The Online World of Neil Barrett: Sunday 10 August

I’ve wanted to visit Switzerland for a long time – it’s always held a certain mystery for me. In the middle of the European continent, but not part of the EU at all; several official languages, mainly depending on which bit of the country you’re in; and always known as a neutral country – does this show in how things are done?

Chur (in the far east hand side of the country) seemed to be virtually closed on Sundays, so after finding somewhere that sold vignettes we started our long motorway drive to Geneva, in the far south-west.

The Swiss are blessed with having a lot of the Alps in their great nation. I sincerely hope they appreciate this when they jump in their cars and take a motorway trip. The speed limit drops frequently for long tunnels and bridges – through and between mountains – so that helps with really being able to take in this absolutely breathtaking scenery. The pictures don’t do it justice. I feel like we’ve seen all of the country, having travelled from one side to the other and seen what’s to offer.

While I remember – I must mention the motorway service station. It was very modern, very clean and the view from the gents’ was like no other – have a look at the picture!

And so Geneva itself was really something else. On the edge of the main lake of the country and with the sun shining, I can really see why so many people want to spend time here and why it is one of those playgrounds of the rich and famous (its country’s independent status and reputation for banking privacy helps with this helps) as well as being a great tourist spot.

Walking around the bit of Geneva by the grand lake, the geographical setting and what the Swiss have done with it, makes you feel that you really have arrived – in this true ‘place to be’. As you can probably tell, this is one of my favourite places so far on the trip. If you ever get the chance, you may find that the feeling’s “neutral”.