If you are in Lausanne, go see the Olympic Museum. It is awesome.
I backpacked around Europe for six weeks last year with a friend, and Gryon was by far our favourite place. Even if you plan on staying there a day, you will stay for a week.
Leysin is the best place in the world -- a wonderful little place to be.
Lausanne is a beautiful city, filled with young people, mostly university students. I definitely recommend going there, and the nightlife is fun as well.
Gryon is one of the most amazing places in the world and I highly recommened a visit.
Gryon … Its an awsome place. If you plan to stay for a couple of days watch out... it will suck you in for weeks!
Gryon … Gyron is amazing -- not to be missed, in fact. It's one of the Swiss gems.
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … I visited this hostel in the summer of 2005. It was by far the best hostel that I visited in my 9 week tour of europe. I had originally intended on only staying here for 3 days, but it turned into 5 and then into 7 because I just couldn't force myself to leave.
Immaculately clean.
Super friendly workers
Amazing kitchen
Great beds/dorms and private rooms
Really fun hostel sponsored activites (Chocolate Tasting, Wine Tasting, Rock Climbing)
Great atmosphere. Not always a party, but with the right people, it may happen
Groceries on stock with the front desk for a very reasonable price
STAY HERE!!! Do it.
its kinda tricky to figure out how to get there, but visit the hostel's website and their train directions will be helpful. Oh ya, that reminds me, they have big binders with all the destinations that you could want to go to from there with the train times all mapped out for you. nice bonus.
I'll be back as soon as I get to europe again.
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … I've never been to such a beautiful place in my entire life. I went thinking I'd stay for only three days, I ended up staying five and that's only because I had to. I'm going back to that same place, that little cottage in the middle of the Swiss Alps, whenever I get the money!
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … I stayed here 1.5 years ago, and had an amazing time. One of the most memorable experiences of a 2 month trip. I've sent my brother and a another friend that way, and I am going back myself in a few weeks. An incredible, unspoiled, gorgeous place. Do everything you can to make it here!
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … I spent four days here, and met some really cool people. Make sure you go rock climbing with that crazy Aussie, (sorry, dude, I forgot your name) and do the wine tasting! Make sure you have a good story, though ... the consequences are brutal!!
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … We were at Chalet Martin in July 2004. It was the BEST PLACE EVER!!! It was our favorite hostel and Switzerland was our favorite country. Don't plan ahead of time because that means you'll have to leave Chalet Martin earlier than you want. Go and expect to stay there at least a week.
Yoba Riviera Lodge in Vevey … We wanted to go to Montreux for just a night during the Jazz Festival, and most places were full but we called Rivera Lodge the night before and they had space. We were very surprised at how nice this hostel was. You get a Rivera card which gives you free buses, trams, and other transportation as well as discounts (we used it to get an amazing price on Chateau Chillon). Good location, clean, very nice.
Yoba Riviera Lodge in Vevey … We loved the Riviera Lodge. Vevey was a charming little town that was perfect for a two-day stay. The accomodations were clean, comfortable, and charming. We would stay there again in a heartbeat!
Yoba Riviera Lodge in Vevey … Bloody beautiful. It's modern, clean, quiet, has an incredible view, and is the most amazing value ever. Great people, cheap--I can't recommend this place highly enough.
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … After a 4 1/2 month trip through Western Europe and Prague, this hostel ranks #1. (Close runners-up are the Ballybeag Hostel in Ventry, Ireland (Dingle Peninsula) and the Circus Hostel in Berlin.) This hostel is truly the homiest, cosiest, cleanest, and most beautiful hostel I stayed at in all my travels. Not to mention VERY reasonably priced at 12 Euros per night. You will not regret coming to peaceful and beautiful Gryon, Switzerland and staying here. The town of Gryon is very small, but the hostel itself has a great social life, especially on the sundeck and around the fire at nights :-)
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … Well what can I say. Although I've neglected Chalet Martin for the last couple of years, I have a lot to thank it for. I've had so many great times in Gryon and met so many fantastic people -- including one unlucky Australian who I'm now planning to marry. The place is more relaxing than you can prepare yourself for, and seems to attract a good mix of people. I'm now old (read 26) and well out of the backpacking lifestyle but that won't stop me going back -- it's more like a second home than a hostel.
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … BEST EVER HOSTEL! We booked for two nights and stayed seven! The only reason we left is because we had little money left, and we needed to get home! The people here are REALLY nice, and the scenery is incredible. If you want to meet other travelers then come here. Even the shyest person will make many friends. After just a few days, we made some friends whom we are already arranging to meet again. It's just that kind of place. Its a definite must-do thing!
Swiss Alps Retreat (Chalet Martin) in Gryon … This is by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at! You cannot come to Switzerland and not stay at this hostel! I was only planning on staying two nights and I stayed for a week because I just never wanted to leave. The atmosphere is what makes it so great. It rained the whole time I was there and I still loved it. The people I met were like my family. There is so much to do, even though the town is so small. It is also so reasonably priced. I just left there and I already want to go back. If you never stay at this hostel you are missing out. I will definitely be back to the Swiss Alps Retreat!
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