Day 1 in Geneva

Welcome to Geneva! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Once you arrive in town, stroll around the lakeside, the largest freshwater lake in the Alps. The best way to get to know the city is to walk along the banks and explore. Enjoy the sight of the Jet d`Eau, the city`s landmark, a large fountain, that started out as a way to release pressure from a local factory. Along the eastern bank, by Quai Gustave-Ador, you`ll pass by the iconic Flower Clock that sits outside the Jardin Anglais. On the opposite side you`ll see Perle du Lac park, a beautiful green area where it`s possible to swim in the lake.

Next, make your way up to Geneva`s main shopping district to explore the city`s high-end stores and brands. Together Rue du Rhône, Rue du Marché and Rue de la Croix d`or are where these stores gather. This is also where you`ll find luxury items, from Swiss watches to the finest jewelry, and all the latest trends with prices that will reflect the luxury items that they are. Stop in for a bite to eat on Place de Molard where you`ll find some charming restaurants with outside terraces.

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Geneva`s old town, Vielle Ville. Start in Place du Bourg-de-Four, a square filled with history and the gateway to the picturesque maze of small streets. In the heart of the old town there are numerous antique shops, boutiques, galleries, museums, historic sites and homey cafes to discover. Be sure to visit the famous St. Peter`s Cathedral which dates back to the 12th century. Some other must see places are Maison Travel (the museum of history of Geneva) and the Old Arsenal, a series of canons decorated by mosaics portraying Caesar`s arrival in the city in 58 BC located in front, Place du Bourg-de-Four and The Treille Promenade. Also here is the famous luxurious Hotel de Ville, where many historical milestones occurred.

Finish your day relaxing with a lakeside cocktail after your first day in Geneva. There are many restaurants overlooking the lake that serve cocktails some with rooftops terraces offering beautiful views of the lake.

Day 2 in Geneva

Wake up early today and head to Mont Salève for the best views of Geneva. It is a short half-day trip to Salève, across the border in France (a 30-minute bus ride from Geneva`s central station). Hiking up the side of the mountain takes around 1-2 hours or you can take a leisurely cable car in less than 10 minutes. From the top you can enjoy outstanding panoramic views of all of Geneva and the vast expanse of Lac Léman. This mountain is an immense playground for sports lovers. In addition to hiking, you can go paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking or cross-country skiing in the winter months. Nature lovers will enjoy the fauna and flora and the beautiful vista of Geneva. On the south-east side of the mountain, take in the views of the Alps with the Mont-Blank massif.

After you have worked up an appetitive, stop in the restaurant located at the funicular arrival point for some traditional French mountain dishes or grab a snack at the shack just outside.

Spend the remaining part of your day unwinding in Carouge, Geneva`s Italian district. Built in the 18th century by architects from Sardinia, the area immediately stands out from the rest, incomparable to the rest of the city. In fact, Carouge`s unique architecture is an expression of its Sardinian heritage, a pattern of magnificent historical streets with warm and cozy cafes, bistros and antique shops. Relax over a cup of coffee and watch the world go by, or plan to stay a while and enjoy dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in the area.

If time and energy allows, end your day getting cultural at the performing arts of Geneva. The city offers both the theatre and opera houses and hosts a mix of internationally renowned shows. Check out the latest events at the Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Day 3 in Geneva

On your last day in Geneva explore International Geneva by starting at the Place des Nations, a big square situated in the heart of Geneva`s International district, in front of the United Nations headquarters, famous for housing the Broken Chair. The chair is commemorating victims of mine disasters. From here you can take a tour of the Palais des Nations or learn about the history of the humanitarian movement at the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

In the afternoon pay a visit to CERN, the world`s largest most expensive physics lab, home to an array of impressive machinery including several particle accelerators. Even for those not too interested in mind-bogglig physics equations, it`s a fascinating trip that traces the history, and purpose, of the Large Hadron Collider, that is at the center of probably the best known, and most controversial, experiments in the world.

On your last evening in Geneva choose from one of the numerous world-class restaurants in the city, several of them Michelin-starred to relax over some delicious local cuisine.

Additional Days in Geneva

Should you be able to spend additional days in Geneva we recommend a day trip to one of the several nearby cities and regions of the area. Lausanne, with its excellent museums and historic sites, is a short boat or train ride away, and the Swiss capital of Bern and the mountain glory around Interlaken are short train rides east. In this Jungfrau region, the villages of Mürren and Wengen are among the most attractive towns in Europe. Because Geneva sits right on the border with France, it is easy to reach several French cities, as well. Lyon is only two hours by train. Dijon, to the north in Burgundy, is only a little farther. Geneva is within easy reach of some of the best ski resorts in Switzerland, and as well as superb skiing in the French Alps. The French Alps are also filled with year-round attractions.

Your Last Day in Geneva

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.