Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Switzerland : Geneva - January 2010

Country Code: Dial for Switzerland

January is the best time to visit Geneva, as locals head to the ski slopes, leaving the city yours to discover. Walk along the snow-lined lakeside, forget your New Year resolutions and warm up with some top-class food and smooth drinks. Lou McMullen braves the winter chill, wraps up warm, and welcomes in 2010 with style

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).

LES GROTTES

Located behind the train station, this was once home to Geneva’s counterculture but is now a trendy district popular for socialising.

Must eat – Just across the road, Thai food is yours for the asking at Le Siam (5 Rue de la Servette, tel. ). Their pad Thai is said to be the best in Geneva. For a bite before a night out, grab a good-value pizza at El Pueblo (75 Rue de Lyon, tel. ).

Must drink – Brasseur des Grottes (6 Rue de la Servette). Sample a range of beers from their in-house brewery and try their speciality snack, a flammenküche – a light, flaky pastry slice topped with cheese, cream and other ingredients of your choice.

Dance the night away – Spice up your life at La Toca (also at 75 Rue de Lyon), a late-night Latino club with great cocktails and all styles of music.

NATIONS

Geneva is renowned for its humanitarian and other international organisations, and this is the hub.

Sleep soundly – Situated within striking distance of various international organisations, the classic four-star Hôtel les Nations (62 Rue de Grand Pré, tel. , hotel-les-nations. com, doubles, breakfast included, from €265/CHF 400) is only a short walk from the train station.

Culture vultures – No visit is complete without seeing the United Nations (8-14 Avenue de la Paix), where the world’s most influential decision-makers regularly meet. Work up an appetite by taking a stroll through the nearby Jardin Botaniques (1 Chemin de l’Impératrice), which boasts more than 16,000 different species of plant.

Must eat – Leave your passport at the door and pop into the nearby World Meteorological Organization (7 bis Avenue de La Paix, tel. ) for a weekday lunch. The floor-to-ceilingwindowed restaurant-cafeteria, at the top of the building, serves amazing food, beaten only by what is arguably the best panoramic view of the city and lake.

RIVE GAUCHE

Geneva’s Left Bank is traditionally the banking/finance district but it’s also where you’ll find the best retail therapy.

Sleep soundly – The three-star Hôtel Longemalle (13 Place Longemalle, tel. , longemalle.ch, doubles from CHF 250/€165) is a gem. Its façade dates back to 1905, but it has modern amenities, along with attentive service.

Must drink – Tacos Inn (2 Cours de Rive) is a classy lounge bar specialising in Latin American wines, tequilas, beers and cocktails. It also serves an intriguing fusion of Mexican and new French food.

Dance the night away – For an evening with the hip crowd, check out the smart chrome and leather, New York-style club Atmosphere (8 Rue Kléberg), where those in the know go to party.

Shop til you drop – Attack the Rues Basses (incorporating Rue de la Conféderation, Rue du Marché, Rue de la Croix d’Or and Rue de Rive). The top Swiss and international department, jewellery and watch stores are found here. Parallel to this “high street” is the Rue du Rhône, where you will find luxury designers including Chanel and Dior.

CAROUGE

In Geneva but somehow feeling a world apart. Past Italian influences and architecture make Carouge a warm, lively retreat.

Must eat – For a beautiful classic restaurant, look no further than La Bourse (7 Place du Marché, tel. ), which serves traditional brasserie fare, such as juicy entrecôtes, steak tartare, oysters and mussels. If you fancy dishes that are less rich, try downstairs for reasonably priced pizzas, pastas and fondues.

Must drink – Qu’importe (1 Rue Ancienne) is a fantastic stop in winter. It even has a real fire to warm up your bones after a cold day outdoors.

Dance the night away – The popular cellar bar Le Chat Noir (13 Rue Vautier, chatnoir.ch) has been one of the top live music venues in the area since 1985 and is always jam-packed with all ages and types.

Compiled by Lou McMullen