The beautiful and scenic Swiss city of Geneva is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. ‘This city by the lake’ which is located on the banks of Lake Geneva where the River Rhone exits is an affluent city which is also renowned as the birthplace of the International Red Cross. Geneva which is known for its religious and political tolerance also hosts many institutions that belong to the United Nations as a result of which it is inhabited by a cosmopolitan populace that is largely is made up of international delegates and diplomats. Geneva is also considered to be a gateway to Switzerland’s many ski resorts and the city is also an important center for banking and watch manufacturing. The city exudes a vibe that can be best described as a quiet elegance for it is populated by relatively wealthy folk who travel in luxury cars and shop at the city’s many upscale, sophisticated designer boutiques.
Geneva’s immaculate and almost pristine environs have led some of its inhabitants to describe it as a city that is devoid of a soul but for those who are enamored of Swiss precision, efficiency and the breathtaking beauty of the Alps will enjoy the many delights that Geneva has to offer like museums, chocolate and watch boutiques and art galleries.
If you have always desired to see or even ski in the Swiss Alps then a visit to Geneva should figure in your holiday plans. If your journey originates in the US then you might want to consider business air travel to Geneva for the trip for it is bound to be a long haul flight that extends approximat...Read Moreely over ten hours. Luckily for you a plethora of European and American carriers offer business flights to Geneva from the US and at any given time a carrier that operates on this route may have business class deals to Geneva. Often air carriers advertise these tempting discount business class fares to Geneva through their email newsletters or various social media tools. However since these cheap business class seats are so well priced they tend to sell out quickly.
If you miss an opportunity to purchase these discount business class airfares to Geneva, you needn’t worry, for you can always get a cheap business class seat to Geneva from an airfares consolidator at any time. Airfares consolidators have exclusive consolidator contracts with airlines and thus often have a stack of discount business class airfares to various destinations around the globe at their disposal. Moreover these cheap business class fares are not inferior in any way to normal business class fares for they afford you with all the facilities and amenities of business class travel along with additional perks like mileage accrual and pre-travel seat selection.
Geneva which is surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains experiences a climate which is quite typical of the region. The city enjoys balmy summer months which extend from the months of June to September during which day time temperatures register highs of 22 ° C(72 ° F). This is in fact the best time to visit Geneva and the city accordingly is inundated with tourists who enjoy swimming in the waters of Lac Léman and at the water parks of Geneva Plage and Bains des Pâquis. The winter months in Geneva are usually bitterly cold as ice storms near the lake are quite common and the city often receives much snowfall during the winter months that extend from November to February. However tourists do not abandon Geneva during the winter for they once again flock to city as they make their way to the various ski resorts like Verbier, Gstaad and Mont Salève which are located within close proximity to Geneva.
Depending of which season you choose to visit Geneva your luggage will either contain winter or summer wear though if you are carrying your electronics with you as is the wont of so many travelers today, you should know that Geneva’s electric supply is of 220 V and 50 Hz and the electric sockets in Geneva accept plugs which have three rounded pins but they also often accept plugs which have two rounded pins. Switzerland is not a part of the European Union and thus the legal tender in Geneva like elsewhere in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc.
Geneva is served by an international airport which is located at Cointrin which is only a ten minute ride away from the city center. This international airport receives both low cost and full service carriers from around the globe. Within the city of Geneva, transport is provided by a well developed and efficient public transport system which is made up of buses, trolley, trains and taxis.
This city by the lake offers a wide assortment of sights which cater to diverse interests. However your visit to Geneva cannot be complete without a trip to the Geneva outpost of the United Nations. The United Nations in Geneva is housed in the Palais des Nations which was built between 1929 and 1937 to host the League of Nations. The Palais des Nations is an imposing building which is located in the midst of the city’s verdant Ariana Park that is filled with many old trees. This U.N. outpost offers critical support to the main body located in New York City and do need to have your travel documents with you if you want to visit this Geneva outpost and explore its many attractions like its 2,000 seat Assembly Hall and its Council Chamber which is decorated with gold murals that depict the human struggle for peace.
Another important attraction in Geneva is its Lac Leman which is located in the heart of city. This lakeside district in fact offers myriad opportunities for recreation and relaxation throughout the year. The Jet d’eau is a fountain that is located at the Lake which spurts to a height of 140 meters and symbolizes the city’s heritage as a leader in the world of hydraulic power. Aside from this fountain, there are other attractions located on the banks of the lake like the Promenades which line both banks and feature many cafes, bars and restaurants as well as street markets. Also located on the banks of the Lake Geneva is the water park known as the Bains des Paquis which was inaugurated in 1932 and features an Olympic size swimming pool, a Turkish bath equipped with a steam room, sauna and a massage parlor and restaurant. On the eastern bank of the River is the attraction of the Flower Clock which is composed of 6,500 blooms and pays homage to Geneva’s historic unmatched watch industry.
Yet another water based attraction in Geneva is Rousseau Island which is named after the Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau who was a native of Geneva. This island which is located in the midst of Le Rhone River is a tranquil piece of heaven which hosts a restaurant and a bird sanctuary.
If you enjoy historical sites which have much character then a walking tour of Geneva’s Old Town is also recommended. This ancient enclave is a maze of cobble stone streets and narrow alleys which are filled with cafes, boutiques and landmarks like the Saint Peter’s Cathedral which is Geneva’s oldest and most treasured attraction. This Cathedral which was started in 1160 took 400 years to build due to many incidents like fires etc. The north towers of the Cathedral offer gorgeous vistas of the city while the basement houses an Archaeological Museum that has displays of artifacts that were found in the bowels of the Cathedral and date back as far as 350 AD. Other landmarks located here include the Bourg de Four which is oldest market place in Geneva that dates back to Roman times and the 15th Century Hotel de Ville which is the seat of government in Geneva. This edifice has much history associated with it as it was here that the League of Nations was born in 1920 and the first Geneva Convention was held in 1864. The Old Arsenal which is a former battery and the Treille Promenade are other attractions that are located in Geneva’s Old Town that also worth visiting.
Place Neuve which is bounded by the Conservatory of Music, the Grand Opera Theater, the Rath Museum and the Victory Concert Hall is the principal destination for cultural events in Geneva. This square hosts many cafes and restaurants that cater to the culture loving theater goers. Aside from these main attractions, Geneva also offers other notable attractions like the Reformation Wall which is located in its beautiful Bastions Park and commemorates major events and personalities associated with Geneva’s historical past like of Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox . Also of interest is the decidedly peaceful but important attraction of the Plainpalais Cemetery which has the mortal remains of some of Geneva’s most prominent citizens like John Calvin(the founder of Calvinism and an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation), James Fazy( a Swiss statesman and writer), Augustin de Candolle(a renowned Swiss Botanist), Henri Dufour,( a Swiss army General) and Sergio Vieira de Mello, the late UN High Commissioner for Hum Hide