Jet D’eau
If visiting Geneva this is a must see! Reason being is that the Jet D’eau is a big fountain located in Lake Geneva which shoots water 140m high. It is only on during good weather. It can be seen from anywhere at the Promenade.
Location: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève, Switzerland
River Rhone and cross to France on foot
Since we were living right next to this river we decided to go for a walk in the forest until we manage to get to the river. Must say, it was a lovely walk. When we arrived there was simply peace and serenity, therefore we decided to sit next to the river for a while. We also found a bridge. We highly recommend this lovely walk in the countryside.
Location: Cite Du Lignon
Feed the swans and Geese in Geneva
This is also a must do when visiting this lovely city. When you go down to Lake Geneva, you can meet very friendly Swans and Geese. If you take along some bread with you they will definitely adore you and you will end up surrounded by these lovely creatures. They are so friendly that 1) a swan let me pet him 2) when my husband was feeding the swans, a goose went up to him and pulled his pants in order to feed her as well.
Lake Tour and Lake Trips
The first short tour we had was that of crossing the lake from one side to the other. If you buy a bus ticket and it is still valid then you are eligible to get these boat rides without paying
anything extra.
We also decided to take a tour on the lake. It was lovely and we were shown the most important locations around the lake. We were given a leaflet so that we would be able to follow where we are. Also there was a speaker where a person was explaining the places we were seeing in 3 languages: English, French and Italian. Unfortunately, we couldn’t bare staying on the outside of the boat, and our disadvantage was that there was no speaker for us to listen to what we are seeing during the tour.
If you are interested in such tours, you are able to book yours quite easily as you can find a lot of different companies offering boat trips around the promenade. During the Summer season you are also able to experience a tour on an old Boat (July - August).
Park du Nymph
This Park was located on the opposite side of the lake (where we were staying). This side of the lake is more of a rural area rather than like the other side where it is more like the city.
For some quiet, we suggest you visit this park. It is a lovely small park where you have some swings, outdoor shower and stairs which lead to Lake Gevena, where you can have a swim. We suggest, go to this park if you would like to swim in the lake. Even though, on the opposite side there a plage, but you would have to pay in order to enter plus there would be a lot of people. Imagine, we went in the beginning of June and it was packed, let alone in the peak of Summer.
Jardin Botanique
If you love nature and would like to discover different trees and plants from around the world, then this is the right place for you. Unfortunately, when we visited it, it was pouring
cats and dogs. But we made the best of it. It is a big place and we mainly visited the conservatories (since it was raining a lot). Must admit, it was an experience of a lifetime. I have read before we went to this garden that you will definitely end up using most of your senses here, and it was indeed true. You see different species of plants, having different scents and touching them to see how they feel.
Non-scenes places
For those who do not only want to see nature, mountains and trees, then the following two places should be ideal for you.
UN Building - Honestly we did not really visit this place but we passed by it and it is quite nice. Also right opposite to this building you can bind the broken chair - in our case a lot of people ended up using it as a shelter from the rain, alternative uses :P
Location: Palais des Nations, 1211 Genève, Switzerland
Cerne - We visited Cerne as my husband loves science. As soon as you arrive you find this metal sculpture all engraved with scientific equations. Basically shows the basics of science up to nowadays. You can also find 2 free exhibitions open for the public. We only managed to go to one of them as for that day the other exhibition was closed.
Chamonix - Mont Blanc
When visiting Geneva, we suggest you cross over to France and go to Chamonix and Mont Blanc - highest point in Europe. Chamonix is 1,035m above sea level. This is only 1hour and a
half train from Geneva. When having in mind to go up to Mont Blanc in Summer season do not forget to pack warm clothes as it will most probably still be very cold up there and covered in snow. In order to make it to the top you will have to catch 2 cable cars and you will have a time limit when you are supposed to come down. If you would not make it down in time then you would have to wait till the end of the day to make the trip down. The scene we saw of the mountain and Chamonix while going up and down was extraordinary. For me this was an extra special even as it was my first time seeing snow since I come from a country where it never snows (Malta right under Italy)
Lucerne
The following list are places to visit while in Luzerne:
Boat ride - we opted for an hour boat ride on a 1901 steam engine boat. It was a cool trip, different from the one in Geneva. You would actually be able to feel that the boat is not operated like usual boats nowadays and you can also see the engine while it is working. One also has the option to have something to eat on the boat at an extra cost. In addition, you can buy the 1st class or second class ticket. First class you will be inside and on a higher deck while the second will be outside and at the lower deck.
PS: Always put sunblock if staying outside as you will surely get sunburnt.
Chapel Bridge- Wooden bridge crossing river Reuss
Location: Kapellbrücke, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Supreuer Bridge - This is located further down than the previous bridge
Clock Tower - for the most amazing views of Lucerne
Location: Museggstrasse 28, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland
The Lion monument - This memorial commemorating fallen Swiss Guards of the French Revolution has been called the saddest stone in the world. For more info visit: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lion-of-lucerne
Location: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Note: In Lucerne people speak German and not French like in Geneva.
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