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.