The Switzerland Traveler

I discovered at the weekend that there is a camera museum at Vevey.
It contains exhibits like the first ever production Leica, see above.
The museum is set on Lake Geneva, not far from Chateau Chillon and covers photography from it’s beginnings just over a century ago, right up to today. It covers techniques as well as equipment, with features on the inventors of milestone equipment.
The permanent exhibition features magic lanterns, camera obscura etc,  in a 500 square metre setting.  And photographers past and present are featured in regularly changing special exhibitions.
For youngsters, there are many games and hands-on installations.
www.cameramuseum.ch
Closed Mondays
Photo: Flickr – …read more

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CERN is the big European research centre.
Lots of particles being accelerated within an inch of their lives, round a big circular tube. I understate the case massively here, because I simply don’t understand it.
But, even though most of the stuff that physicists get excited about is underground, this bit on top is still pretty impressive.
Don’t you agree?
Photo Flickr phitar

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 Just a quick post because I came across this semi-HDR shot of Geneva airport and really liked it.
If you’re entering Switzerland by plane, you’re much more likely to come in via Zurich, as it’s so much bigger, with many inter-continental connections.
But Geneva is really useful for skiing holidays, in particular for some of the French Alpine resorts, and quite a few European carriers fly there.
However, it must be said that the airport doesn’t run with the Teutonic efficiency of it’s bigger brother and has a more provincial feel. Don’t count on delays, but don’t be surprised.
And don’t expect the slick shops …read more

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Based on the popularity of my previous post on the subject, I thought it only right to play to the audience and deliver some further views of the wondrous Chateau Chillon. The first shot, above, was taken on one of those lovely days where the mountains seem to come so much closer. The Dents du Midi, near the skiing resort of Champery, are visible here.

This shot shows just what amazing skies can be seen, although I suspect a bit of filtering or photoshopping has taken place. Whatever, it’s beautiful and a great shot.

It’s worth a trip in winter too. Old …read more

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The jet d’eau (jet of water) is the symbol of Geneva.
It’s a 140 metre (460 feet) high jet that sits in Lake Geneva, and is probably one of the countries best known landmarks.
So, if you are bored with football and want to know what it normally looks like, just take this picture into Photoshop, and remove the football.
I don’t think it’s actaully balancing on the water jet, but is suspended by thin wires. But it certainly reminds of the little toys that you have to blow through to keep the ball in the air.
A great combination of the EM and …read more

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In my previous post I described one of Switzerland’s best known monuments.
Today, I figured I missed a chance to really show it off, so here are some photos of it that I really like.
I hope they show how the character of the place changes with the seasons and light.

Pear Biter, Ioan Sameli, Fr Antunes, spadger

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If I haven’t mentioned Chateau Chillon before, it’s time I did.
If I already have, then it’s worth another mention.
The Swiss don’t actually abbreviate the chateau to Ch Ch, but given that CH is the international abbreviation for Switzerland, I’m surprised they don’t.
It’s such a classic, chocolate-box castle. Lake Geneva and the alps in the background. Beautiful.
 The best way is to arrive by boat from somewhere like Lausanne, or even Evian (home of the bottled water) if you happen to be in France.
Treat yourself, get a first class ticket and snooze on the sundeck of the boat. Or eat in the …read more

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I went into town last week to watch the final of the Champion’s League in a bar, and I have to admit, it’s now time to start mentioning the football.
The European Championships (which is essentially all the world class teams apart from the South American nations) is being held in Switzerland and Austria from 7-29 June.
So, to put it simply, if you’re planning to be in Switzerland over that time and haven’t already booked flights/hotels, do it now. On match days, the authorities haver even extended the allowed night-flying times, to allow more efficient handling of passengers.
 It’ll be a great event with …read more

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I don’t think this will fit into many people’s travel plans, but it’s here, so I’m telling you about it.
Each year there is an exhibition where inventors show off there wonderful (and/or) wacky inventions.

How about this plane with flapping wings? Not on my shopping list I’m afraid…
Anyway, if you’re interested it’s at:
Geneva Palexpo from 2nd to 6th April.
www.inventions-geneva.ch

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Travelling to Geneva?
Need an aesthetically designed hotel?
Well, you could certainly do worse than the Hotel Auteuil. Even if it does have more vowels than you can shake a stick at.

For a four star hotel it’s not expensive; 200-260 CHF will get you a very pleasant double room, with all fitness facilities (and, amazingly for Switzerland, WiFi) thrown in.

Key words: Style, Design, Urban, Soothing, Aesthetic.
Not much more to say, really.
Except “book early”.
Hotel Auteuil33, rue de LausanneCH-1201 Geneva Tel.+41 22/ 544 22 22Fax +4122/ 544 22 99
booking info/photos courtesy of manotel

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