City Breaks - Geneva
Situated in the French-speaking
part of Switzerland, Geneva is at the very south-west
part of country, between the Alps and Jura Mountains.
It's on the shore of Lake Geneva where the Rhone
River runs right through the city and the mountains
are a backdrop. This compact city is ideal for
a weekend break, or for a longer visit.
Steeped
in 2,000 years of history, including Geneva's
influence on the international stage, being the
home of the Red Cross and many other organisations,
there is much to discover.
Geneva
is unique in being home to over 200 organisations,
and one in three residents are non-Swiss, giving
the town a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. This
is reflected in its large number of restaurants
with dishes from the whole world.
A
stroll around Lake Geneva, and boating excursions
are a must, with options including lake cruises
or Rhone River cruises. The 'Jet d'eau' is a 140
metre high water fountain, made its debut in 1891.
With subsequent renovations, it is now Europe's
tallest fountain, a dramatic symbol of Swiss engineering
prowess.
The
old part of town, is on the south side of the
Rhone River, with the centre of town being dominated
by the partially Romanesque, partially Gothic
Cathedral St Pierre.
You
will be amazed by the myriad of restaurants, antiques
shops and art galleries, amongst the hidden courtyards
and ancient streets, with names such as 'Hell',
'Purgatory' or 'The Rising Sun'.
Geneva
is a city of parks and you can walk from the Mont-Blanc
bridge to the Botanical Garden, thereby crossing
the city, through more then three miles of trees
and bushes, without crossing a road.
The
huge Flower Watch, created at the edge of the
English Garden is a must. Decorated with real
plants but with a working clock movement, it commemorates
Geneva as the birthplace of the Swiss watch and
clock industry.
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