Ride Switzerland's 'Cheese Train' For A Fondue-Filled Adventure With Mountain Views

If cheese comes to mind when you hear the word "Switzerland," you're in good company. A place famous for its dairy cows (which are somehow cuter than dairy cows anywhere else) is going to have some killer cheese — and chocolate, too. Wherever you go in Switzerland, you'll find unique and intriguing cheese varieties, like Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Appenzeller. And all cheese lovers should know about one Swiss activity guaranteed to delight: the "Cheese Train." 

The Switzerland Cheese Train, which takes you on a cheese-themed tour in the Swiss Alps, is one of the best-rated experiences in Switzerland. From the shores of Lake Geneva to the charming foothills of the Alps, the Cheese Train provides tons of incredible views, a crash course in the history and making of Swiss cheeses, and, of course, plenty of cheese to sample. Indulge in various forms like Swiss specialties raclette and fondue (which, although it dates back to ancient Greece, was popularized in Switzerland during the late 1800s). 

With its endlessly incredible views, Switzerland is one of the absolute best places to travel by train. Bring a camera as the train cruises through Switzerland's famously beautiful countryside — which exceeds its high expectations — and through charming Alpine villages — which also live up to their reputation. The green valleys, forested mountains, rocky peaks, and chalet-filled towns will take your breath away. 

If you're a cheese-lover (which, unless you're lactose intolerant, is pretty much everyone), one of the best trains combines these views with some famous Swiss cheese. The Cheese Train, run by the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway Company (MOB), is part of its luxury railway service, the GoldenPass. The scenic ride takes you through the Swiss countryside to the town of Château-d'Œx, where you'll delight in a cheese demonstration at the Alpine chalet and dairy — Le Chalet. You'll be able to sample cheese in the chalet's rustic restaurant, as well as on board the train (and hey, if you buy cheese from the local dairy, you should bring some home as a souvenir). One of the highlights will undoubtedly be the fondue tasting in Le Chalet's restaurant, a delicious Swiss tradition. 

The Cheese Train departs from the Swiss cities of Montreux and Zweisimmen. On the banks of Lake Geneva, Montreux is a charming lakeside resort town near castles and vineyards— the ideal home base to explore Switzerland. Zweisimmen, a traditional chalet village where the houses are built as typical wooden chalets in the Swiss style, lies in a green alpine valley near the Simme River. The Cheese Train makes a roundtrip either from Montreux or Zweisimenn to the quintessential Swiss village of Château-d'Œx, where the cheese fun takes place.

After you get your fill of fondue, you'll visit the paper museum of Château-d'Œx — the Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut. The Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut celebrates the art of paper cutting, literally cutting paper into intricate designs, an art form Château-d'Œx and its craftspeople have been perfecting since the 17th century. Marvel at the beautiful works or even take a lesson if there's one being offered before exploring more of the town. Château-d'Œx is what every tourist imagines Switzerland to be: small and quaint, surrounded by green hills and soaring mountains, filled with wooden chalets and a picturesque church. It's also known for hot-air ballooning, which you can try while visiting if you book ahead.