I’d never heard of this place called Annecy, but I have learned throughout my traveling that when someone else is excited about a place or an activity, it is often for good reason. I had no personal motivating desire to go to Iceland with a group of near strangers two years ago, but it was one of the greatest trips of my study abroad experience. When a friend suggested we take a weekend trip to northern France just to see a concert for an artist I didn’t know, I said yes, and it was one of the best, most relaxed, smiliest trips I took with that person (despite the fact we never made it up to the concert!) When in Iceland, one of the girls had a desperate urge to see the world’s largest penis museum, I had to be dragged along, but… it certainly gave me some stories to tell.

So when Cousin Katie said she was doing a two-day solo trip to this little French town a short drive from Geneva, I said, ‘Can it not be a solo trip???’

Needless to say, it was a magical, wonderful town and a great two day excursion. We took the bus over from Geneva early afternoon on Sunday, and when we arrived, we went straight to a little cafe for pastries / lunch / WiFi. It was a little concerning at first because all of our cards were being declined, but I quickly realized the shop probably didn’t accept international cards. I had to run out to grab some cash while Katie awkwardly waited with the cafe employees.

The food was delicious though! Pastries, salad, and grapefruit juice. The sun was already beating us into the ground without mercy at 3:30 in the afternoon, and the four flights of steps up to our Airbnb were tasking to say the least. We arrived only to find out we had a time mix up with the host and had to try calling her internationally to get the keys! All worth it in time, though, because this little apartment was soooo cute!

I could most definitely live here long term, and I could definitely see myself with a little apartment like this at some point in my life. It was just a little studio, but the futon bed was comfy and doubled as a couch, making the space seem relaxed and spacious. Plus the location and the view were not to be beat! Right on top of a main shopping street, like living on top of Strøget in Copenhagen!

After settling in and taking quick naps and showers (dude, we were so tired already and the day had barely begun), we set off into the city. We walked down by the water, around the town, and through the streets. Every turn was beautiful. A picturesque little village on the edge of a gorgeous blue lake shadowed by a towering, comforting mountain range.

Fun fact: apparently, the above view, including the canals and a building from the twelfth century, is one of the most photographed scenes in all of France. It was also the inspiration behind this trip! Too bad it was under construction… haha.

We indulged in some gelato, but it was really hard to stay moving in the heat. It was seriously so hot. We made plans for the next day and eventually made our way back to the apartment for break number two.

That nap was hard to wake up from. Haha. But I managed, and we hit the town for some dinner. It was a sort of salmon carbonara, and it was delicious.

Bedtime came eventually, but we planned for an early start and a busy list of activities for our only full day in Annecy.

I woke up a couple hours before our alarm went off and took in the sights and sounds of our street while Katie somehow managed to snore through the street cleaners and garbage trucks. I guess she was tired or something!

First thing on the agenda was breakfast. We lucked out with a little bakery down the street, where this adorable Frenchman in a pastry chef hat asked us about Seattle and made sure we got a fourth pastry for free after I greedily ordered two for myself. No shame. No regrets.

Next, we set off in search for a hat so that I could try not dying for the rest of this sunny month-long trip ahead of me. My forehead, nose, ears, and shoulders are still quite, quite red.

Next stop: peddle boats.

It was already so hot and sunny by 11am, and Katie took a dip in the water almost immediately. I needed a little more convincing, but I eventually made it in, and the water felt oh-so good against the hot sun. The lake was huge, but we could somehow still touch bottom our in the middle of it! Quite fun and quirky.

We had planned to push on, but it was just too exhausting. Another gelato and a nap were in order.

Hmmm… okay. Writing this now, I am a bit confused because I don’t think we took thaaaat many naps… but maybe we did…

Either we took a nap before going to lunch, or we swam, lunched, gelatoed, and then napped. Hard to say. Lunch was yummy too, though! Wine, salad, and a crepe with confiture (jam).

Somewhere along the way in this blur and after a nap, we rented bikes and took the trail along the lake. What an experience! An adorable, shy young Frenchman set us up with some Dutch style bikes (my fav), and we were off! I tell you, I’m not sure I could ever get tired of this view!

Katie and I took turns pointing out pretty lake views and houses along the way, but this one takes the cake for me:

Imagine going home every day to your own mini castle on the lake…. We pondered what the price comparison might be for living in a house over here compared to living on Lake Union or something, because seriously…. Is it really a question which one would be better??

Eventually, Katie became worried about making it back to the bike shop before it closed, so I reluctantly let us turn around… We were so close to the end of the trail! Next time, I suppose..

I really wanted to jump in the water now that I was still as hot as ever (; and soaking in sweat. We couldn’t find anybody else swimming though, and we didn’t want to make a scene if that wasn’t something you’re supposed to do, so I dipped in my feet and soaked my shirt before continuing on.

Commence showers and naps. It’s hard to keep going all day in that heat without a break! I swear! We did manage to stop by our pastry shop to get some breakfast for the next day, though. I got a mini croissant, a maxi pain au chocolat, and something called a truffe, which seemed to be several truffles on top of a shortbread cookie base and was absolutely mouth wateringly delicious.

I was set to leave the next morning at 5:45am in order to catch a bus back to the Geneva airport, so I knew dinner would be my last shebang in Annecy. We were boring and went to the same restaurant as the first night, but it was so good the first time around! Why fix what isn’t broken?

Katie got the muscles (so. good. so. garlicky.), and I got the beef bolognaise. Plus beer and wine, of course.

It was a bittersweet ending to a wonderful trip, but it was pretty exciting to get back to our little cozy apartment.

I wrote most of this on my flight over to Naples, where I am currently missing the lake and hiding from the heat. More on that, later.

Thanks for letting me join, Katie! I couldn’t have asked for a better cousin getaway! Until next time…

 

Venlig hilsen/ au revoir,

Lizzy-wa