Welcome! I hope see you soon! Debra
(1)
I am a qualified Local Tour Guide (British mother tongue) & I am delighted to share with you my creative, unique and personalised guided tours and excursions in Geneva and Switzerland.
Think twice before you enjoy a slice of delicious Gruyère cheese. Châpeau to all those years of sharing and maintaining a unique savoir- faire, l’héritage, la passion, le partage and a return to a life full of simpler value and rewards. 🙏- let’s do it!
Support my friend Jane’s NGO Nourishing Minds - helping undernourished children in Malawi.
Merci 🙏
What a mysterious and magical place Gruyères is. The cloudy weather added a real charm to the atmosphere and it was super to be there with not so many crowds - loved the painted milk churns and the vintage cheese van outside the Maison de Gruyère
https://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch
Every morning you can visit here and watch as the cheese is made and follow an audio guide to learn about the famous Gruyère cheese. A real escape day- like ‘going back in time’ with a calming aura and tinkling bells all around 🐄🙂🐑
Hope you are having a great Easter weekend. Here is Vevey - such a charming town - quaint with a lovely lakeside walk. Under Roman rule Aventicum or Avenches became the capital of the province around 15-13BC. From here major trade routes passed through the centuries linking to Vevey, notably important as the crossroad for Italy, Fribourg and Germany, Geneva and Lyon. In the XVII th century huge rounds of Gruyère cheese were loaded from Vevey’s port en route for Lyon to supply the French navy with food for long voyages. Home to Henri Nestlé and Gustave Eiffel and a melting pot of artists, writers and elite clientele such as Dostoïevski and Henry James who wrote ‘Daisy Millar’ whilst staying at the 3 Crowns Hotel on the lakefront, you can feel the gentil and bohemian atmosphere as you stroll around. In the Museum of the ‘Confrérie des Vignerons de Vevey’ you can discover local history plus models of the Fête des Vignerons’ amphitheatres built on the Place du Marché - the last celebration was in 2019. This mesmerising spectacle goes back to 1797 (I was lucky to have attended in 2019) and takes place just once a generation (about every 20 years). It celebrates nature, the passing of the seasons and awards a prize to the best skilled craftsman of the year for his/her contribution to the cultivation of the vine. Lunch at the Alimentarium museum in the garden recommended!
https://www.alimentarium.org/en 🙂
Have you been to Gstaad?
Situated at 1050m there is no snow in the village now. The ice rink is just starting to melt, but such beautiful chalets with intricate decorations line the main street. Gstaad was made famous by the ‘jet set’ - Roger Moore of James Bond fame, Princess Diana, Bernie Ecclestone (Formula 1), the film director Roman Polanski. We wanted to have coffee at the renowned Gstaad Palace but all was closed and Christmas was lingering with false snow and Christmas baubles decorating the hotel entrance - Roman Polanski is currently directing a new movie here. As we left a yellow Lamborghini arrived on the back of a lorry as a prop for the film..
Amongst all the glitz and designer shops the beautiful chapel of Saint Niklaus in all its simplicity stands as testimony to the rich history of this important crossroads between the Valais and the Pays de Vaud - here would be your path by donkey in the 14th century.
They chapel dates from 1402 and the wall frescoes seen here from 1450….. after a huge fire in 1898, the village was put on the map with the inauguration of the MOB (Montreux-Oberland- Bernois) railway line in 1905 and the very first ski clubs were founded in the area. The Gstaad Palace hotel was built in 1913 but due to the 1st and 2nd work wars it suffered from a lack of clientele. From 1945 holiday homes for the elite flooded the market. Despite this, Gstaad still manages to retain a unique mix between old and new. 2 hours from Geneva and you will be there….🙂
I was lucky to be part of the first guided group visit
at the UN, closed to visitors since July 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
There are currently conferences on Human Rights and disarmament going on. The Human Rights council meets 3 times a year in Geneva and members are elected on a 3 year basis, allowing the 193 member states of the UN to take their turn in the council. We arrived in the chamber just as the Russian representative was speaking and were able to listen in to the debate. It was rather surreal to witness first hand discussions about current world events.
The roof was designed by a Spanish artist Miquel Barcélo in 2008. It represents the sea and the world being created from it
decorated with pigments sourced from all over the world.
Works of art and gifts from all countries line the corridors.
Group tours of the UN can now be booked and individual tours hopefully as of April.
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/practical-information/visitors
Stunning floral display at the Hotel Four Seasons.
As diplomats arrive for the Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament taking place right now in Geneva the lobby is perfumed with the heady scent of lilies. There are many symbolisms attached to the lily family amongst them love, compassion and peace.
A subtle message in these troubled times …..
British born but very proud of my Swiss passport I want to share with you this special day….
Queen Elisabeth II of Great Britain, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee today. 70 years on the throne, after the untimely death of her father George VI at just 56 years old.
The Hotel d’Angleterre in Geneva with its prestigious position overlooking the lac Léman was founded in 1872 at the heyday of the arrival in Switzerland of British tourists eager to discover the snowy peaks of the Western Alps made famous by Lord George Byron, by Percy Shelly and his future wife Mary who conceived the idea for her novel ‘Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus’ in the villa Diodati in nearby Cologny.
What better place to take ‘tea and scones’ or just to delight in the ‘so British’ atmosphere of this charming hotel.
Follow my tour ‘Curiosity and Crinolines’ to find out more about the very first British Tourists in Geneva!
https://www.allaroundgeneva.com/themesoverview
https://dangleterrehotel.com/about/reasons-to-love-hotel-d-angleterre
Follow my colleague Michel’s guided tour in Geneva. C’est super! 🙂
Early dog walks and frosty mornings - so beautiful and intriguing.
In 1891, in a period of icy weather all over Europe, ‘la rade’- Geneva harbour froze over as you can see in the last picture and the local inhabitants walked or skated from Paquis to Eaux Vives. Some even took a table and chairs onto the ice for an impromptu apero! Historical sources tell us of other dates when the Léman Geneva harbour froze: 762, 895, 1788, and partly in 1956. I wonder how the swans managed…
Bonne semaine ensoleillée. 🐾☀️🐾
Did you read the Heidi stories as a child? In these uncertain times there is nothing like a bit of nostalgia to make us feel cosy and content! The author, Johanna Spyri, born in the canton of Zurich, was inspired by her summers in the Canton of Grisons to write, in 1881, her famous novels about the orphan Heidi who went to live with her grandfather in the mountains. The memorable descriptions of the Swiss Alps and touching tale were translated into over 50 languages. In the 1970’s the novels were even turned into a Japanese cartoon series.
https://www.landesmuseum.ch/heidi-japan
A lovely read whilst having my porridge! The pocket watch in the photo is an old family treasure so not on breakfast time and is Swiss made - a strange coincidence! We found the books and the decoupage napkins thanks to a flea market outing with Lisa from Know-it-all passport - thanks Lisa!
For details of what to do in the area:
https://www.knowitall.ch
Happy mid week Wednesday 🙂 🇨🇭🐐
Now’s the time to visit Interlaken and the fabulous Jungfraujoch, the ‘top of Europe’ at 3,454m. No crowds and an awesome ascent in the ‘Eiger Express’ gondola over snow dusted forests. Once at the top please do allow yourself a contemplative moment as you gaze over the retreating Aletsch glacier - at 23 km it is the longest glacier in the Alps - the site is UNESCO Heritage protected. It’s eerily quiet and humbling in a way to see the solitary birds so high up who come readily for some crumbs…Also visit the Schilthorn (2,970m) and the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant - this peak was discovered in 1968 by the British film company EON Productions who financed the renovation of the restaurant for the film set and built a heliport for the James Bond movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, released in 1969 - the old Bond movies were the best n’est-ce-pas?!
How lucky we are to be surrounded by this glorious majesty of nature ✨🙏✨
If you have some time over the holidays why not visit the Swiss National Museum in Zurich. This intriguing exhibition follows the history of stained glass windows from the XIII- XX th century.
Known as the ‘Poor man’s Bible’, the images represented in the windows enabled those who couldn’t read to learn about events both current and historical and were very often gifted by wealthy and important members of the community to show their importance.
I’m always in awe of the craftsmanship and knowledge of those who lived so long ago and the time and perseverance it took to create these wonderful works of art.
https://www.landesmuseum.ch/fr/expositions/temporaire/2021/couleurs-revelees-par-la-lumiere/couleurs-revelees-par-la-lumiere
The exhibition runs until 4 April 2022.
Wishing you all joy, bonheur and a happy, colourful and special festive season. ✨🎄✨
Halloween’s eve yesterday - the clover leaf shaped fountain, Château de Prangins.
The unusual shaped fountain, probably designed to be placed against a wall, was made in the XVIII th century from highly prized Saint-Triphon black marble. Just nature in all its seasonal splendor and precious water - we musn’t complain about the rain ☘️☔️
A beautiful and wistful day - summer is lingering but a chill is in the air:
Restaurant & buvette de la plage publique des Eaux -Vives, Geneva.
So calm and peaceful and a stunning view of the Jet d’eau.
❤️🇨🇭❤️
Fabulous private visit to the Musée Tatiana Zoubov, Geneva today! Thankyou Mme Laurence Leroy for your passionate and fascinating presentation!
What a cultural Sunday!
This was a private visit organised by All Around Geneva. The Museum is open to the public
https://www.allaroundgeneva.com/themes/visit-the-fondation-zoubov
Hope you had a great Sunday 🙂
Why not join us for a Private Visit of the Musée Tatiana Zoubov in Geneva this Sunday 19 September at 11am.
The visit will be in English. Booking for this event via https://www.allaroundgeneva.com/themes/visit-the-fondation-zoubov
See details and current Covid Regulations for Swiss museums below.
This hidden gem of a museum is a wonderful discovery. A pleasure to see you there! Debra
All Around Geneva is delighted to arrange for you a private visit of the Musée Tatiana Zoubov in Geneva. In 1957, Countess Zoubov tragically lost her daughter Tatiana. It was to honour her memory that in 1959 she donated to the State of Geneva her private collection, housed in the Sellon mansion on...
Collège Calvin.
Journées Européennes du patrimoine, Geneva.
XVI roof structure - impressive!
Bon week-end from Geneva. Don’t forget the ‘Journées européennes du patrimoine’ taking place this weekend.
See you for a presentation in English at the Collège Calvin:
Saturday at 15h or
Sunday at 10h30
https://www.journeesdupatrimoine.ch/programme
JOURNÉES EUROPÉENNES DU PATRIMOINE/EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
The weekend of 11-12 September is the date for the Journées européennes du patrimoine/ European Heritage Days.
For details of the programme:
https://www.journeesdupatrimoine.ch/home
There are two events in English:
RAISE THE ROOF - COLLEGE CALVIN AND ITS ANCESTRAL HERITAGE
Join this one hour visit to discover the history of the Collège Calvin and climb up inside the extraordinary XVI th century roof structure which is open to the public uniquely on the dates above.
Date in English:
Saturday 11th September at 3pm and Sunday 12th September at 10:30am
To register for the Collège Calvin visits in English or in French sign up directly via the link below:
https://www.journeesdupatrimoine.ch/programme
For the Collège Calvin visit in English: in the Programme look for event number 10bis
Start:
Meet in the courtyard of the Collège Calvin
Rue Théodore De-Bèze 2-4,
1206 Geneva.
Thankyou to all the Internations Group members who joined me on my 'Pilgrimage to temptation' walking tour in Bogis Bossey/Founex this afternoon. We discovered the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim trail which passes through Founex village, all about life in the Middle Ages and the intriguing history of the Château de Bossey.
To join my tours go to:
https://www.allaroundgeneva.com/
For Internations events admirably organised by Nahed Zeid go to: https://www.internations.org/activity-group/1377/activities
A huge thank you to Ismaël at the Wine and Tapas bar L'Intemporel in Founex village who opened up especially to welcome our group!
Bon weekend from Geneva!
The simplest flowers arrangements are the most spectacular….
Cool violet hydrangeas and agapanthus towering tall and so splendid welcome you to the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva. The parfum d’ambiance of the hotel lobby makes you never want to leave this cocooning escape from the heat of the day outside.
Hydrangea or hortensia, originating from Asia and North America, comes from the Greek:
Hydra - water
Angos- a water jar - possibly because it is a thirsty plant and needs a lot of water to keep it fresh. Dried hydrangea heads make fantastic decorative features all year round.
To make pink flowers turn to blue you need to add more acidity to the soil.
Agapanthus are native flowers of South Africa.
Their name is derived from the Greek:
Agape - love
Anthos- flower
Whatever the interpretation they look fantastic!
Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Simple Pleasures make us happy 🧚♀️
What is your favourite flower and colour combination? The roses and echinops were growing close by each other and perfectly enhanced each other’s rich jewel like hue…plus the soft rose petals and the spiky yet perfectly formed thistle flower heads make this an interesting mix- isn’t nature wonderful!
Thank you to all the participants who followed my 'Pilgrimage to Temptation' walk yesterday. We learned all about the owners of the château from the XII th century to the present day. We then followed the ancient Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route to Founex where we were received with such kindness and enthusiasm by the Domaine Les Fancous for our 'temptation' - a little tasting of chasselas, rosé, cider and apple juice - all blended on site in the expert hands of Nicolas https://lesfancous.ch/domaine/
Expertise, savoir faire - what's not to like? - merci encore for your generous and informative welcome and passion.....
Next Walking Tour 'A Pilgrimage to Temptation' :
Saturday 14 August 10h:
Meeting point: Château de Bossey https://www.chateaudebossey.ch/
Jeudi à Genève..
Geneva on a Thursday..
So happy to see the restoration of the clock face on the Tour de l’Ile. You can just make out the Geneva city motto ‘Post Tenebras Lux’ (after the darkness the light) if you zoom in.
Last year during the ‘Journées européennes du patrimoine’ I climbed the scaffolding to see the restoration taking place - quite an honour but quite scary!
This years Patrimony weekend takes place in Geneva on 11 and 12 September
https://www.journeesdupatrimoine.ch/home 🇨🇭😊
The magnificent Villa La Grange, nestled in its sumptuous park on the left bank of the river Rhône is no stranger to historic events such as the Biden Putin summit taking place in Geneva tomorrow 16 June.
Two Neolithic monoliths tell us that long before, this was a revered spot and the remains of a roman villa reveal that in 60AD here was the estate of a wealthy roman dignitary, Titus Fronto.
Much later in the XVIII century the prosperous Lullin banking family acquired the estate, created a ‘jardin à la français’ and built the magnificent French style villa. Having lost their fortune during the ‘Geneva Revolution’ of 1792, the estate was sold to François Favre, a shipping merchant who made his fortune trading in the Far East. It remained in the family until 1918 when William Favre donated the villa and park to the city of Geneva, with strict instructions "to be allocated in perpetuity as a public park for the enjoyment of the population of Geneva". He also requested that the orangerie would never serve alcohol. It became known as ‘la buvette des femmes abstinentes’ - a move against alcoholism in the working classes. A gothic folly tower, a crémerie, an alpine lake, and cows meandering in meadows (until the 1940’s) were just some of the attractions to be enjoyed. Behind the villa’s elegant façade is a magnificent library, preserved according to M Favre’s wishes.
In 1864 the villa was chosen as the venue for the closing ceremony of the inauguration of the Convention of Geneva – the Red Cross movement founded by Henry Dunant. In 1969, Pope Paul VI celebrated a mass in the grounds before 70,000 people.
After tomorrow’s historic event is over, here’s looking forward to enjoying in perpetuity once again this remarkable villa and parkland in the heart of our very special Geneva city.
The last 2 photos from the Jardin des Alpes, Geneva - Spring planting - beautiful!
Geneva in Glorious Colour!
Hidden beneath the blossoms in the Jardins des Alpes are Camellia and Hellebore in all their fleeting glory. You may know ‘camellia sinensis’ as your daily cup of tea! In Eastern Asia it is known as the ‘tea flower’. Hellebores are part of the buttercup family. The Lenten or Christmas rose is the name given to a white coloured variety but careful - it is toxic so only to be admired at a distance. The Jardin des Alpes was an ancient port. Now it is a haven of peace and tranquility to be enjoyed by all. So many different colourways of this ethereal planting that I couldn’t choose so here they all are ...
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