Geneva Vacations


	One hundred thousand clocks, a thousand NGOs, 100 Benneton ads, one convention. Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city, but surely the most international: a third of the population is from elsewhere. The city is crowded with museums, has many excellent cultural events, even more good restaurants, and is ideally placed for quick hops to the Swiss and French Alps. Basking in the sunshine of its peaceful setting on Lake Geneva's banks, this acclaimed neutral territory displays an obvious self-confidence. It is in pristine condition, clean, efficient and safe, yet spirited in its style and love of adventure. Geneva is tucked away in the southwestern corner of the almost-French Swiss Alps. Its city centre hugs the shore of Lake Geneva and is split down the middle by the westward-flowing Rhône River. The main train station is conveniently located in the centre of town on the northern side of the river, as are most of the international organisations. Geneva's most visible landmark (in summer, that is), the Jet d'Eau giant fountain, is on the southern shore. The south bank is also home to most of the city's museums and the vieille ville, the old part of town, with the pedestrian-only Grand-Rue running through it. To the east of the Old Town is Gare des Eaux-Vives, where you can catch trains running southeast into France. Geneva related links: Geneva Hotels \| Geneva Vacation Specials

Geneva's best-known festival is l'escalade, held on the 11 December, when enormous amounts of chocolate and marzipan are consumed. L'escalade celebrates the day in 1602 when one of the invading Duke of Savoy's soldiers was thwarted by an unhappy housewife who poured her boiling cauldron of vegetable soup over him and then smashed it over his head. Several times. Sensibly, Genevans mark the occasion by eating chocolate instead of vegetable soup. Apart from the chocolate scoffing, there are torch-lit processions in period costume, a huge bonfire in the cathedral square, and then even more chocolate scoffing.

The Fêtes de Genêve is held over two weekends in August with parades, open-air concerts and fireworks, while the Bol d'Or in mid-June sees Lake Geneva come alive with the bobbing white sails of more than 600 yachts racing to the far end of the lake and back.

Being anywhere around the Swiss Alps on a lake means there is no shortage of year-round activities, and Geneva is no exception. During the summer months the lake provides plenty of opportunities for swimming and sailing, and in winter, skating and skiing.

Geneva's luxury hotels are located in the heart of the city or close to the water. Many hotels can be found immersed in lush beauty and are within proximity to many attractions and within walking-distance to shopping.

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	Cathédrale de St Pierre The centre of town is dominated by the imposing, partially-Romanesque, partially-Gothic Cathédrale de St Pierre. John Calvin preached here from 1536 to 1564; his seat outlasted him and still sits in the north aisle. Beneath the cathedral can be seen the crumbling remains of a much older church. Jet d'Eau The iconic Jet d'Eau, the world's tallest fountain, shoots water into the air with incredible force (200kmh/124mph and 1360 horsepower) to create a 140m (469ft) plume. At any one time seven tonnes of water is in the air and much of it can fall on spectators on the pier. The Jet is shut off during gusty weather. Petit Palais This compact gallery is expertly presented. The art sometimes encompasses the room decor in which the paintings and sculptures are displayed, creating a powerful effect. The gallery covers a range of modern art and has a good selection by various European masters such as Picasso, Chagall, Renoir, Cézanne and Monet. International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum Formed on the back of the Geneva Convention in 1864, the International Red Cross became the world's first humanitarian organisation. Its museum highlights the fascinating origins of the Red Cross (and Muslim adjunct, the Red Crescent), and presents a compelling multimedia trawl through atrocities perpetuated by humanity in recent history. Patek Phillipe Museum Like to watch? This extensive collection shows off the precision art and elaborate decoration involved in the making of quality time-pieces. The watches on show date as far back as the 16th century and were mostly assembled in Geneva or elsewhere in Switzerland. There's a guided tour every Wednesday at 14:00.

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