Montreux

The flowered promenade follows Lake Geneva for several kilometres, amid palm trees, sculptures and views of the Dents du Midi. Leashed dogs are welcome year round: it is one of Europe's finest lakeside walks, reaching Chillon via the shore path.

Set on its rocky islet, Switzerland's most visited castle preserves medieval halls and the dungeons made famous by Byron. Dogs cannot tour the interior, but the lakeside path leading there from Montreux offers the finest view of the fortress.

The UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards of Lavaux tumble down to the lake between Montreux and Lausanne. The wine paths can be freely walked with a leashed dog, village to village, with tasting cellars many of which tolerate well-behaved companions.

The cogwheel train climbs from Montreux to 2,042 m in 55 minutes, dogs admitted with a half-fare ticket. Up top: a panorama over Lake Geneva and the Alps, ridge trails and even marmots (in enclosures), the makings of an unforgettable mountain day.

On the Place du Marché, Freddie Mercury's statue salutes the lake, fist raised, where the Queen singer found refuge and recorded his final albums. An unmissable photo stop on the quayside promenade, accessible at any hour with your dog.

Behind the town, this wooded canyon follows the Baye de Montreux stream up past footbridges and waterfalls, cool even in summer. A nature hike to do on lead, which can continue up to the village of Les Avants and its narcissus fields in May.