“We all came out to Montreux On the Lake Geneva shoreline To make records with a mobile We didn't have much time…”

This classic Deep Purple song was written when the band was performing at Geneva, and a fire broke out in the Casino Montreaux creating the illusion of ‘Smoke on Waters’. As if providing inspiration to one of the greatest bands in the world wasn’t enough, Lake Geneva, and the city of Geneva have much more on offer for the discerning traveller.

Times – old and new

The sight that welcomes you when you enter the city of Geneva is that of the sparkling sprays of Jet d'Eau – one of the largest and most splendid fountains in the world. Located where Lake Geneva empties into the Rhone River, this 140-meter-high water column is visible from up to 10 km in the air as well as from most parts of the city.

Henry Thoreau once said, ‘As if you could kill time without injuring eternity’ and how right he was! Inspiring poets over the ages, time has been an unfathomable preoccupation for everyone. Celebrating it in style, the Flower Watch is a huge tourist attraction reminding the world that this town is the birthplace of the world’s most elegant timepieces. You’ll be awestruck by the architectural genius and effort that went into the making of this beautiful sight. For instance, 6500 different plants are necessary for each flower decoration. Know for its excellence in crafting timepieces, Geneva is also reputed for its Clock Museum, which houses unique pieces such as the earliest time-telling tools like sand timers and Egyptian sundials.

Historic beauty

Geneva has a rich theological past and splendid monuments honouring legends of the times of yore. A chiselled wall adorned in sculpted stone, the Reformation Wall is a historical monument in Geneva honouring individuals, events and documents of the Protestant Reformation by depicting them as statues and bas-reliefs. The opalescent St. Pierre Cathedral with its neo-classical façade is another reminder of the city’s glorious past. The climb up 157 steps to its summit might seem arduous, but the breathtaking view of the city from up there more than makes up for the trouble.

When you get enough of the hustle and bustle of the grand city, head to the archaic Vielle Ville or Old Geneva to reconnect with the rustic roots. Awash with quaint architecture and ruins of a Roman sanctuary, art galleries and a fourth century basilica, Vielle Ville is a modern hamlet – magical and mystical in all its beauty. A thoroughfare containing second-hand bookstores and antique shops, it is a great place to shop and take home a souvenir. Steeped in the artistry of poetry and milked in the throes of passionate music and drama, Geneva is a city where the culture of imagination takes precedence over everything else. Lovers of performing arts find their haven here as opera and theatre houses like the Geneva English Drama Society, Geneva Amateur Operatic Society, Howard Productions and Simply Theatre, among many others, stage the best productions of the season.

In peace

World Peace has been a dream since the dawn of civilisation. A global forum for diplomacy, Geneva houses the Swiss headquarters of the United Nations, Palais des Nations. It is a monument, which is renowned for its historic significance, aesthetic allure and groundbreaking activism. Located in Ariana Park and commissioned by the Revilliod de Rive family, it was built on the condition that peacocks would roam the gardens and the richly coloured birds bask in the sunlit lawns even today! The foundation stone is a capsule holding a document with the names of the member states of the League of Nations, a copy of the Covenant of the League, and specimen coins of all states present at the league's Tenth Assembly.

A sobering yet enriching experience to top off the cultural education into Geneva is an afternoon spent at the International Red Cross Museum. It displays the grim face of war such as the real people behind the headline stories of mass-murder and even remnant proofs of the recent Rwanda genocides. Geneva harbours countless international organisations such as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, International AIDS society and the International Labour Organisation, to name a few.

If you are looking to escape the mundane routine of life treat yourselves to a week in Geneva amongst Alpine snow, fresh winds, gourmet cuisine, exquisite nightlife and a Swiss perspective! Au Revoir and send us a postcard, will you?