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Guide to Geneva, Switzerland
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Geneva Switzerlands second-largest city and its more frequented, Geneva is a place of beauty, influence, and ethnic and cultural diversity. Located within walking distance of the Swiss and French Alps', the city is full of museums, events, architecture, and friendly inhabitants. The location of the conventions that changed the course of politics and foreign policy and aid throughout the world is here, in Geneva. Many people come here as a half-way house to skiing and snowboarding bliss in the Alps, but some also come for the historical and cultural aspects of this great city that have changed the course of world events for more than a century.
When to go:
Geneva is a year-round destination for sight-seers, hikers, and skiers. The crowd volume has little change throughout the year. What does change is the weather. Even though Genevas location provides unexpected climate changes, the weather most consistently pleasant is usually during the month August through October. During this time youll get warm days and less crowded sites like museums and such. During the summer packs of vacationers and backpackers fill every room in every hotel, so if you wish to travel during this time, be sure to smooth out any conflicts to ensure you a worry-free trip.
Getting there and around:
Your flight will be arriving at Geneva Airport, fully stocked and equipped to handle any concern you may have and/or fill any request you may have: be it brochures, or limo service. Car rental agencies are on site, and we would not advise against it to make use of this service.
Renting a vehicle is a good idea for those looking to visit the outer reaches of Geneva, or maybe do some hiking in the mountains. Itd be convenient to have an automobile to drive and not have to rely on a bus schedule to drop you off and/or pick you up. However, if you plan on staying within the general confines of the city centre, by all means, use public transit. Its the cheapest solution, and the varieties of buses, trams, taxis, etc., will get you to where you need to go.
Attractions:
If, by chance, you happen to travel to Geneva during the winter, youll be pleased to know that in December, specifically on December 11^th , the Genevan festival known as lescalade takes place. This is a tradition when large amounts of chocolate and marzipan are consumed by nearly all inhabitants of the city, even foreigners! Its a great tradition, and the chocolates served by the multitudes that cater to the public on this day are splendid. If you want to burn off the excess calories, take a hike in the beautiful mountains the following day!
The Cathedral de St Pierre is a fascinating site to visit, and its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture is wonderful. The styles give the cathedral a very grand yet bleak look (that is probably what was intended by the architects). The cathedral is famous in part because John Calvin preached here for quite some time. You may also be able to catch a few glimpses of the foundation of the older church upon which the cathedral is built.
The International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum is an extraordinary, somber and humbling establishment to visit. The displays of both pieces from the organizations histories, and the multimedia presentations are very moving, and youll be taken from before the founding of the Red Cross and Red Crescent by Henry Dunant, to the events of today - and the plights that people face throughout the world - that these organizations are committed to remedy.
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