Lausanne and Gruyere with the Monsons

We finally took the opportunity to go to Lausanne on Lake Geneva to visit our friends Keyne and Kirsten Monson and their family.  What a great weekend we had!

We drove down on Friday evening (just under a 3 hour drive) and spent some time catching up (we lived in Boston at the same time as the Monsons, Keyne worked with me at Monitor then went to HBS.  Now he and Dave do business together!).  The Monsons are amazing hosts and tour guides - I can't imagine anyone better!  On Saturday we went to Lausanne to the marina, riding paddleboats then eating at the crepe restaurant across the street.  We then stopped by the Olympic museum and had some fun with some of the exhibits outside (William had some extra excitement)!

Then we went on to the Moleson alpine slide near Gruyere.  We hadn't been on an alpine slide here before (except Elise who had gone as part of a school field trip), and it was so much fun!  It's like a roller coaster where you control the speed!  We took turns (Mer was too young to ride, so one of us stayed with her) and went as fast as we could (almost!).  Definitely an activity not to be missed!  From there we went to the Callier chocolate factory.  The factory tour was excellent, with lots of interested history about the company and chocolate in Switzerland.  Then we saw the coffee beans and the actual process of chocolate being made.  Finally, we came to the tasting room.  Wow!  They had every kind of chocolate laid out beautifully on trays - unlimited chocolate!  But the chocolate is so amazing here, you can't just keep eating it.  You have to savor it!  What a fun tour.

Finally, we drove up to the beautiful town of Gruyere.  It is a gorgeous old town on the top of a mountain - from a distance it reminded me a bit of San Gimignano in Italy.  It was a pedestrian town on top of a hill - absolutely beautiful.  We went to a great restaurant for fondue (who could go to Gruyere and not eat the cheese!).

We had such a fun day - and we have the Monsons to thank for it.  They really know how to make people feel welcome, and have a great time!  They just moved to Singapore after 5 years in Switzerland, and we look forward to visiting them sometime in their new home :)  And now we have the perfect weekend itinerary in the French part of Switzerland for visitors!