SimplyAbuDhabi XLVII

S ometimes, slowing down brings more clarity and joy – especially when it comes to travel. There is a quiet luxury in choosing to take one’s time and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. For those looking for an experience where they can just be present in the moment, the route from London to Geneva by rail offers something increasingly rare: space to breathe, to look out the window, and to watch Europe unfold — one landscape at a time. Departing from the storied platforms of London’s St. Pancras International aboard the Eurostar, this graceful journey begins with a sense of adventure. A brief glide under the Channel delivers passengers to Paris, where an effortless connection leads onward toward Geneva. In total, the voyage spans just over six hours — actually, not much longer than flying, when you factor in getting to and from airports and the other inconveniences of air travel – but what it offers in return is immeasurable. Imagine instead of airport queues and endless waiting, look- ing through the windows of your comfortable train seat, the scenery shifting like a masterwork in motion: the rolling hills and vineyards of Burgundy, golden in the afternoon light; the soft rise of the Jura Mountains, whispering of Switzerland beyond; and finally, the descent into the Lake Geneva basin, where mirror-like waters reflect Alpine peaks and postcard villages. It is a route painted in brushstrokes of green, gold, and silver — a quiet procession through three distinct coun- tries and countless moments of beauty. Simply Abu Dhabi | 269