4 Nights in geneva
Bienvenue à Genève! Welcome to Geneva! Situated along the banks of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, Geneva sparkles as one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, Geneva has a long history of diversity and tolerance dating back to the Protestant Reformation. Today, the city of Geneva is a cultural center second to none featuring world class entertainment, top rated restaurants and unlimited opportunities for recreation. Geneva is the perfect home base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Whether you enjoy boating, hiking, biking, wine tasting or are looking for the ultimate Switzerland ski vacation, Geneva offers easy access to paradise as well as numerous organized tours. Day trips to the nearby towns of Montreux, Chamonix and Lausanne are also popular. Families visiting Geneva in the winter usually find themselves there for one of two reasons: They are en route to a ski vacation or a parent has business to do. But there are reasons for families to linger here a few days. Geneva is a small, lovely city with good public transportation, a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities and lots of ways to find warmth: hot chocolate in cozy cafes, roasted chestnuts in a streetside stand, fondue in a sit-down restaurant. English is widely spoken, especially in the central part of town. Lake and mountain are the two visual focal points of the city. You can cross Lac Léman on foot, using one of several pedestrian bridges. Residents make a parlor game out of spotting Mont-Blanc — sometimes visible, sometimes not, depending on cloud cover and vantage point. But always in sight is the rocky and imposing Salève — which is almost too table-shaped to be called a mountain. The lights of the hotels along the lake and the buildings emblazoned with the lit-up names of Swiss watch and jewelry makers make a great backdrop for a dinner of moitié-moitié, a classic fondue of half Vacherin cheese and half Fribourg. To add a little self-indulgence to your itinerary, create your own tour of the city's chocolatiers. Every Genevois you meet will have a different opinion about who makes the city's best truffles, pralines and nougat.
Within City Walls
City Tour
Begin the day by viewing the spectacular water fountain, the Jet d'Eau, and the Flower Clock in the Jardin Anglais. Then take a cruise of Lake Geneva on a steamer. Return in the early afternoon and explore the Left Bank's Old Town, later the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge (Red Cross Museum), and the Palais des Nations. It's worth taking at least a day to explore the green places like Parc des Bastions. Stroll the lakeside promenades. |
For the kids
A Cable Car Ride, a Chocolatier Tour are delights at any age. There is more to amuse the little one starting with Aquaparc, Forestland, Happyland, La Ferme Foraine Bonaventure, Musée d'Historie Naturelle, besides the public parks which cover over one quarter of Geneva. To view the famous flower clock, a symbol of the Swiss watch industry, head to the English Garden close to the water fountain and for outstanding views of Mont Blanc and the lake. |
Lake Geneva (Vaud)
When the two poets descended on the lake, the plan was poetry and pleasure. The result? Frankenstein, vampires and a love child. One region, four worlds. They came, saw... and stayed. Courbet, Kokoschka, Charlie Chaplin and David Bowie are among those who settled at Lake Geneva, attracted, no doubt, by the Alpine panorama and almost Mediterranean vegetation. Lively towns and small wine-growing villages appear scattered at random.The region seems half dream and half reality, nature remains unspoiled here. |
Pont du Mont Blanc
A structural part of the city of Geneva for its position at the end of Lake Geneva. Across the bridge, the river is divided in two by several natural islands headed for the island of Rosseau. The bridge has evolved from its first construction des late nineteenth century until today, adapting to the needs of the city. At present, it is an infrastructure where traffic is most of his section, the car is the star in front of the pedestrian. The structure and geometry are related to the streets of the city and a symbol in itself for his constructive beauty and history it represents. |
Jet d'Eau
One of the crowning symbols of Geneva is the monumental Jet d'Eau, a fountain of water pumped 140m into the air. The spectacular plume was once an occasional pressure release for hydro-power generation on the Rhône River, but people liked it so much that in 1891 the city created a permanent pumped fountain. It's beautifully lit at night. Best viewed from a distance — the surrounding half kilometer is soaked with water. However, the more adventurous might want to try the pathway leading right up to the Jet d'eau -- prepare to get enjoyably wet! It's the world's tallest water fountain and provides a constant landmark for exploring the city. |
Téléphérique du Salève
The Salève cable car, just over the French Border, this high alpine ridge has a stunning view of Mt. Blanc and the Lake Geneva area and miles of walking trails. A cute little corner shop in Pas de l'Échelle Village (France) sells about 100 varieties of French cheeses and is open on Sundays. The cable car was inaugurated in 1932, replacing a now-disused rack railway. The cable car climbs very steeply due to the near-vertical face of the ridge, with an ascension of 665m in an overall length of 1172m. The cars carry 60 people each and during the summer the service runs every few minutes. Don't forget your passport. |
La Rue du Marché
A 5 minute walk southwards from the train station, has just about everything. From the traditional to the modern, from souvenirs to household appliances to libraries to prescription glasses. This is one of Geneva's busiest streets, and is kept clean and appealing. For the affluent shopper the Rue du Rhone is a compact Fifth Avenue, this Swiss strip is dotted with designer boutiques and powerhouse financial institutions like UBS, which explains the ticker of suits on the sidewalk. Here's where they spend till they bend. The Patek Philippe the world's most respected watchmaker is also the most stylish. |
Museum of ICRC
Installed on the ground floor of the magnificent Maison Mallet, the Museum presents the main spiritual and cultural elements of the Reformation. Unique objects, manuscripts, rare books, engravings, and paintings illustrate the close ties between Geneva and the Reformation. State-of-the-art technology welcomes a modern audience: films, a music room, and demonstrations, including many for children, invite visitors to both rediscover the past and imagine the future. Explore the archaeological site beneath the cathedral and climb the tower inside the cathedral, which has some amazing views of the city. |
Geneva is pretty well connected to the rest of Switzerland and, as such, there are plenty of options for day trips and excursions around the country.
Interlaken
Interlaken lies in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination, which is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, is the starting point for numerous activities. Over 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts lead to 200 kilometers of pistes and a dense network of hiking trails. Excursion ships, including historic paddle steamers, ply the waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. |
Bern
Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old town of Bern has been entered in the list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites and thanks to its 6 kilometres of arcades - the locals refer to them as 'Lauben' - boasts on of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe. The medieval air of this city with its many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is unique. |
Montreux
For the first two weeks in July, Montreux transforms into the coolest place in Switzerland during the world famous Montreux jazz festival. But Montreux is worth visiting anytime of year for its incredible up close views of the Swiss Alps looming overhead and its beautiful lakefront promenade. The city was originally intended as a resort area and retains its resort atmosphere with many large old-style hotels located throughout the city. |
Lausanne
Famous for its beautiful lakeside promenades, Lausanne is located just 55 km from Geneva. Lausanne’s beautiful port includes its own Old Town dating back to the 14th century as well as the ultra-modern Olympic Museum, home to the International Olympic Committee. Lausanne has also become a hot spot for clubbers from around the region. It combines a dynamic commercial town with the locality of a holiday resort. The setting of Lausanne is extremely picturesque. |
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is situated in one of the most impressive trough valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks. With its 72 thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, colourful alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland. |
Fribourg
Drinking a cup of coffee in a leisurely fashion, admiring the old facades and beautiful fountains, listening to two local languages or gazing from the 74-meter spire of the Cathedral far into the countryside - this is an experience enjoyed in Fribourg (Freiburg). Nestled on a rock promontory, is surrounded on three sides by the Saane River. |
Château de Chillon
Watch sunset from promenade where Mercury's statue stands. Then take the cogwheel train to the Rochers-de-Naye castle and viewpoint, where the panorama confirms that this really must be heaven! This is a breathtakingly beautiful 12th-century castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. The château would be worth visiting if only for its fairy tale allure. |
Jungfraujoch
At the mountain station (3454 m), simply walk through the tunnel and out onto the Jungfraufirn. The Jungfrau Railway, which leads through the heart of the mountains and up to the highest train station in Europe (at 3,454 meters above sea level), offers unbelievable views of the mountain giants Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and of the longest river of ice in the Alps. |