Having just got back from a week in beautiful Geneva, I thought I would share a few pictures.
Switzerland is starting to be a regular haunt for me as it is breathtaking and clean. After visiting briefly on my way to Italy in 2020, it wasn’t until 2019 that I got to go back and explore.
I enjoyed Zurich then and went back to stay in wonderful Basel last year. Now I got around to seeing the French part of Switzerland and it was no less exquisite.
I will write a more detailed post later on but for now, here are a few photos:
The Broken Chair and UN buildingOn the edge of Lake Geneva, at MontreuxThe Jet d’Eau L’horloge fleurie (Flower Clock)The AlpsCarouge
After five years away, going back to Paris was not only inevitable but also much needed. I always feel strangely at home in the bustling heart of France, surrounded by history, fashion and food.
OK, let’s be honest. It is mainly about food for me. Especially cheese.
This time, I took my mum with me as she had always wanted to go and my step father is not keen on walking about on holiday. My aunt also tagged along, making it a real family affair.
Bus Tours Are Great Starters
Whereever I go, I tend to first take a bus tour as an easy way to get a sense of what a city has to offer. Mum was looking forward to seeing what Paris has to look at and so we stepped onto a Tootbus near the Louvre and hopped off near the Arc de Triomphe.
We were going to walk up the steps to the roof but the wind was very strong and the queue was enormous. Plus we were feeling a bit hungry by then.
So we went for some very tasty omelettes at a nearby restaurant, where I also tried a really thirst-quenching strawberry milkshake with plenty of whipped cream. The waiter was incredibly helpful and, as with most places in Paris, they had the items written in English as well as French.
We then popped back on the bus and took in the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero before heading to the shops. I found a large UniQlo which was rammed with people. There must have been a hundred people entering the door every minute. It was great to snap up a new red jumper and some affordable but stylish socks.
In The Evening
My Mum was intrigued by Montmarte and so we got an Uber to the bottom of the Funicular. For a few Euros we were able to ascend the steep hill to the Sacre Couer. The famous church was brilliantly illuminated and the view from the hill across the whole city was wonderful.
After a walk around, we finished off eating near the Moulin Rouge and then got an Uber back to Citi Bergere. It was a lovely first evening and great way to begin the holiday.
And Finally
I would certainly recommend taking a bus tour of Paris to familiarise yourself with the most famous sights. This allowed us to plan the next few days and, because we bought a 48 hour bus pass, we could use it again the next day.
I would love to hear about your experiences of Paris in the comments. Thank you for taking the time to read my travel post. For another of my travel posts, check out Basel – A Hidden Gem.
This can probably be considered a weird article but I just had to write it. My interest in Creme Brûlée is steeped in history. So much so that I thought I would share my fascination. Especially after last night in Paris, when I had the dish pictured above.
You see, I am a sucker for sweet things. Ever since my nan laced my dummy with syrup to shut me up as a baby, I have loved sweet food.
Warning – A dummy full of syrup led to several brown teeth that had to be removed early. Yet I forgave nan as she was a perfect nan in every other aspect of nan-ness.
The Long and the Short of it.
So Creme Brûlée popped up on my radar when I was a child but was a very rare treat. Somehow I knew straight away that this delicacy was special.
Yet it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I actually fell head over heels for the delightful dish. My uncle worked as a marketing director for a dessert company and started bringing home new puddings. Every time I went round there would be a new sugary pudding to sample.
It was when he first brought out a creme brûlée and used a flame torch thing to burn the sugar on top that I got my first realisation of adoration. I instantly knew that this was my favourite kind of dessert.
From then on, if Creme Brûlée appeared on a menu at a restaurant I was present in then I was sure to buy it. I have tasted examples of it in various places around Europe. But last night was my absolute favourite.
The contract between the hard sweet top and the soft milky bottom was precise. It sent my taste buds into a frenzy. So I celebrate you – sweet Parisian restaurant whose name I have forgotten – for giving me the BEST Creme Brûlée that I have ever enjoyed.
