I rarely spend much time living in one country, but I managed to graduate from high school and go to university in Switzerland, a country that has become dear to me. I recently went back to visit and thought I would share some of the parts I enjoyed the most (there is still so much more to see and hopefully I will get a chance to blog about it later).
Geneva
Geneva is located in the French speaking part of Switzerland and is the second most populated city in the country. There are so many things I like about Geneva, including the way it always looks like you are staring at a postcard as you walk by – especially on a clear day when you can see the Mont Blanc. One of the things that make Geneva so special is the ample number of international organizations that are present, including the United Nations and more. Some must see sights include:
* Jet d’eau
A rainbow in the Jet d’Eau
The Jet d’Eau is a large fountain located in Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) which reaches a height of 140 metres. It was initially in another location and used for hydraulic power but was relocated to its current position in 1891 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. It is incredible to think that approximately 120 gallons of water are pushed up every second. It is quite amazing to go stand below the fountain and see all that water above you!
* Palais des Nations
The Palais des Nations, or “Palace of the United Nations”, was built from 1929 to 1936 to be the headquarters of the League of Nations. Today it is the headquarters of the United Nations. It is an impressive building to see especially when you think of its importance for the world and its peace.
* Vieille Ville
The “Old Town” in Geneva is the ideal place to find intimate restaurants and boutiques, galleries and museums. To get to the heart of the Old Town it takes a bit of a climb from the main shopping street as the town is located 25 metres above the level of the lake. The narrow and picturesque streets, which I still can’t always find my way around, are absolutely beautiful! Some places to visit in the old town include Bourg-de-Four Square and St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Some special events that take place in Geneva include:
* Geneva International Motor Show: 3rd -13th March 2016
* Fêtes de Genève: 16th July- 9th August
* L’Escalade: 11th-12th December
Lausanne
A beautiful day in Lausanne
Lausanne is also located in the French speaking part of Switzerland and is the capital of the Canton de Vaud. It is located to the north-east of Geneva and it’s approximately 45 minutes away by train (depending on the train you take). It is the fourth largest city in the country.
* Ouchy
View of the Jura and Lac Leman from Ouchy
My favourite area in Lausanne is Ouchy, especially in the summer! Lausanne faces the French city of Évian-les-Bains (yes, where Evian water comes from) and has a perfect view of the Jura in the background. In the summer Ouchy is the ultimate and must-go place for picnics, to paddle boats on the lake (a must do!), eat ice cream and enjoy a day outside! Ouchy is a port located in the southern side of the city and at the edge of the Lac Leman.
Paddle boating at Ouchy
Some of my favorite places to eat are Château d’Ouchy and the Beau Rivage. They are the most symbolic hotels in the city. I recommend the coconut ice-cream at the Château d’Ouchy and the beef tartare at the Beau Rivage.
View of the Chateau d’Ouchy from a paddle boat
* Olympic Museum
Near Ouchy you can also find the Olympic Museum, the largest museum of Olympic Games artifacts in the world. The museum was founded in 1993 and contains permanent and temporary exhibits around the themes of the Olympic world, Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit. The museum is located next to the Olympic Park. It is the ideal place to visit with family or friends and very interesting!
* Lausanne Cathedral
Also known as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, it is one of the major focal points in the city center. The construction of the cathedral began in 1170 but was delayed as engineers changed. One of the treasures of the cathedral is its great pipe organ, a rare instrument that took 10 years to design and is worth approximately 6 million Swiss Francs.
As much as I enjoy Geneva and Lausanne, sometimes it is necessary to get out of the city and during winter, what better thing can you do than go skiing for a weekend? Two of my favorite places to ski include:
* Verbier
Verbier on a beautiful morning
Verbier is approximately a 1-hour scenic drive from Lausanne and the perfect weekend getaway. It is a well-known holiday resort and ski destination on the south-western side of the Valais. My favorite part about Verbier is its ambiance! It has a diverse range of restaurants, from traditional ones that sell fondue to cafes such as Offshore serving a range of traditional comfort food including burgers and fajitas. The après ski is also a big part of the culture and an experience you must be a part of!
Some comfort food at Offshore cafe Verbier
* Crans-Montana
Walking through Crans Montana
Crans-Montana is also located in Valais near Sierre and known for being featured in World Cups. Crans-Montana is quieter and more relaxing than Verbier with spas and hiking routes, but it’s also a beautiful ski destination!
Every year the Caprice festival takes place in Crans-Montana in April, so if you visit around that time make sure you attend.
