Annecy

My getaway to Annecy was actually a last minute decision and a surprise trip. 

Annecy is in the Rhone-alpes region in the south-east of France, right at the tip of Lac d'Annecy. It is also known as the Alpine Venetia with its web of canals running through the center of town. 



With its cobble stone pedestrian roads, colorful array of houses lined up along the canals,  it has all the necessary components to be deemed a romantic town and must be visited at least once. Follow the canal's course to the spectacular expansive lake bordered by a range of breath-taking towering mountains, appearing shockingly close (although all the way on the opposite bank of the lake). 



We had a few drinks at the retro Café des Arts right in front of the Palais de l'isle. Here is a photo of the clock tower and myself looking gigantic next to it (or that's the effect I was attempting). 

For dinner we sat at a restaurant right in front of the Palais de l'isle, an islet sitting right on the Canal du Thiou. Over the centuries it's been a lordly residence, a courthouse and a prison. That's either a very lucky prisoner with a beautiful view, or an unlucky Lord as the building itself is so tightly wedged between the two Canal borders that it would give any resident a sense of claustrophobia. 



Dinner was lovely, especially the mussels in the cream and white wine sauce, but the service left little to be desired... Maybe I'm just cursed with the hospitality-student-syndrome with an overly-critical eye for service. 

I don't know what building the one below is, but it reminded me of a cathedral near the hotel I stayed in when visiting Barcelona, of which I have incredible memories, and I had to take a photo... =) 



Later, on our way back to the hotel we stopped into what seemed like the most populated bar in town (it was ghost town at the time of our visit as it was not high season). The bar was kind of funky with some abstract and eerie representations of Jesus Christ on the cross hanging on the walls. Interesting choice of decor. We eagerly ordered a couple cocktails, but the price was quick to wipe the smiles off our faces. I guess France is the new Switzerland, and a cocktail will not cost you less than 10 euros. 

We were lucky with the weather on the first day, but on day two the sky decided to piss on us without mercy. I loved the attitude of the Anneciens though, they strolled around without a care in the world and few even braved leaving the umbrellas at home. 

Right before running from the hotel to the car, I caught sight of a few portraits hanging on the wall. I really liked them, so at the risk of sounding like a cheeseball, I leave you with Dalai Lama, Charlie and Bobby....

(Ignore the glaring light reflections on the glass, I couldn't exactly turn off all the lights in the main hall...)

"The more you are motivated by love, 
the more fearless and free your actions will be"

"A day without laughter is a day wasted"

"You just can't live in that negative way...
make way for the positive day"