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 – lionoche

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

 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 and restaurants, stainless steel and leather that abound at ZRH, best to buy that watch before you get to the airport and claim the tax back, rather than rely on Duty Free.

Also you won’t see cows or Heidi at the airport – if you’ve been on the train to Terminla E at Zurich, you’ll know what I mean!

Photo: Flickr maistora

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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 buildings look great with a light coating of frost, or even snow.

Just to show how civilized we Europeans are, take a look at this torture chamber… Hopefully not used any more, not even if you try to sneak in without paying.

I guarantee that if you go to Chillon, you will take a photo like this. Assuming you remember your camera of course…

This last shot shows Chillon from Montreux. It’s a very pleasant walk along the lakeside, and if you get tired it’s easy to get a train, or boat, back.

Photos: Flichr Elizabeth Hollin thebmag Martin Burns Roland Hoffmann Francisco Antunes Pearbiter

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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 a major tourist attraction.

Photo: Flickr – Lomyx

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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 restaurant. It is the only way to travel. Admittedly, I’ve never been on a private jet.

The chateau itself is now updated with the latest multimedia gizmos to tell you about the history of the place.

In summary: it’s 1000 years old, and there’s been lots of fighting, and probably a few decent parties.

Well worth the trip to Montreux.

 www.chillon.ch

Photo Flickr: small

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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 a lot of temporary viewing facilities being erected throughout the country, so it’ll be great to be here. Party zones are the talk of the town and I have to admit I’m curious what will be built!

The matches in Switzerland are being held in Geneva, Basel, Bern and Zürich. The photo above shows the Zürich stadium (hosting an athletics event) and the one below shows part of England’s dismal attempt to qualify.    

I’ll be running a series of posts on this over the coming weeks, but will intersperse it with some of the normal (and wacky) stuff too.
Photos: Flickr BeatKüng JohnTheScone

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

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 Auteuil
33, rue de Lausanne
CH-1201 Geneva
Tel.+41 22/ 544 22 22
Fax +4122/ 544 22 99

booking info/photos courtesy of manotel

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler