Geneva

A snowHead

En route to La Rosiere we have one night in Geneva beforehand, arriving late afternoon. We're staying at the Holiday Inn at the airport to meet our lift to La Ros the next day. We are hoping to go into Geneva and are open to suggestions of where to visit, where to eat and drink etc.

We will also have to spend the following Sunday in Geneva before our flight in the evening.

Thanks in advance! snowHead

A snowHead

Mrs johnboy, We had about 5 hours to kill in Geneva waiting for a flight. The walk along the lakeside is lovely. If you are taking the train into Geneva, simply walk out of the front door of the station, cross over and walk straight ahead for a few minutes and you're there. At the far end (if the lake is on your right) is a very nice open air cafe - there is an inside part too, but it was a lovely sunny day - with old-fashioned waiter service (from old-fashioned waiters Very Happy

) and it's a lovely spot to stop for a hot (or cold) drink and just watch the comings and goings on the lake (also people watching). Can't help with any more cerebral suggestions I'm afraid as we are very shallow Very Happy

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Yup, pretty much agree, if you don't mind a bit of a walk, cross over one of the bridges - you're then in the main shopping area. If you walk up from there, you get to the old part of town - some great little shops and restaurants around there - but don't forget your wallet!

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Thanks, people watching over a vin chaud will suit us just fine snowHead

We can take in the lake etc on the Sunday as we will have all day in Geneva. I assume there is somewhere at the airport for left luggage?

brian

Mrs johnboy, there's a left luggage place (and lockers) in the railway station which is on the arrivals level at the opposite end of the terminal from the easyjet checkin/scrummage area.

You'll need to Register first of course.

If Geneva doesn't suit (and there's no reason why it shouldn't), then a quick train to Morges takes you to a nice, small town with better (IMHO) lakeside views and slightly cheaper cafés. Trains go direct to/from the airport. Indeed any of the small towns along the lakeside are interesting. Also, they may still run the boat trips on the lake through winter, but check first. There are the usual scheduled services, but there are some specific sight-seeing ones too, inc. one that just does the "smaller" lake and points out places like Byron's house, etc. With the scheduled services, you can get a ticket that lets you get the train to Lausanne and boat back (or vice versa). The boats have bars and restaurants, and it's often worth paying a little bit extra for 1st class (though maybe less so in winter). See http://www.cgn.ch/

EDIT the boat between Lausanne & Geneva seems not to run in winter, sorry.

If you're walking along the water front, the walk round to the fountain is worth it (the journey as much as the destination). The Old town is also well worth a wonder. Finally, bus number 10 (I'm pretty sure it is) runs from outside the airport to the town centre and gives better views than the train. You'll need coins for the ticket machine, but if you get a day ticket it should be valid on the bus & train.

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Mrs johnboy, Get the train into Geneva from the airport and head for the Cafe de Paris in the rue de Mont-Blanc near the station. There is only one menu, entrecote and frites, green salad to start with, and plenty of red wine. Great atmosphere and the best steak you will probably ever eat.

For more choice find your way into the old town and try the Carnivore in rue Neuve-du-Molard. This was also one of our favourites when we lived out there. Anything near the lake will be expensive, venture into the main or old town and prices will be easier on the purse.

After all it is free

Thanks CP, The Cafe de Paris sounds excellent especially knowing the simple food desires of Mr Johnboy - anything that involves steak and red wine is a hit! snowHead

The old town and shopping area are probably best, tho a good walk from the station. Some nice cafes and restaurants up around the cathedral. If the Jet is working you can always take the kids for a soaking Toofy Grin

An alternative is to go along to Nyon with its old square and chateau overlooking the water.

Depending on time, take the train to Montreux (1hr? from airport) and walk along the front stopping for a photograph with Freddy Mercury.

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The Paquis area, between the train station and the lake, is a pretty lively area, with a good selection of ethnic restaurants, plus plenty of bars and cafes. It also houses the red light district, but the area generally is not at all seedy, and is perfectly safe.

Carouge, over the other side of the city is another interesting part of town, again with lots of decent places to eat and drink. To get there, take the number 13 tram from the train station.

On the Sunday, you could go to the Red Cross museum, or take a stroll along the lake and around the old town. If your legs are up to it after a week of skiing, you can climb up the tower in the Cathedral, for great views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

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skanky, Apparently the hotel provides us with a ticket for the bus although not sure which number. Looking forward to seeing the old town.

halfhand, we don't have any kids but I'll bare that in mind for future reference!!!! rolling eyes

Thanks everyone Very Happy

Mrs johnboy, I'd guess at Carte 24 Heures "Tout Genève", which means it won't matter. But they may be stingy and just make it a "Tout Genève". Confused

You know it makes sense.

Mrs johnboy,

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

CP, would agree with your choice of Menu. We were reccomended the same place. First shown the wine list. Took the waiters advice on the wine, he said it would go very well with the steak. We all looked at each other and all thought "what happens if we dont go for the steak!".

Great meal and excellent location, we stayed accross the road at the hotel cornovin. Excellent location would advise it to anyone, if it was good enough for tintin!!!!!!

Help!!

Geneva

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