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PRACTICAL WAYS TO SEE THE CITY
On foot
The best way to see Geneva is on foot. Several good itineraries are published by the Tourist Information Office.
Biking
Exceptional bike paths abound in the city and region. A popular route is the 10km uninterrupted path between Chancy and Bernex. Again, the Tourist Information Office can help with routes.
From May to October Genev'Roule (supported by the Red Cross) rents out bikes at very reasonable prices in the following locations: Place de Montbrillant, Bains de Pâquis, Place du Rhône, Plaine de Plainpalais.
LAKE TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
Keytours
+41 22 731 4140
http://www.keytours.ch
City Tour (2 hours). A general bus and mini-train tour through the Old City, by the lake and near the United Nations.
City and Countryside Tour (4 hours, May-October).
This is much like the tour above, with the addition of a trip around nearby countryside passing fortified castles, vineyards etc.
Countryside Tour (2 1/2 hours, May-October) A trip around nearby countryside passing fortified castles, vineyards etc.
Chamonix-Mont Blanc (day trip, all year). A 90-minute bus trip to Chamonix with the option to take cable car to top of Aiguille du Midi (3842m) or the electric rack railway to 1913m vantage point on Montenvers. Here, there are stunning views of Mer de Glace (glacier 7km long, 1200m wide).
Gstaad/Diablerets (day trip July-August). An opportunity to drive through Gruyères and the Pillon mountain pass and then travel by cable car to the Diablerets Glacier (3000m). There is a restaurant at the top and the possibility to take snow bus onto the glacier.
Montreux-Chillon (5 hour trip, runs all year round). This is a guided tour through Château de Chillon, followed by shopping in Montreux.
Lausanne-Montreux-Chillon (all day, all year). Introduction to Lausanne plus tour as described above.
Berne-Gruyères (all day, May-October). An introduction to Switzerland's capital city - spend afternoon in the medieval village of Gruyère, enjoy a cheese factory stop and then pause in Lavaux to view vineyards and the lake.
Geneva Tourism Tours
+41 22 909 7000
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch
All tours leave on the Pont-de-la-Machine outside this branch of the tourist office. No reservations necessary.
Morning ramble through Geneva's Old City (2 hours, June-September). A guided stroll around historic buildings and streets in the Old City.
A Geneva Cocktail (1 1/2 hours, June-September).
Stroll through the Old City with anecdotes and stories about the area.
Tramway Tours
+41 22 781 0404
http://www.wwsa.ch/stt
Tramway Tour (May-October). Departures every 30 minutes. Guided tour through the Old City on a small train.
Trains Eaux Vives
+41 22 310 5300
Trains Eaux Vives (March-October). Departures every 45 minutes. Guided train tour around quays, Jardin Anglais, Le Grange etc.
Boat
Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN)
+41 22 312 5222
Trips to Bellevue, Versoix, Anières, Hermance. Vaud: Coppet, Nyon, Morges, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Chillon, France: Yvoire, Thonon, Evian. Various duration, gastronomic and dance cruises.
Beautiful shores of Geneva (55 minutes, July-September) A short cruise with commentary past some ports and beaches dotted around the lakefront.
Great day-long cruise by steamer (all day, May-October). Circumnavigate the lake in style, with lunch included.
"Rhône Express" (all day, May-October)
Same tour as above as far as Montreux, with possibility to take railway connection to Viège, Glacier Express to Zermatt and return to Geneva by train.
Noon cruise (3 hours, May-September).
See nearby sights by boat, lunch not included.
Evening cruise (3 1/2 hours, July-August).
Boat travels from Geneva to Nyon, Yvoire, Rolle and back.
Mouettes Genevoises
+41 22 732 4747
Short tour (45 minutes, April-September). A small circuit of the city lakeside.
Rhône River trip (2 hours 45 minutes, April-November). An interesting trip up the river to Verbois dam and back.
Château and Celebrated Residences Cruise (2hours, April-October) A guided boat trip to view famous mansions from the lake.
Swissboat Excursions
+41 22 732 2944
Siren cruise (1 hour, March-November): adults CHF 12, children CHF 7. A guided trip around the lakeside near Geneva. Sights include The Siren, a sculpture of a woman placed on a rock in the lake.
Small Ports Cruise (1 hour, June-September). This short lake cruise stops at the small ports of Ruth, Bellerive, La Belotte, Bellevue and Creux-de-Genthod.
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
Wine
Satigny is one of the principal wine-growing areas in Switzerland. Varieties grown include Chasselas, Gamay, Pinot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards include Les Balisiers and Domaine du Paradis. Some wineries can be visited for wine-tasting sessions. Check with the Tourist Information Office.
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