It’s right in the city, yet it’s an oasis of undisturbed beauty. The street noises and the pressure of hectic life vanish when I cross the metal gate and step inside Geneva’s Botanical Garden. As I walk down the narrow unpaved path which zigs-zags through flowers and medicinal plants from the five continents, my mind feels refreshed, and I just feel like smiling – no matter what’s going on elsewhere.

Inside the garden, among the tall trees and the graceful ponds, is everyone who’s looking for peace. Lone joggers, friends exchanging laughs, mums pushing trolleys, dogs sniffing after the squirrels. In the winter, when temperatures in Geneva go below zero, I sometimes take refuge inside the tropical greenhouse which makes me dream of warmer climates. If I feel like a snack or a meal, there’s a great little restaurant inside the garden, too.

The main trail goes down towards the lake, and I usually take the small tunnel which leads me right onto the shores of Lac Leman. I like the place best in the early mornings, when the grass is still moist and the air is crisp. They say Geneva is peaceful because there are so many parks and gardens. I find this one the most magical of all, and I just can’t keep away.