Geneva; Monday, 04 August, 2008

As with the rest of Europe, Geneva is closed on a Monday, so there was nothing to visit in the city. Instead, I had planned to go on a cruise on the lake down to Lausanne, have a quick look around the city, and then come back to the airport. The only departure of the day that would be of any use was the 10am from the centre of Geneva, so to get there on time I had to get my luggage into the lockers at the airport and get myself back to the centre of the city and down to the lake before 10.

Consequently my alarm went off at 7:30 and I quickly showered, packed and wolfed down a breakfast. I was out of the hotel by 8:20 and straight onto a bus to the airport.

Of course, all my planning had failed to take into account the efficiency and speed of the Swiss public transport system and I found myself standing at the quayside a little before 9am with a ticket in my hand and an hour to kill.

I had a wander around the city centre and then back to the quay in time to catch the paddle steamer up the lake. The journey takes just under 4 hours, but the views are well worth the slightly numb bum that I had at the end (I’d paid a little extra to go in first class, and I’m glad I did as second looked very cramped and uncomfortable. First wasn’t great, but there were cushions on the seats and an at seat food and drinks service)

The ferry stops at many of the towns along the lake, including making a couple of stops in France, before eventually arriving into Lausanne. I had originally planned to take the Metro up to the city centre, and then walk to the cathedral; unfortunately the Metro was closed for major refurbishment and extension so I had to get the replacement bus.

From where the bus dropped me off it was a ten-minute walk up to the cathedral, which is visible from most of the city. I had a look around inside as well as climbing the tower for the views over the city and the lake, but by now the cloud was really starting to roll in and it was difficult to see more than a couple of miles in each direction.

By the time I had descended back down to the nave of the cathedral it was time to head back to the station to catch the train to Geneva. I wandered back through the town to the station and waited for the next train to Geneva airport for my luggage and my journey home.