Let me start my series of blogs about traveling with a post about Geneva, a nice small city in Switzerland. I visited this city not so long time ago and my memories are still fresh.

I spent in Geneva around one and half day which was enough time to get to know the city a bit at least geographically. In one and half day you can walk the center of the city several times around. What was my first impression? First of all, I had a bad experience with Alamo car rental company where I was waiting for a car for half an hour. I must emphasize there was no other customer than me at that time. I avoided queue because of the small mistake I have done. I forgot to check where the car rental is located. I followed the signs which led me to a shuttle buss to rental companies. When I arrived there I just found that this is only pick up and drop off place. The rental contract has to be done in an office located in an airport hall. Yes, the lesson has been learned. I’ll check airport information of my destination before the trip next time

I arrived to Geneva on week day on a working day in afternoon. Distances in Geneva are rather small but even though it took a long time to reach the hotel. The traffic was very slow and there are traffic lights every 20 meters. Lot of cars also means no place to park. Underground parking was the only option. What are the parking fees? Parking over night costs approximatelly 12 CHF. Parking during office hours is more expensive. The price for 8 hours parking is 40 to 50 CHF.

While searching for a dining place in the evening of my arrival, I made a discovery. Place for lonely guys looking for a company is just near the railway station in downtown. I don’t know whether the business operated by the girls there is legalized in Switzerland but there were quite a few of them Well, I didn’t get tempted perhaps because my stomach was almost shouting on me its complains about emptiness. The place where I satisfied its need was in restaurant Au Petit Chalet (Rue Chaponnière 6, 1201 Ginebra, Geneva). This restaurant is a very nice place and by Geneva measures an inexpensive place to get good food. The other day, which was Friday,  I enjoyed grilled chicken in Chez Ma Cousine in the old town. This place was rather busy with always few people waiting for a table.

I must admit that I was not prepare for the visit of Geneva much. I just stopped in Geneva for two nice before I took off for my final destination which was Chamonix. Therefore, my trip planning focused more on Chamonix than on Geneva. I don’t think that was a problem at the end because the city of Geneva is rather small as I already mention. Places to see include: a cathedral in the old town call Palace St. Pierre, a huge water fountain Jet d’Eau, and the old town is very nice place to just walk around. Of course, there are museums and galleries but I haven’t visided any of those.

Palace St. Pierre is open for tourists. There is no entrance fee to the cathedral. An admission fee is collected for the visit of the cathedral’s towers which I highly recommend. You’ll have an opportunity to see a spectacular view of Geneva.

If you like one of those people who just enjoy walking the I would recommend you to walk around the shore up to the pier with the lighthouse, the one opposite to the Jet d’Eau. There is a small beach at the pier. I assume many people come to that place in summer to swim in waves.

Please look at pictures from Geneva in the gallery. (Note: At the time of publishing this post, Geneva gallery does not contain all the picture I intend to upload there.)

– DN