|
Geneva Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Geneva
- Geneva Holiday Package Deals
|
!
Search & Compare Discount on Geneva Hotels or Holidays
|
Geneva Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Geneva - With a pleasant setting, green parks, colourful
gardens and lakeside promenades, Geneva is considered one of the
healthiest places to live in the world. The city sits astride the
River Rhône, where it streams into Lake Geneva, and is set against
a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake's south shore the Jet
d'Eau shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier
- the city's landmark attraction and Europe's most powerful
fountain.
Undoubtedly Switzerland's most
cosmopolitan city, Geneva's reputation for religious and political
tolerance dates back more than five hundred years. In the 16th
century the city spawned the religious teachings of John Calvin,
and was where Lenin spent his 'years of recreation'. Little of
their Puritanism is left today - stately homes line the banks of
the lake, overlooking an armada of luxury yachts. Jewels and
designer labels spill out of exclusive boutiques and into
chauffer-driven limousines that slide down palatial
avenues. As well as a host of museums and fine
galleries, Geneva has a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is
the celebration of l'Escalade in December, which involves costumed
and torch-lit processions through the town, and the consumption of
sickly amounts of chocolate and marzipan. Geneva
is a gateway to Switzerland's luxury ski resorts, an important
banking centre and home to thousands of international delegates and
diplomats. Among the many international organisations based in the
city are the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the
World Health Organisation.
Advertisment: Search for a Holiday deal.
There are options for all Geneva holidays, hotels,
Geneva Flights and other deals with the
multi-search
booking engine.
Geneva
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
|
What is it? The largest lake in central Europe and shared
by both Switzerland and France, the romantic waters of Lake Geneva
(Lac Léman to its French-speaking inhabitants) have for decades
drawn visitors to its shores. Attracted by the alpine panorama,
quaint wooden chalet villages, vineyard-covered slopes and
sailboats skimming across the blue waters, many famous writers,
musical composers, actors and poets came to settle on the shores
and the area has become something of an inspiration to the arts.
Situated in the westernmost district of Vaud, the region contains a
diversity of attractions and activities, from wine-growing villages
and mountain ski resorts, picturesque castles, and magnificent
cathedrals, to low-key lakeside resorts, boat cruises, and cosy
fireside pots of fondue. Sophisticated shopping and cultural life
can be found in the cities of Geneva and Lausanne, with sweeping
views across the sparkling lake to the Alps and the distinctive
pinnacle of Mont Blanc. Among the vineyards and affluent villas
clinging to the slopes lie the lakeside towns of Vevey and
Montreux, the pearls of the Swiss Riviera. Scenic winding roads
stretch along the shores, and train trips offers outstanding views,
while below steamers crisscross the waters of Lake Geneva, offering
a variety of ways to experience the splendour of its
location.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Lausanne
www.lausanne-tourisme.ch |
What is it? Picturesquely located on the shores of Lake
Geneva, the youthful and energetic city of Lausanne is built above
the lake on a sequence of tiers connected by a small metro. The
upper or Old Town contains the grand Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame;
its turreted towers a well-known symbol of the city. The lower town
on the lakeshore was once the small fishing village of Ouchy and is
now the prime waterfront area with outdoor dining and cafés,
promenades and sporting activities. The gardens around the Quay
d'Ouchy are home to the city's foremost attraction, the Olympic
Museum, containing a wealth of sporting memories and a collection
of unique objects pertaining to the Olympic Games from its
beginning until the present. Lausanne relishes its importance as
the Olympic World Capital and headquarters of the International
Olympic Committee.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Château de Chillon
Avenue de Chillon 21
www.chillon.ch |
What is it? One of the best-maintained medieval castles
in Europe, the 13th century Château de Chillon is the most visited
historical building in Switzerland. With its stunning lakeside
location near the chic town of Montreux, jutting out into the water
and framed by mountains, it is one of the more frequently
photographed castles in Europe. An important fortress in the Middle
Ages, it was strategically positioned to control the narrow passage
between mountains and lake protecting the major north-south route.
It was also the favourite summer residence of the Counts of Savoy.
Later it served as a state prison. Visitors can tour the dungeons
where the castle's most famous prisoner was chained for four years,
the priest François Bonivard, a supporter of the Reformation. The
fortress became famous when Lord Byron wrote about Bonivard's fate
in an inspired poem entitled Prisoner of
Chillon. Besides the dungeons, visitors can wander round
the towers and courtyards, discover narrow secret passages, and see
the grand knight's halls, frescoed chapel, luxurious bedchambers
and rooms containing medieval weapons, furniture and
paintings.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9am to 6pm (April to September),
9.30am to 5pm (March and October), 10am to 4pm (January to February
and November to December)
Phone:(0)21 966 8910 |
Geneva
holidays - Top Events
1. Geneva Festival
From 2007-08-01
To 2007-08-31
|
What is it? The highlight of the summer season, the
Geneva Festival attracts crowds of people to the shore of Lake
Geneva for concerts, food and craft from around the world, all
types of music from techno to classical, a float parade, fun fair
and non-stop entertainment. The grand finale of the festival is a
fantastic musical fireworks display.
Where is it? Various |
2. Geneva Music Festival
From 2007-06-01
To 2007-06-30
|
What is it? The streets of Geneva are turned into a huge
musical stage every year at the Music Festival with hundreds of
concerts of all types performed by local and international artists.
The city fills with the sound of music, from rock bands to
classical orchestras. For more information phone +41 (0)22 418 6500
or email dac@ville-ge.ch
Where is it? Various |
3. L'Escalade Celebration
From 2006-12-09
To 2006-12-11
|
What is it? Of all the festivals that take place in
Geneva, none rival the pomp and ceremony of L'Escalade, which is
one of the oldest and most popular events in the city. The festival
is a patriotic celebration of the city's independence, the Geneva
equivalent of Guy Fawkes Day, and commemorates the vain attempt by
the Duke of Savoy troops to invade the old walled city in 1602.
Many legends surround the historic event, most famously the tale of
Mother Royaume who emptied her large cauldron of hot vegetable soup
on the attackers below. An Escalade custom consists of selling cups
of hot vegetable soup in the streets, and the windows of
confectioners and sweet shops display chocolate and nougat pots
decorated with the colours of Geneva and filled with marzipan
vegetables. The highlight of the festival is the torchlight
procession through the Old Town by participants in period costume,
with musketeers, horsemen, pipers and drummers, to the
accompaniment of crackers and gun salutes. Many people appear in
fancy dress and the carnival atmosphere is enjoyed by all. Contact
the Geneva Tourist Office for more information on +41 (0)22 909
7070 or email info@geneve-tourisme.ch
Where is it? Old City |
4. International Tree and Lights Festival
From 2006-12-01
To 2007-01-07
|
What is it? Started in 2001, the festival invites artists
from all over Europe to decorate trees in prominent positions
around the city centre, to create artistic lighting effects and
other innovative touches. The festival presents a contemporary
exhibition of imagination and creativity, where the trees of the
city have taken the place of museum walls and are adorned with
works from a multitude of artistic disciplines. The biggest
Christmas tree will replace Geneva's Jet d'Eau fountain. Festival
events include parties, street shows and competitions, particularly
the 'best tree' competition judged by prominent art celebrities.
For more information contact the Geneva Tourism Office on (0)22 909
7000.
Where is it? |
|
