In my job I often travel repeatedly to the same destinations many times. Some places are tiresome and I would avoid them. However, there is one place I would love to return to every single time. If I could work on this route I would be a happy flier.To reach it, I fly to Geneva in Switzerland, and from there cross the border to France. Only 40 minutes away from the airport is where I find the perfect getaway from the busy city life. This amazing place is called Annecy and it is a paradise for cyclists, mountain lovers and photographers regardless of season. Its charm revolves around a number of simple things: the old town and its medieval atmosphere; the almost pristine, sparkling waters of the lake and above all, its beautiful setting in the middle of the Savoie Alps.
As you wander the streets, the Old Town will reveal its colourful buildings emerging from the side of the river that runs through the town. The whole area is packed with small and quaint coffee shops and outdoor terraces. J’adore the way how the French language floats across the air and mixes with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked croissants — it’s irresistible.
Pont des Amours is the best place to get a panoramic view of the lake, and you can almost breathe in the deep turquoise as you stand staring out across the inviting waters. On the sides of the bridge, if the weather is good, little kayaks in vibrant colours can be rented, and you can enjoy the experience of mixing with the white swans while rowing along in perfect stillness.
Lake Annecy was voted as one of the cleanest lakes in Europe. It was formed by alpine glaciers that melted 18,000 years ago. Today, the mountain rivers still feed it and keep it crisp and chill even on a blistering summer day. I wish I was there now — away from this drenching humidity we have in the UAE. You can linger on the lakeside and there are a couple of popular sun-bathing and swimming areas, in which the sandy feel beneath your feet is replaced by the soft tingling sensation of lush green grass over your toes. If you prefer a more active approach, there are bicycles for rent, and a tour of the entire lake is around 30km long. For rollerbladers this is also heaven as there is a perfect path that goes along on one side of the lake.
These are just a few reasons why I always jump at the chance to work at a flight to this area. The Savoie Alps offers multiple opportunities for sports. You can independently do some very good trekking and mountain biking in the region. However, if you are not very experienced or you want to try something new, there are plenty of agencies that can also take you on a Via Ferrata, or a rock climbing route, peaking most likely with a spectacular view of the lake. If you prefer to fly like an eagle and have a bird’s eye view there are tandem paragliding activities that will let you soar into the skies.
Words By: Monica Antal
