If you are like me and go on your phone once in a while, I am sure you would have seen iconic videos and pictures of Switzerland from charming little villages in the mountains to spectacular towns in the….mountains. Switzerland is a beautiful country full of rich history (except for the years 1939-1945) and extreme wealth #TaxHaven. Switzerland is famous for tonnes of stereotypical stuff such as Knives, Chocolate (Lindt) and Cuckoo Clocks oh and LSD…. yeah you read that right. The first ever recorded LSD trip took place in Basel Switzerland
Just so you’re aware before you skagheads go booking your flights, Geneva isn’t Amsterdam and it isn’t one of them quaint villages in the pale white snow covered mountains of the Swiss Alps but don’t get me wrong, Geneva is still a stunning city surrounded by the snow covered mountains of the Swiss Alps, so technically you’re half way there. Geneva might not have tiny shacks & white powdered ski slopes like it’s noisy neighbours Chamonix, however, it does have Western Europes largest and most beautiful lake (Lake Geneva) which unlike the Great Wall Of China can be seen from space so take that China!
In December of 2018 me and my ex-girlfriend (wipes tear from eye) touched down in Geneva ready for our romantic get away to a picturesque location that neither of us had ever been before. Word on the street was that the Christmas markets in Geneva were second to none as well which was a major contributor as to why we decided to go there.
My ex (still blocked) and I had both done a bit of research on Geneva and Switzerland before we stepped foot on their soil. She had remarkably noticed that there was a never ending street full to the brim of designer boutiques ready and waiting to crucify my wallet. I on the other hand had found two things that need to be top of your bucket list for your Swiss adventure.
I once spoke about a strange landmark in Glasgow called Coneheid this time I’m talking about another irregular landmark. One that is more widely known around the globe than the abnormal statue of the inventor of the wellington boot with a traffic cone on he’s head and one that is even visible from your airplane window.
The Jet D’Eau is an enormous jet powered water fountain that sits just off the shores of the quintessential Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The jet is so powerful it shoots water into the sky at a height of 140 metres. That is almost two times the size of Big Ben.
During the 19th century the city of Geneva’s population grew from 60,000 to 100,00 in just over 20 years, which made it very difficult for such a small city to generate power to such a large infrastructure of citizens.
The solution? Brexit!
Jk! The Swiss government actually decided to build a hydraulic plant to help fuel this beautiful city and it worked perfectly, until nighttime, when everyone had gone to bed and the water pressure would build and build and have no where to be released.
To prevent a water based Chernobyl incident the Swiss Government decided to install a blowhole to help control the water pressure. This of course spouted the famous jet of water into the sky.
After an innovation in technology there was no need for the spout anymore as the Swiss government decided that they should stop blasting their clean drinking water into orbit and give it to Africa instead.
Nah I’m only joking, the Genevan locals had grown fond of spout kinda like coneheid in Glasgow. Instead of arguing with the people, the government decided to make the Jet D’Eau a tourist attraction by moving the fountain to a more central location in Lake Geneva where it still stands today.
Top Hotels in Geneva
Top Hostels In Geneva
Top Apartments in Geneva
Things to know before you go.
What language do they speak in Geneva? – French.
What currency do they use in Geneva? – Swiss Franc but most restaurants and bars do accept Euros but you won’t get Euro’s back.
What’s the weather like? In winter it’s freezing and probably snowing and in summer it’s like any other European city.
Is Geneva the capital of Switzerland? = No Bern is. Yeah me neither.
After we dropped our bags off, showered and got dressed, we headed out into the glacial city centre. Just a heads up for any men looking at taking their girlfriends or boyfriends to Geneva it’s 2021 I don’t judge, just make sure they dress warm! Open water features and snow covered mountains are romantic as hell but what isn’t romantic is your better half complaining they are cold the whole time. What ever you pack, pack extra for her/him.
To be honest other than cheddar and mozzarella I don’t really care for cheese as my taste buds haven’t developed yet cause I’m only 25 so it’s hard for me to pretend to be some sort of cheese connoisseur.
Fondue tastes like what you expect it to taste like, if you love cheese and melted sauces you’re gonna adore it. People travel far and wide to try Genevan Fondue and it’s been a Swiss delicacy for hundreds of years so there must be something great about it.
Other than the aroma filled cheese rooms, I can happily say I throughly enjoyed every meal I had while in Geneva but by far the best meal we had while in Switzerland was at a quaint Italian Restaurant called La Rotonde Pizzeria. The food was basic i.e. garlic bread and pizza but it absolutely smashed the backdoors in on any other pizza I’ve ever had anywhere in the world even in Italy.100% give this place a go! You get a brilliant bang for your buck as well… as in good value for money not hookers once again that’s Amsterdam!
In December of 2018 me and my ex-girlfriend (wipes tear from eye) touched down in Geneva ready for our romantic get away to a picturesque location that neither of us had ever been before. Word on the street was that the Christmas markets in Geneva were second to none as well which was a major contributor as to why we decided to go there.
My ex (still blocked) and I had both done a bit of research on Geneva and Switzerland before we stepped foot on their soil. She had remarkably noticed that there was a never ending street full to the brim of designer boutiques ready and waiting to crucify my wallet. I on the other hand had found two things that need to be top of your bucket list for your Swiss adventure.
- Paraglide from France To Switzerland.What better way to enter the land of milk & money than leaving the French behind you as you descend from the Alps basking in the sheer beauty of Lake Geneva as you float to Earth. Dellboy would be proud of you.
- Swiss Rollercoaster.Now if you want to get up close and personal with the Alps this is the best way of doing it.You will twist and turn around the mountains as you wisp past in a manual controlled single person bobsleigh going up to speeds of 35 miles per hour.
Jet D’Eau
I once spoke about a strange landmark in Glasgow called Coneheid this time I’m talking about another irregular landmark. One that is more widely known around the globe than the abnormal statue of the inventor of the wellington boot with a traffic cone on he’s head and one that is even visible from your airplane window.
The Jet D’Eau is an enormous jet powered water fountain that sits just off the shores of the quintessential Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The jet is so powerful it shoots water into the sky at a height of 140 metres. That is almost two times the size of Big Ben.
During the 19th century the city of Geneva’s population grew from 60,000 to 100,00 in just over 20 years, which made it very difficult for such a small city to generate power to such a large infrastructure of citizens.
The solution? Brexit!
Jk! The Swiss government actually decided to build a hydraulic plant to help fuel this beautiful city and it worked perfectly, until nighttime, when everyone had gone to bed and the water pressure would build and build and have no where to be released.
To prevent a water based Chernobyl incident the Swiss Government decided to install a blowhole to help control the water pressure. This of course spouted the famous jet of water into the sky.
After an innovation in technology there was no need for the spout anymore as the Swiss government decided that they should stop blasting their clean drinking water into orbit and give it to Africa instead.
Nah I’m only joking, the Genevan locals had grown fond of spout kinda like coneheid in Glasgow. Instead of arguing with the people, the government decided to make the Jet D’Eau a tourist attraction by moving the fountain to a more central location in Lake Geneva where it still stands today.
Accommodation
After a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport to the city centre (35-45 Swiss franc) we arrived at our 4 star accommodation. My ex actually picked & booked the hotel where we would be staying during our time in Geneva. After staying in cheap hostels and standard Airbnbs for the past few years, The Hotel N’vy was a breath of fresh air. The Hotel N’vy is actually voted in the top 5 hotels to stay in Geneva due to its stunning hotel lobby, fantastic modern themed restaurant/bar and friendly staff. The rooms were perfect with a giant wall to wall window & relaxing open planned bath in the centre of the bedroom. Location wise was pretty solid aswell as it was about a 10 minute walk north from the lake and about a 15 minute walk south from the United Nations Building. Yeah that building you know the one that hosts all the meetings to prevent wars, they decided to build it in a country that doesn’t get involved in wars….allegedly.
Top Hotels in Geneva
Top Hostels In Geneva
Top Apartments in Geneva
Things to know before you go.
What language do they speak in Geneva? – French.
What currency do they use in Geneva? – Swiss Franc but most restaurants and bars do accept Euros but you won’t get Euro’s back.
What’s the weather like? In winter it’s freezing and probably snowing and in summer it’s like any other European city.
Is Geneva the capital of Switzerland? = No Bern is. Yeah me neither.
After we dropped our bags off, showered and got dressed, we headed out into the glacial city centre. Just a heads up for any men looking at taking their girlfriends or boyfriends to Geneva it’s 2021 I don’t judge, just make sure they dress warm! Open water features and snow covered mountains are romantic as hell but what isn’t romantic is your better half complaining they are cold the whole time. What ever you pack, pack extra for her/him.
Food
When we stopped to get lunch that was the first time I smelt it, the way it dances up your nostrils with its distinct smell as it lingers in the air absorbing any other scent in room. I have eaten scorpion, fried crickets even a part of a goats brain but none of them could compete with the aroma of fondue.
To be honest other than cheddar and mozzarella I don’t really care for cheese as my taste buds haven’t developed yet cause I’m only 25 so it’s hard for me to pretend to be some sort of cheese connoisseur.
Fondue tastes like what you expect it to taste like, if you love cheese and melted sauces you’re gonna adore it. People travel far and wide to try Genevan Fondue and it’s been a Swiss delicacy for hundreds of years so there must be something great about it.
Other than the aroma filled cheese rooms, I can happily say I throughly enjoyed every meal I had while in Geneva but by far the best meal we had while in Switzerland was at a quaint Italian Restaurant called La Rotonde Pizzeria. The food was basic i.e. garlic bread and pizza but it absolutely smashed the backdoors in on any other pizza I’ve ever had anywhere in the world even in Italy.100% give this place a go! You get a brilliant bang for your buck as well… as in good value for money not hookers once again that’s Amsterdam!
Best Place’s To Get Breakfast In Geneva
Best Place’s To Get Lunch In Geneva
Best Place’s To Get Dinner In Geneva
Daytime in Geneva
Geneva is brilliant during the day as it has some fantastic things to do and see from gazing at the height of the Jet D’eau to indulging at a lactose intolerants worse nightmare, the Lindt Chocolate Factory. If neither of those are your type of thing, I would personally suggest getting a boat up and down Lake Geneva to kick off with, as it does eat up a large chunk of your day ,but you do need to witness the sheer scale of the lake. When I say Lake Geneva is huge I mean Lake Geneva is f**king huge. It has a maximum depth of 310 meters which is the equivalent of 170 olympic swimming pools pilled on top of each other, it is 45 miles long which is the equivalent of Glasgow to Edinburgh and is 8 miles wide which is the equivalent to the Eminem movie. Lake Geneva is ridiculously beautiful and houses some of the worlds largest and most expensive houses on its shores. As you travel up the west side of the lake you can participate in some celebrity house spotting, as over the past few decades the worlds most famous celebrities have laid their hats on its banks from Charlie Chaplin to Audrey Hepburn, even to the likes of Freddie Mercury.
Other Top Things To Do During The Day In Geneva
- Walk the winding streets of the ancient old town.
- Climb the twisting staircases of the Cathedral Saint Pierre.
- Splurge out at the main shopping district of Geneva.
- Guided Tour Of The Palais Des Nations.
- Hike up Mont Saleve.
- Rely on a tram around the magnificent city centre
Night-time In Geneva
You will definitely fall more in love with Geneva once the sun goes down, as it is absolutely stunning at night-time with the Jet D’au lit up with a huge neon beam piercing through the water as it fires upwards to the moon and stars. All the picturesque shops, restaurants, grand bridges and even colourful buoys all light up the skyline around the shores of Lake Geneva. It’s a beautiful city to just stroll around during the evening taking in the sights and breathing in the free mountainous air. If however you do want something lively to do while you are in Geneva here is the top 5 things to do in the evening.Top 5 Nighttime Activities in Geneva
- Go and see a show at the Theatre Du Leman
- Go to a gig at the Arena De Geneve
- Get Boozy at the Palais Mascotte
- Have a frozen Mojito at the Rooftop 42
- Dance the night away at the Verrea Monique
Drinking In Geneva
As you are probably aware already Geneva isn’t the kind of place you head to for a stag do or hen do it actually was recently voted the priciest city to drink in.- A pint of draught beer – 9 Swiss franc = £8.00
- A glass of wine – 10 Swiss franc = £9.00
- A spirit drink – 17 Swiss franc = £16.00
- A soft drink – 5 Swiss franc = £4.00
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss these issues. To the next! All the best!!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Thank you very much. Really appreciate it!