Sweetzerland

We may have landed back in Gatwick over a week ago now, but I'm still suffering the post-Swiss swoons after an amazing adventure in Geneva. I hope I wont bore anyone reading this with a plethora of candid snaps, because i've left most of those little nippers out, I really just wanted to share some of the parts of Switzerland that made this three day break so lovely.

Day One:

I have this ridiculous penchant for being early and overtly excitable about wherever I go, so somehow managed to book us flights that had us landed, in our hotel room and by the lake by 10am. Now some people may shudder at the thought, but we did manage to pack in our first day with all sorts on only two hours sleep.

Starting off with a wander down to the botanical gardens, we came across the Musee D'Histoire Des Sciences which was genuinely amazing, and I think, one of our favourite finds. From etched brass globes and telescopes to an odd collection of glass eyes, this was manor house was filled with some of the most amazing science apparatus from the 1700s onwards, and it was all of zero squid!

Whilst the rest of the day was reserved for more wandering, I can't miss talking about dinner; oh god, dinner. I had been annoying friends with fondue tales before we had even arrived in Switzerland, so imagine how they feel now that we've experienced the authentic stuff. Chandeliers made of wooden milk buckets, exposed beams, gingham tablecloths, plates toting cartoon cows; that's exactly how our restaurant came packaged, in an adorable little Swiss bundle. Auberge De Saviese was a delicious mass of bubbling cheese, red wine and a beef fondue boasting Chinese mushrooms and a curry, tartare and calypso sauce that just I can't get off of my mind. 

Day Two: 

After so many recommendations, we headed to the Old Town for a little exploring. Kicking off with tea and macaroons before shimmying our way up to the top spire of Cathedrale St Pierre, blister plasters are a stellar investment for such an amazing, if not leggy afternoon. We then grabbed lunch at La Carnivore in the Place De Bourg De Four; Alex is a lady of a simple red wine and steak tastes, so this place sure hit the nail on her hungry head, if not our bank balances.

Whilst we missed the Geneveroule bike freebies by just a few April days, we picked up two bikes at a mere 8 CHF for half a day and went to tear some rubber around Lake Geneva that afternoon. There was something so great about grabbing ice cream by the lake, then hopping back on our bikes for a ride around such a scenic spot. Dang nabbit, I had so much fun on that bike in Switzerland that I threw 50 big ones at an advertisement on Gumtree, and came home with two of my own new wheels only a week later.

Evening came and there was only one thing on our agenda, cocktails. There's not that many 'cool' bars in Geneva, but we did get our sweet cocktail fill at L'Atelier Cocktail Club where speakeasy vibes, quirky concoctions and lapping locals did the trick just nicely. We also met a couple of chaps that took us to a student bar in Carouge that evening, if you're looking for some of the cheapest drinks in the city, these kids have got it covered. 

Day Three:

So rumours of Geneva being deadly quiet on a Sunday were pretty true. But even though the city is practically closed to those that don't know the best secret spots, we did manage a really nice stroll to the Plain de PlainPalais market where traditional Swiss cheese stalls, fruit, vegetables and odd 'n' sods are to be found. I'd heard rumours about a vintage furniture market too but sadly that got lost upon us before we had to make it back to the hotel, pack up and head on home.

Whilst we didn't get to see and or do everything, I think we packed in a lot of what Geneva has to boast, and I'd definitely go back; if not for a stop-over before seeing a little more of Switzerland is toting. Au revoir!

(I'd also like to think that the best thing that anyone could get from reading this blog is a little advice, so here's my top four final tips for anyone planning a trip to Geneva):

• If you do anything in Geneva, make it the Old Town. I'm so happy that this became our ultimate Geneva destination. From its sweeping streets and bustling balconys to blossom doused roads and the ringing of church bells, I don't need to make it sound as romantic as I am, it does that of its own accord. 
• Switzerland, or at least Geneva, is something of a baron land come Sunday. Whilst we managed coffee, lunch, food markets and a lovely Sunday stroll, there's more silent space for passing hay bales than a Clint Eastwood flick. Make sure that you have a solid plan for Sundays. 
• Geneva doesn't appear to come very cheap. Whilst we hadn't been naive in our awareness that Geneva was going to be expensive, we were a little taken aback by the price tags in some restaurants, with many bog standard dishes coming in at nearly £15 a pop.
• Don't be a clever chap by thinking you have it down with the locals when your French vocabulary extends only to Oui, Non and now, Beouf. They will laugh at you in an endearing, if not 'cut it out now, you' fashion.