Vevey, the Swiss Newport

One of two resorts of the Swiss Riviera, the stretch of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Villeneuve along the shores of the intense aqua blue waters of Lake Geneva, lies Vevey, the summer playground for the Genevois jet-setters. Like Newport, Rhode Island, Vevey experienced its first heyday at the end of the 19th century, when luxury steamships came from Geneva, bringing affluent Genevois looking for a place to spend their summers. Belle epoche mansions and a flower-lined lakeside promenade are the only reminders of this age.

Vevey is also the regional center of Vaud, with Nestlé's global headquarters there. Milk chocolate was invented here by Daniel Peter in 1875, collaborating with Henri Nestlé, then a baby food manufacturer, to form the Nestlé Corporation. Several famous artists also spent time there, including Ernest Hemingway, Freddy Mercury and the comedian Charlie Chaplin, whose statues are a tribute.

Top places to visit in Vevey include:

Alimentarium Museum

Housed in Nestlé's former management headquarters, with stunning views of Lake Geneva is the Alimentarium Museum, the first museum in the world dedicated to the history of food and nutrition. Opened last June, the Alimentarium Museum does an amazing job of creating interactive displays using all of the sensory perceptions. Also, the displays show crop cultivating tools from all over the world, as well as how various cultures perceive food.

The Alimentarium Academy does an excellent job of serving a beautiful presented and affordable lunch, prepared by culinary students. They offer culinary classes and demonstrations in their stainless steel modern Swiss kitchen, so it's a great reason to return more than once.

Chaplin's World

Only one year after its opening on April 16, 2016, Chaplin's World has already hosted 300,000 visitors from 75 different countries. A museum that took over 20 years to overcome local resistance, thanks to Grévin's support and long-term vision, Chaplin's World has exceeded expectations of what a museum should be. Not only is it interactive, but visitors can pretend to be characters on a movie set, watch hundreds of movie clips, and envision what day-to-day life was like in the Chaplin household.

Plan on spending the day at Chaplin's World--enjoy lunch at the world-class restaurant called The Tramp, with Chef Cordonnier's locavore cuisine. Or grab a quick sandwich at the café downstairs or on the terrace when it's sunny. I recommend the Tour Blanche or the St. Saphorin Chasselas Swiss wine.

Lavaux Wine Train

As you drive along Lake Geneva's shores, you can't help but notice the terraced vineyards lining the hills overlooking the lake. The Swiss produce mostly Chasselas and Pinot Noir grapes, making a light dry white called Fendant. So while in Vevey, take advantage of the wonderful small wine producers dotting the hillside.

The Lavaux Wine Train is an excellent way to taste Swiss wines; from the Vevey train station, go to the villages of Chexbres and Puidoux. The trip takes about ten minutes one way, then in Chexbres, a 3-mile walking path will take you back to Vevey through the vineyards.

Chexbres, (pronounced shay-bray) nicknamed The Balcony of Lake Geneva, has several wineries in the village, like Domaine Bovy, run by brothers Vincent and Eric. There are a number of other small restaurants and family run wine caves in town as well.

For a spectacular lunch during the week, walk five minutes west of the Chexbres station along the curving road to The Deck restaurant in the

Le Baron Tavernier Hotel, laying claim to the best view of Lake Geneva. Be sure to reserve in advance, as the local Genevois lunch there.

Whether you like Swiss chocolate, dry white wine, gourmet food, not to mention the spirit of les bons vivants, Vevey has something for everyone!