Lyon-Festival of Lights 09

I have to say I was astounded at the sheer scale, number of people and the spectacle of the Festival of Lights in Lyon. The installations were the best of modern art in themselves, but the city of Lyon is an icing on the cake  - vibrant, diverse, cultural - the best of what Europe has to offer.

An hour and a half drive from Geneva, this French city is a must visit for anyone looking for a short break from Switzerland. Apart from the sights the shopping and the food are outstanding.I recommend half a day spent at Part Dieu - the largest mall, with a must do lunch at Rouge Tendance, a hip, multicuisine cafe tucked away at the base of the mall.

If boutique shopping is what interests you, check out the interesting stores at the 6th arrondisement.For some amazingly funky hangouts, head to the back lanes running upwards from the Rue de la Republique. There are a number of small art galleries and cafes here, with loads of restaurants and a variety of cuisines.

This was as much as we could do in a day and a half, but watch this space for more details on Lyon- a followup trip is definitely on the cards!