Geneva

Geneva is a renowned hub of commerce, and as such hotel prices can reflect this status. Although business travellers are well catered for, a wider variety of options is beginning to emerge. For top-tier luxury, the fiver-star Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva (Quai Du Mont Blanc 19) takes some beating, and boasts excellent service to go along with its great views of Lake Geneva. The Hotel Warwick (Rue de Lausanne 14) is conveniently located close to the train station, while the Hotel Central (Rue de la Rôtisserie 2) is a great choice for those on a smaller budget.

Geneva may well be famed for an abundance of watches and cuckoo clocks, but there are plenty of other shopping opportunities for the discerning browser. Saturday’s second-hand market at Plaine de Plainpalais is great for bargains on goods ranging from books to clothes and antiques, while meats, cheeses and fresh produce abound at La Halle de Rive’s indoor food market (Boulevard Helvétique 29). Shop the fashions and homewares at the Globus department store (Rue du Rhône 48), which boasts a fairly lavish food court with a bar that serves champagne and oysters. The designer department store Bongénie (Rue du Marché 34) is worth a visit for those prepared to really loosen up the purse strings.

Geneva is permeated by international inhabitants, and this diverse cultural backdrop lends itself to a rich and varied dining scene. Be careful you don’t pay through the nose for the sake of it, and do your research on potential restaurants. For Asian cuisine and top-notch sushi, head out of the centre to Carouge and Pakùpakù (Rue Vautier 43), while pizza lovers should check out the stylish warehouse setting that La Fumisterie (Rue des Noirettes 21) finds itself in. For a great wine list and tasty tapas try the riverside wine bar Le Rouge et Le Blanc (Quai des Bergues 27), or for an aperitif head to La Tour du Molard (Place du Molard 20), which is housed in a 16th-century tower.

artgenève

January – February

This art fair is one of the biggest such events in Europe, taking place at the start of each year in Geneva. Whether or not you’re already a collector of art, there’s plenty to admire and even tempt you into the odd purchase.

Bol d’Or Mirabaud

June

Around 600 sailboats take part in this remarkable boat race held each year in June on Lake Geneva. Crowds cheer on the participants striving to win the Bol d’Or from the banks of the lake, although the after-party is enjoyable no matter the result.

Fête de la Musique

June

Geneva’s parks come alive to the sound of music as this three-day festival celebrates everything from jazz to classical music.

Fêtes de Genève

July – August

It’s a great time to be in Geneva when the Fêtes de Genève kicks off, with carnival fever taking over the city. Dance late into the night on the banks of Lake Geneva, and take a ride on the Ferris wheel as the city celebrates everything about its culture, from music to art and dance.

Coupe de Noël

December

Not everyone’s idea of fun, but each year around 1,000 people risk being certified as insane by taking a traditional Christmas dip, and swimming some 125m in Lake Geneva’s near-frozen waters.