Geneva is Switzerland’s second city and arguably one of Europe’s most beautiful. In fact, Geneva also has the second highest standard of living in the world.
Situated along the banks of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, Geneva offers picturesque and lush green countryside awash with forests, streams and vineyards.
With a history that dates back more than 4000 years, Geneva is steeped in culture with stunning architecture, interesting monuments and numerous museums documenting its past.
As well as beautiful countryside, Geneva is a hugely popular destination for ski enthusiasts, boasting over 200 resorts a short transfer journey away from Geneva airport.
Food:
Geneva is the culinary capital of Switzerland with over 1,000 restaurants to choose from.
As well as serving a variety of international cuisine, you may find some more traditional dishes on the menu such as Longeole (raw sausage), Cardons (stalk vegetable similar to artichoke) and of course, fondue.
Although many of Geneva’s restaurants are expensive, there are a variety of cafes dotted around the city.
International districts are located in Paquis and Les Grottes where you will find a variety of ethnic restaurants. The Old Town offers more traditional Swiss cuisine.
For luxury, head to The Lake for some of the best restaurants in Geneva with breathtaking views.
Nightlife:
Being an international city, Geneva has a range of English bars and Irish pubs as well as more traditional bars dotted around the centre. With over 1,000 restaurants, the city is the undisputed capital of cuisine in Switzerland. Geneva also has many cinemas to choose from and a couple of casinos.
Shopping:
As you would expect with such a chic major Swiss city, Geneva is not cheap.
However, the shops are something else with streets lined with exquisite jewellery shops and boutiques. If you are after an expensive watch, you won’t be short on choice – Geneva is the watch capital of the world. Chocolate lovers will swoon at the sight of the specialist Swiss chocolate shops.
For the best shopping experience, head to Rue de Rive and Rue de Rhone.
Days out: In the centre of the city stands Geneva's most famous monument: the Jet d'eau, which is the tallest water fountain in the world and a good starting point for exploring the city. Take a stroll around the Old Town and admire the ancient architecture and St Peter’s Cathedral. Geneva’s ancient Old Town is a maze of sloping cobblestone streets and alleyways filled with boutiques, casfes and glorious historical landmarks. A former Roman marketplace, the Bourg-de-Four is the oldest public square in Geneva and is a hub of activity surrounded by bar, terraces bistros and other popular social spots.
Geneva is home to over 40 museums and numerous art galleries including the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum and the Rath Museum. A gentle romantic promenade along Geneva’s lakefront is a must to appreciate the beauty of this city.
Events: August is carnival season with ten days of partying along the banks of Lake Geneva, with concerts, shows and fireworks.
The Christmas festival funs from November through to January and has an array of beautiful handmade arts and crafts, as well as free open-air skating. Alternatively the Geneva Winter carnival runs in February and is a masquerade festival that children will love.
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