Bustling city life, luxury, lots of business and shopping opportunities, art and culture, fine dining, nice bars... but Geneva is much more than this. Only 20-minutes from the city centre you can enjoy and explore the peaceful countryside, while riding a bike, surrounded by vineyards and sunflowers and why not take a wine-tasting break throughout the way.
This summer Geneva has been transformed into a resort, revealing a natural open-air playground. From 1st of July to 31st of August if you overnight at any partner hotel in Geneva, you will receive the Geneva Pass and the Geneva Transport Card for free, no sign up necessary. This Pass gives you discounts on more than 100 activities in the city. And the transport card is your free access to public transport for the full duration of your stay.
Looking for the perfect weekend getaway in Switzerland? No need to think twice – welcome to Geneva.
Roaming the charming maze of streets and cute squares of Geneva’s Old Town, taking a boat tour on the eponymous lake while closely staring at the symbol of the city and one of the tallest fountains in the world - the majestic Jet d’eau.
Jet d’eau means ‘water jet’ and it’s impressive with its 140 meters height. Usually, the fountain starts rising at 9 AM or 10 AM, depending on the season.
WHERE TO STAY:
BEAU-RIVAGE GENEVE
Beau-Rivage is by far one of the best timeless hotels in Geneva where past and present are meeting.
Great luxury, comfort and iconic views of the famous jet d’eau. Its charm and elegance have been preserved and alive for over 150 years.
Anchored in the heart of the city and surrounded by Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) and the Alpine peaks Beau-Rivage Geneva brings all the exquisite vibes and it’s a great starting point for any activity.
Instagram: @beaurivagegeneve
Book here: www.beau-rivage.ch
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DES BERGUES GENEVA
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva is not only Geneva's first hotel, but also a landmark since 1834.
Located in the core of the city overlooking the Old Town, the spellbinding beauty of the lake and the alluring Alps in the distance. This is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy serene moments at the Rooftop Spa, have a drink or a meal at the Rooftop Japanese Restaurant IZUMI, or savour their amazing tasting menu at the Italian Michelin Restaurant Il Lago with Chef Massimiliano Sena.
Visiting for business or leisure, it's impossible not to fall in love with the design and perennial elegance, the exceptional vistas, fine-dining and unrivaled service.
Instagram: @fsgeneva
Book here: www.fourseasons.com/geneva
DISCOVER GENEVA and the SURROUNDINGS:
Geneva’s Old Town – you can discover the Old Town on foot, by mini-train or TukTuk. I suggest you do it in multiple ways. I love walking there and looking at the wonderful facades, but I’ve done it also by the small tourist train crossing the city, and TukTuk. What are you going to see: St.Peter’s Cathedral, Maison Tavel (history museum), Old Arsenal (series of canons decorated by mosaics portraying Caesar’s arrival in the city), Place du Bourg-de-Four, The Treille Promenade, many galleries, and homey cafés.
The Palace of Nations – the United Nations headquarters in Geneva
Broken Chair sculpture – a 12-metre-high wooden chair with a torn foot, sponsored by Handicap International and symbolizing the fight against the use of anti-personnel mines.
Geneva Botanical Gardens and Conservatory – free entry. This place is home to over 16’000 different species of plants. The botanical gardens are divided into sectors: Greenhouses, Rockery, Arboretum and Winter Garden.
Carouge /first picture below/ – meet the Latin charm, designed by Italian architects laying right over the l’Arve river. Carouge brings all the bohemian vibes – full of artisan boutiques, Mediterranean-style houses, cute cafés, restaurants, jazz bars and artists workshops.
La Jonction /in the middle picture above/ – this is the place where rivers Rhône and Arve are joining each other and becoming one while letting us in awe with the jaw-dropping scenery and explosion of colors before the collision of waters. This breathtaking natural phenomenon showcasing us the fifty shades of blue of the two rivers is best watched from the bridge, situated 40 meters after the junction. They are continuing their way as one final river – Rhône.
Mont Salève – a great place to enjoy the city and Lake Geneva from above, all the way to the Jura. You can visit by car, but I highly recommend you taking the cable car. There depending on the season, you could also do paragliding, biking, sledging.
GENEVA PASS FREE MUSEUM VISITS:
La Cité du Temps (The City of Time)
Pathek Philippe Museum
Ariana Museum
Art and History Museum
CERN – the European Organization for Nuclear Research, founded in 1954 and based in a northwestern suburb of Geneva in the Franco-Swiss border. Tours are possible for registration only at CERN for visitors on the same day, no online booking. No entry fee.
MORE THINGS TO DO:
TukTuk ride| Welo.Swiss (TaxiBike)
Mini-train tour
Boat cruise| Genevaboats
Pedal-boat| Stand Up Paddle
Rafting/kayak descent down the Rhône
E-bike tour in the countryside| Ebiketour
Wine-tasting
Attend a concert at Geneva Victoria Hall
Go to Geneva International Motor Show
Geneva offers countless possibilities for any taste. You could choose from having a chill-out weekend while pampering your senses. Those of you who can’t stand a day in the city, or need more action – water sports and countryside are calling you. The ladies would be happy to satisfy their shopping appetite. Whatever your type of traveller is, play the tourist and feed your explorer’s spirit and/or your camera’s memory card.
Click here to learn more about Geneva Pass et à bientôt!
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