h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I liked that you mention Chillon, but you missed a great opportunity to expound about the dungeon and Lord Byron's famous poem "Prisoner of Chillon". Not to mention the fact that Bonivard (the prisoner of Chillon that Byron was going on about in his little ditty) was chained for a few years to the fourth stone pillar of the dungeon... Byron, mistakenly, carved his own name into the third pillar, believing that to have been the one Bonivard was chained to. So, a bit of antique graffitti left by a well known poet, in an even better known Castle, in an often missed dungeon!

Next time you go there, you must get a glimpse of that graffitti! You can, perhaps, have a photo taken of yourself sitting dejectedly in front of the 4th pillar, as there is a wonderful painting of the very same scene on display elsewhere in the castle, which you can also photograph. I believe the painting is supposed to be of Bonivard, but in retrospect it might also be of Byron sulking after realizing he's spent all that time carving his name into the wrong bit of rock. Either way, looking at your photos later you won't be able to help but feel a bit spooked.

Don't miss out on a visit to nearby Montreaux either, home of the world famous Montreaux Jazz Festival and within walking distance of Chillon-- providing you are reasonably fit and don't mind some leg cramps in the night. You can follow the banks of Lake Geneva on a lovely walkway all the way to Montreaux from Chillon, or more logically, from Montreaux to Chillon. It's a beautiful walk and really only takes about 40 minutes or so.