Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Geneva

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Switzerland : Geneva - July 2008

Country Code: Dial for Switzerland

As the temperature soars, Geneva undergoes something of a sea change. The snow melts, along with the city’s icy reserve, and the chic, sleek metropolis develops an almost carnival atmosphere, where sizzling days and sultry nights are broken only by cool lakeside breezes. Louise McMullen gets hot under the collar

Getting around

Geneva Cointrin International Airport

Bus: If staying on the left bank, the No 10 will get you to Cornavin Station in 10 minutes and across the river in about 15 minutes
Train: The train from the airport to the city centre takes six minutes. A one-hour Tout Genève pass costs €1,90/CHF 3, which you can also use on buses.
Taxi: Taxis cost €19-25/CHF 30-40 and take about 15 minutes to the centre.
Tourist information: 18 Rue du Mont-Blanc (, www.genevetourism.ch).

PLACE DES NATIONS

A great way of getting to know a city is to walk it. Start at the heart of the international and humanitarian organisations, where you’ll find excellent hotels and restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Intercontinental Hotel Geneva (7-9 Chemin du Petit Saconnex, tel. , intercontinental.com, rooms from €186/CHF 300) has breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, as well as a lovely outdoor pool.

Culture vultures – No visit to the City of Peace would be complete without a tour of the United Nations (8-14 Avenue de la Paix). Look for the Place des Nations’ stunning centrepiece – a towering wooden chair with a broken leg, symbolising the struggle against landmines.

Must eat – For 400 years, Café du Soleil has been dishing out rich, creamy fondues. Students perfect their skills at Ecole Hôtelière de Genève, which is a good choice if you want to sample high-class gastronomy without breaking the bank.

RIGHT BANK

The high-end hotels and restaurants on the Right Bank stand in stark contrast to the vibrant, multicultural feel of Paquis, which is packed with bustling bars and cafés.

Sleep soundly – Hotel d’Angleterre (17 Quai du Mont-Blanc, tel. , dangleterrehotel.com, rooms from €419/CHF 677) successfully combines a quaint Victorian aesthetic with modern creature comforts. And if it’s raining, you can still

Must eat – The terrace at seafood restaurant Perle du Lac (126 Rue de Lausanne, tel. ) looks out over the lake and Mont Blanc. For a more budget-friendly option, try beachside Restaurant de la Plage du Reposoir (222 Rue de Lausanne, tel. ).

Must drink – Head down to the lakeside Bains des Paquis (30 Quai du Mont-Blanc) for a swim, followed by a sip of cool local chasselas wine.

Dance the night away – Shakers (4 Rue Arnold Winkelried) pulls in a mixed crowd and is always packed.Be careful with the seemingly innocent-tasting cocktail shakers if you don’t want the hangover from hell, though.

OLD TOWN

Full of antique shops and sedate visitors, Vieille Ville’s cobbled backstreets are quiet by day but come alive as night falls.

Culture vultures – The 14th-century Maison Tavel (6 Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre) is the oldest residential building in Geneva, and offers a rare glimpse of medieval city life. Set in an impressive gothic fortress, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (2 Rue Charles Galland) houses a stunning collection of fine art.

Must eat – Brasserie de l’Hotel de Ville (19 Grand Rue, tel ) has a lovely terrace and a menu packed with local specialties. Perfect for long lunches with the sun on your face.

Dance the night away – Petit Palace (6 Rue de la Tour de Boel) is Geneva’s oldest club. Large, popular and often crowded, it has an eclectic music policy.

Compiled by Louise McMullen