it reminded me so much of my time in France… Hope this helps!! Thanks for sharing all of your incredible journeys with us – I am enjoying it so much!
MaryM
July 3, 2013 at 2:14 pmwow now I want to go there! Love hearing all about your honeymoon!
Kim
July 3, 2013 at 3:30 pmI’m enjoying reading about your honeymoon and your photos are A-MAZING! My husband and I went on our honeymoon back in May and it has taken me forever to post about it, but I finally got Part 2 up today. Your photos definitely outdo mine, but regardless of the photos, I’m sure the memories will last a lifetime for both of us!
Tracey @ Cooking with Love
July 3, 2013 at 5:07 pmBeautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Becky
July 3, 2013 at 6:23 pmGreat pictures! I used to live in Switzerland and Swiss wine is one of their best kept secrets. I have never been able to find it in the States.
Montreux Jazz Festival is amazing. I hope you’re able to make it back there some day. I also hope you were able to visit Chateau de Chillon and sample chocolates filled with absinthe (one of my favorites). And I definitely agree with your enthusiasm for Movenpick ice cream, but the best ice cream/gelato in the region is in Annecy, France. It is definitely worth the trip!
Laura
July 3, 2013 at 6:25 pmGreat post Jenna! LOVE all the photos, and hearing about your honeymoon, just incredible. I too would buy a print of the row boat with mountains in the background shot! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Susan
July 4, 2013 at 5:54 amThanks for sharing the wonderful pics! Gee, I need/want to travel and would love to add these places to my list! Great Honeymoon/wedding and all the best! Can’t wait to se the rest of your pics. Love your blog and the yummy recipes etc… Happy 4th!
Laura
July 4, 2013 at 10:29 amI’ll be studying abroad in Switzerland next year, and your post is getting me so excited about being there! Montreux is high on my list of places to visit, and your photos are just lovely.
Liesl @ Fitnessinthekitchen
July 4, 2013 at 11:29 amJenna!
Been loving the honeymoon posts. Looks it was truly the trip of a lifetime!!
I don’t know if it would be worth your time, but I would be really interested in a post about how you planned the trip, how you decided on where to go, where you got travel deals, lodging, flights, etc.
I know you are busy, but I’d love the trips for planning a future trip for the hubs and me.
Congrats to you and Adam on this beautiful start to your life together.
Lauren
July 4, 2013 at 3:26 pmIf you find the wine, please share the link. I’m a sucker for a dry rose. My current fave is the Grenache Rose from Holly’s Hill in Placerville, CA.
AndreaClaire
July 4, 2013 at 6:27 pmBecause production of Swiss wines is so limited and demand in Switzerland is so high, roughly 90% stays in country. On top of that, most of what is exported is to neighbouring countries, not across the Atlantic. Your best bet would be to contact that winery directly and ask them if they export to the States and where to.
Also, the Freddie Mercury statue has nothing to do with the Jazz Festival – to the best of my knowledge, Queen never even played the festival – but is there because Mercury had a home and a recording studio in Montreux. Many of Queen’s albums were recorded there.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. It is a beautiful part of the world even if it’s not the most beautiful part of Switzerland… but I’m a little biased 🙂
Conni
July 4, 2013 at 11:34 pmYou should be able to find that wine on either rouvinez.com or switzerland-wine.com! 🙂
Kathy @ Olives and Garlic
July 5, 2013 at 10:01 amHow absolutely gorgeous are all of these photos. I can’t get enough of them. Congratulations on your wedding.
A. Michael Uhlmann
July 5, 2013 at 10:37 amHi Jenna
glad you liked my home country – been to Montreux many, many times – my dad would often buy local wine from vintners on both sides of Montreux (actually Lausanne) – towards Geneva – it’s called LaCote – towards the state of Wallis (where your wine came from) it’s called Lavaux. And what’s cool about is, that most vintners produce their own small little badges of their “nectar” and most of the time sell it directly to private customers. It’s quite hard to find any decent Swiss vine in the US, Spec’s carries some, but they are mostly mass-produced, lesser quality vine, like cheap “Fendant” (State of Wallis), where as in the country you may find some local “trouvailles” (finds).
I spent quite some time at the Montreux Jazz Festival and actually saw some terrific acts, unfortunately the founder of the festival and a business acquaintance of mine, Claude Nobs passed away earlier this year, after having a ski-accident. If you ever listen to “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple he’s immortalized in this song as funky Claude Nobs – the festival venue burned down one year and there was smoke on the water (on Lake Geneva). I thought I share that tidbit with you, as not too many people know that.
By now – you can buy Gruyere (probably one of the best cheeses of Switzerland) in the US, but you may have to go ask a lender for a lien – it’s quite expensive. Also look out for really good Swiss chocolate made by another Swiss company called “Lindt” – they are now widely spread throughout the US and some years ago they bought out “Chiardelli” on the West Coast.
If you ever need some help cooking a Swiss dish let me know – stay in touch and let’s exchange some ideas – I may need a hint here or there to get my wordpress site going.
Kind regards,
Michael (aka Swiss Mike)
sarah
July 5, 2013 at 1:38 pmFirst picture and I am sold…packing all of my things and I’ll be on my way! WOW:)
Margarita
July 5, 2013 at 5:16 pmi have always dreamed of going to switzerland and i think this blog post solidified that dream! i love the scenery pictures, especially the top one. the angle is perfect! love your chic outfits too! i wish i had your sense of fashion. 🙂
Ashley L
July 6, 2013 at 5:14 pmI love your style! You are so beautiful! Where is your yellow bag from? I am so glad you had so much fun!
jenna
July 7, 2013 at 3:16 pmTJ Maxx three years ago!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
July 7, 2013 at 3:15 pmWow wow wow! Your pictures are absolutely amazing. Like something from a magazine! Gorgeous!
Megan
July 8, 2013 at 2:22 pmBeautiful pictures. And we all understand — it takes awhile to sort through and upload wedding pics. And that’s assuming that you have actually received them already!
Luv What You Do
July 8, 2013 at 3:28 pmI love a good rose! You’ll have to tell us if you find it.
Your photos are stunning! What a great town to add to my MUST VISIT list : )
Krista Claud
July 8, 2013 at 5:07 pmWow beautiful Switzerland and you two are a lovely couple! Congratulations to both of you! I’m happy that you had fun on your honeymoon and you chose the right place! Wonderful scenery, great people and delicious foods in one. Thanks for the pics, I now have a nice preview of how Switzerland looks like and is planning to visit that place in the future.
Rachel@schaafhouse
July 9, 2013 at 9:44 amI know I’m late to post this but I just found your blog, and I’m sorry did you say chocolate train!? I would have never thought of Switzerland as a vacation spot, but your trip looks incredible. Thanks for all the tips, and congratulations on your marriage!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
July 9, 2013 at 12:09 pmI don’t know about this particular wine, but there is a liquor/wine store chain by us called Binny’s Beverage Depot and they are absolutely wonderful about bringing in hard to find wines. They were able to find a wine from Italy for a co-worker of mine that he couldn’t get anywhere else. Maybe there is a wine specialty shop by you who could find it?
Honeymoon Swimwear Ideas | Bridal Weekly
July 11, 2013 at 11:32 am[…] Our Honeymoon: Montreux, Switzerland – Eat, Live, Run […]
A Phone Fast – Ellevated Outcomes
December 13, 2017 at 1:54 am[…] in an effort to practice what I preach, I spent the weekend in Switzerland (doing all these things – including that chocolate train!) with my sis, husband, and noooooo phone in […]