The Charms and the peaceful city of Geneva

Often referred to as a Global City and Peace Capital, Geneva is the place where a number of international organisations have their headquarters or offices. The UN and Red Cross are among them. The place is a beehive for diplomacy and has an unprecedented international cosmopolitan flavour. The Swiss city is renowned for its composite culture, urbanity and sophistication. Geneva’s excellence in watch-making is too well known.

Geneva hosts more than two hundred international organisations ranging from European Headquarters of United Nations to International Red Cross which was founded here. As most peaceful initiatives are taken here world peace and sanity the place is renowned as Peace Capital as well. International Labour Organisation, World Health Organistion, the UN High Commission for Refugees are some of the leading organisations. As Switzerland is a very busy financial centre, Geneva has its quota of important banking and financial organisations as well. The World Trade Organistion is also located here.

Alpine setting provides the backdrop of the lake in the city of Geneva. With Alpine skiing barely within an hour’s reach, the city has numerous “ice-rinks” and skating is popular. The greenery is unbelievable and it is estimated that there “two trees per head of population” in the vicinity of Geneva!

Jet d’eau fountain sprouts water for nearly 450 ft.! Located in the Lakefront this forms a fascinating ‘must’ in what is to be seen in the city. One of the places where you find a great repose and rejuvenation of spirit. The lake with its calm exterior, swans, birds twittering trees on the banks and some elegant residential buildings dotted all over portrays a picture of intense rest. In the nearby English Garden, there is the extra-ordinary spectacle of the Flower-Clock! While earlier it just was a big clock in flowers, the last few years had added technology and horticultural skills.  “It is now composed of eight concentric circles, the colours of which vary with the seasons and the plants which make up the display.”

The Brunswich Monument is a remarkable museum specially constructed to honour the wishes of Duke of Brunswick. Neiton and Neptune are the names to given to two huge stone blocks near English Garden and they represent the basis for land survey in Switzerland! The clock in the passage Malbuisson is equally attractive in that with Escalade as the theme, “16 bells chime melody”. Le Corbusier Building, constructed about 75 years ago is entirely done in steel and glass which at that point of time was a great innovation. The facades are entirely done in glass and naturally there is grade exuding from the building. In Quartier des Grottes, we come across a quaint view of structures without straight line at all conceived and constructed by three architects. The place is known as The Schtrumpfs a peculiar combination of unconventional material and designs! The Solar Clock in Park mon repos has been constructed in stainless steel and laminated glass!

The city is noted for its obsession with greenery and nature. Cycle tour is encouraged and you would be surprised to see the number of bicycles at the road. There are cruises, guided tour through coaches, mini trains, trams and cable cars! Forever you stumble upon one surprise or the other in this quiet but magnificent city! In the Patek Philippe Museum you are lost in the details of the growth of watch making, models and a wealth of knowledge in watch making as exhibits from Switzerland, Geneva and the whole of Europe are on show.

Accommodation in Geneva is no problem at all. For those who are accustomed to Star comforts, there are plenty of hotels. Food and wining have special charms in this cosmopolitan city which is praised for its quality of life.

In all, a memorable holiday awaits for you in Geneva.