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Swiss Serendipity

Slow travel in Geneva, Switzerland & nearby France

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What Switzerland Gets Right — and What the U.S. Could Borrow

What Switzerland Gets Right — and What the U.S. Could Borrow

February 10, 2026

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One of Geneva’s funniest street names 😂 For Frenc

One of Geneva’s funniest street names 😂

For French speakers, Place de la Taconnerie looks like ta connerie (“your nonsense” / “your stupidity”/ “your bullsh*t”).

Historians suspect that it may refer to “tacon”, or the leather used by shoemakers in the area during the 16th century.

#geneve #suisse #learnfrench

First time in Rome did not disappoint. Here were

First time in Rome did not disappoint.

Here were a few highlights:

1. Decorative windows and vespas galore
2. Wisteria spilling over Ancient Rome
3. Artichokes prepared in all sorts of ways (didn’t realize that Italians loved artichokes as much as I)
4. Italians, balconies, and generally giving 0 f***s
5. Cacio e pepe
6. The Galleria Borghese – now in my top 3 museums in the world!
7. Not a typical Rome spot…but we hit up the zoo
8. Handmade gelato at Gelateria del Teatro
9. …and their rosemary & lemon flavored gelato (I tried for lavender and white peach, but was told that it wasn’t in season!)

#rome #italy

Museum bookshops get me every.single.time. #rome

Museum bookshops get me every.single.time.

#rome #galleriaborghese #artmuseum

Roman holiday 🇮🇹🍝

Roman holiday 🇮🇹🍝

Influencing gone wrong.

Influencing gone wrong.

In Geneva, an hour of relaxation with views of the

In Geneva, an hour of relaxation with views of the lake can cost less than a sandwich.

I recently discovered La Banquise (which is a local favorite but very new to me!), now open until 26 April.

10 CHF grants you one hour to relax in a windowed sauna overlooking the lake and jet d’eau, cool off in a relaxation room, napping or reading in a rocking chair, or for the brave, reignite your nervous system by taking a cold shower.

Towels are not provided – so remember to bring a couple!

Reservations at: https://www.geneve.ch/banquise

#geneve #sauna #activités

A few new words learned thanks to dance ✨

A few new words learned thanks to dance ✨

When I’m not sending emails or blogging, you’ll li

When I’m not sending emails or blogging, you’ll likely find me dancing in sequins ✨

This weekend was a production with @secret_follies. While ballet holds a special place in my heart, cabaret celebrates all that is wonderfully weird, creating a space that encourages differences.

#dance #cabaret

Meanwhile in Switzerland 🌷🦌

Meanwhile in Switzerland 🌷🦌

While I dream of one day seeing Japan as cherry b

While I dream of one day seeing Japan as cherry blossoms bloom, for now I admire the change of season closer to home.

Below are a few favorite spots in Geneva to wake up and smell the flowers:

- The most photogenic magnolia near Palais Eynard
- Dancing flamingos spotted at the Jardin Botanique
- The Terrasse Agrippa-d'Aubigné in the Old Town
- The rose garden in particular at Parc la Grange
- The cherry blossoms of the Parc de l'Ariana

#spring #magnolia #cherryblossom🌸 #geneve

Happy first day of spring 🌸 Celebrating the new s

Happy first day of spring 🌸

Celebrating the new season beneath the magnolia tree, captured by @sergeichuk_alina

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful thin

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things… my head is bursting with it.”
— Claude Monet

This weekend we stepped inside the world of Monet at the @imagine_monet immersive exposition in Lausanne.

The space is intimate, serving as a place to be still while the surrounding walls come alive with over 200 works from
one of the fathers of Impressionism.

📍 When: 11 March – 28 June 2026

📍 Where: Beaulieu Lausanne, Halle 35
Avenue des Bergières 10, 1004 Lausanne

🎟 Adult ticket: CHF 30.50

#monet #art #lausanne #activités

While I’m still nearly always late and can’t seem

While I’m still nearly always late and can’t seem to find a neutral stance on my political opinions, there are a few habits that I’ve managed to integrate in my adopted country.

One of the most beautiful French words with no tru

One of the most beautiful French words with no true English translation is "les retrouvailles".

It describes the joy of being reunited with a dear friend after a long time apart.

Rooted in the French verb "retrouver", les retrouvailles carries a deeper feeling than a simple reunion. It's the joy of finding someone again.

In honor of International Women's Day, a few words

In honor of International Women's Day, a few words from women that I return to often.

#internationalwomensday

Found time to be whimsical this weekend in Coppet,

Found time to be whimsical this weekend in Coppet, complete with a pink castle, flea market and lakeside picnic 🧺

#whimsy

Sometimes called the “diva” of Swiss grapes, Petit

Sometimes called the “diva” of Swiss grapes, Petite Arvine is known for being notoriously difficult to grow.

This white grape thrives in mountainous terrain and is found primarily in Switzerland’s Valais region and the nearby Valle d’Aosta in northern Italy.

In an effort to better know my adopted home, I’ve begun studying Swiss wine (which mostly means tastings — but hey, it’s for the culture).

Switzerland produces roughly 90–100 million liters of wine each year, yet only about 1% is exported abroad, thanks to strong domestic demand. In other words, if you want to experience Swiss wine, you’ll likely need to catch the next train or flight here.

🍷 What to pair with Petite Arvine:

With its bright grapefruit notes — almost like lemon squeezed over seafood — this wine pairs beautifully with lighter dishes. While I didn’t have oysters on hand, tonight’s girl dinner was burrata and smoked salmon coated with olives and balsamic vinaigrette.

Simple and full of flavour, ideal for a dinner outside when the days become warmer.

#swisswine #petitearvine #valais #switzerland #wineenthusiast

Dearest gentle reader, this latest season of Bridg

Dearest gentle reader, this latest season of Bridgerton was my personal favorite — largely due to Sophie and this middle-school dance scene.

My Regency-era bounce, however, still needs some work.

#bridgerton #hyacinth

A few French words have gotten me in trouble when

A few French words have gotten me in trouble when trying to reproduce the same in English (such as “string”, which is not what you think!)

A few others include:

🥖 Pain: not painful, but bread
💙 Sensible: “sensitive” in English, whereas “sensible” is more “raisonable”
🩲 Un slip: underwear!
🪙 Le coin: the corner
🛁 Une douche: don’t be offended! It’s only a shower
🏠 Une location: a rental
🪟 Le store: the blind
🛍️ Sale: no sales, just dirty.
📚 Une libraire: a bookshop, not a bibliothèque

#frenchlanguage🇫🇷 #learnfrench

A few favorite French-speaking artists to add to y

A few favorite French-speaking artists to add to your French playlist:

– Juliette Armanet
– Mylène Farmer
– Julian Doré
– Stromae

What other artists would you add?

#frenchlanguage🇫🇷 #learnfrench

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