Lausanne, Montreux, and Yvoire.

Three cities, two countries, mountains, and the lake--all on the first day!  After a long day of travel and a good nights rest, Chris, his parents, and I headed out for our first day of sight seeing around Lake Geneva in Switzerland and France (the lake is smack in between the two countries).

We hopped on a big steam boat and rode across the lake to Yvoire, France.  Yvoire is a charming, little town full of shops, restaurants, and tourists.  We walked around, took lots of pictures, ate yummy ice cream, and relaxed while we took in the view.  The lakes here are all this perfect turquoise color--it is just amazing.

Rocks near the boat docks in Yvoire--loved the water color and how green everything is here.

Hydrangeas were everywhere--so beautiful!

No these are not both mine (but yes, I could have eaten them both).  My favorite ice cream of the whole trip, one scoop coconut and one scoop chocolate.

Loved the windows and shutters on this house--and the greenery growing on it was perfect!

Just one of many cute little shops in Yvoire.  I thought the girls would have loved the umbrellas on the wall.

Next stop was the beautiful town of Montruex, Switzerland--located right on the lake just beneath some very tall mountains.  We took a stroll along the walk-way around the lake (full of vendors and people because it was the 2011 Montruex Jazz Festival, odly enough they also have a huge bronze statue on the walk way of Freddie Mercury) and then rode on a cog railway up to the top of the mountains over looking the city.

The Grand Hotel Suisse in Montuex right on the lake.

The cog rail train we rode all the way up the mountain.

Carl, Chris, and Susan at the top overlooking all the mountains.

Us at the top.

This flower/weed was so unusual--it probably has some crazy Dr. Suess type name.

What a view!  This is a different lake in another direction--Lake Geneva is much bigger.

We were so tired that we barely made it home to Lausanne, Switzerland were Chris's mom and dad are staying in the second story of a home near the lake and university.  The next day Chris and I were off to rent the car and head to Italy.