Geneva and Gruyeres

After our trip to Munich we took a short flight to Geneva, Switzerland. The first 3 days of our trip were for technical training but after the training we were on our own. The weather wasn't ideal (especially when you're used to 75 degree weather in Athens), but we were able to see the sites anyways.

We stayed in a hotel close to the main train station (Gare de Cornavin). On Friday afternoon after training we took Grandpa Provencher's advise and visited the Palais des Nations (United Nations). The United Nations in Geneva was the original headquarters of the League of Nations. In 1946 when the League of Nations was dissolved the Palais became the European headquarters for the United Nations.

Every recognized independent state in the world is represented at the UN except for the Vatican and Palestine. There are 6 official languages spoken at the UN
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

We took a tour of the facilities where we were able to see the delegates' meeting rooms.

After our tour of the UN we strolled to the Old Town by way of the English gardens to find a place to eat. We stopped at Le Petit Chalet to have beef fondue. It was delicious but we must admit that Mom Provencher's sauces are still the best.

On Saturday morning we rented a car and headed out of Geneva towards Gruyeres and the Alps. As we left the car rental place the clerk warned us that there might be snow. Us silly Greeks brought little more than a heavy sweatshirt. In this picture you can see the snow line as we ascend the mountain towards Gruyeres.

On our way to Gruyeres we pulled over because the road was blocked. The road was blocked with cows who were coming down from the lush pastures in the mountains for the winter. Meredith took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the traditional dress of the herders as well as the celebratory tree on top of one cow's head!

We finally made it to Gruyeres. The town has been restored slowly over the past 5 years to its original state in the middle ages. The center of the town is for pedestrians only.

At one end of the town was Chateau Gruyeres. We toured the chateau and took in the beautiful view of the surrounding valley.

Besides being a medieval town with its wonderful chateau, Gruyeres is also the home of the world famous Gruyere cheese. We visited La Maison de Gruyeres and saw the long cellars where the wheels of cheese are kept to age before being sold.

Saturday night we stayed in the Hotel de Ville with a balcony that overlooks the town square. That evening, as we were getting ready to go out for dinner, we heard horns outside our window. Apparently there was a wedding reception being held in one of the restaurants on the square and the traditional trumpeters were there to play to the bride and groom.

Amazing view of the town square, trumpeters and the Alps from our window.

For dinner Saturday night we took Grandpa Provencher's advise once again and had the original, traditional raclette. Raclette is a cheese that you melt at your table and eat with boiled potatoes, bread, small pickles, smoked meats and sausages. It was delicious when paired with a local red wine and it was the perfect way to end our visit.