IS GENEVA WORTH VISITING?
 

WHILE IN PARIS,WE ARE PLANNING A DAY TRIP TO GENEVA <BR>WHICH IS ABOUT 3HOURS ON THE TGV. IS THE TRIP WORTH IT? WHAT IS TO SEE IN GENEVA? HAS ANYONE BEEN THERE? <BR>ANY SUGESTIONS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I have been to Geneva and didn't care for it, found it not very friendly, the lake area is nice and there are excursions to take. Personally I prefer Lausanne just a little north. It is home to the International Olympic Committee museum, and the Ouchy district on the lake is very beautiful. From the train station you cross the street to the funicular to Ouchy or go uphill via funicular or foot to the main town, cathedral, other museums and farmers market.

I know this is 12 year old post, but would anyone agree that Geneva is not worth a visit? I am planning a week there and I wonder if I should bring my family along.

Hi RainyDay09,

Is this a question about the city of Geneva itself, or a question about visiting the Lake Geneva area?

I don't like cities myself so didn't care for Geneva the one time I stayed there. However, I spend one or two weeks in Montreux every year.

If you can let us know the kinds of things you enjoy, we can help you see if the city or the area would work for you.

s

Geneva is well worth a visit. It just depends on what you're looking for.

One day we spent a week in Geneva. People from the UN hate to be posted to Geneva because it such a sleep clinic. We had a return flight from Geneva but we planned a full day there. By the end of that one day we had seen all the major sights but the Red Cross Museums.

I live in a large city and love cities but this one quickly moved to the bottom of the list.

I used to have to go to Geneva fairly often as it was my company's European HQ. Not the most exciting place but many options for day trips along the lake and up into the mountains. Would not like to be tied to Geneva itself for a week.

So, while you have to work, your family could have some great rail adventures--Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, Gruyere or further afield. Swiss trains are great with precise connections to bus and tram lines, etc. Boats on the lake also connect the lake towns as well as Evian in France.

Many good restaurants, however, I can't remember a single name! One was a long walk from the lake in a converted suburban train station.

"One was a long walk from the lake in a converted suburban train station."
Le Buffet de la Gare des Eaux-Vives?

That's probably it, Pvoy, thanks. Still good, it's been about 8 years?

We spent a day in Geneva years ago. It is a pleasant enough city but I wouldn't go back. You didn't say where you will be coming from but it isn't the kind of place I'd spend a lot of money to bring my family along.

On the other hand, if you plan to travel while you are in Europe, it would be a fine place for the family to hang out for a week.

If it is the same, very good. One Michelin star.
Geneva has much to offer and is far from being a dull town.

It seems like a nice place to live - but I wouldn't want to visit there.

That said, see:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/05/29...y-knew-it.html

so here is my deal. I am going to a conference at the Graduate Institute, near the WTO headquarters. I was trying to figure out whether to pay for my husband and 4 year old to come with me. I will be in meetings all day Sunday through Thursday and at functions in the evening. I thought we would fly in on Saturday and leave on the following Tuesday, so I would be able to do excursions with them Friday-Monday. I have a couple of college friends (married couple), who live in Neuchatel, which is 90 minutes away, on the north side of Lake Geneva.

I am not sure yet if it is all a go. I will not for sure if I am going on Monday or Tuesday.

I will have to leave my husband alone with my son, if they don't come with me. I am a bit nervous about it, but on the other hand, I don't want them to be bored, while we are shelling out $3K for airfare.

We live in Seattle. What do you think?

@flygirl, thanks for the link. excellent article.

Some info on places to see and mini trips :
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/?rubrique=0000000131

@Pvoyageuse, merci beaucoup!

The impression I got from Geneva is that one day is enough for a visitor. However, there a lot of things to do and see close by. I wouldn't necessarily stay in Geneva to see them (too much travel time). Geneva could be a day trip. However it sounds like you have to stay there at least 4 days. Not a tragedy.

It is definitely not a tragedy. I am just trying to decide whether to spend $3K on airfare to bring my husband and 4-year old son along. I am likely to go, although I am still not 100% sure.

For me Ginebra is not worth it / It is a pleasant city , nothing wrong with it but I would spend my money in a more interesting, exciting destination.

You might be better off starting a new thread on "how to entertain a 4 year old in or near Geneva".

It's certainly going to be safe, and what an adult finds boring a kid might not. They can take boat rides to different destinations on the lake, for instance. There is a Swiss Chocolate train, too.

It would be worth it to pick up a guidebook and get some ideas about things in or near Geneva.

I would imagine Geneva would be a good first international destination for a four year old. The overall challenges would be fairly minimal compared to other places. Small, easy to get around, safe.