As today was the only day that we had to explore Geneva, we wasted no time heading out. The United Nations complex is around a 20 minute walk from the Ibis hotel during which it’s hard to ignore ‘The Broken Chair’ sculpture…
A little further from said structure is the impressive United Nations complex…
The visitors entrance is located within it’s grounds and, of course, wheelchair users can skip the queue. Disabled individuals can gain access for a discount. The tour around the Palais des Nations is largely accessible and allows access to the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, the Library and much more…
Saying goodbye to our amazing tour guide, one rolled down to Lake Geneva with its picturesque views along with its famous ‘jet of water’ which shoots water an impressive 120 metres into the sky and can be seen for miles!
Although one didn’t use the tram network, the rolling stock comprises of low floor vehicles enabling level boarding. Where large gaps are present, automatic ramps are deployed which bridges the gap between the tram and the platform edge.
It is worth noting that a large proportion of restaurants in the centre of Geneva have some kind of curb or step, but there are a few that are step free.
Coincidently, today was Geneva’s turn to host a triathlon event. This meant that a ramp down to Lake Geneva had been erected enabling one to take a dip in an otherwise inaccessible lake…
(Whether one was actually allowed to do this or not is another story!)
As one has a 12 hour train journey tomorrow to the Austrian capital, we headed to the train station to pick up the tickets and make sure the assistance was in place and booked. The staff at the ticket office at the station were very, very helpful in ensuring that all the assistance was in place, especially seeing as one has to change at Zurich. However, Google maps failed us on the way to the station, taking us for a little tour around the red light district, one will say no more!
Tomorrow, we travel the breath of Switzerland and Austria to Vienna!