Queen, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Aretha Franklin, to name a few, found their growth as artists in Montreux, a scenic resort town by the Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Along the flower-lined promenade lies many attractions. First, the Queen Studio Experience offers an intimate encounter with Queen and its front man Freddie Mercury’s artistry through their personal memorabilia, costumes hand-written compositions and studio where guests can also record their own songs.

Mercury’s bronze statue by the shores of Lake Montreux has become the municipality’s most famous and most photographed landmark. It is by the statue that the town holds its Jazz Festival every July, featuring international stars.

Stroll further along the promenade to see the medieval island castle Chillon Castle, Disney’s inspiration for Prince Eric’s castle in the 1989 animated flick The Little Mermaid.

About 45 minutes to an hour from Montreux town proper is Glacier 3000, a famous spot to see snow in the Alps all-year-round and to ride cable cars and an alpine rollercoaster.