I arrived in Geneva around 12:00 pm. The 2.5 hours train ride from Zurich to Geneva is a beautiful one; it’s a destination in itself. It goes thru fields, forests, lakes, and mountains. The scenery was amazing: There were Swiss chalets everywhere! Vineyards were terraced on nearly vertical mountainsides, Castles tucked in mountains, Mansions bordered the lake. The train goes through multiple tunnels through the mountains. Sometimes we would emerge from a tunnel for few seconds, glimpse the mountains, and be plunged back into darkness again. Realistically speaking, traveling by train in Switzerland is expensive but worth the price. To me, the view is worth a million dollars.
Geneva is a beautiful city with a very international crowd, I reckon its the presence of the international organizations like UN, WHO,WTO et al,...It is geographically well situated, surrounded by the Alps and adjacent to Lake Geneva. It is lively, clean and got a mixture of old and new. It is both cosmopolitan and touristy. Not surprising, it has an American stamp as well. McDonalds and Starbucks are in every major square.
The main street from the train station towards the lake is lined with countless luxury watch stores. These were definitely not the watches you see in your Macy's store but were the most expensive watches I've ever seen, it easily made my Tag Heuer seem like a $0.99 mcdonald burger, Oh well ! I just put my hand in my pocket and walked passed them towards the lake. oh and there are lots of swiss knives & chocolates.
I decided to explore the lake and the Old Town. Geneva is dominated by the huge lake. The lake was filled boats, the swans, and there was the gigantic fountain- jet d'eau (the 100m high water spout) right on your face.The Jet d'Eau is fabulous and is appreciated by all as the symbol of Geneva. If you want to 'see it', its visible from most areas of Geneva around the lake
I decided to explore the lake and the Old Town. Geneva is dominated by the huge lake. The lake was filled boats, the swans, and there was the gigantic fountain- jet d'eau (the 100m high water spout) right on your face.The Jet d'Eau is fabulous and is appreciated by all as the symbol of Geneva. If you want to 'see it', its visible from most areas of Geneva around the lake
Besides the Jet d'eau, everyone goes to see the giant Flower Clock in Geneva.Well, I felt I have to too. Luckily its right at the lake, so no special excursion. Nothing special, just a clock with flowers ! it's changing depending on the season.
The lake front promenade was quite busy with young & old, local & tourists everywhere. After walking around the lake for an hour or so I crossed the bridge towards the old town. It is a steep walk up to the centre to the Cathédrale Saint Pierre but the narrow cobbled streets are picturesque, housing boutique shops and bars.
I spent the rest of the evening in the Old Town and on the lively streets of the new town. There are lots of shops, restaurants, Christmas bands on the streets, and to-go food stalls. That stretch is about 3 km of shops on both sides. There are no cars on the street; only public transport. The bad thing about this is that they all close early. I went into a store to buy something at six. I got out at 6:30 and everybody was closing! By seven almost everything is locked off.
Nonetheless, I think Geneva is my kind of city!
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