Recently, tikichris contributor Vysia Duffield had the opportunity to explore the Swiss city of Geneva. Along with a handful of other London-based bloggers, Vysia had been invited to Switzerland to explore a few cities using the free to download Make My Switzerland app. Created by actual residents of the cities featured, the app lists hidden gems and places favoured by locals. Vysia reckons the app is great for people who like to venture “off the beaten path” when travelling. “Even better,” she says, the participating bloggers got to meet and explore their chosen cities “with the locals behind the recommendations and see it through their eyes”.
Here are some highlights from Vysia’s second day …
Carouge
On day two, Helen and I took a quick tram ride over the river Arve into the quaint village of Carouge. Carouge was once a part of the Kingdom of Sardinia and quite separate from Geneva, and is also known as ‘the Greenwich Village of Geneva.
I learned that in the past, protestant Genevans who wanted to have fun would cross the river into Carouge to enjoy the nightlife in the Catholic town. The buildings were a hopscotch of architecture influenced by its Sardinian heritage, and some of these buildings now houses an eclectic mix of ateliers by local craftsmen.
Carouge is also known for its local market, and we perused the wares that the market had to offer. From juicy fruit and vegetables and locally made wine, freshly picked morello mushrooms and truffles, summer dresses and leather ware, to jewelry made of flax that looked like spun gold, there is something for everybody.
We visited the workshop of famous leather worker Chris Murnerin her boutique, L’Antre-Peaux, which Helen recommended under the ‘stylish’ section of the app. Along the road, we also stumbled across Ram’Dame, an Indian-inspired boutique carrying limited editions of handcrafted accessories and clothing.
Carouge is great for stylish finds, and we indulged our inner Carrie Bradshaw at a local thrift store called Coco and Co, where Helen bought a silk top and I found a fantastic vintage Celine dress!
Picnic at Parc de la Grange
Those who want to enjoy the fresh Swiss air by Lake Geneva should pay a visit to Parc de la Grange, another one of the local must-sees recommended in the app. The park features an old estate which has now turned into a fine dining restaurant, Parc des Eaux-Vives.
The restaurant also offers takeaway picnic baskets (with everything provided including blankets and cutlery) for anyone who wants to have an impromptu picnic, and they come in 4 different tiers of baskets: Country, Prestige, Appetizer and Child.
Lake Geneva
No visit to Geneva is complete without a visit and a dip in the lake, so we decided to make most of the sunny day by signing up for an hour-long private stand up paddle masterclass at to Tropical Windsurfing.
After our lesson, we took the ferry boat across the lake to Bains des Pâquis, the local public bath that has been opened to the public since 1872. This place is not to be missed. Open all year, it offers different experiences in the summer and winter. Summer offerings include a cordoned off area to swim safely away from the boats, water polo games, tai-chi, and indulgent massages. I booked a massage in their female exclusive area the bath, where the women could sunbathe topless away from peering eyes if they so wish. There is also a cheap and cheerful bistro serving delicious value-for-money salads, a selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages and scrumptious cakes.
Halles des I’lle
We walked along the lake until we reached the island between the Arve and Rhone to Halles des I’lle. The former slaughterhouse has been converted into the hub of Geneva’s cultural movement, and now houses artists’ workshops, old bookshops and the trendy Brasserie des Halles de I’lle (Place de l’Ile 1, Geneva 1204).
We decided to indulge ourselves with their delicious cocktails and stayed for an al fresco dinner at the terrace by the river. The food was great, all freshly sourced and well prepared.
Exhausted from our full on/full day itinerary, we decided to call it an early night.
Written by Vysia Duffield
Check back tomorrow for the final post in this three-part miniseries.
