Forgive a little reminiscing, if you will, but with the Geneva Motor Show opening this week, I found myself recalling the several times I'd enjoyed visiting that lovely Swiss city.

My favorite hangout, as a car fan, was a rather humble café overlooking the famous Jet d'eau, a spectacular fountain that shoots water 450 feet in the air at 124 mph from Lac Léman. The café is otherwise noted for two things: (1) Pizza equal to Italy's finest. (2) Sidewalk tables offering a view of an intersection where, if you sit long enough, you will eventually see all the cars you've ever dreamed of.

Here traffic crosses the Pont Du Mont-Blanc bridge from the Old Town, then turns onto the Quai Du Mont-Blanc, running alongside the lake. Europeans typically drive with greater skill than North Americans, thus they move through the turn quickly and accelerate, to put it mildly, with considerable enthusiasm. Because Switzerland manufactures no automobiles of its own the passing parade is international and often includes exotic GT and sports cars.

So if you can't get to the auto show this week but happen to visit Geneva, do as I did and find that little café by the lake. You'll get a free automobile show and believe me, the sights and sounds are as delicious as the pizza.