Geneva
Image: Chillon Castle by FR Antunes reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence
The best cuckoo clocks, the most expensive penknives, and home to the world's biggest water fountain, Genevans don’t do things by halves. Whether you opt for an outdoor adventure in the nearby Jura mountains, a leisurely cruise on the lake or simply take a day to appreciate the city, you won’t be disappointed. Reaching Geneva by train from London really couldn't be more simple. High-speed trains connect the city’s main station to Paris Gare de Lyon in little more than 3 hours... More
Travelling by train from London to Geneva is easy. Hop on the Eurostar to Paris, and then it's just two stops on board the RER from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, from where TGV trains depart frequently.
Those of you who love to gaze from the window en route will be pleased to note that the train reduces its speed for the most scenic part of the journey. As it winds its way through the mountains in the approach to the city you'll have time to appreciate the extraordinary scenery. This is European rail at its best, fast, efficient and door-to-door.
Start as you mean to go on and begin by brushing up on your dark matter at the CERN exhibition centre. If particle physics doesn't do it for you, fear not, Geneva offers many more tempting delights, with a trip out on Lake Geneva or an Alpine safari just for starters...
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Cruise to Yvoire
No trip to Geneva would be complete without taking to the water. So whether you opt for an hour, an evening, a sunset supper or a fondue festival, there’s no excuse not to set sail.
Day trips are in abundance and you’ll be spoiled for choice at the lake’s edge. A trip to the beautiful medieval town of Yvoire comes highly recommended. Three departures set sail from Geneva’s main pier on a daily basis, and reach Yvoire on the south bank of the crescent lake (“where little lake meets big lake”) in around an hour.
Disembark and you’ll find yourself in a discreet fishing town; sumptuous gardens, where a crumbling castle and winding cobbled streets await. Fresh fish from the lake fill menus, while wines from the nearby valleys of Rivas and Valais entice diners to stay another course. This is a great spot to relax in the crisp mountain air. Just don’t miss the ferry back to the mainland.
Image: Jesjimher reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Licence
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Particles of Joy
Geneva is home to a colourful and diverse nightlife but should you find yourself singing “Don’t know much about a science book” you know it’s time to brush up on your physics. And there is no better place to start than The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) whose new Globe of Science and Technology centre has just opened its doors to the public.
Your geekery will know no bounds as you enter the fascinating world of particle physics. Eat your heart out Brian Cox! Head north from the city (tram no. 18 from the train station) to the CERN exhibition centre, close to the French/Swiss border, and take advantage of numerous free exhibitions and let your inner scientist roam free.
Even though the giant Hadron Collider is off limits for safety reasons, exhibitions on the big bang, cosmic super-collisions, and the dark secrets of the Universe (all animated, annotated, and turned into interactive anti-matter displays) provide plenty of intrigue. This is where scientists dabble with dark matter, and (probably) risk sucking the entire earth into a man-made vortex on a daily basis. So get to know your quarks from your neutrinos and go on a journey through the time-space continuum.
Image: Editor reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence
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The Great Outdoors
If exploring the great outdoors brings out the Ray Mears in you, then a trip into the epic peaks surrounding Geneva should be right up your street. With the stark landscape of the Alps to the south, and the humble Jura mountains to the north, these stunning vistas have earned their reputation as some the finest in Western Europe.
Evergreen forest jostles for space on the edge of emerald lakes, and cascading waterfalls worthy of the finest shampoo ads tempt toes to glacial waters. Geneva makes an ideal base for discovering this wilderness and there are countless opportunities to get outdoors, either as part of a tour or on your own personal adventure.
Book ahead with Swiss Retreat Cycling Tours, or enquire with your hotel about day trips and tours. For forays into the Alps take the train to Aigle - the capital of the Chablais wine region, just an hour away - and sup on a fine wine (“dustily elegant fruity” numbers apparently) or meander through the towering turrets of the phantasmagorical Le Château-d'Aigle before donning your walking boots and venturing out to conquer the peaks.
Image: Zingaro reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence