Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city, located at the southwestern end of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French) where the Rhone river flows out of the lake. It is almost completely encircled by France and therefore French-speaking, although English is spoken widely.
It is known as the "capital of peace" due to its tradition of humanitarianism. Several international organisations are based in Geneva including the European headquarters of the UN, the Red Cross (with a museum beneath the offices) and the World Trade Organisation. It is also one of Switzerland's business cities.
Geneva's defining symbol is the Jet d'eau, the 140m-high fountain at the edge of Lake Geneva. On the right side of the lake are many of the city's hotels and restaurants; on the left is the Old Town. Lively promenades with cafes, markets and shops line the lake.
There are two monuments that pay tribute to Switzerland's watch-making industry. The enormous Flower Clock is in the English Garden on the left bank; the "monumental solar and laser clock" is on the right.
Finding cheap flights to Geneva is not a hard task. Between the Alps and its position as an international business city, Geneva flights are easy to pick up.
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Summer is warm with temperatures in the mid-20s (Celsius), and July can be in the upper 20s and hot. Autumn is mild as temperatures drop to the low 20s and into the low teens in October. Winters are cold with daytime temperatures ranging from the very low single digits, and when the bise (north wind) blows, it can be bitterly cold. Spring is mild with temperatures reaching the teens. Rain falls year-round, and September usually gets the most rain.
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Peak Season:
July and August have the best weather and the biggest crowds. The beginning of August marks Swiss National day with two weeks of festivities. The summer is packed with events, especially music festivals.
Tourism peaks again during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The celebration of l'Escalade in December with its costumed and torch-lit processions brings throngs of visitors to the city.
Off Season:
The shoulder months of June and September are pleasant times to visit and slightly lower hotel rates and Geneva flights can be found.
October, November, April, and May have fewer crowds, and possibly the lowest rates, although some lodging establishments are closed during the low season.
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Public buses leave for the centre every few minutes from the departures and arrivals levels. A free hotel shuttle transports passengers to major hotels. A train leaves for Cornavin RR Station in the city centre every ten minutes, from where connections can be made to destinations throughout Europe. Taxis are also available outside Arrivals and cost between CHF 30 and 35 to the centre of Geneva.
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Unless you are in a hurry, walking or bicycling through Geneva is the ideal way to see the city. Free city bicycles are available from May to October at Genev' Roule, outside the main train station.
Geneva’s public transport system is reliable, fast, and efficient. Trams, buses, and trolleys service the city. Buses and trams run from early morning to midnight when a night-bus service runs until early morning. Tickets are pre-purchased and validated when you board. If you are staying for a while, the week-long passes offer a good value.
The seagull shuttle boats (les mouettes) are also part of the public transport system, and provide service back and forth across the lake. Bus tickets are interchangeable for rides on les mouettes. For a more leisurely boat ride, there are full-day, half-day, evening, and hourly cruises on the lake.
Taxis are plentiful but pricey, even though fares are lower in the city.
Driving in Geneva is not recommended simply because parking is so difficult to find. Hiring a driver and car for the day may prove to be a more reasonable option.
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- Geneva is known for watches and clocks. One more unusual version is the flower clock in the Jardin Anglais. The huge clock is planted with many flowers and keeps perfect time. Its second hand is the largest of any clock in the world (at 2.5 metres long).
- Walking tours of the city centre are available through the tourist board and are an excellent way of seeing the main tourist spots along with some less well-known attractions. Among the tours on offer are “Art, Architecture and Urban Development”, “Geneva through Tales and Legends” and, fitting with the city's location, “A Walk with Water”.
- The town of Lausanne is situated near to Geneva on the banks of the lake and is an easy day trip to make. The famous town was once known for its restorative qualities because of its position on the lake. Today, it is a vibrant and fascinating city, with some stunning Swiss architecture.
- Shopping is a popular pastime in Geneva. As well as watches, other good buys to take home include the famous Swiss Army Knife (made by only two companies in the world) and chocolate.
- Geneva is the main arrival point for skiers to the French and Swiss Alps. Be aware that the airport is divided into two sections and you can exit by either the French or Swiss side depending on your destination. As you exit the airport in the winter season, you’ll be faced with lots of ski reps collecting passengers for their buses. If you’re not booked on a package, don’t worry. It’s very easy to catch to the snow train to the major resorts. Failing that, try sweet-talking one of the reps headed to your resort to let you on the bus. If they’re not full up, they may take you.
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