CH Geneva 2019 Oct

Wife and I visited Switzerland for the second time in 17 days from early to late October, focusing on Lake Geneva, the Bernese Alps, Ticino and fall foliage.

We relied entirely on efficient public transports and did not bother to drive, based on good experience on our previous trip in June 2018. We both had the Swiss Half fare card and obtained local transport cards from hotels/apartments so local commutes (by bus and train) were free. We also forwarded our luggage to the next SBB (train) station for collection 2+ days later with a small fee of only CHF6 in some locations.

While there were rainy days as expected, we were grateful to enjoy sunny days during our visits/hikes in Geneve, Chateau de Chillon, Lavaux, Oeschinensee, Blausee, Kleine Scheidegg/Wengen, Locarno.

Overall itin – Geneva (2n) > Montreux (4n) > Spiez (4n) > Lugano (5n) > Luzern (2n)

Geneva

We arrived at Zurich airport after an overnight flight direct from HKG. As it was about 15 min late, the connection to the domestic Swissair flight to Geneva was quite tight – security checks on carry-on bags plus boarding in another zone. We thought we would not make it though luckily when we arrived at the gate boarding had just commenced.

The domestic flight departed on time and the flight was brief in 1 hour. We were seated on the left and caught sight of the distant and snowy Swiss Alps floating in a sea of clouds not long after sunrise at around 8 am.

Arrived at our serviced apartment in the old town by bus (free tickets obtained in baggage collection) before 10 am. Luckily a room was available and we were allowed to check-in early. The apartment was spacious at 42 sqm and properly furnished as in a 4/5-star hotel – my wife was happy (with my choice as usual 😀 )

Strolled around the lake rim and the English garden – less than 5 min from our apartment on foot. Had lunch in an Italian restaurant and it was almost full – many were closed on Sunday. Afterwards, we dropped by the Palais de Nations – also closed, and strolled in the old town before dinner.

#palaisdenations #brokenchair #genevaoldtown

On the next day, took the yellow boat (covered by the local transport card) to cross the lake, dropped by the Russian Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, it was closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Also took some shots of the Jet d’Eau in rainbow colours – at the bottom and the apex.