Geneva, Switzerland: Around Lake Geneva and into France

Aug. 8, 2012, Vineyards, villages, Chillon Castle--Chateau de Chillon--and a glimpse of Mt. Blanc

Which vineyards and villages to see?  We drive through villages and stroll around to enjoy the ambiance.  We don't visit any wineries but love the views of rolling hills covered with grapevines.  What a gorgeous day for a drive.  These villages are located between Geneva and Montreux along Lake Geneva shore.

We rent a car for about $90 chf including insurance, but end up paying much less--not sure why.  Perhaps because we only had the car for 8 hours.  Expedia gives us the best deal on cost for 1-day rental; we also check with car rental place near our hotel, which wanted almost double the price for 1-day rental. 

 Chateau de Chillon

 After two hours touring the castle, we stop for lunch.

 Then it's on the road again around the lake, to France, heading slowly back to Geneva.  Stop for apricots! 

 Mt. Blanc--awesome.  Chamonix is greatly crowded--traffic jam, lots of pedestrians.  Busy place.  We don't stop in Chamonix.

Mt. Blanc and its glacier.  We soak it up.  Then we drive on to Geneva.  

Next day is a quiet day around town, visiting the IKEA store before packing our suitcases and backpacks for next morning's departure.  End of vacation.

Geneva, Switzerland

Aug. 7, CERN and Geneva town

 

Our bus pass covers the tram ride to CERN.  Although I couldn't get tickets for tour before we left for Switzerland, we got into a guided tour when there were some no-shows.  Awesome!

But, we found the two open-to-all exhibitions to be excellent--really informative.

 Crepes for lunch.  Bought at the mall, Balexert, right across from our hotel.  Ate in the hotel patio area.  Lovely day.  Then we went into old town Geneva.