Approaching hazy Geneva airport on an early Saturday morning. Parts of the Alps in the far, Lake Geneva underneath. Lufthansa operates several flights per day from Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. Enjoying the sunrise above the clouds has always been an eye candy. And Geneva airport is very close to downtown Geneva which makes sightseeing even more fun!

A "busy" Geneva street on a Saturday morning. Riding a bike is quite popular among locals. Swiss people are generally very concerned about the environment. At my ho(s)tel I was asked if I really need those paper maps of the city. This made me decide to take just one of them...

The nuclear fallout bunker in my hostel in downtown Geneva has been turned into a relaxing area. Switzerland has so many nuclear fallout shelters scattered through the country that it is capable of protecting its entire population. Most foreigners should seek shelter possibilities on their own though...

The United Nations have a few headquarters throughout the world: In Geneva, Vienna, New York City/Manhattan, Copenhagen and Nairobi, also in The Hague (International Court of Justice) and Hamburg (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea). The territory of the headquarters around the world is considered international territory...

The chair in front of the UN Headquarters in Geneva is a monument dedicated to all the victims of land mines. If you look closer...

... you'll notice that one of the chair's feet has been torn off. "Broken Chair" by Swiss artist Daniel Berset wants to draw attention to war and all those mines killing and severely injuring thousands of people every year.

The Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is a few hundred meters from the UN Headquarters. If features great and informative exhibitions throughout the entire year...

... the exhibited archives at the museum show the difficult humanitarian work of the organization through the ages. The museum has also temporary exhibitions: The one I visited was about borders between nations: Topics were the DMZ between North and South Korea, the Berlin Wall, the Gaza strip among others.

Lake Geneva is always worth a visit. Even in winter where you can enjoy a walk at the Lac Léman waterfront and/or get wet by the Jet d'Eau (to the far right)...

This "water jet" is Geneva's most iconic landmark. Such jets were used in heavy industrial times when nearby factories used them as a valve for equalizing pressure, etc.
The water stream goes as high as 140 meters (460 feet) and leaves the valve at around 200 km/h (124 mph). It can be even seen from a taking off airplane at Geneva airport!
Curious tourists can walk on the slippery stone path to the jet. When lake wind direction changes they also get as wet as a fish. Protective clothing and steady shoes highly recommended! Bring along your swim goggles too...

... has lots of cozy alleys and cobblestone streets. Lovely for a walk! In case you get tired you can always stop by a café and have a hot chocolate.

The city is frequently visited by tourists not only from Russia but also from the United Arab Emirates: Several big companies like Rolex have headquarters both in Geneva and in Abu Dhabi.

This museum in Geneva is dedicated to glas design and contains a huge collection of works depicting the development of glas manufacture in the area.

Geneva's public transportation is limited to tramways, buses and trolleybuses (buses connected to a powerline network above the street). There are also a few ferries crossing the Lac Léman. The city doesn't have a metro network. It's the city with the shortest commuting time in the world though!

Protestant St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva. Found in  the 4th century. Many masses are held bilingually: both in German and French.

Weather in Geneva is quite pleasant throughout the entire year making it a great destination at any time.

Around 40% of Geneva's population come from different countries...

...this makes the city the most international in whole Europe.

The Geneva waterfront is very colorful and elegant. Here you'll find the headquarters of Rolex, Omega and other fine divisions.

Lac Léman is a meeting place for swimming enthusiasts, even in cold winter.

Lake Geneva is considered the biggest lake in Europe (580 km²/224 sq mi).  Its average depth is 153 meters. Fun fact: There's also a small town in Wisconsin, USA bearing the name "Lake Geneva" which is close to a small lake called "Geneva Lake".

Studies have shown that Swiss people are among the happiest in the world. Crime rates and unemployment in Switzerland are very low. Oh, and the Swiss flag is also a big plus. Literally!

Geneva's proximity to the Alps is perfect for some skiing. Mont Blanc is however a little more far via a picturesque three-hour train ride to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

If you sail up the lake you'll reach the Swiss city of Lausanne. France would be to the south-east then.

Geneva is one of the most expensive cities to live in. It is the home of several celebrities like Phil Collins. I doubt however that's his house on the picture...

A boat tour on Lake Geneva is quite fun (and breezy). Among others you'll get to see the villa above: Manoir Colgate, a house built in 1890 for Colgate (the toothpaste company).

In case you're a fan of the sitcom "Friends" you will know this café. There's a franchise that owns only a few of these cafés in the world. One in Geneva, a few in Dubai and recently one in New York City. Could this BE any more awesome?!

At the annual fair in Geneva. Even though November tempreratures drop at the end of the evening Swiss teenagers queue up for some fun...

... some violent fun.

Lac Léman's inhabitants are always happy when they get something to eat. Ideal when you spend the day with your kids.

This pedestrian walk's asphalt contains some glas and mirror shatters which glitter everytime you walk past a street light or a car passes by at night. Brilliant!

While having a walk through the Jardin Anglais at the Promenade du Lac I spotted that tree. It looked as if it was covered with glitter. Then a gust of wind made the tree clink quietly. When I looked closer...

... I noticed the whole tree was covered with tiny rattles which moved at avery gust or even touch. Beautiful!

Night in Geneva. The Pont du Mont-Blanc is one of the several bridges connecting the two city parts devided by the river of Rhône.