There was just so much to say about this day’s activities that it just wouldn’t fit a single post. So here’s the part about our trip to Geneva.
Second was the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) located lakeside where we saw the Floral Clock, a large timepiece made entirely of 6,500 flowers and plants, installed in 1955 as a symbol of the Geneva watch industry.
Then we walked around old town and found Cathédral St.-Pierre on a side street. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, its current neoclassical facade was added in the 18th century.
But the steeples tell its history. It had been a Protestant church since 1536 and John Calvin preached here.
Then we had to have gelato, even though we just had dinner. Finally, at the bus stop, were these unique lounges. We had to try them, too.
All this to the tunes of a street musician playing one of several pianos placed around the lake.
It was a lovely evening in Geneva, but I feel like we saw all the highlights. The rest were very tall buildings built in second empire style in the late 1880s and sporting names of all the global corporations from watch makers to banks to retailers to tech, etc. It’s a very expensive place.
At 2:30 pm we boarded the bus for our transport to Geneva, arriving about 4 pm at the Crown Plaza Geneva near the airport. However, our guide Osiris offered to help us navigate the bus downtown for dinner and sightseeing. Not knowing when I would be back, I signed up for the 5 pm departure. (Unfortunately, Sydney had an early flight so she passed.)
The bus ride was lengthy but direct and only took about 25 minutes. It dropped us in the heart of the city near the Pont du Mont Blanc. Four of us spent the evening together, Chet and Lin from Massachusetts and Jeanette from Philadelphia.
We walked along the shoreline of Lake Geneva and saw the three most iconic sites. First, the Jet d’eau (water jet), the tallest fountain in the world that was originally built in 1886 to release pressure at a hydraulic plant. It became so popular that it was soon relocated to the center of the lake. Its engines pump 500 liters of water per second to the height of about 450 ft.
Second was the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) located lakeside where we saw the Floral Clock, a large timepiece made entirely of 6,500 flowers and plants, installed in 1955 as a symbol of the Geneva watch industry.
Then we walked around old town and found Cathédral St.-Pierre on a side street. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, its current neoclassical facade was added in the 18th century.
But the steeples tell its history. It had been a Protestant church since 1536 and John Calvin preached here.
We then had a lovely dinner outdoors at Restaurant Le Flore on Rue de la Fontaine. As we walked back to the bus stop, we observed several playful additions to the Geneva attractions. One were these clever temporary swings on the waterfront. Of course, we had to try them.
Then we had to have gelato, even though we just had dinner. Finally, at the bus stop, were these unique lounges. We had to try them, too.
All this to the tunes of a street musician playing one of several pianos placed around the lake.
It was a lovely evening in Geneva, but I feel like we saw all the highlights. The rest were very tall buildings built in second empire style in the late 1880s and sporting names of all the global corporations from watch makers to banks to retailers to tech, etc. It’s a very expensive place.
Tomorrow, back to the states. What a great trip!
