I have business trip to Geneva the third week of January 2004. I'm thinking of staying at the Noga Hilton. My business will be with a UN agnecy, but I don't yet have the address. Is Hilton located near easy transport to UN area?? If I had the weekend in Geneva what should I do? What's the weather like?? Are boots a necessity?

Can't help you with the hotel as I stayed with a friend while in Geneva in Oct. It is a fantastic city! There is amazing shopping, both designer and mid end, a really wonderful Old Town that you can lose yourself in wandering cute shops, cafes, etc. There are quite a few musuems, the Rath had a Hodler exhibit while I was there. And the waterfront, even when chilly, is very pretty. If the clouds clear the views of the mountains is gorgeous!

It is very easy to walk all over as I did. If the weather is nice I highly recomend a day trip via train to Montreax where you can go thru Chateux Chillon.

Ah, Geneva, my home for nine years, and in fact for 3 of those years I lived a few blocks from the Noga Hilton. You?ll be able to access whichever UN agency you are visiting via local bus. Very good system.

January in Geneva?gray, cold, dreary. If you ski, or even if you don?t, rent a car and drive over into France, to Megeve, Chamonix or any of the stations of Les Portes du Soleil, only an hour away. I miss the Alps so much. It can be a gray day in Geneva and as you drive up into the mountains, the clouds part and the sun against the snowy peaks is dazzling. Unless they?re getting a fresh dumping of snow at that moment. So it?s worthwhile checking the weather report. Back in the 1980s, every Thursday at 6pm, the International Ski Club would meet at the UN Tennis Club. It was a party atmosphere of mostly single people and we?d sign up for the ski bus trips of that weekend, either Saturday, Sunday, or sometimes overnight trips. Mostly English speakers. Your UN colleagues may be able to tell you whether this club still exists. You can rent skis for the weekend either in Geneva or at the resort, but if you go with the ski club, get your skis before the trip. It is closer to ski in France than elsewhere in Switzerland, believe it or not.

If you stay in town, please visit Carouge. After I moved from downtown, I lived in this charming 18th/19th century suburb. Go to the other side of the lake from the Noga Hilton and take the # 12 tram. Saturday mornings, the same tram can drop you off at the Rond Point de Plainpalais where there is a huge outdoor flea market.

Sundays are very quiet in town. Everyone heads to the mountains.

Have a raclette or fondue for me.

PS Wendy has some good suggestions both in the above post and in a trip report she wrote elsewhere on this forum. She rightly suggested Annecy, France as a nice day trip. Shops, etc are open in France on Sunday. It's easiest to drive but I believe there is a bus from Geneva. Berne, the Swiss capital, is a possibility on Saturday, not Sunday. Interesting city with covered arcades along the downtown streets so you can keep dry if the weather is wet.

What a wealth of info Maryjo is! I would like to know if there's anything I must not miss if I have a day in Lausanne and one in Geneva (not consecutively). Didn't see a response about the 'boots' question - do I have to take mine with me?

Hi cmolla/alfomega (?),

I'd like to second Wendy's suggestion to get to Montreux -- stroll along the lakeside promenade to Chillon, then take a bus back. Though it'll be cold and there will be no flowers, the scenery is still stunning (I've enjoyed it in March and Nov as well as the great summer months!). I've never been drawn to Lausanne, but I know some folks have posted here about some great sights in the city -- maybe do a text search here.

As for the boots question -- of course it depends on the recent snowfall and your planned activities! Go to Geneva's website to see recent weather and forecasts, and look especially for recent or live camera shots. I think, though, you won't need the boots for in-town activities as long as you have decent waterproof walking shoes. From what I've seen and heard, this is a bad (or good?) year for city snowfall, and Geneva doesn't normally get a lot of snow. However, if you do go up to Megeve or Chamonix or even if you get to some of the country walks in the hills above the lake, you'll need the boots.

Let me know if I can help further.

s

An answer to one of your questions, as all the others have been answered to...
This morning, it was raining cats and dogs in Geneva...
As for the boots, I would say they are on average a necessity for 10 days / year... Best thing is to check just before yr departure.

Swandav2000 and Baldrick are right about the boots, but what you will really need is an umbrella.

Thanks for the advice. I live about 50 miles from Lake Tahoe, but never needed boots till I went to N. Idaho/Selkirk Mountains when the pavement is icy. Are there any other short excursions, other than the 11 km walk?

If the weather is good you could also drive to Annecy, 1 1/2 hours from Geneva in France. It is a great little town, the old part, and I thought it was quite unique. also it's a pretty drive. Or you could drive out to the mountains.