See It: Geneva, Switzerland

Over the August UK bank holiday, we hopped on a plane for our first mainland Europe trip.  We headed to Geneva, Switzerland in search of magnificent mountains, decadent chocolate, delicious cheeses, and warm temps!   For 48 hours, we explored this stunning city.  After a quick and tasty dinner on Friday night, we strolled along the lake while a band played at a lakeside bar.  The lights of the buildings that line the lake create a beautiful reflection in the lake.

After taking in the beauty of the city the evening before, we were excited to get up and explore the city and surrounding area on Saturday.  Mont Saleve was our main destination for the day after reading recommendations on travel blogs and consulting with Rick Steves.  A quick bus ride took us to the France-Switzerland border, where we then walked into France....but much to our disappointment we did not go through passport control and get a French passport stamp!  Mont Saleve has a cable car to transport you up the mountain.  As we rode up, we instantly sensed that the views from the top were going to be amazing!  As we exited the cable car building, breath-taking views of Lake Geneva and the city welcomed us.

Jet d'Eau, the famous water fountain in Geneva, is easily spotted from the top of Mont Saleve.

Beautiful views were at every turn as we explored Mont Saleve.  The vastness of Lake Geneva was
remarkable even from the top of a mountain.

From the cable car location, there are trails that lead a bit higher up the mountain.  After walking through the trees and climbing the steep inclines, we were rewarded with picturesque views of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.  As we took in the sight of Mont Blanc, I could not believe we were looking at the French Alps. 

As we sat in the shadow of Mont Blanc, it was almost as if we were looking at a painting on a canvas.   
Admiring its beauty brought a sense of calm and peace.

An afternoon stroll along the lake passing multitudes of sailboats easily made one envious of a life on the lake with the French Alps as the backdrop.

Jet d'Eau is placed where Lake Geneva empties into the Rhone.  500 liters of water per
second are jetted into the air up to 450 feet at a speed of 124 mph to create this amazing sight. 

The lake was filled with a variety of boats.  On our stroll, we spotted this boat cruise. 
On our next trip, dining on the lake will be on the itinerary.

We squeezed in a tour of Geneva before heading back to the UK.  Our tour took us by some of the important organizations, such as the European Headquarters of the United Nations, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, that are headquartered in Geneva.  We then left those buildings behind to explore the history of Geneva.  The historic cobbled streets of Geneva are filled with charm and character. 

Terraces adorned with flowers dotted the streets of Geneva.

Hours could have been easily spent wondering the city gazing at the charming buildings and architecture. 

Our tour of Geneva ended with a boat ride around the Swiss portion of the lake.  There was no shortage of photo-worthy shots, but enjoying the moment and taking in all there was to see as the boat cruised around the lake was what makes this adventure so incredible.

The lakeside is sprinkled with gorgeous homes and buildings. 

As we boarded our plane, we had a bit of sun on our cheeks.  While the beauty of the surroundings and the delicious food have us daydreaming of the next time we get a Swiss passport stamp, remember the lights are always on!  

~W