To wind down after our Italian Job Tour, we decided to spend a few days in Geneva on the way home. We took the train from Milan to Geneva (about 4.5 hours) through the mountains and valleys of the Alps - a very nice comfortable way to travel, and not much longer than what a flight and airport checks would take. We stayed at the Hotel 9Paquis near the city centre and settled in for a few bike-free days. I had never been to Switzerland before. Roma had been there years ago and warned me that it would be an expensive place to stay. Boy was she right! On our first afternoon we stopped at the Pitstop Donut café on the Quai des Bergues overlooking the Rhone river for an aperol spritz (fast becoming my go-to holiday aperitif!) and I was shocked to discover that one would cost 16 francs (about €17).
We did a lot of walking and also used our free travel pass on the trams/trains/buses/ferries to get around. We went to the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire which was a great way to spend a couple of hours. We also went to see the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge where we were fascinated by the archives of millions of records of missing people in war. Most shops were closed on Sunday, and a lot of other attractions were closed on Monday too. Eating out was expensive, so we went to the food markets where we got sandwiches and much cheaper wine. We also had to try a Swiss fondue - it is just an expensive way to eat a bit of steak.
We also enjoyed taking the free ferries across the lake to get a good view of the Jet d'Eau - one of Geneva's best known landmarks.
Geneva was never on my Bucket List, and I think this is a been-there-done-that experience that I can tick the box on. It is a lovely city, very multi-cultural, very friendly, easy to get around - but soooo expensive. Not so sure that I will be back - I'd need the Lotto for another visit!
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